Road Cycling - What cycling computer are you using

I'm considering a 30$ nashbar wireless... but the 17$ Cateye Mity 3 from Nashbar looks like a steal :D

I have the Cateye Astrale 8...I say go with the one that has the features that you want most and have no regrets about your purchace...otherwise you'll end up spending more money buying the one you wanted in the first place :D.

I have the Mity 3 - have had it for about 3 years now. Original battery to boot - though I think I'll change it soon. It's been through the wash as well. It's everything you need unless you're interested in cadence, heart rate, or being wireless. It's a good unit.

I just bought another Cateye Astrale (w/cadence) from Performance for $19.96 and then got to take 20% off for their bike club member discount. That $16. I've been riding the Astrale for six years and still have the original one and it is working well. The only one I've had fail is the one I crashed with on my MTB and ripped off the bike. Not its fault. But, I have to take a lot of ribbing from my fellow riders as I ride my Record 10-speed equipped Dean Ti or Scapin with a $15 computer system. They mostly use wireless because they don't like the wires. The Astrale wires do not provide the cleanest look, but it is lighter then wireless and bullet-proof in my experience. And I am cheap.

I have a Mity 3 on my Trek 5200. It's great except for one thing: below 20mph, it shows speed in increments of tenths of a mph, as in 18.8mph; above 20, it shows it in increments of halves of a mph, as in 23.5 or 24.0mph.

It's a nice problem to have, but I've worked hard over the last year and, dang it, if I'm going 25.6mph, I want to know! I've earned it. :)

I went whole-hog and got the Shimano Flight Deck Wireless. I have not regretted it. It's so awesome to have the shift lever access to the functions, and the virtual cadence, and of course the chainring/cassette indicator. Very cool, but not cheap. Think total price was around $100. Definitely a good thing to look for when you get a 20% coupon from one of the mail order places. I think the best price (w/o a coupon) I found was at Jenson.

I've got a Ciclo Sport. It has alot of neat features such as hill gradian, altitude, power, etc. It can also be interfaced on the computer but I decided not to go broke over it all O_o .

Cateye Astrale on my 5200. It is the bomb! The best feature about it is that the speed sensor runs off the back wheel. This is important if you put your bike on a trainer in the winter.

I have a Vetta RT77 on both bikes, but have been trying to justify upgrading to either a Cateye CD300DW Wireless (US$150)

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_1928.jpg

or a Vetta V100 Wireless with Wireless Cadence (US$130).

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_1312.jpg

I Used Bc-16oo（sigma）

I Used Bc-16oo（sigma）

I have the Sigma BC1400... or is it the 1600? Nashbar has the 03 model on sale WITH the cadence option for $19.95. That's a deal... I like the way that they attach to the fork and bars with rubber. You can install without tools.. and easily move between bikes.

Persobally, I don't like wireless.. it's another battery to replace and I don't like losing my computer half way into a ride.

I had a Vetta on my old Mountain Bike and LOVED it! I saw the wired model on sale for $30 a few weeks back.

Sigma BC1600. I didn't want wireless, I hear way too many complaints.
I also put on the inline gear indicator. That is the little thing that goes on the cable to tell you what gear you are in. Walked into an LBS, asked about it, the guy dug through his parts bin and GAVE it to me. Cool.

Another vote on the newer Cateye Astrale. Love the cadence feature.

55/Rad

Specialized Classic Comp. All the basic functions I need with a very durable wiring system. Bought it for $25 two years ago at my LBS.

I'm considering a 30$ nashbar wireless... but the 17$ Cateye Mity 3 from Nashbar looks like a steal :D

That's what I use on all 3 of my bikes. I need to order a couple more of those things.... They aren't fancy but they do the job.

What do you guys think of the new mavic computer. They put the transmitter in a qr skewer. Thinking about it but expensive at $100 and $139 with cadence.

Just ordered a Garmin Forerunner 201 GPS unit. If it works well I'll get handelbar mounts for all my bikes including the Cannondale with lefty fork.

The new cateye isnt available until late April correct?


I have a Vetta RT77 on both bikes, but have been trying to justify upgrading to either a Cateye CD300DW Wireless (US$150)

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_1928.jpg

or a Vetta V100 Wireless with Wireless Cadence (US$130).

