Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Bicycle computer - need recommendations

Hi,

I'm considering to purchase a bicycle computer (cyclometer).

Which one would you recommend?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of wireless computers?

I want something simple (and inexpensive) that will show:

current speed
maximum speed
cadence
distance
current time

By "simple" I mean:

easy to installation
easy to operate
easy to read

What other paramaters are important to you and why?

Thanks!

Looking at your requirements (easy to install, operate & read), you need a Sigma.

:)

Go for wired, wireless are pointless, unreliable and a PITA.

:thumb:

Looking at your requirements (easy to install, operate & read), you need a Sigma.

I'm just starting reading about Sigma computers...and the Sigma BC 906 model looks promising.

Look Here (http://www.sigmasport.com/us/produkte/bikecomputer/topline_wired/bc1606l/) click on 'product demo'

I've had good experience with, and can recommend the Cateye Strada wireless, $35-$45 from a number of reputable ebay sellers.

The Strada is their 4th generation "basic" wireless cyclocomputer since 2001, when I bought my first wireless Cateye. It installs without tools, no wire to route, can mount on bar or stem, comes in black, white and red colors. The font size is taller now, easier to read.

Wireless computers have a signal transmission distance limit - you should check specs before buying, especially if you ride a large size bike.

I'm concerned about the physical installation. My Giant Cypress has front suspension. Can I expect any problems when installing either wired or wireless bicycle computer?? Please see the pics.

Thanks!

I've had very good luck with VDO computers over the years. They are solid and have a dead simple interface.

I've had very good luck with Cateye, even the wireless. I happen to like Cateye the best because their customer service is beyond comparison. 3 years after I bought the Wireless comp the sending unit died, I e-mailed customer service to buy another sender and to write me back the amount and phone number so I could pay with a card, 3 days later with no other correspondence then my price inquiry, I received a brand new sending unit at no charge...no charge even though the warranty expired a year prior!!

That Cateye wireless lasted 8 years, so this year I went back to a wired Strada only because I'm wondering if the wireless jobs are less reliable considering my last wired job lasted 15 years. But maybe no one wants these computers to last that long anymore, I'll find out.

I did like the clean wireless look, but the wireless computers are a tad heavier then a wired.

I'm concerned about the physical installation. My Giant Cypress has front suspension. Can I expect any problems when installing either wired or wireless bicycle computer?? Please see the pics.

Thanks!

Yesterday I successfully installed a Cateye CC-RD100 (wired) Strada on my 2008 Giant Sedona DX with front suspension and disc brakes. I had to pay special attention to routing my wire, but it works great. Without disc brakes should be easier because the brakes are mounted to the fixed part of the shock at the point where transmitter is attached. Just secure the computer wire to the front brake cable and you should be good to go.

I use the Sigma 906 and its fine. I think I paid $20 on sale at REI. It doesn't have cadence, however - which I don't need. Otherwise, it works, it has large numbers, mounts on the stem if you want. I haven't tried it on suspension forks but the sensor is held on with big O rings, so it should work on anything. I found the calibration chart to be off, though.

Looking at your requirements (easy to install, operate & read), you need a Sigma.

:)

Go for wired, wireless are pointless, unreliable and a PITA.

:thumb:

I'm using the Sigma 1606L and have no regrets. It has all the features you listed and it's wired because I tend to agree with Unkown Cyclist.

I'm just starting reading about Sigma computers...and the Sigma BC 906 model looks promising.

I have it, and I really like it, but it doesn't do cadence... of course if you don't mind that, then it's great :)

Look guys, these wired computers all install the same way, one is not any easier then another. The wireless units a a bit more difficult, but they all install the same way; then the cadence models are just a tad more difficult to install then the wireless and some of these can get more complicated to install depending if you have a wireless or wired cadence. It took me 10 minutes to install and that includes wrapping the wire around the brake cable to take up slack instead of the faster way of zip tying it. And their all easy to read and operate, though some do have larger displays and some have backlit displays. So when someone says: "Looking at your requirements (easy to install, operate & read), you need a Sigma" is just nonsense.

