cyclocross racer's watches

[jamaris]

anyone know what watches so many cyclocross racers are using the past couple years? guessing its because of switching between bikes during races? thoughts?

[Dead Man]

No idea. I have noticed a couple dudes sporting watches and vaguely wondered why, but I suddenly want to create a page on my garmin that only has elapsed time, so it's all big and easy to read as I'm rattling along. That could actually be really useful (and is about the singularly useful piece of information I think you could ever need from your garmin during a cyclocross race)

edit: maybe they do watches because bringing it up close to your face makes it easier to read

[crankles]

If you can find one.... the RGM North Pointer...RS Model of course.

[AngryScientist]

maybe they are heart rate monitors?

[e-RICHIE]

We're using Withings Activité Steel (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/activite-steel) now and will begin wearing the new version (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/steel-hr) with a HR monitor in a week.


http://www-assets-cdn.withings.com/front/products/steel-hr//media/steel-hr-hero-d/steel-hr-61.jpg?3

[kppolich]

probably just a race timer going honestly. Stopwatch. That's what I have going on my garmin screen. Timer & Heart Rate.

[gomango]

We're using Withings Activité Steel (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/activite-steel) now and will begin wearing the new version (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/steel-hr) with a HR monitor in a week.


http://www-assets-cdn.withings.com/front/products/steel-hr//media/steel-hr-hero-d/steel-hr-61.jpg?3

Thanks for the tip.

Just ordered a steel for my wife and yours truly.

25% off when ordering zwei atm.

[Andy sti]

A Garmin multisport or Polar multisport watch will have HR and the ability to sync with a PM. Post race analysis is why they want it. Even without a PM on the race bike you can get hrTSS. It's also nice to look down and see how much time is left every once in a while.

[jamaris]

probably just a race timer going honestly. Stopwatch. That's what I have going on my garmin screen. Timer & Heart Rate.

yeah same thing for me, and even then i dont want to look at it.

[jamaris]

We're using Withings Activité Steel (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/activite-steel) now and will begin wearing the new version (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/steel-hr) with a HR monitor in a week.


http://www-assets-cdn.withings.com/front/products/steel-hr//media/steel-hr-hero-d/steel-hr-61.jpg?3


those look slick. i cant decide if i think they have PM info on their watch as well. or is it just hr

[Ttx1]

those look slick. i cant decide if i think they have PM info on their watch as well. or is it just hr

Just HR.

Many 3rd party app integrations including Apple Health are supported - so any virtual PM that uses HR and pulls data from Apple Health can make use of the Withings HR data.

There's also automatic detection for multiple activity types and you can assign activities such as cycling.

The upside vs. HR strap or some of the other trackers that have HR is long battery life with HR, up to 25 days, and true resting HR if you wear it to bed - which is possible because you don't need to charge it every night.

[jamaris]

im still curious if anyone actually knows which watch van aert and meesuen use--i think they are different. ive been scavenging google images but cant quite tell from photos

[AngryScientist]

quick google images stalker search:

http://www.cxmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/koksijde-world-cup-men-2014-bart-hazen-20141122_013-ayee-edit_1.jpg

i'd be willing to put money on that being a garmin fenix 3. power/hr/gps/speed. etc etc.

other images show the big fat band and larger face. i think that's it.

https://explore.garmin.com/fenix/content/images/fenix-hr-blk-03.jpg

[AngryScientist]

better shot. almost certain garmin fenix

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/gent14-221wout.jpg

[AngryScientist]

(i'm a watch nerd)

[Dead Man]

I didn't think wrist mounted HR was known for being too terribly accurate?

For those of you who use HR data in race, for CX, how do you?

I'm usually absolutely redlined from start to finish, every race, with very little variation, myself.. doesn't seem like knowing if I was 188 or 192bpm at any given moment could be very useful

[AngryScientist]

I didn't think wrist mounted HR was known for being too terribly accurate?

truth, for sure.

you can wear a chest strap with that watch. no doubt what any serious athlete would be doing.

[carlineng]

I raced this entire season with a Garmin 735
XT, and was pretty happy with it. It syncs with both HRM and PM, but during the race I only ever look at elapsed time.

[eBAUMANN]

I raced this entire season with a Garmin 735
XT, and was pretty happy with it. It syncs with both HRM and PM, but during the race I only ever look at elapsed time.

can the watch switch seamlessly between 2 different power meters?
for example, a bike swap in the pit, would the watch drop the dropped bike/PM and pick up on the active new bike/PM?

[Peter B]

<snip>

25% off when ordering zwei atm.

25% off how??

[cadence90]

25% off how??

At the very top of the page, clear as day:

HOLIDAY OFFER — GET 25% OFF WHEN YOU BUY 2 OR MORE PRODUCTS Discover the offer >

[wallymann]

that withings watch looks nice, a bit of junghans max bill chronoscope (http://www.perfectlounge.ch/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Max-Bill-Chronoscope-by-Junghans.png) DNA in the style.

