Team BKool CycleChat

[Gaileb]

Don't use mine much either Rick as I do find putting it on a particularly unpleasant experience. Usually it has been left in the garage so is cold and a bit damp and therefore when it touches my clammy body it is a bit like when you first get into a cold swimming pool.

If putting a bra on is anything like that I have great sympathy for women and I suspect were I a lady I would be the Charlie Dimmock of Cyclechat (@Randyberlin if you have to Google Charlie make sure you Google the circa 1990 version of Charlie not the current version to get my reference).

I don't know about the other woman on here ,but I don't generally leave my bra in the garage overnight before putting it on

 

[Soarerv8]

I am not sure it's "bad" as such more a reflection I was riding on or near my limit. One of the ways to calculate max HR is 220- age, in my case that would give me a max of 167. I sometimes hit 170-175 in bkool and have maxed at 184 I think. I slightly panicked when I saw that but all seemed fine. I do watch my heart rate as I cool down from a ride. Apparently as long as it falls steadily after exertion that's a good thing. If it doesn't then time to rest and perhaps even get tested.

I suspect falling steadily is defintely better than falling rapidly to zero.

 

[Soarerv8]

I don't know about the other woman on here ,but I don't generally leave my bra in the garage overnight before putting it on

That is a very valid point and probably another good reason why men shouldn't be left in charge of stuff.

 

[BILL S]

Anyone know the best, cheapest, easiest and most reliable (not necessarily in that order) way to get my heart rate showing on the bkool readout? I have a polar HRM that I've not used for a couple of years but I'm guessing that it won't talk to bsim. Is it just a case of buying the right chest strap and that will connect to bsim when I log in? Thanks.

edit: Just noticed this:
http://www.bkool.com/store/productDetails/60

Anyone got one and does it work well?

 

[kipster]

Anyone know the best, cheapest, easiest and most reliable (not necessarily in that order) way to get my heart rate showing on the bkool readout? I have a polar HRM that I've not used for a couple of years but I'm guessing that it won't talk to bsim. Is it just a case of buying the right chest strap and that will connect to bsim when I log in? Thanks.

edit: Just noticed this:
http://www.bkool.com/store/productDetails/60

Anyone got one and does it work well?

Any Ant+ one should work, I use a garmin.

It would, however, be annoying to see you speed up those hills and your HR indicating that you aren't really 'trying'. I like the fact that I imagine that you're at the limit for most of your rides....

 

[bridgy]

Anyone know the best, cheapest, easiest and most reliable (not necessarily in that order) way to get my heart rate showing on the bkool readout? I have a polar HRM that I've not used for a couple of years but I'm guessing that it won't talk to bsim. Is it just a case of buying the right chest strap and that will connect to bsim when I log in? Thanks.

edit: Just noticed this:
http://www.bkool.com/store/productDetails/60

Anyone got one and does it work well?

I have the Garmin Premium one which looks very similar to the Bkool one and is just about the same price at Wiggle. I've found it perfectly reliable and straightforward to use - pairs with bsim automatically.

Agree with @Soarerv8 though - putting it on is most unpleasant, particularly as you have to moisten the sensors!

 

[<Tommy>]

I have to say all the talk of lube put me off a little...

Wasn't there talk of a hrm that goes around your upper arm a few pages back?

 

[bridgy]

Any Ant+ one should work, I use a garmin.

It would, however, be annoying to see you speed up those hills and your HR indicating that you aren't really 'trying'. I like the fact that I imagine that you're at the limit for most of your rides....

You mean like Jacob who does the big last stage of last month's chaingang in 59 minutes with a HR of 140?

 

[bridgy]

I have to say all the talk of lube put me off a little...

Wasn't there talk of a hrm that goes around your upper arm a few pages back?

I don't use lube - just a dash of water does the job. You're right there was talk of an arm one - a fair bit more expensive I think?

 

[Goldwolfie]

I have the Garmin Premium one which looks very similar to the Bkool one and is just about the same price at Wiggle. I've found it perfectly reliable and straightforward to use - pairs with bsim autmatically.

Agree with @Soarerv8 though - putting it on is most unpleasant, particularly as you have to moisten the sensors!

I also have a Garmin Soft Strap Premium HRM, but in my case I have never had to apply any 'lube'.

I think the sweat I generate climbing onto the bike always does the trick. I also lie it on the radiator for 30 seconds before putting it on.

Also, it has never failed to auto detect on the Sim.

 

[Add]

I very rarely have to wet my HRM, I too have a Garmin Premium. Both Bsim and my 920 pick it up straight away.
I choose not to store mine in a cold damp place, and don't find it too unpleasant to put on. I have lost so much weight on a Goat stage that it's ended up round my knees though.

 

[Add]

I too, though will take issue if you start doing those climbs at 140 BPM Bill!

 

[bobinski]

Bill,
I would recommend the Wahoo HRM. Works great over ant+ and bluetooth. It replaced a Garmin that was far too flaky and temperamental. oh, and never have to moisten the sensors! Result

 

[Monte]

I'm another one that uses garmin premium heart rate monitor, never get any issues...

 

[CXRAndy]

Excuse early Just staggered out of physios, had me doing squats and calf raises knackered now