Bike Computers...are they worth it

lilRicki

I have to admit I'm not a tech geek, but this looks pretty sweet. They're bike computers, like pedometers. What do you think, are they worth $235? Or do you think they're going to be like my HRM and just be an expensive timer?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374302693003

dezil

Hey girlie! I bought one that was around $50 (I dont know the brand, but can get it to you if you'd like to read up on it). It tracks my mileage, the speed, has the time, and posts the temperature. I like it most for the mileage. I'm not sure if that one you're looking at shows calories burned? But, if you have a HRM you prod don't need that?? In any event, I LOVE HAVING MINE!!! :-) Good Luck deciding!

rmhand

I got one for $25 and it tracks distance, time, highest speed, average speed. And thats all I feel I need. What else does the $230 one do?

Homer3D

Do you have a smart phone with GPS? I use my iPhone to track all that. Tons of free aps out there that will do it.

Onesnap

If your HRM is a Polar it's not an expensive timer. (with a chest strap). Don't buy another device. You can get a bike add on for your existing HRM if you have a particular model of Polar HRM. I don't think any add on for your bike is worth it. Just log the calories burned on here, count it as cardio and classify your bike rides differently on MFP. You can have one in your fitness log for hills, one for flat roads etc. You can do a Google search to figure out what you burn on these rides (using your body weight etc.) there should be online calculators. Then log it. Save the $$$$$$$$$$$$

piccolarj

I love mine and I paid $100 for it. It tells mph, distance, calories burned etc. and also gives me a reading at the end of my ride. It will tell me my avg speed, distance on bike (it pauses when I make a stop on my long rides), how long I was in my HR zone. It also will let me know if my HR gets too low or too high while I'm riding. Mine is a Polar CS200 and I got it from Bike Nashbar.

dimoul

the expensive bike computers combine regular bike computer + gps + HRM features. I say get a basic bike computer for like $25. you might have to pay $35 for one that shows cadence. use a HRM for calories. you can use it for any kind of activity, not just biking. If you want gps, use your smart phone or get a cheaper gps unit that clips on to your bike. I have a garmin etrex legend gps that's several years old that I use sometimes when I ride.

jjhenry5

I'd say it depends on what you are trying to get out of your cycling. If you are just trying to do cardio burn, then your HRM is fine. If you are training for cycling events then it might be nice to know cadence, mileage, pace, etc.

Pandorian

I'd want to know more about the features... for the price? I think it's just a hyped up pretty packaged device that I get for $10 and put on my bike, tracks speed, distance traveled, highest speed, average speed, I believe time for the ride too.

I'm not a fan of the "one device to rule them all" that seems to be touted, I said it when you could buy tv with vcr combined... ok cool but if the vcr craps out you're without the tv until vcr is fixed.... so I'm kind of the same with other stuff, if I want an HRM I'll buy one and use that I don't need something I can ONLY use on my bike to tell me what my HRM is on it and then need another HRM (and batteries) to track when I'm on a treadmill etc.