And as far as wireless being unreliable is more bunk; I had a second generation Cateye and never had any reliablity issues other then when the sending unit died which Cateye replaced free a year after the warranty expired. I heard all kinds of stories about the first and second generation units having problems near high voltage wires, but I rode my bike under many high voltage wires including main lines that carried electricity from somewhere across the remote desert area in Palmdale Lancaster area to Los Angeles and never experienced any problems. The newest generation of Wireless are even better then mine!

Granted I opted for a wired job this year because mine died after 8 years of use, but I have a feeling the computer companies probably don't want these things to last 15 years like my previous wired job did.

All you need to do is to go to an LBS and actually play with a couple models. I stayed with Cateye because their customer service is the best, and their buttons didn't feel as cheap when I clicked them as the others did. All in all, pick a unit you like and are comfortable reading.

Look guys, these wired computers all install the same way, one is not any easier then another. The wireless units a a bit more difficult, but they all install the same way; then the cadence models are just a tad more difficult to install then the wireless and some of these can get more complicated to install depending if you have a wireless or wired cadence.
I think the wireless are easier to install, one less thing to worry about.

But you're right about them all being pretty much the same. There's a magnet that mounts on a spoke, a sensor that mounts on the fork, and a mounting bracket on the handlebar. The only real installation difference is whether you have to wrap a wire between the sensor and mounting bracket. The wireless may not be able to go as far away as the wired can, but that's rarely an issue.

Cadence is similar, except the magnet goes on the crank, and the sensor on the stay. Some units combine both sensors in unit, with an arm that pivots to get closer to the wheel and/or crank. For those, the speed magnet goes on the rear wheel instead of the front, and positioning the sensor can be a bit trickier, but it's still pretty easy.

Making sure that the wireless sensor and receiver are communicating may seem like a problem, but my experience has been that it's always the sensor/magnet positioning that's at fault - and that problem exists for both.

Question: Does it matter where on the spoke is the magnet? I'm asking, because the fixed part of the front shocks doesn't go all the way up as it's with fixed forks.

In other words -- does the magnet has to be close or touching the spoke nut (nipple)??

Thanks!

no.

One more question: What's usually the price difference between a wireless and wired version of the same bicycle computer?

I'm a bit concerned about the wires. If I had fixed fork, I wouldn't be. And I know that the suspension parts on my bike move a lot.

Thanks!

I think you'll be fine with the wires, just run it from the lower part of the fork up to the front brake and then on the brake cable to the handlebars.

I have it, and I really like it, but it doesn't do cadence... of course if you don't mind that, then it's great :)

I need the cadence function... I'm trying to keep the same pace of peddaling and I see it's much easier for me that way.

I think you'll be fine with the wires, just run it from the lower part of the fork up to the front brake and then on the brake cable to the handlebars.

Well, I don't know. All the parts of the front brake are moving when engaging the front brake.

I think you'll be fine with the wires, just run it from the lower part of the fork up to the front brake and then on the brake cable to the handlebars.

OK, maybe it's possible -- by bypassing the front brake. The cable willl go from point "A" to "B" and then to "C".

I've had good experience with, and can recommend the Cateye Strada wireless, $35-$45 from a number of reputable ebay sellers.

The Strada is their 4th generation "basic" wireless cyclocomputer since 2001, when I bought my first wireless Cateye. It installs without tools, no wire to route, can mount on bar or stem, comes in black, white and red colors. The font size is taller now, easier to read.

Wireless computers have a signal transmission distance limit - you should check specs before buying, especially if you ride a large size bike.

Does Cateye Strada RD300W have cadence???

Thanks!

I think the wireless are easier to install, one less thing to worry about.

But you're right about them all being pretty much the same. There's a magnet that mounts on a spoke, a sensor that mounts on the fork, and a mounting bracket on the handlebar. The only real installation difference is whether you have to wrap a wire between the sensor and mounting bracket. The wireless may not be able to go as far away as the wired can, but that's rarely an issue.

Cadence is similar, except the magnet goes on the crank, and the sensor on the stay. Some units combine both sensors in unit, with an arm that pivots to get closer to the wheel and/or crank. For those, the speed magnet goes on the rear wheel instead of the front, and positioning the sensor can be a bit trickier, but it's still pretty easy.

Making sure that the wireless sensor and receiver are communicating may seem like a problem, but my experience has been that it's always the sensor/magnet positioning that's at fault - and that problem exists for both.

