General Cycling Discussion - Wireless computer vs. wired.

Looking to get a computer. New to this,nothing fancy,just basics.
Wireless vs. wired. Do the wireless need periodic adjustments or anything like that?
Are they as or less sensitive than wired? Is the only downfall of wired.....THE WIRE?
Recommendations? Brands?

Thanks.

Looking to get a computer. New to this,nothing fancy,just basics.
Wireless vs. wired. Do the wireless need periodic adjustments or anything like that?
Are they as or less sensitive than wired? Is the only downfall of wired.....THE WIRE?
Recommendations? Brands?

Thanks.

well ones has no wires to wire and the has wires to wire now unless you are planning to take the bike and comp and bring it to a shop, wiring it takes time! like it took me an hour!

Wireless provides a cleaner look and requires two sets of batteries. Wired takes a little longer to install but will function longer before the battery needs to be changed. My favorite, the Sigma BC-1600 is available either way and both attach very simply without tools. It has a good sized display, all the basic functions and will accept a cadence kit, but only in wired mode.

I have each type (two different bikes) and recommend both -- the Cateye 7 and 8. They run about $30/$35 at Performance. I don't find the wire to be a problem at all but I think it's personal preference. I bought it for the cadence feature. If you want cadence without wires, you're looking upwards of $100. The wireless one has a cleaner look but sometimes high tension wires interfere with it.

I just like the wireless. Performance makes a house brand Axion 10W. Nice, reliable and affordable.

had 4 wires comp and 1 wireless

the wire does get cut if you travel/ship alot or generally thrash around a bit

the connections are often less than perfect in very wet conditions, my cateye simply zeroed out several times during the rain

bought the cheap supergo wireless and darn the battery-transmitter is surprisingly heavy, but a-okay in a heavy downpour

I bought a cheapie Schwinn wired comp for 15 bucks at Dicks. It took about 10 minutes to install and works great. As for accuracy.....I think its pretty close. I do pretty much the same ride 6 or 7 days a week and the distance is within .001 mile everytime. I've had it for 2 years and it still has the original batteries.

I wouldn't use a wired comp again, not with well-working units such as the Cateye Micro Wireless on the market (model # CC-MC100W). Easy set-up, can mount on the stem or bar, accurate, reliable, comes in black or silver. Has everything but cadence/altimeter, and I don't need those functions.

What more do you want - free? ;) LINK (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=43&catId=6&subCatId=0)


http://www.cateye.com/en/productImages/big/mc100w_main.jpg

Wireless all the way! This is the 21st century ya know.

well ones has no wires to wire and the has wires to wire now unless you are planning to take the bike and comp and bring it to a shop, wiring it takes time! like it took me an hour!

An hour to wire a computer???

I'd say installation time wired vs wireless to be about a wash. While you do have to figure out how to run the wire neatly, a handful of zip ties are usually all that is needed for a quick, neat installation.

The drawback to wireless computers is that they have a very limited range and are sometimes sensitive to objects, like brake arms that are in the computer's line-of-sight. I install the magnet and pickup first, and then spin the wheel and hold the head to be sure I'm getting a signal. Then I hold the head where I plan to mount it on the handlebar to be sure that I'm still getting a signal. It's not normally a big deal but then neither is running the computer wire.

The bike computer that I recommend for most people is the Cateye Enduro. They're cheap and it has a fatter wire that's less likely to get broken.

Thanks.

I'd avoid wireless unless you have some odd circumstance that demands it.. More batteries + interference problems = hassle that for most people outweighs the benefit of running all of 12 inches of wire.

My favorite is the Sigma BC-1600 as well, it can be acquired for around 20$ if you look on ebay, and slightly more elsewhere (though still quite reasonable, even at its MSRP), it holds two wheel sizes in memory (for switching between two bikes, if you buy a second sensor assembly), has about every feature you'd want, including an optional cadence sensor, intelligent controls, good size, and flexible mounting options (mine is mounted on my stem).

Oh, and it took me about 15 minutes to cleanly install...

peace,
sam

The interference thing is an issue with some cellphones, or even with signals from cars or streetcars. I had a wireless and took it back it because it kept giving inaccurate readings (top speed 90km/h for example). I now have a cateye enduro, which works just fine. The wire is not as pretty as the wireless, but it just works better.

