Review: 4iiii Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor

Full Disclosure: I pre-ordered my Viiiiva (received a great thank you note from the company) and purchased it with my own cycling slush fund. Also, with all of the time I spent researching how to replicate the functionality of a Garmin Edge, I probably could have picked up an extra gig and bought one outright, but c'est la vie.

Garmin Function Without Garmin Cost

I have been really excited to test out 4iiii Innovations' Viiiiva heart rate monitor since it first debuted at CES. Not having a Garmin device myself, I was immediately drawn to the device's Liiiink Connectivity Module (better explanation here from Engadget) that will hypothetically transmit HR data to both my ANT+ compatible computer and my Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) ready iPhone 5, allowing me to capture all relevant data for upload to either Wahoo Fitness or Strava. A quick chat with @4iiiicom on Twitter confirmed my hypothesis, well almost, it would still require some experimentation.

Trying Too Hard With Wahoo

My initial setup included pairing my speed, cadence and HR with Wahoo Fitness via the Liiiink bridge, with an upload from Wahoo to Strava. After my first ride though, I think I was trying to do a bit too much, and my ride data showed it. I worked hard, but definitely did not average 26,848 BPM. I'm not sure where the breakdown occurred and plan to retry running Wahoo with only the HR sensor paired.

Simplification with Strava

Thinking things through a bit more after the first test, I don't believe I needed to pair speed/cadence since they are tracked by GPS anyway. This weekend I was able to get out for two rides to test out a simpler setup with an upload directly to Strava:

• Speed/Cadence/HR displayed on my Bontrager Node 1 via ANT+
• HR synced with Strava via BLE
• Speed and GPS calculated by Strava

After my ride, while still standing in my driveway as is my custom, I clicked "finish" on my Strava app and waited. My data uploaded perfectly. Success. Though I wish it would have spotted me a bit faster average speed, oh well. For $79.99 retail and the price of a Strava pro subscription, I have everything I need. The only shortcoming I can see right now is battery drain on 4+ hour rides, but for right now those are few and far between.

The Good

On the surface, the Viiiiva resembles any other chest strap heart rate monitor. The differentiating factor for me however is the Liiiink Connectivity Module that bridges ANT+ and BLE. This replaces the need for expensive ANT+ keys or new Bluetooth capable speed/cadence sensors (if you have existing ANT+ sensors and a computer). The price ($79.99) is on par with competing Bluetooth only straps.

Once paired with Strava and a ANT+ computer, you are set to go. No additional configuration needed per ride.

The Bad

The great unknown. To my knowledge, the Viiiiva is the only product of it's kind, so it is to be determined where the company will take the technology. I have heard that a firmware update is coming, so more on that when additional information is available. My only other gripe, while petty, is the product's name. People tend to give me a strange look when I say "Viiiiva...you know...with four 'i's," as if the concept is not hard enough to relay (when I understand it myself).

The Verdict

Go for it. I still have some field testing to do to confirm accuracy, but I am all in so far. The connection is clean and all I have to do is tap the silver and red button to start.

Update 6/17/13 - New Hardware, Remote Upgradeability 

In an unexpected but much appreciated move, 4iiii issued new Viiiiva units to early adopters including myself. Read my full account of the updated features and the smooth exchange process here.

Review: 4iiii Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor

Written by: Paul Haskell

4iiii Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor

Date published: 03/31/2013

4 / 5 stars

Afternoon Recess and Stravacide

March riding is usually a hit and miss situation, but everything lined up in my favor yesterday with the day off, sunshine and a wonderful sister in town to watch the boys. None of my go-to riding crew had the morning free, so I set out alone on one of my normal routes. As I rolled into Elkhorn, students at the elementary school were out on the playground for recess. I guess I was out for recess too - it's been way too long.

About Stravacide

I first read the term Stravacide in Outside Magazine's piece How Strava is Changing the Way We Ride. For those that don't use Strava, read the article and then check it out for yourself. For those that do, you know what can happen when you come up on a known segment and give it just a little too much gas. That was the case yesterday 4 miles into the ride when I blew myself up on a climb chasing my best time. After a nearly 5 minute recovery that almost forced an all-out stop, I concluded unequivocally that Stravacide is a real thing. Plus, I didn't even come close on the segment.

Stravacide evidence. Ignore the HRM data, I'm testing out a new HRM strap and things when awry.

Full disclosure, I am not really chasing KOM's (that's a lie), only PR's (another lie), but moving up the main list is still fun when it happens (not a lie). I was surprised/happy to see that I moved into 6th on a section of cobbles. It gave me a real appreciation for what the big boys do in the Classics.

Overall, I do enjoy Strava and am quick to tell any non-user who will listen that they should check it out too. For me, it's not as much about the competition (that is a lie I tell myself) as it is the personal data tracking and ride-to-ride performance gauge.