(i'm a watch nerd)

join the club!

http://brown-snout.com/horology/misc/horological-insanity.jpeg (http://brown-snout.com/horology/collection/collection.html)

[thirdgenbird]

Wally,
If you don't mind my asking, what does an aircraft clock like that bring and how big is it?

[Peter B]

At the very top of the page, clear as day:

HOLIDAY OFFER — GET 25% OFF WHEN YOU BUY 2 OR MORE PRODUCTS Discover the offer >


I got stuck trying to decipher "zwei atm".

[cadence90]

I got stuck trying to decipher "zwei atm".
That's good. It means you didn't od on "Hogan's Heroes" as a kid! :D


Jeez, wallymann...what is that, 10 for every bike? :)

[jamaris]

better shot. almost certain garmin fenix

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/gent14-221wout.jpg


thanks that was my guess too but i didnt want to be too leading and was hoping for someone like you to answer #watchnerd:beer:

[jamaris]

can the watch switch seamlessly between 2 different power meters?
for example, a bike swap in the pit, would the watch drop the dropped bike/PM and pick up on the active new bike/PM?

thats a good question, i know the garmin 520 edge asks to switch, but its 50/50 if it does, but ive never really tried it during a race or anything. ill give it a go when i swap between bikes (road and cx) and see what happens. and if the garmin edge 520 does then the fenix 3 is essentially the same thing

[Gummee]

yeah same thing for me, and even then i dont want to look at it.

I have a few screens set up depending on what I'm doing: intervals, training, racing, etc

Racing CX I'll stick my 520 on a 1-line screen: elapsed time. Nothing else. I'm typically pushing as hard as I can, so anything other than 'how long has this race been going on?!' is irrelevant.

I DID discover why pros wear watches last year at Rockburn. Crashed in a corner and twisted my saddle/seatpost in the frame. Swapping bikes, it took me an extra little bit to get the computer off one bike and onto the other. Wearing a watch means the computer stays with you, not the bike. When you have X bikes and swap em out sometimes every half lap you need the computer with you.

Me? Unless there's something catastrophic happens, I'm on the same bike I started on so it isn't as important to me

M

[floxy1]

I got stuck trying to decipher "zwei atm".

My favorite. Ti band so it's very light.

[wallymann]

Jeez, wallymann...what is that, 10 for every bike? :)

actually, i'm about 1-to-1. the little images are my ex-holdings. i have a photo-archive, just to let my wife know how bad it *could* be!

Wally,
If you don't mind my asking, what does an aircraft clock like that bring and how big is it?

lots of variables...anywhere between $50 to $500 depending on model/nationality, age, and condition.

most are roughly 2" diameter dials (1-7/8" std specification) and thickness varies a bit, but range from 1"-2" deep.

http://brown-snout.com/horology/collection/cockpit-clocks/15099461_1126571440753903_417665975895195648_n.jpg

[merlinmurph]

(i'm a watch nerd)

And a bike nerd.
And a car nerd.
And a motorcycle nerd.
Face it Nick, you're a nerd. ;-)

As a nerd myself, I can appreciate all a nerd has to offer. If a nerd is someone that is really into something, I call that a good thing.

Enjoy your ride,
Murph (currently in Savannah GA, kind of a riding hell)

[Ttx1]

can the watch switch seamlessly between 2 different power meters?
for example, a bike swap in the pit, would the watch drop the dropped bike/PM and pick up on the active new bike/PM?

Classic tension between simplicity and complexity.

Simplicity:
Using an independent HR monitor with onboard memory that syncs to an app later ensures you can swap bikes without losing data

In comparison, using a chest strap that broadcasts real time makes pairing and re-pairing a nuisance.

Of course, this shifts the burden of syncing data to post-ride app integration.

There's no magic bullet, just different use cases and priorities.

In terms of accuracy, the Mio and Withings are comparable to chest straps when worn securely, and both have real-time/continuous tracking.

e-Richie won't be able to wear the Withings HR over his cuff like the RGM or other Withings trackers if he wants the HR data.

In terms of utility - it will vary from user to user. Super fit riders won't learn much, except whether or not they experienced something unusual during a given race or training session. Developing riders and those who progress through training season and even during the competitive season can monitor changes / improvement.

[93legendti]

We're using Withings Activité Steel (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/activite-steel) now and will begin wearing the new version (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/steel-hr) with a HR monitor in a week.


http://www-assets-cdn.withings.com/front/products/steel-hr//media/steel-hr-hero-d/steel-hr-61.jpg?3

That watch is beautiful. $149 (for the non hr) is a bargain, even without 25% code.

[93legendti]

Damn. I went to the buy the HR and it is out of stock.

[p nut]

We're using Withings Activité Steel (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/activite-steel) now and will begin wearing the new version (http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/steel-hr) with a HR monitor in a week.




I currently have a Fenix 2. It works when I'm out in the open but loses connection when I'm riding in the woods. I'm wondering if this watch has the same problems. I'd love a phone-free set up on my MTB.