Ditto to this guy...I just installed the same one in about 10 minutes and it is perfect. I ride with my girl who has my old bike with a wired avocet 50 computer (i think thats the model) and both are dead nuts the same at the end of each ride...ave speed, mileage, ride time are all the same.


I wouldn't use a wired comp again, not with well-working units such as the Cateye Micro Wireless on the market (model # CC-MC100W). Easy set-up, can mount on the stem or bar, accurate, reliable, comes in black or silver. Has everything but cadence/altimeter, and I don't need those functions.

What more do you want - free? ;) LINK (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=43&catId=6&subCatId=0)


http://www.cateye.com/en/productImages/big/mc100w_main.jpg

I would run wireless, but wireless computers and HIDs do not work well together, therefore, I don't use a wireless. I use an astrale 8.

I'd avoid wireless unless you have some odd circumstance that demands it.. More batteries + interference problems = hassle that for most people outweighs the benefit of running all of 12 inches of wire.

That's not the case with good wireless designs like the Cateye Micro that I and kritter spoke of. I live in a fairly large metro area and ride in the city a lot. I've had exactly zero interference problems with this unit since I started using it about a month ago. None at all from power lines, cars, train crossings, cells, etc.

And what's the BS about batteries? How often does one need replacing - about every year or two? It's not a big deal to take a quarter, open the back, insert battery. :rolleyes: If you're worried about it, replace the batteries once a year at the start of the riding season.

The sensor has a 70 cm. range to the main unit, which should be plenty for most needs. I have mine mounted on the stem with the sensor on the right side of the fork about 38 cm. away. The main unit detaches easily so you can take it with you.

The Micro works flawlessly every time I get on the bike, which is every day.

That's not the case with good wireless designs like the Cateye Micro that I and kritter spoke of. I live in a fairly large metro area and ride in the city a lot. I've had exactly zero interference problems with this unit since I started using it about a month ago. None at all from power lines, cars, train crossings, cells, etc.

And what's the BS about batteries? How often does one need replacing - about every year or two? It's not a big deal to take a quarter, open the back, insert battery. :rolleyes: If you're worried about it, replace the batteries once a year at the start of the riding season.

The sensor has a 70 cm. range to the main unit, which should be plenty for most needs. I have mine mounted on the stem with the sensor on the right side of the fork about 38 cm. away. The main unit detaches easily so you can take it with you.

The Micro works flawlessly every time I get on the bike, which is every day.

I suppose my point is this... For the teeny tiny wire run (that has to be run anyway, because of brake cables), wireless offers a lot of expense (and some potential hassle, which I'm glad you haven't experienced, but many people have), for almost no benefit. Like I said, a clean wired install is lightning fast, and will cause you zero problems ever. A clean wireless install might take 2 minutes less, but might cause other problems down the road.

Unless you have a special circumstance that would make a wire run highly impractical, you might as well save 20$ and remove the possibility of problems or additional hassle by going with a wired unit. I know that the wireless are high-zoot and all, but they really aren't that practical for most riders. Wireless computer mice, on the other hand.. Totally worth the hassle. ;)

peace,
sam

It's usually not a big job to install a wired unit, except for something like a Campy ErgoBrain which I never want to install again! But some people want the cleaner look of a wireless, and that's the main reason I bought the Micro. It's an awesome unit, and I must confess I got a great deal on it from a friend who wanted the HRM version.

If I had any problems to report about it at all, believe me I would.

I got the cheapie Supergo wireless, but ran into problems: The range is 60cm only, and I can't mount it on my handlebars because of that. I had it there and it worked originally, but as soon as the cooler weather set in, it stopped counting pulses on cold mornings. The transmitter is on the suspension forks as high as possible but it is still not enough. I had to mount the display unit on the top tube, and even there the distance is just inside 60cm.

The other thing I have against mine is it does not start auto, only shutdown auto. So sometimes I forget to switch it on.

For these 2 reasons I am looking to get a wired.

My wireless flight deck requires replacement of one of the two batteries at leaset a few times per year, whereas my wired cycle computer batteries I replace only about once every five years. Now this is no problem, if you catch it soon enough when the "low battery" light is flashing, because all it costs is a couple bucks. But if you wiat too long to change, your computer loses all the data, and it requires reprograming all info again. (I hate when that happens).

Has anyone any experience with wireless in the rain/winter? Does the sensor/battery hold up well to road crap, and the muck of winter?

Weather proofness depends on if the person took the time to ensure the seals were correct and how the unit was designed in the first place, result: answers will vary.