Up Next This Spring

I really think that the next step to getting faster is riding with faster people. I have been pretty consistent with my solo riding status (I have to take the time I can get in between the kids' naps on the weekend) for the past few seasons, and I believe my speed and overall effort have been a product of that. I can't carve out much more time than I have been getting, but plan to work in some Saturday shop rides when things line up. More to come on that. Also, less Stravacide.

My First Century Ride

I got my first road bike in college, so I am not quite sure why it took until last year to attempt my first century ride. I guess the opportunity, motivation and overall fitness were never there, though I did come close a few times. Every season it was a goal, but never one I checked off at the end.

When I started at Omaha Steaks and it was discovered that I was a cyclist, I was quickly recruited by a few coworkers who had formed a team to ride in the Bike MS Nebraska event. There it was - I had an opportunity, and motivation to support a great cause, all I needed was some fitness.

The Season

Fast forward to spring of last year. Things started off strong, but work and family pulled me away from training. No complaints there, those things just take priority. The summer was extremely hot, but I still managed to get in plenty of 20 to 40 mile rides. Looking back at things now, I think this is where I could have really challenged myself by adding in some longer 60 to 70 mile outings, to really prepare for what was to come.

Preparation

I am admittedly an over-planner. I double and triple check my gear, nutrition and schedule, and then once more for good measure. It is a problem, but that is just the way it is. So in preparation for the century, I was sure I had everything dialed in. I was especially concerned with nutrition and hydration during the ride, so I stocked up on Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix (orange is my favorite), Honey Stinger Organic Waffles and Cliff Shot Bloks. I had no idea that my obsession for having everything I needed, would almost be my downfall.

The Morning Of

If I could have one do over, it would be setting a second alarm clock. I woke up 10 minutes after we were scheduled to take our team picture, and I live 25 minutes away from the starting line. After a mad dash to get ready with my wife throwing me clothes and filling my bottles, I was on the phone in the car apologizing profusely to the rest of the team. I felt terrible, guilty and rushed. I forgot to eat (much) and drink (anything).

Finally on the Bike

I was so thankful to see that some of my team, including Karl Marsh whom I would ride with all day, had stayed behind to wait for me. We set out about 7:30, the air was cool and the wind was light - nearly perfect with arm warmers and a vest. We rolled into the first stop to find that we had caught up with many of the other riders who had stopped to gather their ranks and a quick bite.

Karl and I did a good job of managing our effort, pacing ourselves for the long day ahead of us. I will be the first to admit that Karl is also a much strong rider than I, and I definitely accepted when he offered most of the day's pulls. Even so, I was starting to feel some heaviness in my legs at around 40 miles and was looking forward to food and a rest at the 50 mile turnaround point. I also remember that I had consciously made the decision at the 30 mile point to skip a waffle and hydration mix refill. Not smart.

Me sucking wind and Karl's draft

Meat burritos for lunch at the turnaround point, delicious, not really

When we stopped for lunch, I was getting the sinking feeling that I had made a mistake. With salt crusted across my face and arms, I realized that I had barely tapped into my hydration mix and my food supplies had little more than a dent. My suspicions became reality at mile 70 when the cramping started and my pace slowed to nothing more than a crawl on climbs. In my haste and desire to do everything right, I had committed a cardinal sin, I didn't keep up on my own fuel intake. I bonked, hard.

The Ride of Shame

By the grace of God, Karl was able to tow me into the next sag station in Louisville, NE. There I tried to walk of the cramps, but I new my day was done. I sent Karl on and sheepishly climbed into a volunteer vehicle. Exhausted, legs throbbing, I sat back and closed my eyes. A few miles into the drive, the driver stopped to help a couple that had flatted alongside the road. I call this my Marty McFly Moment as he (definitely not a cyclist himself) proceeded to tell the other riders, "this one couldn't cut it, I'll be back to after I drop him off."Ignoring my best judgement, I asked him to drop me off a mile up the road at the final sag stop.

After three ibuprofen, a Coke and half a Gatorade, I got back on the bike and pushed on. I had luckily timed things perfectly because Karl quickly caught me. Miraculously, I felt great and we had our best pace going of the day, albeit with a friendly wind at our back. This is what I wished I had felt like all day long.

Rolling back to the start line I was of of course, only at 97 miles, so close yet so far. Karl could have quit (though he had at least 20 more in him), but instead circled the neighborhoods with me for three more miles. 100, it was finally official.

What I Learned

I was definitely my own worst enemy that day. I had enough fitness to ride well enough, but nerves and inexperience got the best of me. With these thoughts in mind both this season and  the day of the ride, I know things will be different during my next century adventure:

• Challenge yourself with some intermediate and long distance rides, mainly to strengthen your shoulders, neck and back for the long saddle time.
• Make a conscious effort to eat and drink on the bike, not just at sag stops. I plan to set my watch to beep every 10-15 minutes to remind myself to take a sip. Eat more than you think and don't finish with food in your pocket.
• Be relaxed. Dont sweat the small stuff. Just show up (on time) and execute.