Road Cycling - Flightdeck computers...

Anybody has one? How do you like it? Do you think it's just another toy to have or almost a necessity for my trek 5200? Thanks! Kati

Anybody has one? How do you like it? Do you think it's just another toy to have or almost a necessity for my trek 5200? Thanks! Kati

I have a 5200 with the a Flightdeck installed. I really like it for a variety of reasons. I like the fact that you can change functions without taking your hands off the brake hoods. I also really like the virtual cadence which allows a calculated cadence function without the need for a cadence sensor. It's even sometimes nice to see the gear indicator. I got the wireless version, so it's a real clean look. The only downside, IMHO, is the price.

Anybody has one? How do you like it? Do you think it's just another toy to have or almost a necessity for my trek 5200? Thanks! Kati
I agree w/everything bac said. I also like how you can easily remove the computer from it's bracket on the handlebars. Nice for protecting it in all kinds of circumstances. Mine has worked flawlessly for almost three years.

Anybody has one? How do you like it? Do you think it's just another toy to have or almost a necessity for my trek 5200? Thanks! Kati

Of course it's a toy, but it's cool!

I like the virtual cadence feature the best. When you are coasting down a hill, it will tell you how fast you would have to pedal to that speed in that gear. I like to see how closely I can guess the "sweet spot" to start pedaling again. The gear indicator impresses the non-bicycling folks too.

Cost is about double the price of an ordinary bike computer. It's worth the difference to me.

Anybody has one? How do you like it? Do you think it's just another toy to have or almost a necessity for my trek 5200? Thanks! Kati

It isn't a necessity - the FlightDeck isn't the most reliable computer out there - sure you can change functions without moving your hands from the handlebars, you got a little gear indicator and you get a calculated cadence so all you need is a front wheel sensor...

but at what price?

a Cateye Astrale - rear wheel sensor (so u can use on trainer), crank-measured cadence and old fashioned buttons so you have to move your hands from the handlebars (which if you can't already do safely, you should be extra careful out on the road too... getting bottles out, etc).

lower price and does the job.

Anybody has one? How do you like it? Do you think it's just another toy to have or almost a necessity for my trek 5200? Thanks! Kati

It's an expensive toy, but he who dies with the most toys wins!

I had some problems with the first one I got on my Zurich. But after replacing the display unit (the LBS did it for free) and actually reading the manual - bad, though it is - I have figured it out and love it. I especially love the gear indicator. It has saved me a lot of looking down to make sure I am in the gear I want. Also, the stopwatch and all make it a lot of fun.

For something like the Zurich and the 5200, I think the Flight Deck is the perfect accessory.

It's an expensive toy, but he who dies with the most toys wins!

I had some problems with the first one I got on my Zurich. But after replacing the display unit (the LBS did it for free) and actually reading the manual - bad, though it is - I have figured it out and love it. I especially love the gear indicator. It has saved me a lot of looking down to make sure I am in the gear I want. Also, the stopwatch and all make it a lot of fun.

For something like the Zurich and the 5200, I think the Flight Deck is the perfect accessory.

Wouldn't use anything else.

Philli

Love mine, wouldn't use anything else and got a smokin deal on both of them at lickton's online.

the only drawback i see with the flightdeck is that it runs off the front wheel, so unless you're on rollers when riding inside, you're out of luck. would there be any way to splice the wires so you could get additional length to run off the back wheel? or for those of you with the wireless model, will the sensor communicate with the computer if its mounted to the chainstays?

i too am quite happy with the cateye astrale8, but i do hate all the wires under the bottom bracket.

matt

Here's a thought, get the flight deck and lose the 5200. Then you won't be putting an overpriced, overrated piece of crap on an overpriced, overrated piece of crap.

If I had to choose between them I guess I would keep the Flightdeck.

it's just one more thing that distracts from the world around you.

the only drawback i see with the flightdeck is that it runs off the front wheel, so unless you're on rollers when riding inside, you're out of luck. would there be any way to splice the wires so you could get additional length to run off the back wheel? or for those of you with the wireless model, will the sensor communicate with the computer if its mounted to the chainstays?

i too am quite happy with the cateye astrale8, but i do hate all the wires under the bottom bracket.

matt

The sensor has to be fairly close, and the back wheel is too far away. It might work, but it would be intermittent, and with other things in the house that emit signals, you might have a bigger problem.

I looked at it. I wanted a rear wheel sensor for the trainer. I also wanted real cadance. The gear sensor is the coolest thing, so I got one of the in line shifter cable ones (for free from my LBS). The fact that the Flight Deck dosen't auto start is what really put me off of it.

So I have a Sigma Sport with rear wheel sensor, cadance, and a gear indicator. Everything I wanted at half the price.

I've got a wireless Flight Deck on my Cannondale. I wouldn't leave home without. I am very happy with it and I have had no problems with it (once I installed the 'sticker'). The buttons in the shift levers, the gear indicators and the virtual cadence, all make it very much worth the price. Go with the wireless version. A real clean installation. No wires, except the ones under the handlebar tape. The manual is not worth the paper it is printed on, but once you program it and use it a few times, it all makes sense. Go for it and enjoy it!

