General Cycling Discussion - Is there anyone who doesn't like using cyclecomputers?

I was thinking, with having this electronic device on the handlebar, there is a chance to loose it near any supermarket. Is it really so important to know how many miles one have gone, how many total miles, average speed, current speed.
What is all this for, is it really a necessity? Computers like that were not available coupple of decades ago, yet, people still could be perfectly happy on their long distance touring.

Does anyone choose not to have a cyclocomputer?

On the mtb's no computers.
On my road bike yes.

I personally don't like the cyclocomputers, I've had several and most of the time when they weren'yt stolen, they were inaccurate, even after having the LBS calibrate it properly. PLust does it really matter how many miles you go, or how fast you went, It's kind of like looking in the mirror after every workout just to see some results. They're nnot gonna be there trust me.

Truthfully, I couldn't care less. My wife has one on her hybrid because she wants to track her progress. I just look at my wristwatch.

-Rob

wow :D

Originally posted by jcivic00
I personally don't like the cyclocomputers, I've had several and most of the time when they weren'yt stolen, they were inaccurate, even after having the LBS calibrate it properly. PLust does it really matter how many miles you go, or how fast you went, It's kind of like looking in the mirror after every workout just to see some results. They're nnot gonna be there trust me.

I really like having one because I want to know how I'm doing, but to each his own. What surprised me was your comment about inaccuracy. I've had two (both cateye) and found them to be extremely accurate. I travel about 25 miles each way and my distance is almost always within a hundreth of a mile. That much difference is going to happen just because of slight fluctuations in the path the bike takes.

Bob

Well, there maybe some interesting things, one could derive from knowing exact distance traveled, especially combined with exact time... Things like total number of crank revolutions, amount of NRG used, comparing to equivalent the amount of fuel burnt, cost. etc...

I have thought about getting a cyclecomputer for my road bike, but knowing how obsessive I can get I figure that maybe it's a good idea to leave it in the LBS. While knowing all the info a computer could give me would be neat , I think I might end up like some cyclists who ride to make a certain set of numbers, and thus are handicapped in knowing the joy of a gut busting climb(and I got a fair bit of 'gut' to bust) or sprint where heartrate is as much as you got and speed is as fast as you can go and distance is as far as you can get. All by feel and not a number to it.

If you afraid of loosing you computer then you can just take it off the mount in case the bike will be intendment for a while. Most computers are like that, meaning you will able to take the computer itself off of its mount. I don’t think the thief will bother to take of the rest of the computer parts since they will be useless. Now to answer your other questions... You have asked the rite questions, but it's up to you to answer them. Is it really important for YOU to know how many miles you have ridden? your average, top and current speed? Would you simply like having this information available to you or do you need this information for training purposes? I actually sometimes hate having this little thing around because I always end up racing against the clock (but it’s me). It’s not that expensive or complicated, get one and see if you like it.:beer:

Originally posted by Waxbytes
I think I might end up like some cyclists who ride to make a certain set of numbers, and thus are handicapped in knowing the joy of a gut busting climb(and I got a fair bit of 'gut' to bust) or sprint where heartrate is as much as you got and speed is as fast as you can go and distance is as far as you can get. All by feel and not a number to it.

That probably summarizes the different ways people can look at things as well as anything I've read.

For me, I see it the other way around - that NOT having a computer is a handicap because I THINK I'm doing better (or worse) than I actually am.

Just in the past week, I've had three rides where I did much better than I thought I was doing. True, I can measure the FINAL time with a watch, but even then, it has big limitations. You see, my normal route has 58 potential stops to it. That means my total times can be greatly affected not just by how fast I'm riding, but by how often and for how long the stops are. With the computer, I only count riding time, not stops. Sure, I still have the differences caused by slowing down and accelerating again for stops, but this is much less difference than the time actually stopped.

It also serves as a motivator for me, every time I can set a record and KNOW I set it.

I like knowing that my fastest speed down a hill is 40.5 mph. I like knowing that hills I used to climb at 7 mph, I can now do at 14, etc.

Some people don't care for any of those things and that's fine. It isn't a question of what is right or wrong, but just a matter of what each individual feels best with.

Bob

Chuvak - good post, that's exactly the situation.

I have a mount for my Cateye HB-100 on my three bikes, and keep track of mileage etc., while my SO, who has my old Vetta computer on her bike, rarely looks at it, and could care less.

I don't always like having them..But for training and stuff, the info can be important.

A bike computer is also useful for organized rides which have queue sheets with the mileage between turns and cumulative mileage printed on them. Makes it easier to be ready and locate your turn when you are riding in unfamiliar territory.

