Tandem Cycling - Cycling Computers -- Captain and Stoker

Has anyone figured out a good wireless option for both the Captain and Stoker computers?

Has anyone figured out a good wireless option for both the Captain and Stoker computers?


First, get an Edge 305 when they had just came out.
Then, when the 705 is introduced, get one of those. Now you've got both, and they share cadence.
The captain and stoker tussle over who gets the 705.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2115/2951231573_b02af4e098.jpg

I recently bought a Garmin Oregon 550 for hiking and had to return it because I could not see the screen well enough. How is the screen view on the 705?




First, get an Edge 305 when they had just came out.
Then, when the 705 is introduced, get one of those. Now you've got both, and they share cadence.
The captain and stoker tussle over who gets the 705.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2115/2951231573_b02af4e098.jpg

I recently bought a Garmin Oregon 550 for hiking and had to return it because I could not see the screen well enough. How is the screen view on the 705?

The readability of the screen on the 705 is IMO its most underrated feature. The 305 is very difficult to read, especially if you like a lot of fields. Its battery like is limited, so you can't use its feeble backlight.

With the 705 the numbers are quite large and distinct, and the battery life is good enough so you can crank the backlight to very bright, so the numbers are very distinct and at a glance. I ride at night with commuting, and the 705 is perfect for this.

+1 on the 705/305. I use the 705 up front generally with the backlight. My wife is fine with the 305, but she is only interested in speed and cadence. With the 705 be sure to tilt the unit so as to eliminate reflections from bright jerseys.

I wonder how many casual lurkers are shaking their heads as they see folks here riding around with over $1k just tied up in cycling computer/GPS/HRMs... No, no... we're just as bad and probably worse. It's not like the Garmin Units we're using now are the only high-end computers we've had on our tandems.

My 705 Edge replaced a Sigma Sports HAC4 which replaced a Sigma Sports CM414 Alti (both of which are sitting in a box somewhere with various accessories), Debbie's 305 Edge replaced a Polar S720i after we discovered it didn't play nice with our composite frame (that one was sold for a sweet price on Fleabay) and I think I still have 2 or 3 SigmaSports BC1200's sitting around, noting that we gifted a pair to someone from the Hobbes list on a whim for the stokids a few years back. I'd guess there are probably 4 or 5 other miscellaneous computers, some wireless some not, sitting around that are mounted to mountain bikes or that came on second hand bikes bought on Ebay and Craigslist primarily for the frames that are also sitting in the 'computer cemetery'.

In restrospect, they've been acquired over a decade of tandem cycling but it's still suggests that we've done more than our part to 'stimulate' the computer-wing of the bicycle industry.

Cateye V3 will work with 2 head units and one send unit. V2 if you do not want heart rate.

The 305 and 705 share the same speed/cadence sensor correct? So the sensor has not changed between them? This sounds like a good option.

Stoker Kay has no interest in having a computer.
Our tandem riding goes back to the 70s when we had a Lucas Cyclometer . . . remember those: clic/clic/clic ?
Currently using a hard wired Planet Bike Protege 9.0.

The 305 and 705 share the same speed/cadence sensor correct? So the sensor has not changed between them? This sounds like a good option.

Garmin recently added the Edge 500 (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=160&pID=36728#), which is a step up from the 305, especially in terms of having a readable screen. It uses the same speed/cadence sensor.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/assets/images/products/010-00829-00/en/cf-lg.jpg

A good place to get these items is with BF'er GeoMan (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?58538-GeoMan), at GeoManGear (http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1) who is as famous for the alacrity of his service as much for his great prices. Maybe GeoMan can come up with a BF Tandem Bundle, with a 705, 500 and cadence sensor.

I wonder how many casual lurkers are shaking their heads as they see folks here riding around with over $1k just tied up in cycling computer/GPS/HRMs.........


No one else responded, I was surprised. I have flight deck which I like for the gear indicator. Stoker said she didn't want anything, but a speed computer will probably happen someday.

No need for the stoker to have one. I run a $25 cateye velo 5 up front. We like the simple stuff.

