Cadence Monitor recommendations?
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ChunkyB posted 20 weeks ago.
If you want to be able to upload the data to your computer or anything, you might need something more expensive. I would get a simple cyclo-computer that has cadence, and if you get one that's wired, you won't have to worry about interference at all. I have a Sigma BC1600 and I love it. You can find the cadence add on pretty cheap, and you can even put the speed sensor on your rear tire if you want so it will work on your trainer. Here are some links. I just searched google, so you might be able to find them cheaper, but I think this is a great computer, and the cadence kit works really well. And this is just one example of a cheap computer that will give you cadence, but I think it's really good quality, especially if you can get that one for $12. Good luck.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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1057 days
PJT posted 20 weeks ago.
Cateye also makes some good wired computers with cadence for under $40.
What Polar HRM are you using? Some of them are compatible with Polar's wireless cadence sensor, so you would just have to buy the sensor and use that way. I haven't heard of interference issues, but I will say that some of polar's cadence sensors have to be set up juuuust right in order to work properly. Not a huge deal if you're the patient, exacting type, but very frustrating if you're not.
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RV posted 20 weeks ago.
The cateye (double wireless) is really good - tho I upgraded my Garmin to the 305 with the cadence module - so it is great seeing cadence, speed, pace, elevation, HR etc all together. I got mine for under $200.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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Newbie9 posted 20 weeks ago.
Thanks for the tips. My heart rate monitor is the Polar F11 so I don't think it is works with the cadence module. RV - Are you using the double wireless from cateye with a heart rate monitor? That was one that was specifically called out in the post as having troubles with the interference. I do have to admit that the post was 2 years old so things may have changed..
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Newbie9 posted 20 weeks ago.
I have another dumb question but can all of these be installed on the back tire?
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Iron Dan posted 20 weeks ago.
All the ones I have seen have to be attached at or near the rear wheel because you have to be able to take the cadance off of the crank arms.
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1057 days
PJT posted 20 weeks ago.
You're right that the F11 won't pick up bike speed or cadence.
Pretty much all cadence sensors are installed either on the down tube or the chainstay b/c the cadence magnet goes on your crank arm, not on a wheel.
As far as speed, I know Polar's speed sensors all need to go on the front, so you can't use them on the trainer (which I don't think is a big deal). I'd have to check, but I'm pretty sure that the Cateye wired speed sensor that my wife has uses the back wheel.
3283
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1266 days
RV posted 20 weeks ago.
When I was using the Cateye Double Wireless - I was using a Polar HRM - no problems with interference.
Cateye and Garmin work off the rear wheel for speed - so both work with a trainer.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
856
Member
266 days
ChunkyB posted 20 weeks ago.
That's not a dumb question. On the wireless ones, they'll have a listed range, and you can assume that it will work well almost up to that range. If that range is only 1 meter, and you're planning on putting it almost a meter away, I would be nervous about the reliability.
On the wired units, there is generally enough wire to reach to the rear tire (it might say on the specific computers' specs), but it can be a bit tricky to find a place to mount it on the chain stay or the seat stay.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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Member
149 days
Newbie9 posted 20 weeks ago.
Thanks to all of you for the help. I ended up going with the Cateye Strada. It isn't wireless but it does Cadence and a bunch of other measures and overall it looks fairly easy to use. Pretty basic but not bad for $45.
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1185 days
Triguy98 posted 20 weeks ago.
Good choice. The wired Cateye's are bullet proof. When you are ready for an upgrade, teh Garmin computers are real nice. Like RV, I used to use a Cateye DW. The only real issues I had with it was the rear sensor was large and liked to move- which cused it to be damaged by either the wheel or crank arm. It wasnt too bad with interference, though it did have issues every now and then.
The Garmin just plain rocks.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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146 days
buckeyeben posted 20 weeks ago.
Good purchase. I have had the Cateye Astrale which has cadence and love it. Reliable, durable, easy to use, etc.
Newbie9 wrote:
Thanks to all of you for the help. I ended up going with the Cateye Strada. It isn't wireless but it does Cadence and a bunch of other measures and overall it looks fairly easy to use. Pretty basic but not bad for $45.
I am getting my trainer today and a few spinerval videos for my B-day and I was told by the dealer that it helps if you have a cadence monitor while watching the videos. I don't really want to spend a lot of money but would like to get one that does the basics. I have seen ranges from $25 - $400 +
I am also using a Polar Heart rate monitor and was reading some earlier posts (2 years ago) that talk about some interference between the two. Not sure if the technology has changed or made better to eliminate some of the noise.