Just bought a BikeE RX and would like to put a computer on it. Performance has a few wireless computers on sale and it seems a lot more convenient to put one of those on than a wired 'puter. Will they work - which ones transmit far enough? Looks like it's about 110cm from the hub of the front wheel to the handlebar and the only wireless I saw with specs listed on the box said 70cm, but I don't know if they are all this limited. Any experience?

Thanks.

OK, I did some research and it looks like the wireless units are made to xmit the fairly short distances on an upright bike. Any recommendations for wired computers that work well with recumbents - accurate with small front wheel and the wire is long enough? I'm not really interested in wiring for cadence - just something simple for mileage and speed.

Thanks.

I bought a Sigma computer off Nashbar for like 7 bucks, I run it off my 20" up front. I would buy the extenstion kit though for the wires. It'll give you some more options, right now I've got a sweet little rubber band system going that breaks about once a week. The extra wiring is like 5 bucks. WORTH IT!

I've had good luck with Sigma and Cateye.

Note: Just don't cut the sensor cable thinking you can splice it!

Aha, I was just going to ask if you could do that! Why can't you? If you can't cut the wires, how do you attach the extension?

Hehe - that was my plan too.

If the front wheel is too far away for wireless, would a sensor on the REAR wheel be proximate enough to make a wireless setup work?

My currently proposed game plan is to take my 'bent to the LBS, tell'em I want a wireless setup, and let them sort it out through testing various units until they find one that will work.

Whatever they sell me, if it works (and it'll go back if it doesn't), I'll post the make & model.

If the front wheel is too far away for wireless, would a sensor on the REAR wheel be proximate enough to make a wireless setup work?

My currently proposed game plan is to take my 'bent to the LBS, tell'em I want a wireless setup, and let them sort it out through testing various units until they find one that will work.

Whatever they sell me, if it works (and it'll go back if it doesn't), I'll post the make & model.

I kinda think the rear wheel wouldn't work - what I read gave disclaimers about shifters, brake levers, etc. interfering with the signal may reduce reception. Seems like a human body between the transmitter and the computer would block everything out.

You CAN cut the wires and put an extension in. Just tape/heat shrink the joints to protect from moisture. Works like a charm.

I use a Garmin Forerunner 301 Personal GPS with Heart Rate Monitor on my Actionbent Tidalwave 3. No wires and nothing to calibrate. I use it on a couple other bikes I ride. No messing with wheel diameter changes. I spent more money over the years on other wired/wireless systems than what I spent on this unit. It comes with a program that allows download of the ride data to your computer. Here are a couple of pictures of my set up
http://www.bsgbc.com/Assets/GFV.jpg http://www.bsgbc.com/Assets/GSV.jpg

The cheapest place I found to buy it was Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00077U4RU/qid=1123286672/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7125533-1307061?n=507846&s=pc&v=glance) There is a link there also for the bike mount. A 201 mount will fit the 301.

There is also an online service at Motionbased.com that you can upload your rides. They have a free account and a subscription account. Here (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=9119&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=833689) is an example of one of my uploads to Motionbased. After over a year using my Garmin I can positively say I will never have/need another standard bike computer.

I've had a Garmin unit for my car for 6 or 7 years now. It still works great. I've gone through more than a few cycle computers since I started riding ten years ago. I suspect a Garmin may be my next computer.