Whether you are a beginner or professional, no cyclist can improve without knowing their past performance, and this will not happen without reliable performance evaluation. A good heart rate will provide you with true data and let you know your intensity, intervals and much more.
Read more to find out the distinct features in a heart rate monitor and the best heart rate monitor for cyclists to choose from.
Table of Contents
TLDR – Top Pick
Our top pick for the best heart rate monitor for cycling is the Scosche Rhythm+.
Last update on 2024-04-20 at 04:18 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Features You Need To Consider
A heart rate monitor can vastly improve your riding experience. Each ride can be evaluated, somewhat like a test result. You will know where to improve and where you already excel.
Familiarize yourself with these features before purchasing your very own heart rate monitor.
Optical Monitors
Optical monitors use LED to measure your heart rate. Often found in sport bands or smart watches. The technology shines light into your skin and your bloodstream to measure the amount of light reflected. When your heart beats, the volume of bloods pumped through your veins and arteries changes. This is then used to calculate your heart rate.
Optical Monitors is not preferred due to less accurate reading, but still good enough to monitor your heart rate during cycling.
Electrical Monitors
ECG or Electrocardiography measures the electrical activity in your heart. It sticks on your chest and measures each heartbeat. It can recognize your heart’s muscle contractions. This is considered more accurate and preferred by cyclists.
Heart Rate Variability
Heart Rate Variability or otherwise known as HRV is the measure of time between each heartbeat. Not all heart rate monitors are capable of measuring HRV. The ones that don’t measure HRV usually just measure resting heart rate. The purpose of this is to assess how tired you are. Especially useful when training for an upcoming race or event.
Connectivity
Heart rate monitors are equipped with wireless connectivity, either ANT+ or Bluetooth. Nowadays, Bluetooth is more commonly used because it requires less power than ANT+. ANT+ is owned by Garmin, therefore Garmin products usually can not connect via bluetooth.
The Best Heart Rate Monitor For Cycling Reviewed
Being a cyclist is not all about the speed. It’s important to measure your fitness as well. A heart rate monitor is the perfect tool to check your overall performance. Check out this list and find the best heart rate monitor for your next ride!
Here are our top picks:
1. POLAR H10
Key Features:
- Available in 4 colors
- Compatible with Apple and Android devices
- Pairs with multiple apps
- Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity
- Versatile for all kinds of workouts
The Polar H10 is a great polar model and is compatible with multiple mobile devices. They also pair up with many brands of smartwatches. It connects via Bluetooth and ANT+. You can use both connections simultaneously. After pairing, they are compatible and will work with various fitness apps besides Polar Beat, including Strava and Nike.
The device itself has improved electrodes and is easy to buckle. It will stay in place no matter how hard you workout. Polar is known for its accuracy and has been the choice of heart rate monitor for many athletes. The Polar H10 is waterproof and perfectly safe for all kinds of rides. Aside from cyclists, this heart strap is also suitable for running, indoor training, swimming or rowing.
Measure your heart rate accurately with the Polar H10. Connectivity and pairing issues might be caused by being too far away from your device. If you experience some issue, don’t hesitate to contact Polar.
Pros:
- Measures all kinds of workout
- Automatically syncs your progress
- Calories burned is accurate
- Simple to use and comfortable
Cons:
- Issues pairing with mobile devices
- It may not save training progress
- Difficulty pairing with the polar app
Last update on 2024-04-20 at 04:18 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Garmin HRM-Dual
Key Features:
- One size
- Battery lasts up to 3.5 years
- Washable
- Comfortable
- Adjustable strap length
The Garmin HRM Dual heart rate monitor is imported. Its strap is adjustable and comfortable, you can easily wash it. It transmits real time heart rate data over ANT+ and Bluetooth connection. You can train outdoors, indoors, or online. You can see your heart rate via online training apps or even some fitness equipment in your local gym. You can also pair it with your mobile device to track your cycling.
Aside from all that, it is also waterproof and so consistently able to be used outdoors under all kinds of weather. Be careful to not stay too far away from your connected devices to make sure the pairing is functioning properly. Even though Garmin HRM-Dual heart rate monitor is suitable to use on your bike ride, it is not limited to just that.
Pros:
- Compatible for many workouts
- Better than wrist monitor
- Comfortable straps
- Simple set up
Cons:
- Difficulties pairing with the app
- Difficulties pairing with devices
- Difficulties syncing
- May experience difficulties transmitting data
Last update on 2024-04-20 at 04:18 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Scosche Rhythm+
Key Features:
- Available in 5 colors
- Compatible with Apple and android devices
- Sweat proof and waterproof
- Works with health and fitness apps
- 8 hour battery life
The Scosche Rhythm+ heart rate monitor is an all round brilliant heart rate monitor. It is compatible with various apple and android devices. It measures 0.38 x 0.25 x 0.38 inches and weights around 0.25 lbs. It comes with 8 hours of battery life.