[Ttx1]

I currently have a Fenix 2. It works when I'm out in the open but loses connection when I'm riding in the woods. I'm wondering if this watch has the same problems. I'd love a phone-free set up on my MTB.

It's HR / activity only. No GPS in the watch, although the app can track GPS if you also carry the phone.

[chiasticon]

better shot. almost certain garmin fenixthat's an older image, but you're correct; and he's still using the same watch. from yesterday: https://www.strava.com/activities/804842186

he actually broke the strap when he crashed on the steps at cross vegas. even though it cost him a precious few more seconds, he stood there and picked it up and then awkwardly fumbled to put it into his back skinsuit pocket. he still won the race. then immediately stopped the timer and handed the watch over to his soigneur. every time he crosses the line at a race (unless arms are raised), he's busy stopping the timer. dude takes the stats seriously. I'm sure his coach is after the data. he's not the only one, most of them can be seen doing the exact same thing.

I got into using a watch for riding late last summer. with the intention that I wanted the race data. I have two cross bikes and changing computers between them for races and practice gets annoying. plus during the races, I don't like having the computer there. I figure any energy spent looking at the time or stats is energy I should be using to concentrate on the task at hand. but I like to look at it later. and obviously if you have to change bikes, the computer is an added nuisance. plus I ride trails and run more in the fall, and the watch is great for both.

but beyond that, I really enjoy riding with just a watch any more. it's nice to look around instead of at numbers. and one less thing to worry about having set up on your bike. plus winter time is just spinning time for me. I just use HR with it, not power (and most pro cx'ers don't use power on their race bikes either, fwiw). I'm sure I'll get back into using power and a bike computer once spring and summer hit, but I'm enjoying this for now.

[shovelhd]

Right. It's not a fashion statement, and pros can afford a head unit for every bike. The mounts break and fall off. CX is brutal on gear. Someone loses a Garmin at every race I work. They may not even notice it fall off. They will notice something on their wrist.

[oldpotatoe]

anyone know what watches so many cyclocross racers are using the past couple years? guessing its because of switching between bikes during races? thoughts?

AND....didn't go thru all 38 posts but why DO these guys wear a watch? HR? Because the races are in time, rather than laps? No handlebar mounted gadgets because they'll get pitched or not able to swap to pit bike?

??:confused:

Ya know what they say, big watch, little ____!!

[chiasticon]

AND....didn't go thru all 38 posts but why DO these guys wear a watch? HR? Because the races are in time, rather than laps? No handlebar mounted gadgets because they'll get pitched or not able to swap to pit bike?

??:confused:I think it's just to get the data for their coaches. I doubt any of them look at it during the race. and yeah, I'm sure some/most wear HR; I occasionally see the HR straps but I barely ever see power meters (most watches don't talk to them anyway). if you want the data from the whole race, a watch is the only option. or a computer in your pocket. pros swap bikes a good bit and moving a computer to the new bike is 100% out of the question. would lose way too much time.

the question of whether or not the HR data is useful is a good one. my data (and probably everyone else's) is just basically threshold HR the whole time, so I look at it and go "yeah, that looks like how it felt: painful." but there are times I can see I was slacking off for a lap or two and that I then recovered, etc. I don't have a coach so maybe they could read into it more. pros for sure would have somebody analyzing it.

fwiw, interested to see reviews on the new Withings HR watch. the wrist based HR watches are generally known to be pretty inaccurate, especially for cycling and especially when cycling over bumpy terrain. they'll eventually get there though, I'm sure, so I'm excited to see that happen.

[livingminimal]

I think it's just to get the data for their coaches. I doubt any of them look at it during the race. and yeah, I'm sure some/most wear HR; I occasionally see the HR straps but I barely ever see power meters (most watches don't talk to them anyway). if you want the data from the whole race, a watch is the only option. or a computer in your pocket. pros swap bikes a good bit and moving a computer to the new bike is 100% out of the question. would lose way too much time.

Yeah, you see them hit stop on their Fenix 3 after the race. It's a great solution. Stoked you're doing it, Joe. I've thought about it, as I don't like having a Garmin mounted in a race where I am not really monitoring my power and I know I am at threshold HR the entire time.

the question of whether or not the HR data is useful is a good one. my data (and probably everyone else's) is just basically threshold HR the whole time, so I look at it and go "yeah, that looks like how it felt: painful." but there are times I can see I was slacking off for a lap or two and that I then recovered, etc. I don't have a coach so maybe they could read into it more. pros for sure would have somebody analyzing it.

I bet it's a conditional thing really. If a rider has been sick or over/under training a good coach could flesh that out through HR data.My guess overall is that while the data is always recorded and charted, just like power, I seriously doubt it's super relevant except for micro-comparisons from lap-to-lap. If someone has a mistake or a super bad lap or two, hr/power data might give you a more accurate picture. In cross its really hard to extrapolate a ton from power race to race because of the variance from course to course, but you could do more with lap comparisons. I dunno.