I'll agree with the no go with the wireless. I'd trade mine for a wired right now. Freaking interference. At least I know now whether or not the traffic lights detected me by looking at the comp and seeing if it's spiking 99kph until I move off.

Has anyone any experience with wireless in the rain/winter? Does the sensor/battery hold up well to road crap, and the muck of winter?
What would be the downside of wireless in wet conditions? You eliminate wire and contact points. The wireless transmit and recieve function doesn't care or is not affected by weather conditions at 2 feet. So in my opinion wired would have more weather related components and possible negative issues than wireless.

I just have never seen the wireless work as anthing but perfect or as advertised in any condition and I have riden them all.

...I'll agree with the no go with the wireless. I'd trade mine for a wired right now. Freaking interference. At least I know now whether or not the traffic lights detected me by looking at the comp and seeing if it's spiking 99kph until I move off.

Dudes! If you want a wireless that actually works, I'm tellin' ya's to try the Cateye Micro. It has NO probs with interference or with range. Cateye has hit the ball outta the park with this one.

Maybe it's my steel frame that acts as a good antenna between the sensor and main unit? All other materials...ahhh not so good?! :D

Dudes! If you want a wireless that actually works, I'm tellin' ya's to try the Cateye Micro. It has NO probs with interference or with range. Cateye has hit the ball outta the park with this one.

Maybe it's my steel frame that acts as a good antenna between the sensor and main unit. :D
Totally agree with the CatEye products. Don't really get the steel comment but since you put a big grin at the end don't know if I actually need to. :)

Don't really get the steel comment but since you put a big grin at the end don't know if I actually need to. :)

It's a mystery to me too! ;)

Well it sounds like if wireless is something you feel you need, the cateye is the way to go. But to me, it still sounds like unnecessary complication and cost for marginal benefit.. But hey, good to know that there is a quality wireless on the market for those who need it.

peace,
sam

This thread is very informative. I have been thinking of switching to wireless for sometime and got pretty much everything about wireless, cons and pros.

If the cost of replacement battery is stopping you from switching to wireless, here's a site selling them very cheap.

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=CR2032

5 pieces for $1.95
50 pieces for $14.95 (shipping cost, $5.47 either way)

What wireless units do cadence?

Well it sounds like if wireless is something you feel you need, the cateye is the way to go. But to me, it still sounds like unnecessary complication and cost for marginal benefit.. But hey, good to know that there is a quality wireless on the market for those who need it.

peace,
sam
Really is not near as complicated as maintaining the wire between the pickup and computer input. :)

Really is not near as complicated as maintaining the wire between the pickup and computer input. :)

That's what I was going to say. Actually, what could be simpler - the main unit, the sensor, the magnet - that's it. No wires. ;)

That's what I was going to say. Actually, what could be simpler - the main unit, the sensor, the magnet - that's it. No wires. ;)
Exactly. Think of it in non bike terms such as the wireless phone in your home, your cell phone, remote control. Wireless makes life much less complicated. That applies to biking too. :)

I find too much wireless stuff starts to interfere with each other (gps and xm radio cancel out each other's signals and sometime effect the hrm) Go wired.

That's what I was going to say. Actually, what could be simpler - the main unit, the sensor, the magnet - that's it. No wires. ;)

So what your saying is wireless is so much simpler.
But with a wired unit you save original purchase and not risks the chance of interference problems were you will constanly get stressed over until you buy a new computer even more money. All to save a one time 5 minutes of install, if takes longer than that you should have your LBS do it for you.

Exactly. Think of it in non bike terms such as the wireless phone in your home, your cell phone, remote control. Wireless makes life much less complicated. That applies to biking too. :)

And when the power goes out you have no phone. Now thats less complicated.

So what your saying is wireless is so much simpler.
But with a wired unit you save original purchase and not risks the chance of interference problems were you will constanly get stressed over until you buy a new computer even more money. All to save a one time 5 minutes of install, if takes longer than that you should have your LBS do it for you.

And how many times to I have to repeat the fact that the new Cateye Micro's DO NOT GET INTERFERENCE? You can believe that or not, but it has honestly been my experience with the unit thus far.

If the Micro WAS having the same old problems as other wireless units I've had in the past I would have said so, and I wouldn't be using it now. But it really is an awesome cyclo-comp, so it's staying on my rig until/unless it isn't.