I generally leave my computer (Cateye Astrale) set to current speed and cadence. Having the cadence indicator in front of me is a gentle reminder to keep my RPMs up in the 90-100 range.

I have my computer set the same as Steve's, Cadence on the top (big numbers) and current speed below. I usualy check out my avg speed and time at the end of the ride.

I like to have my cyclocomputer on my bar..

In the past, gadgets like these were expensive and not as accurate as the cyclos we have now...

I don't think its a question of need.. It is just information that is more available now, harvestable data(as compared to the 70's and early 80's w/c was unlikely).. I would like to get that info, after all almost everything today revolves on available data.

Cyclos are getting more accurate.. I have read somewhere that a computer, configured properly can have an error of a few feet per mile..

I primarily use my cyclo to monitor cadence...like during a climb or a race. I also have a heart rate monitor...for LSD rides, it helps me keep my HR down...and for races, it lets me know when I should back of before blowing up (like during a breakaway).

So what you guys are telling me is that bikes still work without a computer on the bars?

Wow - I had no idea. I really won't go anywhere without mine.

Hey Inoplanetyanin - as far as computers not being available a few decades back, you're absolutely right, but that's not a good arguement for going without them now. Using that reasoning we would all be living without electricity, running water, telephones and heaps of other things simply because 'they were not available many years ago ... and people were still happy'.

It's up to personal choice. If you want to ride with one - great. If you don't want to ride with one - fine. Either way it's simply down to your choice.

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
Does anyone choose not to have a cyclocomputer?


One of my first purchases after buying bike recently.

I can see cadence at a glance, how many miles I've gone that day to log it into mysporttraining.com and coolrunning.com, average speed to see how I'm improving.

Add to that heart rate data (coming down successfully each week), and GPS data with routes, tracks, waypoints (mostly used for hiking in a local forest, but used on the bike too), and I have everything I need, to measure pace and progress.

Measuring average speeds, pace, distance, max/resting/average/recovery heart rates, is all motivating to me.

Keeps me on track. I like it, find it all useful, others may not.







Oh, and remove the computer in those nasty supermarkets.

:p

I dont care too much how fast Im going, but I do ride a lot of new routes which need careful navigation. Even then, I seem to manage quite well without any instrumentation.

It helps me chart my progress or lack of it. I really like having one. In supermarkets, I just bring the bike right into the store and put it somewhere near the front where I can see it. Yep, I really do that. I make sure it is not in anyone's way.

So far, no complaints. And, I never ask permission.

I ride primarily for health and fitness, and find that using a computer helps immensely in calculating progress. I haven't got a cadence function so I have to rely on current speed as a measure of endurance.

I can understand other people's views regarding the retraction of the cycling experience, in terms of riding for the ride. However it only takes a glance from time to time, so you can still enjoy the scenery and joy of cycling.

I am primarily a utility cyclist. I use my bike to go places. I get on. I pedal until I get there, and then I stop. I repeat this several times a day. I don't think a computer will help me with this much, although I sometimes get curious about how far or fast I go, I have not been motivated to spend money on a computer.

If I were a fitness cyclist, I don't see how I could get along without one. Intervals would be difficult, and it is always better to measure than estimate if you can.

Dan

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
Is it really so important to know how many miles one have gone, how many total miles, average speed, current speed.
What is all this for, is it really a necessity? Computers like that were not available coupple of decades ago, yet, people still could be perfectly happy on their long distance touring.
Well, before I had one I could figure out my average speed pretty easily. All I had to know was how far I went and the time I left.

It's a neat gadget, but not necessary, really. It's kind of fun to see exactly how a 10 mph. headwind will affect your speed, though.

Inoplanetyanin, I feel about heart rate monitors the way you do about cycle-computers. If I wanna know my heart rate, I put my fingers on my wrist and count.

;)

I used to never like bike computers, it seemed they were always broke.

Now I have a flight deck and a polar HRM that records info. When I train I am a slave to the HRM. I love the gear indicator on the flight deck, I use this all the time. I use alot of the other funtions on the flight deck also.

The thing I love about the HRM is that when I race it records all the info. I do not look at it when I am racing but when I get home I really enjoy seeing the race in a whole new perspective!

Do I need these, no!!

I know the HRM has made me a better rider though. I could live without the flight deck, but the HRM I would miss.

Originally posted by captsven
I know the HRM has made me a better rider though. I could live without the flight deck, but the HRM I would miss.

I attribute all my improvements in speed and endurance to the HRM. It is the single, most important purchase I have made to improve my riding. I don't yet own a cyclo; I just have a stopwatch and HRM. I'll purchase one soon, though, for the convenience.

On the way to work, the clock on my speedo is very good at telling me I'm late.....

