GamJams.net: Where Mid-Atlantic bike racers roll: GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.

As recently as a couple of years ago, if you had a heart-rate monitor and strap, the electronic signals between the two would only work between those particular units. Well, those two units and any similar units within a few feet.

I was on the trainer last winter, using an older, Polar-HR-compatible SRM when the HR numbers started flickering in and out. Interesting, especially because I wasn't using a Polar belt – but the guy next to me was.

Because of little issues like that, most bike computer/monitor companies are moving toward a technology called ANT+. It's kind of like Bluetooth, which is another standards-based technology. Your headset pairs with your phone and then acts as one working unit. With ANT+, the computer pairs with the various sensors available – speed, cadence, HR and power.

So why is that a big deal? Well, let's say you have a PowerTap hub, but you don't like the PowerTap head unit. Or maybe you want GPS, too. Grab an ANT+-enabled Garmin head unit, like the new Edge 500 (right), pair it to the hub (wireless, obviously) and go. You get your power numbers, along with your GPS data. If you want to rely upon wireless sensors for quicker speed readings, you can pair the computer with a wireless speed sensor, too.

From what I've seen in the store, this type of cross-compatibility is only going to get more prevalent. You can now choose a head unit and then add only the sensors you need. Or you can choose a power meter (like Quarq) and the head unit of your choice.

If you'll pardon my pimping of Trek products, there's a new ANT+ Bontrager computer called the Node that's worth mentioning. There are two versions: the Node 1 can do power, speed, cadence and HR; the Node 2 comes with a heart-rate strap adds altimeter and grade functions. Better yet, the Node 1 is $75, while the Node 2 is $140.

While I think the value is in the Node 2 (it's about $200 after you add speed and cadence sensors), it's not without flaws. While it will accept power data, it doesn't record it. For me, that's fine. I used an SRM last winter merely as an monitoring tool, but never graphed anything. I know that's not the ideal use, but that's how it happened – the data I saw was still valuable, though. To be able to have that all on a much smaller unit would have been even better. (Specialized has one coming, too – the SpeedZone Digital.)

For other budget-minded choices, check out Suunto. I mentioned above I wasn't using a Polar HR belt. I have a Suunto watch that's ANT+ compatible. Any ANT+ HR, speed or cadence unit (or a GPS unit, for that matter) can be paired to the watch, which can scroll through all of the various data. With some smart shopping, you can find one with all of the sensors for under $200.

In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske manages the Trek Store of Omaha, is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.