And how many times to I have to repeat the fact that the new Cateye Micro's DO NOT GET INTERFERENCE? You can believe that or not, but it has honestly been my experience with the unit thus far.

I can believe that your Cateye does not get interference in your application. I can also believe that it could get interference in some else's application. A sample of one is not conclusive. Your honesty is not in question.

I can believe that your Cateye does not get interference in your application. I can also believe that it could get interference in some else's application. A sample of one is not conclusive. Your honesty is not in question.


Lol go Waxbytes. Owned.

I can believe that your Cateye does not get interference in your application. I can also believe that it could get interference in some else's application. A sample of one is not conclusive. Your honesty is not in question.

Well, I'll put it this way: I can't think of a much tougher urban environment than the one I'm in, short of something like the center of NYC or maybe next door to the CIA. :rolleyes:

So what have you got to lose by trying it? I think the hype against wireless units is much overdone.

Anyway, I've got mine and I'm totally happy with it. You can have your steenk-ing wires! ;)

Weather proofness depends on if the person took the time to ensure the seals were correct and how the unit was designed in the first place, result: answers will vary.

I'll agree with the no go with the wireless. I'd trade mine for a wired right now. Freaking interference. At least I know now whether or not the traffic lights detected me by looking at the comp and seeing if it's spiking 99kph until I move off.

Did you plan on getting a patent on your new traffic light detection indicators? Sound like a handy thing in the city. :)

I can believe that your Cateye does not get interference in your application. I can also believe that it could get interference in some else's application. A sample of one is not conclusive. Your honesty is not in question.


Nor is a month of ownership a good samping either.

Nor is a month of ownership a good samping either.

What length of time wouild you say is sufficient? ie: at what point does one say, "Well, I guess this thing works OK."? 2 months? 12 months? 2 years?

I suppose with certain people nothing is ever 'good enough', even if it's flawless.

And when the power goes out you have no phone. Now thats less complicated.
Now you are catching on. No power, no calls. Simple is defined from a personal perspective. :)

But it really is an awesome cyclo-comp, so it's staying on my rig until/unless it isn't.
Now that is good logic (lol) :roflmao:

What wireless units do cadence?

I know that he Mavic and the Vetta 100 do.

What wireless units do cadence?

I have been using the Cat Eye CC-CD300DW (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=2&catId=6&subCatId=0) for a couple of weeks now. Great wireless with cadence. I like the display that is clear and large enough to let you see speed, cadence, distance and time on one screen.

Manual is quite complicated (could to with a "quick sheet setup"), and it took me a few days to understand all the functions. (not sure though if I do today :o )

On the first ride, the dist stayed locked on ~41 miles for an unknown reason, I suspect I may have hit the "lap" button by mistake, or there was an interference. It has worked fine since.

Easy installation, quite complex set up. Handlebar bracket is "OK", design could be improved. Transmiter fits on LH chainstay with two straps, that is also something Cat Eye should improve.

I have a wired on my MTB and a wireless on my roadie.

Now, on my MTB, the wire is trailed very neatly around the front brake cable, which is all good untill you get crap on it which is every ride, and then it just takes forever to clean off.

On my roadie, as you can see from the pics on the link in my signature, the installation is clean and does not spoil the look of the bike - very important for us roadies!!!

As for functionality, my Flightdeck has all that I need. It has a cadence function which can be set as the main display instead of speed, along with all sorts of other goodies including a lap counter, gear display, momentary display of gear ratios after a shift etc. which are all controlled from the tiny knobbles on the STIs - very handy.

So, I would recommend a wireless Flightdeck for a roadie - doesn't seem to mind getting wet, hot or cold and the batteries last fine too.

On my roadie, as you can see from the pics on the link in my signature, the installation is clean and does not spoil the look of the bike - very important for us roadies!!!

That's why I like wireless - not as much clutter.

I have two Cateye wired and a Vetta 100 wireless. They all work great. I love the Vetta (with cadence) and am about to get one for my TT bike.

On my roadie, as you can see from the pics on the link in my signature, the installation is clean and does not spoil the look of the bike - very important for us roadies!!!

Aahhhhh.... Now we get to the real heart of the matter here... Appearance! :D Well, there is no accounting for taste, now is there?

And to whoever said, 'maintaining the wire', I'd like to know what is actually required to maintain a wire. It doesn't need adjustment, or lubrication. It doesn't need its bolts tightened, and it doesn't need to be clean. Its just a wire, very simple. :)

peace,
sam