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_1312.jpg

Cateye Astrale has worked great for me.

Astrale here as well. I just bought the cheapest one I could find that had all the features I wanted. What do the more expensive models get you (besides heart rate or wireless)?

forget every other computer mentioned............just by a Specialized Speedzone comp and your troubles will all go away

Apple G4........err wrong computer:D Polar 720i and Cateye Cordless 2.

CHEERS.

Mark

highly reccommend Sigma BC1600 w/ cadence kit. They make a wireless one too.

i use this.... basic functions... but super durable..
Titanium casing + heavy duty harness...
http://www.ciklo-centar.hr/oprema/ciklokompjuteri/slike/sigmasport_targa.jpg

Doesn't anyone use Avocet?

another happy cateye astrale user
I had a wireless before but without cadence, needed the cadence
it's true about being careful to get all the features you want,
I had to take it back and get the wired deal (but it was cheaper, gotta like that)

Cateye Astrale (w/cadence), it's great

Cateye Astrale 8 on all three bikes!

I use the Polar 710 HR Monitor.. It has way too much info to comprehend.. Basic cycling functions but both speed and cadence are wireless.. Works great and gives me all the info I need and I can download everything to my computer with ease.. If you are thinking about getting an Heart Rate Monitor definitely look at Polar 520 or 720.. They include wireless cycling functions and the cadence feature can be had for 39.00..

i was reading up on computer reviews on roadbikereview.com yesterday... seems like every one of them has prevalent problems!!! even the most popular and highest rated ones... there doesnt seem to be one that is flawless or even close to it..

my friend got a sigma bc1200 wireless (i think) and the thing failed after the first week of usage... seems like the sensor is not transmitting anything to the computer

tho for the price i guess its not so bad... anybody have pics of Wired computers mounted on their bike? im thinking about the Astrale w/ cadence, now :D

Count me as a happy owner and user of a wireless Flight Deck. Having the control buttons integrated into the shift/brake levers and the virtual cadence make it worth the price.

-Spoke

and actually, how does cadence on the astrale work anyways? is there a sensor on the crankarms?

I use a Cateye Astrale w/cadence that's about 10 years old w/ no complaints. Just now replaced the battery. There is an extra sensor attached to the crankarm for the cadence feature.

Someone else sells the samething (exact body and features) but I forgot the name.

Just managed to bust my Astrale...the damn button somehow disconnected itself, thus it still works, but I can't change my display, which is stuck on time...gah! though I suppose its an excuse to go get one of the new Mavic or Cateye wireless jobs

Cateye Astrale 8. $35 at the LBS, and I'll probably keep using it until I can afford a power meter.

Siggy

VDO C10+. They make automotive guages for Porsche so they know a thing or two about displaying info. Wireless water resistant and sleek.

VDO C08. It works. Does what I need. I think it might have been discounted heavily, but I don't remember. Most stuff I buy is.

http://www.avocet.com/cyclopages/cyclo15.gif

Simple, light and classic. It's all you need.

I really don't work for Avocet. ;)

I had an Avocet. No problems with the unit, but it was expensive for the features it had. I think I finally gave up on it because I could not find the right replacement battery. I think the Avocet pickup system is the best, bar none.

I have a Cat-eye Mity-3 that was downgraded to use on my commuter, mostly because I replaced it with a unit that had cadence. One really weird thing about the Cat-eye was the average speed. You can be cruising along a little above the average speed and the average speed will fluctuate... go up a couple of tenths, then drop, etc. If you're going faster, the average should stay the same or increase monotonically, no?

