Cycling UK Forum

Hi all

Any receommendations on first purchase of a heart rate monitor.

Many thanks for your time

Regards

Mike

The HR monitors I use are fairly dated, so though good, can't be recommended. I've consistently found the quality of the HR chest belt is important, as many have relatively poor 2032 batteries and seals, causing the belt to malfunction/fail after 12-24 months use (Sweat etc,tarnishing/corroding the electronics inside)

I'd look at various Polar models, basing my opinion on the quality of their HR belts and the fact that all the gyms I've been a member at, have used the Polar equipment due to reliability etc, etc. Their basic T31 HR belt is of notably better quality than any belt I've had from different manufacturers and being uncoded, seems to work with all my gear. And it's compatible with most gym equipment, seeing companies such as Technogym use Polar equipment, I.e. Technogym branded

Second vote here forthe polar ones, I have the basic M21 now for 4 years, use it several times a week, without any problem. They have an excellent service department which i used to replace the battery and this service was very cheap. They also have a superb website to save all you workout plans and goals on.

I recently bought a Polar CS300, doubles as a cycle computer with a speed sensor as part of the kit and a cadence sensor as an optional extra. It's simple to use appears accurate and delivers all the info I've need so far. The adapter for mounting on the handlebars is a bit tricky on a flat bars with pod cahangers due to cables from the gear and brake levers getting in the way.

My vote goes to the Garmin Forerunner 50. It stores the HR data and will download it to your PC for endless hours of pointless analysis. If you buy the GSC-10 speed/cadence sensor then it will double up as a bike computer, again with the ability to download the data to your PC.

My vote is for the Polar CX800 Bike. Expensive, but it's the dog's dangly bits!

If you have an old Polar model that is no longer serviceable by them, (not the same as just an old model) they do a trade-in scheme at a great discount.

Another vote for polar, I use the F4 not too expensive and gives the basic info I want, as said before the monitor set up also works in gyms.

Hi Mike,

If you haven't made your choice already my vote goes to the Garmin Forerunner 50. I bought one last month from Amazon for £29.99, plus c£10 for handlebar gizmo, a bargain!! It was easy to set up, downloaded first time on to my pc. I've just sent off for the cadence/speed sensor to become a full time data geek! As an entry level bit of kit can't fault it !

Have fun whatever you get