I use the garmin 305 forerunner to run and now trying to use it when I bike. My question is does anyone else have problem with high heart rate readings when biking? I bike in the same area I run. when I run I have no problems. Any help would be great.
Thanks
i’ve used my 305 for several months now with no problems at all. what sort of problems are you having?
heart rate read 200 plus when I am ridding. Tried making the strap tighter and moving it to the back neither worked. I have no problems when I run. Do you use a gel ?
I don’t understand why but when its really windy my Garmin gives very high HR readings.
I don’t understand why but when its really windy my Garmin gives very high HR readings.
So does mine… Generally though, it’s because I keep trying to make 20 mph against a 20 mph headwind. 
Seriously though, I had one time where the HR was showing 256 for a bit. Once I got some sweat going it sorted itself out quickly.
~Rob
You might want to check/replace the battery on the strap. Even though it might be a “new” Garmin, remember it can sit at your LBS’s shelf for a while.
Spit on or wet the pads not the transmitter before you ride. I’ve seen mine go as high as 240.
I just got mine, but just like Alex I believe is just because the strap needs to be wet. which is a recommendation for most HR monitors anyways. I had problems with reads at the start of the run and bike.
Tiago
I had the same problem with my 305, and with my PowerTap, which uses the same HR strap manufacturer. I picked up a bottle of Buh-Bump electrode cream while at tri-sports this spring and I haven’t seen the problems since. I think my issue was related to the fact that it takes longer on the bike for me to start sweating and the water I put on the strap (to help conductivity) dried up. The cream doesn’t dry up as fast.
http://www.trisports.com/buhhrmelcrea.html
Some folks here have reported success with electrode gel also, which can be quite a bit cheaper at a medical supply store.
Mike
KY jelly works too, and is much cheaper than that stuff. Basically any water-based jelly works.
I never had that issue…until about 2 months ago.
It seems like it takes a while at the beginning. I think your skin
is just too dry. Once I start sweating faster than it’s evaporating (normally
stopped at a light) it comes into reasonable rates.
-Jot
I have been using my new 305 for running, and with the bike. My 705 has shipped to me so I will install this on my bike.
Adding the myathlete.biz GPS I wear, I will have GPS all over me.
Dave
I have that problem with both my Polar and Garmin’s when riding “aero”. If I sit up it settles down into the proper HR range. For Cali 70.3 I tightened up my Polar really tight and I had proper readings. The same goes for my Garmin Edge 305 and on FR 301. “Generally” I don’t have a problem with running on any of them.
I agree “it might be a problem” with the strap drying with riding.
I don’t mean to pirate this thread, but for those of you w/ the 305 Forerunner, do you know how to make the read-out for HR larger? Currently it’s VERY small in the upper right hand corner of the display and difficult to read when training. I’m assuming there’s a way to change this, but I haven’t found it in the manual or online.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Make that screen 3 panes instead of 4. Put HR in the big pane.
~Rob
You need to change the data fields. You can make it its own display
if you want, in which case it is huge.
Look at page 43 of the manual.
-Jot
**Mekrob/Gamebofh: **Perfect, thank you.
If you are having consistent high readings on your HR strap the 99.99% common problems are:
Hr strap not tight enough to make proper contact, this could be due to slipping down or a change in position on the bike
Hr strap not making electrical contact with your skin, lack of moisture as others have stated
Hr battery is low on juice and producing an intermediate or weak signal
.
If gels or moistening the strap does not help, and neither does replacing the battery, some users have reported problems with the jersey zippers flapping in the wind against the strap. To solve this problem you can put some bike cork tape on the front of the monitor.
I have been using my new 305 for running, and with the bike. My 705 has shipped to me so I will install this on my bike.
Adding the myathlete.biz GPS I wear, I will have GPS all over me.
Dave
Wow, Dave!?! How did you know I was about to ask, “Hey H2Ofun, do you use your 305 for running as well as biking? Have you ordered or recieved your new 705 yet? Will you put it on your bike? You know, with that myathlete.biz thingie you could have GPS coverage everywhere! That sure would be nifty! Then everyone would know how to avoid your sorry ass all the time!”
Seriously dude, what goes through your brain when you write these type of posts? An honest question. Exactly what are you bringing to this forum when you can’t even pay lip service or acknowledge that a guy asked a legitimate question? Do you get paid every time you mention myathlete.biz, powercranks, worlds, etc.? I seriously give up trying to understand your motives. I will just consider you a mildly autistic 5 year old since that is how you act.