Watches in Le Tour!

TinyExplosions

Sitting watching the tour today, I was struck by the fact that a few riders were wearing watches (was J A Flecha that initially caught my eye, but I noticed a few others). I'm assuming that these are heart rate monitors (or some form of sponsorship!), but was wondering a: what sort they are (didn't look like the usual polar/garmin ones) and b: would they not be a bit dangerous in a crash potentially -you could do a fair amount of harm to your wrist/arm if the strap caught in something when you went down at high speed.

I've not noticed them before, so maybe it's a dead normal thing, but was just my pondering topic for the day

Lumen

I doubt they're HRMs, probably just watches. I know they probably have people telling them where to be and when, but it probably gives them a sense of feeling in control and having something personal with them.

I know I feel pretty naked without mine*

* which happens to be an HRM, but that's just because I lack any sense of style

TinyExplosions

But their garmins or srms would have the time on them... maybe that's what they talk about in the peloton "hey Andy, have you got the right time? my watch says 12:43.... sorry Bertie, mine says 12:45!"

DirkVoodoo

Cav puts one on straight after his wins. Wasn't he given a limited edition watch by one of his sponsors?

I'm quite proud that I own a Festina. Ironically my Dad bought it for cheap when he was on a flight and I was looking for a replacement after I damaged my other one in a fall (Never wear a good watch cycling!). I had never heard of Festina or their cycling links before that watch.

Fredo

TinyExplosion, Could it be the power balance wrist band craze?
http://www.powerbalance.com/
On eurosport this morning a French rider was saying that a lot of athletes were wearing one...
This bracelet claims balance improvement, with the amount of crashes this year they might rethink this ;-)

TinyExplosions

It looked more like a standard watch (possibly and adidas sport one as Sky have adidas on board) rather than a power balance (though I have noticed what could be them too (I spend too much time looking at wrists I guess!)

I can get them popping on a sponsors watch after the stage (like in F1), just don't see the need for one during a race, and to me it seems like it could cause more ouchies in a crash (one of the main reasons I don't wear one on the bike)

TinyExplosions

Fredo wrote: »

TinyExplosion, Could it be the power balance wrist band craze?
http://www.powerbalance.com/
On eurosport this morning a French rider was saying that a lot of athletes were wearing one...
This bracelet claims balance improvement, with the amount of crashes this year they might rethink this ;-)

Holy ****, I want one of those -that's what'll help my cycling, not a good diet and training or anything like that, but some good, old fashioned hologram full of snake oil!

I'll take 4

Lumen

TinyExplosions wrote: »

But their garmins or srms would have the time on them...

Unlikely. There are limited fields on the Garmin once you include power, and it is quite hard to switch between display modes when you're knackered/pedalling hard.

blorg

Lumen wrote: »

Unlikely. There are limited fields on the Garmin once you include power, and it is quite hard to switch between display modes when you're knackered/pedalling hard.

One press on the power button gives you the time on a Garmin (305/705) irrespective of what field display you have. Why exactly anyone would need to know the time of day in the middle of a bike race is another question

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

One press on the power button gives you the time on a Garmin (305/705) irrespective of what field display you have.

Wow, didn't know that. I'm sure someone at Garmin is pleased that you read the manual.

blorg wrote: »

Why exactly anyone would need to know the time of day in the middle of a bike race is another question

Indeed, but how about before a race? Do they get so micromanaged that they never need to know the time?

I'm sure you don't wear a watch on the bike - I think I saw you cycling up the N3 Thursday before last about twenty minutes after the race had been due to start.

TinyExplosions

Lumen wrote: »

Indeed, but how about before a race? Do they get so micromanaged that they never need to know the time?

I would say that they don't once they get changed into the team kit -by then they're on the bus, and just doing what all the other funny looking people in Lycra are doing -I don't think they need to know the exact time...

blorg

Lumen wrote: »

Indeed, but how about before a race? Do they get so micromanaged that they never need to know the time?

I'm sure you don't wear a watch on the bike - I think I saw you cycling up the N3 Thursday before last about twenty minutes after the race had been due to start.

Still made that one. Horrible race, glad I eventually puncured. You can still get the time from pressing the button. Touring, I do have the time on display. I have not worn a watch since childhood. This may show.

TinyExplosions

blorg wrote: »

I have not worn a watch since childhood. This may show.

That explains a great deal...