Ditto the setup for SteveE and Joe.
I use cadence in conjunction with HRM to chart
progress, tell me if I'm working too hard, not hard enough
etc. (but then I'm following Sally Reeds HRM program).
20 years ago there were very few personal computers
and the internet was primarily a way for universities to
communicate, don't think I'd want to give up BF or the
internet.

Marty

I like my computer.

I did...but ripped it off when I realized distance has no meaning on my terrain. I can go 6k and it hurts way more than 50k at times :)

Well until last weekend I didn't think they were necessary.

But now that I have one, I know what I've been missing.


I thought I was going slow but ended up averaging 18mph on my last ride.

Also I found it a pain to figure out my cadence. I kept thinking man I need to pedal faster, but all the while, I have no problems maintaining 90+ for over an hour, and even 100+ is really nothing.

Heck I climbed a small overpass the other day started at 120 cadence and only went down to 110. It was awesome!

So I think if you are a serious rider a puter can be very helpful. Is is necesary. No I went over 1 year on my road bike without it. I would just go out and ride. Now I can better guage what I'm doing and adjust if I'm pushing too hard or not hard enough.

I like the computer because it allows me to track my mileage, and average speed and elapsed time so I can tell if I am improving. I own the Cateye Wireless 2 and usually have it set on speed and average speed, then click on distance ever so often. The elapsed time is handy if I have limited time to ride and need to be back home in 2 hours or whatever; or I check landmarks I passed on other rides to see if I am ahead or behind the clock. So sometimes it's a positive tool when you are doing better than the last time but sometimes it can be negative if you performed worse. But overall it's a great training tool. Plus it helps give you something else to think about while riding.

If cost is a factor, Nashbar has some very basic computers on sale right now for as low as $10.95.

i have a cateye mity 3 on my mtb, and i am satisfied to see the current speed and distance. its useful especially when i ride long distance.

I have the basic Cateye, its not a nessecity for me but it can be fun , ie: when draughting trucks ect :D its good when you are climbing hills to try & push the same speed when you are climbing ' its quite satisfying to see the kph rise when you give that xtra effort on the last & steepest part of the hill ;)
ps. you can allways unclip the display unit & put it in your pocket when leaving your precious unattended :beer:

i ride for enjoyment and transportation. i'm not sure a computer would help me at all there, and i'd constantly be worried about it getting stolen.

Originally posted by jim-bob
i ride for enjoyment and transportation. i'm not sure a computer would help me at all there, and i'd constantly be worried about it getting stolen.

Geez Jim, if your that worried about the computer being stolen, they all just clip on and off thus you can take it with you, and their so small they can pop into your pants pocket and you would never know it's there.

First year I rode my road bike, I had no computer. Second year I decided to track how many miles I rode. Now I have one on both my bikes from the minute they left the shop. I like to track number of miles, see how fast I'm going when I'm riding. Not in an obcessive way, but to note my progress in speed and distance and to also help with motivation to increase my distances. It gives me a good feeling inside to see how many miles I "happen" to ride that day. Also, some days I set out to do such and such a mileage and my route is varied. Unless I'd pre-mapped out my route, I would not know if I accomplished my goal.

My ultimate goal is to do some events and touring, so increasing my mileage is important to me long-term as well. I keep a little database on my computer with the day's mileage, which bike I rode. Add it up the end of the week. It's a good feeling. Also, it's good to know how many miles on the bike and tires for maintenance purposes. I like my computer, but I am not driven by what's on it.

I liked having one on my road bike to track speed, cadence, and generally measure myself and my performance. I didn't think I'd want one for my MTB, but now I realize I actually miss the most basic functions: especially distance and a clock. I guess if I was doing extreme MTB'n it could get in the way, but I'm mostly doing light trails, paths and pavment.

During the long distance tour, when you are in the new country, the good bicycle computer is essential.

I rode the 2 long tours. One - 980 km on the Danube Cycle Path, and one from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh, PA, and back to D.C., - 1500 km total.

When one rides by the bicycle map, it is very important to know what is the distance you rode, what is the distance to the next camping ground, to the next supermarket, next LBS, next drug store or hospital.

Going to a long distance tour without well adjusted and tested bike computer is reckless. It is like asking for trouble, actually.

It seems that I may still go to my third LDT. This time about 2300 km, from Vienna to Oslo. We will have 3 computers on all our 3 bikes.

I am not thinking about riding without computer, I am thinking of new features, which I would like to have in my BC.

I think I will start the new thread: "What new features would you like to have in your new bicycle computer".

I'm looking at the Shimano Flight Deck. Are there any other good options out there that will show what gear you are in, and your cadence (along with the regular stuff) I'm not sure about the reviews on the flight deck, or how I will like the buttons on my hoods.

