Does anyone have a cycling computer that works under freezing. My Micro-Wireless does not work so well. The display is fine but the transmitter isn't quite doing the job.

The transmitter battery is rated to 6,250 miles. I put about 700 on it. I HAVE been able to get this to work by putting the receiver about a foot away from the transmitter.

I think I'll try a brand spanking new battery and see if that helps. But my question here is does anyone have a wireless cylco-computer that works "just fine" when it's under freezing???

My Cateye is pretty iffy below 40F.

Cateye wireless failed below freezing. Replaced with a Planet Bike Protoge 9.0 (wired) and have had zero temp issues.

My cateye Enduro wired hasn't had any trouble at any temp

I have never had any of my computers completely fail on me on my sub-freezing rides, but what does happen is that the screen goes black.

I currently use a Topeak, and I've taken it down to about -16C/0F ... it still functions, but half the screen is black and it takes a long time to change from one 'view' to another (so I just leave it on Distance)

My Cateye Mity 3's have NEVER failed in temps below 0 F. The numerals change a bit slower when you get below 0 but still reads out correctly.

Ironically, my cellphone didn't work one day when it was -5 F, yet my Mity 3 still did.

My Cateye Mity 3's have NEVER failed in temps below 0 F.


Sadly ... my Cateye Mity 3 took wing and flew away from me in the middle of the Great Southern Randonnee in Australia. :( :( :(

It was a good computer!! I don't recall having any trouble with it not working in cold temps.

it's the battery in the transmitter. it gets weaker in the cold so the range goesway down.. if you can replace it with a lithium battery the problem should go away.

For what it is worth, I use a Garmin FR301. So far, I have used it in the rain, sleet, and snow in temps down to around 0F. I keep it strapped to my left forearm, so perhaps that keeps it a bit warmer. I make sure to wipe off the face of any lingering snow or water every mile or so. In a really heavy downpour, I use a small, clear ziplock bag and cover the unit, making small holes for the strap along the back. So far, that works well for me.

Take care,
T

it's the battery in the transmitter. it gets weaker in the cold so the range goesway down.. if you can replace it with a lithium battery the problem should go away.

I though Lithium's had cold weather performance problems?

I've got a Vetta V100 wireless that only has issues below 0f. And then it's just that the LCD is slow to respond.

My Garmin 301 has functioned at -20C. Any colder and I stop functioning.

I have a couple of regular routes where i know the mileage. Several times last year, when the temperature dipped below freezing, I noticed my Cateye Velo 5 had only logged about half as many miles as I knew I had cycled. It also tends to temporarily short-out when moisture gets between the cyclocomputer and the bracket.

So far so good this year except those plastic zip ties are popping so I have to come up with other ways to attach it to the bike.

My Vetta 100's worked till -30 C.

My Specialized Turbo Pro (wireless unit) did pretty well today. The low was 26 F, and we hovered in the 32 F range for quite a while.

Mity3 worked fine this morning -15C. Colder and the display is iffy, but it still records the distance and everything for viewing when it warms up.

My Specialized computer has had no problem at 0F, other than my ability to push the ******* buttons with thick gloves or mittens.

I though Lithium's had cold weather performance problems?

No, lithium and lithium ion batrerries perform better than others in the cold.

I did a replacement lithium. I don't know what chemistry the old one was, it could have been zinc-oxide.

In any case, it's working again for no at 30-40°F temperatures. We'll see what happens when it gets colder. It could simply be that you need a VERY fresh battery in colder weather.

BTW, I found out you can get CR2032 lithiums for $.25-$.50 apiece online. I'll have to find someone to do an order with.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I've used wired VDO and both wired and wireless Sigma comps in fairly cold weather (-30C or so at the coldest). Displays can get sluggish, but all the computers still registered trip properly. Sigma wireless does eat batteries for breakfast in winter, that is one of the reasons I switched back to wired.

--J

i use the planet bike protégé 9 and it works in the rain and at -30 wind chill

It was -25C today and my VDO C1 was working just fine, although the display was a bit slow.

I have regularly ridden in minus 20 to 35 degrees Celcius, and have never had any problem with my computer, it is not wireless, and this may have some effect. It is branded as CCM, and I don't know who actually makes it.

it takes a long time to change from one 'view' to another (so I just leave it on Distance)

Of course you do.
You're a randoneering freak of nature!
:D