Folding Bikes - Help choosing computer/cadence/speedometer

Hello.

I have a Dahon Vitesse D3 and wanted to add a computer/speedometer/cadence/odemeter to it. Looked up in search and there are soo many on the market.I want to keep it simple..maybe wireless and under $100.. I'm using the bike in my local park on weekends and I'm not a huge mileage rider.. "KISS" is the best I can say.
Thank you for your help in advance all.
Mary T.

Cateye Astrale 8. Not wireless but perfect for your needs.

H

$100 --> Ouch.

My wife and I picked up a couple of Schwinn trip computers for $10 apiece at a local sporting goods store. (MC Sports, I don't know if you have those around you) I don't think it has a cadence feature. It has instantaneous speed (in kph or mph) odometer, trip meter, max speed, avg. speed, clock, and timer.

I'm sure the more expensive ones are nice, but that's a lotta dough. If I were going to get a nicer one, the one thing I'd like to have that I don't already have is a heart rate monitor. But I'd be more likely to get a watch that'll do that than spend big bucks on a computer.

I just had a look. Here it is:
http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/accessories_detail.php?id=53

http://www.schwinnbike.com/images/accessories/55.14.sw50012functioncomp_md.jpg

For cadence, I'd go to:
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/
and enter your gear ratios and tire setup. Actually, I'd use the mph (or kmh) at 90rpm (similar), per gear, and go by that. You could print it out, or just remember that x gear ought to be y mph--odds are, you won't have to remember the "proper" speed for the lowest and highest gears, just whatever ones you are using most often.

For cadence, I'd go to:
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/
and enter your gear ratios and tire setup. Actually, I'd use the mph (or kmh) at 90rpm (similar), per gear, and go by that. You could print it out, or just remember that x gear ought to be y mph--odds are, you won't have to remember the "proper" speed for the lowest and highest gears, just whatever ones you are using most often.

Now that's a lightweight and inexpensive speedometer! But where do you glue it?:)

If you're just pootling around the park, forget your cadence.

I bought a wired Cateye because it was cheap at the LBS (in the closeout-no return bin). It turns out that the wires are too short for a Downtube folder. Lucky me, I then got to buy the same basic thing in a wireless version.

I also recommend going wireless and forget about cadence. Cateye is good, almost anything will do. I'm sure 90% of the computers are made in the same one or two factories in Taiwan anyway. :D

$100 --> Ouch.

My wife and I picked up a couple of Schwinn trip computers for $10 apiece at a local sporting goods store. (MC Sports, I don't know if you have those around you) I don't think it has a cadence feature. It has instantaneous speed (in kph or mph) odometer, trip meter, max speed, avg. speed, clock, and timer.

I'm sure the more expensive ones are nice, but that's a lotta dough. If I were going to get a nicer one, the one thing I'd like to have that I don't already have is a heart rate monitor. But I'd be more likely to get a watch that'll do that than spend big bucks on a computer.

I just had a look. Here it is:
http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/accessories_detail.php?id=53

http://www.schwinnbike.com/images/accessories/55.14.sw50012functioncomp_md.jpg


+1
I have that on all my bikes. Can't beat them for the price.
I don't care about cadence. I just like to know my distance and speed.

I have no luck with the wireless Bell computer, though. The one I tried was so unreliable. Then it quit working altogether.

I bought a wired Cateye because it was cheap at the LBS (in the closeout-no return bin). It turns out that the wires are too short for a Downtube folder. Lucky me, I then got to buy the same basic thing in a wireless version.
You could have cut the wire and soldered in an extension piece. I did that with mine when the wire broke inside. It's worked really well for years and is a neat and tidy job. You do need to pay attention to insulating each wire from the other with tape. Solder one side, tape it up neatly. Solder the other wire and tape the two together. Repeat the process for the other end if you are extending the wire. Do it carefully and you'll never see it again. I've had this computer on about three bikes over the last five years all taped up like that. It's covered thousands of mles reliably ever since the repair.

Thank you all for your replies.. The park I ride has a straight ( almost ) roadway 4 bikes that runs 2 miles end to end. I do that route several times , thats why I thought a cadence addition to the computer would help.. no? So I guess wireless Is the way to go ?.. There aren't any power lines inside the park ( I was told the wireless have difficulty on busy streets with overhead powerlines etc. ) so maybe wireless will prove a easier installation ?
Thank you members.
Mary T.

Did she just call me a 'member'?

I don't think wired will be that much more work. Wrap the excess wire around a tube, or coil up and zip tie it down. I'm not too familar with folders, so I don't know if the handlebars is the best place for one, what with all the bending. You may need to use more zip ties and make sure there is enough slack around the bending points--but is tied down well enough so that the wire won't get snagged.

I wonder if it'd be better to attach to the rear wheel, and put the headunit on the top tube. That way, it wouldn't be moving. Not as convient, perhaps. If it were me, I'd probably experiment a bit. Maybe buy some cheap velcro and try several spots, folding and unfolding.

If you're just doing casual riding, I don't think you need to know cadence. I verified what I was spinning after a couple of rides, and that was good enough for me. Supposedly 90rpm is a good efficent speed; but if you're doing this for fun, I'd leave it at "wow, I biked 18 miles today, no wonder I'm pooped".

If you're just pootling around the park, forget your cadence.

I second that ...

Wireless gets a lot of interferance and (at least my Dahon Curve) the stem is too far away from the sensor to transmit continually without loosing data.

I went with a $30 CatsEye and the wiring was to short so I needed to buy the $9 extension (you'll find it on the CatsEye website's "small parts catalog.")

All in all, its really no different than the $14 no-name unit I bought at Target for my mountain bike which came with longer wires and has been working acurately since 2004.

Just my opinions, but wireless bike computers seem like a solution to a problem we didn't have. We are only talking about running one wire here...