Tandem Cycling - Stoker's wireless with cadence

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View Full Version : Stoker's wireless with cadence


specbill
12-24-07, 09:09 PM
I’d like to replace my stokers wired bike computer with a wireless one with wireless cadence. I’m considering either a: VDO C3DS, VDO C4DS or Sigma 1606L DTS, each with the wireless cadence feature.
Has anyone used any of these in the stoker position?
If so, has the signal from both cadence and speed sensors been reliable?
Or is there something comparable that I should be considering that has proven very reliable?

Bill J.


Leigh_caines
12-24-07, 09:59 PM
Sigma
No it's a bugger of a thing.... interferance from all sorts of things....cuts in and out and only works half the time
If I was doing it again [next time] I'd stick with the wired one.
Maybe others have had more luck with them...

swc7916
12-24-07, 10:09 PM
We use a Garmin Edge 305 with wireless cadence.


JTGraphics
12-24-07, 10:28 PM
Were using 2 VDO C3DS one on Capt.. and one on the stoker both using one sensor the speed is mount on rear wheel and cadence on rear stoker crank. The transmitting distance for the VDO C3DS is about 15ft so range is no problem and they have no interference that we have ever seen working flawlessly.
I'm also using a slightly larger magnet on the crank for cadence so the sensor picks it up better.

djsincla
12-24-07, 10:58 PM
+1 on the Garmin 305 with Cadence.

Sevenrider
12-25-07, 06:23 PM
We are using VDO C2DS computers with speed only. The pickup is on the front wheel and works great for both the captain and stoker positions

PlanetU
12-26-07, 12:09 PM
VDO is coming out with new models next year (by February, they say). They're supposed to be excellent!

specbill
01-02-08, 11:12 PM
Here is a brief follow up on my original request for help on selecting a wireless computer with cadence for my stoker.
First 'thank you" to each of you that responded because it did make a difference in my selection.
I ended up buying the VDO C4ds as the Edge 305 was well outside my budget for this project. I actually would have gone for the C3 because the C4 had more features than I could use but on the day I was ready to buy the best price opportunity came on the C4. I paid $85.49 for a new one with the cadence option including Tax and shipping.
The installation was pretty simple and the instructions were easy to follow. I used the existing magnets from the captain’s wired system. Getting both of the C4 sensor’s data to read correctly on the screen took a couple tries but it did set up as described.
We took it for a 45 mile test ride on New Years day and it worked perfectly. I could not be happier…the only down side is that now, this captain wants to toss his old Cateye and get a matching C3 or C4.
Bill J.

JTGraphics
01-02-08, 11:36 PM
Good to see it worked out for you. If you do opt for another get the CD4 and it will work of your existing senders. The CD3 may work with the CD4 senders I'm not sure you can email VDO and ask but they may be different and you would need to install another set of senders. I know the CD2 and CD3 will not work together not sure about CD4 and CD3 combo. You can pick up another VDOC4DS for around $79 you don't need the cadence for it.

dubbelop
01-03-08, 02:19 PM
We are using VDO C2DS computers with speed only. The pickup is on the front wheel and works great for both the captain and stoker positions
Nice to hear the C2DS works good for you guys. We're on the second one (first one was replaced under warranty) but both items show the same strange behavior. In the front I have a Sigma BC1200 wired computer, the VDO is in the back. The wheel circumferences are exactly the same on both computers. The VDO will show the same actual speed as the Sigma, but ..... it will consistently count roughly 7 to 10 percent more distance than the Sigma but within roughly the same trip time. So the average speed on the VDO is much higher than on the Sigma - the latter must be quite correct since it always gets very similar readings to many other computers on group rides.

We tried and retried, both with and without a Garmin GPS on the front handlebar, but the same differences always come up.

Does anyone have similar experiences and/or can anyone suggest any solutions? Changing the wheel size came to my mind but then the actual speed will be way off .....