-Spoke

IThe gear sensor is the coolest thing, so I got one of the in line shifter cable ones (for free from my LBS).

Interesting! I don't think I have ever seen such a gear indicator. Could you describe how it works, what it looks like? A picture perhaps?

Do a search.

Here it is. It is a little clear plastic tube with marker lines on it. There is a little orange bead that goes on the cable that lines up with the markers to tell you what gear you are in. It works really well, and takes about 10 minutes to install.

I had to go to three different LBS before I found one that had them. The wrench had a few in his parts bin and gave it to me.

Well, there I was zipping along at about 25mph, when BAM! The speedometer drops to zero, the elapsed time, trip distance, and odometer stop dead. The clock and gear indicator still worked, but everything else stopped dead. It had been working flawlessly for over 150 miles and six days without a hint of a problem.

I stopped to check that the sensor hadn't slipped, and it hadn't. I checked to make sure the magnet and sensor were not dirty, and they weren't. Previously, I could get it going again if I reset, but to no avail. Now I am waiting to see of letting it go into "sleep" mode if it will work again.

If not, me and the Flight Deck have just about reached the end of the road. I love all of its features, but it is just not reliable. Especially for the price. If the LBS can't rectify the problem, I am going to have them take it back and get me a Cateye Astrale 8.

Well, there I was zipping along at about 25mph, when BAM! The speedometer drops to zero, the elapsed time, trip distance, and odometer stop dead. The clock and gear indicator still worked, but everything else stopped dead. It had been working flawlessly for over 150 miles and six days without a hint of a problem.

I stopped to check that the sensor hadn't slipped, and it hadn't. I checked to make sure the magnet and sensor were not dirty, and they weren't. Previously, I could get it going again if I reset, but to no avail. Now I am waiting to see of letting it go into "sleep" mode if it will work again.

If not, me and the Flight Deck have just about reached the end of the road. I love all of its features, but it is just not reliable. Especially for the price. If the LBS can't rectify the problem, I am going to have them take it back and get me a Cateye Astrale 8.


I'll bet you its the battery in the wireless sending unit (on the fork). Mine crapped out when it was less than a week old. More than 1 year later it has been flawless.

Well, there I was zipping along at about 25mph, when BAM! The speedometer drops to zero, the elapsed time, trip distance, and odometer stop dead. The clock and gear indicator still worked, but everything else stopped dead.

Is yours the wireless Flightdeck? If so, the battery in your sensor could be dead as the "non-sensor" functions (gear indicator, etc) still work. There is no telling as to how old the battery is, as the unit may have been sitting around for a while before you bought it. I had the exact symptoms with mine after one year of use, and it was the battery in the sensor. It's worked flawlessly since.

Good luck!

I'll bet you its the battery in the wireless sending unit (on the fork). Mine crapped out when it was less than a week old. More than 1 year later it has been flawless.

Damn, you beat me to the punch! :)

Is yours the wireless Flightdeck? If so, the battery in your sensor could be dead as the "non-sensor" functions (gear indicator, etc) still work. There is no telling as to how old the battery is, as the unit may have been sitting around for a while before you bought it. I had the exact symptoms with mine after one year of use, and it was the battery in the sensor. It's worked flawlessly since.

Good luck!

Thanks BadDawg and bac. I should have thought of that myself. When I was an electronics technician in the Navy, I learned to check the easy things first. It's been 18 years since I retired and I have to be retrained!

I need to fall back on the KISS principle, Keep it Simple, Stupid!

Here's a thought, get the flight deck and lose the 5200. Then you won't be putting an overpriced, overrated piece of crap on an overpriced, overrated piece of crap.

If I had to choose between them I guess I would keep the Flightdeck.


typical french attitude

ewitz has had nothing good or nice to say anywhere that I have seen his posts. I feel he is on his way to being banned. Just ignore him (or report him, find the link for this) and let the mods do their majik.

Brendon

Damn, you beat me to the punch! :)

Okay, Dawg and bac, I went to Walgreen's and spend the amazing sum of $3 for an LR44 battery. Installed it this morning and the Flight Deck performed perfectly. Now, it has done this before, stopped then started again, and worked for a week. Time will tell.

Once during today's ride, it did stop, and I called it quite a few polysylabbic words that are best described as "salty." I had just hit a patch of rough pavement and the sensor got shaken into a new position. I just put it back where it belonged, tightened it down a notch, and off I went with Flight Deck doing its thing perfectly.

Thanks again, guys.

ewitz has had nothing good or nice to say anywhere that I have seen his posts. I feel he is on his way to being banned. Just ignore him (or report him, find the link for this) and let the mods do their majik.

Brendon


I hate to put anyone on ignore, but this guy is trying everyone's patience. If he were to call himself what so obvioulsy is, half-witz instead of e-witz, it would be different.