# HRM-tri strap troubleshooting

**URL:** <https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/hrm-tri-strap-troubleshooting/29105>\
**Category:** Equipment\
**Created:** [February 1, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/hrm-tri-strap-troubleshooting/29105 "2020-02-01T22:22:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![asteryx](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/asteryx/32/25875_2.png) [@asteryx](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/asteryx)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/hrm-tri-strap-troubleshooting/29105/1 "2020-02-01T22:22:18Z")

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I’m starting to not trust my HRM-tri. It shows high hr (+15% or so) in early part of a run then it goes to normal; reminding me of prior HR strap models ~8 years ago that would behave like that (+40%) until enough sweat appeared. How do I find out if it’s the electrodes getting old?

When do you decide to change a HR strap aside from it completely dying? Is there a way to check it beyond checking battery power? Counting my hr beats with finger isn’t very precise especially as my hr comes down if i stop to do so. Only way I can think of is to run with 2 straps and 2 devices to compare.

I use mine everyday and that includes cycling, running and dh skiing for hours. So it will die eventually. Battery has been changed a few times. Suspicious symptoms: elevated HR in first 2-3km of a run (might be just my heart as I warm up in the brisk 5C )

Still look at the graph: why is my HR 10 beats above threshold going downhill and I’m not out of breath !? Early HR is higher than once I do mile repeats and 100m sprints!

 ![Screen Shot 2020-02-01 at 1.55.34 PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/d/9/d909fe84953af58c8ee7095b7ee8d563d3b5153e.png)

Second graph shows same behavior until i stopped and tried to count my hr with finger; it went normal afterward matching RPE and pace.

 ![Screen Shot 2020-02-01 at 1.50.26 PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/f/4/f4e50a1e5e910880c0b44f01411149f2ab3b0523.png)

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**Author:** ![mcalista](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcalista/32/92377_2.png) [@mcalista](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcalista)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 4:43am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/hrm-tri-strap-troubleshooting/29105/2 "2020-02-02T04:43:59Z")

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Errors with HR straps in the first few minutes are not uncommon - especially in cold conditions when the skin is dry.

A few suggestions:

- wash the strap regularly to help prevent the buildup of salts from sweat (they provide an alternate electrical pathway for stray signals).
- remove the battery for 30 seconds to reset things
- pre-moisten your skin and the electrode pads before working out.

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**Author:** ![asteryx](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/asteryx/32/25875_2.png) [@asteryx](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/asteryx)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 4:48am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/hrm-tri-strap-troubleshooting/29105/3 "2020-02-02T04:48:11Z")

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Thx I’ll do it in next few runs.

So it’s back to the past: I used to do that (moisten skin and the pads) on older hrm straps but haven’t had to do it on this updated model until now.