3 replies to this topic

[OggMonster]

Hi all,

Let me start by saying that I am a bit of a gadget fan!

I had a Cateye double wireless cycling computer on my bike which I loved as it displayed all sorts of good info during my training rides. A while ago, I bought the Polar RS800CX with the speed and cadence sensors. The best thing about this is that I can upload all my training data to the computer after my rides (and also my run sessions). During a training ride, I have the watch on the Polar handlebar attachment so I can easily read it without having to look at my wrist all the time.

The problem I have is that during a triathlon, I have my watch on my wrist during the swim, so when I get on the bike I don't want to take it off my wrist and then attach it to the bike, which means I have to look at my wrist every time I want to check my speed, cadence, distance etc (which is pretty annoying when I am trying to stay on my tri bars).

I am after some advice from people about training data vs races. I like to have the data from my rides (HR, speed, distance, altitude, cadence etc) to compare to previous rides on my computer, but from a race point of view it is ridiculous. I don't want to have two sets of speed/cadence sensors on my bike, so I am wondering what other people do who like to save their training data to a computer.

I have just bought a new bike (arrives in a week or so) and I am considering putting the Cateye back on it rather than using the Polar system. I am also considering buying the new Timex Ironman Race Trainer Kit to use for training instead of my Polar (because the Polar isn't very good for using during a race)!

I would really appreciate anyone's advice in this situation. I also hope this is the right forum for this question.

Cheers,

Oggy

[TynoMite]

It depends on what you're willing to compromise.
Check out the compatibility tables at the Polar site.
You could pick up a cycling specific computer that is compatable with your current cadence sensor (I have a CS 200 CAD and it's a great little computer) and just have the RS800 as a wrist only wearer or leave the RS 800 on the bike and get a different RS watch to run with.

If you're just after time/HR for the run, even an FTXX would be fine.

[OggMonster]

TynoMite, on Dec 21 2009, 03:08 PM, said:

It depends on what you're willing to compromise.
Check out the compatibility tables at the Polar site.
You could pick up a cycling specific computer that is compatable with your current cadence sensor (I have a CS 200 CAD and it's a great little computer) and just have the RS800 as a wrist only wearer or leave the RS 800 on the bike and get a different RS watch to run with.

If you're just after time/HR for the run, even an FTXX would be fine.

I have the W.I.N.D. sensors and I don't think the CS cycling computers are compatible with them (at least that's the impression I got from the Polar website). I just wish I didn't have to compromise on anything. Why can't someone make a product that suits Triathletes? It seems everyone is either a runner or a cyclist!

The RS800CX isn't that great for races anyway (aside from the fact that reading the info while riding my bike is a pain), but it needs to be set up as a run session or a ride session. Therefore, before I start the race I have to set it to 'Bike' and then if I want to run at a certain pace etc during the run leg, I have to change it during T2 to 'Run'. During the swim it keeps looking for the speed/cadence sensors because it is set to 'Bike' but it never finds them and sometimes it stops timing properly as a result!

I think I might go for the Cateye double wireless and then get the Timex watch.

Thanks for your advice!

[mxcj]

Check out the Garmin 310XT, it's geared towards triathlons rather than individual activities. Add the quick release kit and you can move it from your wrist to the bike and back again during a tri...

Have a look at sportmonitors.com.au as they are great on price and no delivery charge!

The are a few supporters of this nice little piece of kit on CR!