Well, thought I have a legitimate reason to add to the thread.

After doing a 100 miles from San Gabriel Mountain to Long Beach, few weeks ago, I realized that it wasn't good to keep guessing how far I have gone... where I am and how far to pedal back. It could probably even be dangerous not to be able to predict where is the next food or water supply would be...

So, I bought a computer today, it's some Cateye Enduro 8, 30 bucks, that's the best they had.
Who's using those, any problems with it? Now got to figure out how to mount and calibrate it...

So, I realized that computer is an essential part for touring. :)

http://www.dalescycles.com/cgi/comersus/catalog/enduro8.jpg

I don't like them. On a mtb it just doesn't matter. Unless I tracked specific trails vs specific speed vs timing. Which is too much work. I can tell when I am faster / better without the numbers. In fact I have a spare computer if anyone wants one...the day I ripped it off my bike was the day I truly learned to enjoy ripping it up on single track :)

Yeah, I totally understand you, on a mountain bike - it's another story.
When I was just riding from work to home, I also thought why would I need one.
But when hours went after hours, I started feeling anxious wanting to know how far I ve gone and when is the next stop to eat something...
you know...
Another reason I got it, is because I didn't pay for it, the party responsible for vandalizing my bike did...:(

Mr. Ino...... congratulations on your new tech toy purchase. As for me, I currently don't have a computer on any of my bikes, but I do own a couple. I like that clean minimalist look. As a kid, back in the 60's, I had a mechanical speedometer/odometer unit on my bike which was cable fed. I think the thing weighed about 3 pounds! But of course, I had a lot of other crap on my bike like an entire generator driven head & tail light set, mirrors, horns, racks, fenders, etc... my 26" bike weighed 60 pounds!

Also, I hope you will have a change of heart in regards to biking shorts as well......

I have a computer on my MTB and although it's not necessary, I find it useful and interesting as I like to do long-distance/epic offroad rides. Plus I like to keep track of things such as distance and times and I don't like wearing my watch when riding.

Our local TDF coverage in the UK on ITV2 commented on the time trial bike that Lance A owuld be riding. He has a pooter with 57 different functions and a hook up to his hrm. A bit of overkill. That would explain why he did badly in the trial - he was too busy fiddling with his pooter!

He don't need one as he has a team car and a radio to plot his progress. Me, I'm think of going the GPS route. We have some great forests near where we live, and I'd like to share the route with riding buddies. Some tracks skirt in and out of private land, so that might be useful to avoid upsetting landowners.

I think computers are great. I'm the type of person that likes to have the info for charting purposes. I guess I'm just a numbers freak. The first bike I had, I had a computer with acadence feature. It was nice to start with, although a pain to mount and keep adusted. After a few months I found out that I could pretty much tell what my spin rate was. I'd use the cadence read out just to verify what my legs were telling me. And like someone else said, they are perfect on organized rides and tours that take you into unknown places, as you can match the mileage between turns and such. I just mounted my GPS this week and today I'll try it out against my computer.

My wife :angel: has one on her bike solely so she can know the temperature. Bit of a sun worshipper.

OK, yesterday I went for a ride and for the first time used my GPS which is now mounted on the bars. I also kept the bike computer on just to compare the differences. The biggest thing I noticed is that my computer is not calibrated to its finest. I rode to a bridge that I used to measure at exactly nine miles from my driveway entrance to the third section break of the overpass. I used to do a TT ove the 18 mile course. Today my computer showed that it was longer while the GPS said it was .03 mile less. And as I was going along the ride (25 miles) I kept noticing the margin of error getting greater on the computer. One thing that I think made the difference was that I just put on new tires and these have just a slightly larger profile, so I'm most likely traveling a few tenths of an inch further with each tire rotation. I will need to recalibrate the thing soon, if I can find the manual on it again. At the end of the ride the computer was showing almost a third of a mile difference.

Next I noticed that the computer's speed readout was inconsistant about where it decided to change numbers. Say I was going 16.2 according to GPS, the computer would show 16. At 16.3 the computer would flip over to 17. Then sometimes the change point would be at like 16.7. Not anything distressful, but just made me curious.

And one thing I did like about having the GPS with me was that since I was on a stretch of road that I hadn't been on in years, I noticed that on the map display that there was an intersecting road around the next left curve on the right side, so when I made the bend, I was prepared for something like a car pulling out. It just made the ride a little more comfortable for me. Plus knowing that if I just want to go out and explore new roads, I can always find my way home. (which I have been known to get totally lost and have to humble myself to ask for directions. As a man's man, it just stabs me in the heart to have to resort to that! :p )

You also need to be aware of the accuracy variances (jitter) in the GPS receiver too.