Currently using a Specialized Turbo Elite. The core functionality is great, and the wireless pickup is flawless, but the unit has other issues. The big annoyance is that the cadence misses beats pretty commonly. I've adjusted it meticulously, and even tried replacing the magnet with a rare earth magnet, to no avail. And, when you cycle through the numerous displays, ODO is the default, you have to press another button to get trip mileage. WTF were they thinking? And then there's the manual. Roughly 200 languages shoved into a book only slightly larger than that bible that someone etched on the head of a pin some years ago. And no online version, either. :rolleyes:

forget every other computer mentioned............just by a Specialized Speedzone comp and your troubles will all go away

I've got one of these specialized computers, it's pretty cool, but there are some draw backs. the graphics are cool, but its hard to read. By looking at the graphic, I can't really tell if I'm going 17 or 19 mph with a quick glance. There is a digital number, but it is really small. The clock is cool too and it's always showing. :eek:

I also have a mitty and its great. I had a sigma for a few years, but started have problems with it blinking out. I thought it was the battery, I changed it and it was fine for a while. It would blink out when ever it was in the sun and got warm. I then got the low end cilosport and that's been great. I still have an old avoset on the tandem, but it only has one function showing at a time and no average speed. :)

The one thing I wish all these computer makers would do is design a mount that allows you to hold the handlebar next to the stem. I think Shimano's design does this and puts the computer infront of the stem. Sigma had a design that allow you to mount the computer on the stem. :rolleyes:

I just got the Timex speed and distance system from the walmart.com website. It tracks your speed and distance with the Garmain GPS satellite system, and it also comes with a heart rate monitor and strap. You take the GPS and strap it to your arm, turn on the watch and start riding. It's really easy to use, and I'm happy with my purchase. I also got the Timex Data Recorder which has a clip to attach to your heart rate monitor (or your clothes, or your GPS... whatever), and when I turn it on, it records all the signals (speed, distance, heart rate, and whatever else I'm doing for the day), then I just plug it to a wire that inserts in my USB port, and it downloads and graphs everything I did for that workout. I can even compare day to day workouts, or break it down by week, month, or year. It's da bomb, and so easy to use- no wires since speed is tracked with satellites, and while I'm riding, the speed comes to me in real time, which is cool too. Plus, I can use it for all sports, not just cycling, so if I ever get insane enough to run, I'll still be able to track my speed and progress.

What a cool watch/toy! :p

Koffee

I use the Cateye Cordless 2 model for about 3 years now and no problems, even the batteries have lasted about 3 years. It's simple to use and read, robust enough to take rough roads and rain.

just received my Astrale 8 brand new for 21$ from ebay... what a great deal!!!!

seems to work very very well so far... the build and the computer->base mount seems solid... however the gelled base on the bottom of the computer looks iffy.

the only gripe is maybe the lower display is a tad small... and if they had function labeling (cadence/avg/max/etc) on the computer housing itself, and a Dot on the display over the corresponding function label, it would make deciphering the display easier/quicker...

tho for 21$ w/ cadence its great so far!

Has anyone found any reviews on the new Cateye CD300DW? Or does anyone have one yet and can give some comments? I'm particularly interested in the dual sensor mount and how well it works out on the rear chainstay. (My Astrale wired cadence sensor, which is meant for the rear wheel, had to go on the front wheel because I couldn't get the sensor close enough to the magnet.)




I have a Vetta RT77 on both bikes, but have been trying to justify upgrading to either a Cateye CD300DW Wireless (US$150)

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_1928.jpg

or a Vetta V100 Wireless with Wireless Cadence (US$130).

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_1312.jpg

Doesn't anyone use the new Schwinn model from Target yet???

polar s510 on the road bike, sigmasport bc 1200 on the 'cross bike. i really like the sigma sport.

VDO C10+ wireless. My battery went out the other day and I lost my total miles. I knew approximately how many I had, but not exactly. Wish I had kept up with that.

To everyone using the CAteye Astrale 8 (not the older Astrale), does it have a rear wheel speed sensor or front wheel? I've heard conflicting reports.

Blastradius,

I have the older Astrale, but had to replace wiring harness, they sent me
one for new Astrale and its Front wheel sensor. However I believe you
can use rear wheel sensor if you get the long wires (available through LBS
or Astrale).
The only problem I've had on mine is the mode button (left button) is beginning
to stick (probably due to being sweated on etc.). but for 19 bucks its still worth it.

Marty

To everyone using the CAteye Astrale 8 (not the older Astrale), does it have a rear wheel speed sensor or front wheel? I've heard conflicting reports.


rear wheel... though you can certainly branch out the line (from the cadence line) and do a front-mount