Does it mean that if I want CADENCE, I cannot install it (magnet/sensor) on the front wheel??

Thanks!

The cadence magnet has to go on the crank, and the cadence sensor will normally go on the stay.

Some models, such as the Sigma Rox, have separate units for the speed and sensor. For those, the speed sensor goes on the front fork.. Others, such as the CatEye, use a single unit with both sensors built in. For those, the sensor goes on the stay, and the magnet for the speed sensor goes on the rear wheel.

Does it mean that if I want CADENCE, I cannot install it (magnet/sensor) on the front wheel??

Thanks!

Just to emphasize, Cadence is a separate sensor/magnet combination. So with a cadence option you will have two sensor/magnet sets, one on the wheel for speed, one on the crank for cadence.

Just to emphasize, Cadence is a separate sensor/magnet combination. So with a cadence option you will have two sensor/magnet sets, one on the wheel for speed, one on the crank for cadence.

Now I'm confused... Sigma BC 1606L (http://www.sigmasport.com/us/produkte/bikecomputer/topline_wired/bc1606l/?punkt=details) is said to have CADENCE. BUT, the MANUAL doesn't say anything about installing sensor/magnet set on the CRANK.

i just bought the cateye strada cadence cc-rd200 from sun and ski for 39.99 it is wired the speed sensor mounts on the rear tire so no problems with the front forks. nice and neat one cable routing.

Now I'm confused... Sigma BC 1606L (http://www.sigmasport.com/us/produkte/bikecomputer/topline_wired/bc1606l/?punkt=details) is said to have CADENCE. BUT, the MANUAL doesn't say anything about installing sensor/magnet set on the CRANK.

The cadence kit is a small pick up and a magnet that you attach to the crank arm, instructions are included with the cadence kit.

OK, I bought and installed Sigma 1606L (http://www.sigmasport.com/us/produkte/bikecomputer/topline_wired/bc1606l/?flash=1). It's quite tricky to put it on a bike with front suspension (like my Giant Cypress). And the manual doesn't explain clearly how to get some measurements. I'm considering to return it to the shop and look into Cateye Strada Cadence (CC-RD200) (http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/407).

How easy is it to remove the Sigma's clip and magnet from the spoke?

Thanks!

i just bought the cateye strada cadence cc-rd200 from sun and ski for 39.99 it is wired the speed sensor mounts on the rear tire so no problems with the front forks. nice and neat one cable routing.

How do you like the cateye strada so far? I'm quite unhappy with the Sigma BC 1606L I bought and mounted yesterday. If possible, I'll try to return it to the store.

Thanks!

How do you like the cateye strada so far? I'm quite unhappy with the Sigma BC 1606L I bought and mounted yesterday. If possible, I'll try to return it to the store.

Thanks!

so far i like the way it installed. straight forward and easy there was only one set of wires to route so it looks neat. so far i have only rode around the block with it but i am going on a 30+ mile ride in the morning. i will report back with results.

...
How easy is it to remove the Sigma's clip and magnet from the spoke?

Thanks!

not easy, I think I used two screwdrivers to seperate the two, and got some injuries in the process

Hmmm...So far the BC 1606L computer and wires sit quite well on the bike, so I don't know. I'll do more test rides with it before I decide if to keep or return the computer.

I had problems with entering WS (Wheel Size) as my tires (Kenda 700x38 Multi-Surface) are not listed in the table. My tires are somewhere in the middle of:

700x35c - 2205
700x40c - 2224

I did some math and put "2219" as WS.

That's all before installing the Cadence sensor/magnet set.

The only solution to keep the computer cable attached to the fork -- with postal tape. See the picture.

Maybe there is a better solution ...

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks!

so far i like the way it installed. straight forward and easy there was only one set of wires to route so it looks neat. so far i have only rode around the block with it but i am going on a 30+ mile ride in the morning. i will report back with results.

so far so good. i went out this morning and cant complain. everything seems to work as it should. the numbers are easy to read and the screens are easy to scroll through. i think it was a good purchase time will tell.

The only solution to keep the computer cable attached to the fork -- with postal tape. See the picture.

Maybe there is a better solution ...

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks!

i have mine attached with the little black cable ties that came with it.