This product works great with the Peloton bike, but is not compatible with OrangeTheory Fitness. The monitor is compatible with various popular fitness apps including, run keeper, mapmyfitness, digifit, and Strava.
The product can connect with Bluetooth Smart, ANT+, and is wireless. You can go as far as 100ft from your phone to ensure synching. It is sweat proof and waterproof, it can go under 1 meter of water. Perfectly safe if you ride under the rain. It is a breathable and light armband, nothing like a bulky chest strap. Small and large armbands available, there are also multiple colors for you to choose from.
Aside from the basic feature of monitoring your heart rate, it can also track the calories burned, distance, pace, intensity level, and much more. Connect it with the fitness app on your device and access all the data.
Pros:
- Pairs with a Peloton bike
- Great for all kinds of exercises
- Wireless and accurate
- Better than a chest strap
Cons:
- Inaccurate for weight lifting
- Shows a lower heart rate
- Not compatible with OrangeTheory Fitness
Last update on 2024-04-20 at 04:18 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Wahoo TICKR FIT
Key Features:
- Compatible with various smartphones
- 6.69 x 4.8 x 7.09 inches
- Weighst 0.1 pounds
- Battery up to 30 hours
- Waterproof
The TICKR Fit is an armband monitor, you can fit in in your forearm or in your upper arm. The battery life is up to 30 hours. It comes with Led Lights, Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity. It integrates with an apple watch, tracks calories burned as well as heart rate, and is waterproof and can go under up to 5 feet of water. Other options from TICKR include the TICKR and TICKRx, both of which are chest straps and have up to 12 months of battery life. They both have the same capabilities and features as the TICKR Fit, but the TICKRx has 16 hours memory and has motion analytics for rep counting, various running analytics such as running cadence, vertical oscillation, and ground contact time.
TICKR Fit pairs with all kinds of smartphones. It also pairs with different smartphone apps including Wahoo Fitness, runtastic, runkeeper, zwift, ua record, peloton, endomondo and much more. You can also automatically upload data to your training platforms, eg. Strava.
This device is selected by pro athletes, cyclists Bora Hansgrohe, Katusha Alpecin and runner Jan Frodeno.
Pros:
- Easily pairs with Garmin, Peloton, and Apple Watch
- Better than a chest strap
- Trial and error will minimise data transmission issues
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Data transmission issues
- Glitches during rides
- Difficulties pairing with Samsung devices
Last update on 2024-04-20 at 04:18 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. 4iiii Innovations V100 viiiiva
Key Features:
- Advanced measurement
- ANT+ sensors
- Up to 200 hours of usage
- Connects with smartphones and other devices
The 4iiii Innovations V100 viiiiva heart rate monitor is able to measure each beat and is very sensitive. The ANT+ Sensors act as a bridge to collect data, Bluetooth will be the one transmitting it to your smartphone. It is compatible with both iOS and Android. You can use it to measure your heart rate during cycling, running, as well as other exercises. It is rechargeable and you have up to 200 hours of usage once it’s fully charged.
Any connectivity issues or delays might be caused by improper set up. The device’s positioning can also cause it. Do a couple of trials and make sure that your device is comfortably tightened on you so it is able to get accurate real time measurement.
Pros:
- Connects with bluetooth and ANT+
- Great price for value
- Versatile for biking and jogging
- Measures accurate heart rate
Cons:
- Connecting with apps
- Failure to connect causes delays
- Fragile – may break if you drop it
Last update on 2024-04-20 at 04:18 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our Top Pick
After reviewing the choices, it’s safe to say that the Scosche Rhythm+ stands out. With its choice of color and compatibility with other devices, it will be a splendid choice for cyclists.
The cons we see are often regarding connectivity. We can work out issues with connectivity by trial and error. Otherwise, you can try to contact the manufacturer. The most important thing is that you are able to track and check your heart rate monitor during your ride.
Get a waterproof heart rate monitor armband, which is comfortable to use and versatile. Of course the other options also offer the similar features, well, then it’s up to you to decide which one will suit your needs better. Remember to look at the features and make sure it’s what you’re looking for. Now all you need to do is get ready for your next ride.
Last update on 2024-04-20 at 04:18 / Commission Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