My wife always prefers to find out AFTER the ride how fast we took that canyon... ;)

I use my cateye to moniter tire life, make sure the century gets done in 5hrs. or less, the double in less than 11, and keep track of March madness

Captain has a flight deck and a Polar 725, stoker a different coded HRM and wired Cateye so she'll know when we're over 40 so she can close her eyes . . .

But I'm guessing that the OP wants wireless because they have a coupled bike. On ours, all the captain's wiring is forward of the cockpit and stoker could have a wireless Cateye or similar. I don't think stoker needs cadence and the flight deck avoids the hassle of a cadence magnet and transmitter.

We are using a combination of Garmin 705 (Captain) and 305 (Stoker) as well as a Cadence/Speed sensor.

Has anyone figured out a good wireless option for both the Captain and Stoker computers?

I have a similar question, except that I'd be interested in a wired computer because wireless doesn't work well around me.

I am a stoker who wants to know: what time it is (I don't wear a watch and don't plan to start for times I ride the tandem), what distance we've covered, and what speed we are going. That's all I need to know ... all the rest of the stuff computers offer is unimportant to me on the tandem, and on my single bicycle.

No need for the stoker to have one. I run a $25 cateye velo 5 up front. We like the simple stuff.

Just reverse with my team. Stoker has the 705 Garmin, Captain has an Polar HRM with a cadence sensor. Captain controls the cadence and stoker tells us where to go! Who cares about speed? If your HRM isn't red lined you need to grab another gear!

What's the battery life on the Garmins? Somewhere I remember it being something like 8hrs? I use the VDO 1.0+ and like it a lot. You can use two confusers with one sending unit.

What's the battery life on the Garmins? Somewhere I remember it being something like 8hrs? I use the VDO 1.0+ and like it a lot. You can use two confusers with one sending unit.

I've had my Garmin 705 last 12 hours and still had a charge left. The Garmin website says 15 hours is "typical".

I'm sure my 705 would last 12 hours without the backlight. It lasts at least 7 hours with the backlight on about 1/2 way.

I've had my Garmin 705 last 12 hours and still had a charge left. The Garmin website says 15 hours is "typical".

That's what I though. Unfortunately, that's too short for me. Even if you do shorter rides, you still would have to remember to charge it each time you get off the bike.

Cateye Mity 8. The only additional things I'd like are climbing feet and elevation. I can get elevation from a map and climbing feet is only for bragging to your friends.

The Garmin Edge is arguably the optimum computer for the captain (the new Edge 800 (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=160&pID=69043) especially so), however, if the captain has a Garmin, a Garmin for the stoker is redundant, expensive, heavy, difficult to read (the 305) and requires recharging between rides. In addition, Garmin's are often shared amongst different bikes, which makes it uncertain how many miles are on the tandem's odometer.

As I mentioned above, my stoker used my old 305, but could barely read it. Inspired by a similar thread, I searched around (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?671090-2-computers-gt-1-sensor&p=11284251&viewfull=1#post11284251) for a computer that would read the Garmin's ANT+ (http://www.thisisant.com/news/stories/antsporttrade-24ghz-managed-network-embraced-by-growing-alliance-of-major-manufacturers) cadence/speed sensor. There are two, Specialized sorta sells one (http://www.specialized.com/de/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=47877), but not in the US. The other is the Bontrager's $75 Node 1 (http://bontrager.com/model/08858) and $140 full-featured Node 2 (http://bontrager.com/model/08205), reviewed here (http://www.bicycling.com/gear/detail/0,7989,s1-14-24-2767-0,00.html)

I purchased a Node 2 at my LBS for $129. In addition to the Node 1's usual speed/cadence function, it has an altimeter and heart rate monitor. Essentially it has everything a Garmin has, save GPS (with the addition of temperature, which is handy).

I purchased the Node 2 unsure of whether it would pick up the Garmin speed/cadence, but happily, it does. Mrs. Ritterview likes the Node 2, she finds it much more readable, and she doesn't miss having to plug in the Edge after every ride.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4979778297_bbeacfb546.jpg
Detail

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4980386498_99965bcf9e.jpg
Stoker's view

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4979777543_da456f7df9_m.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4980387286_a8463f7c06_m.jpg
Garmin ANT+ Cadence/Speed Sensor.........Side view

My wife always prefers to find out AFTER the ride how fast we took that canyon... ;)

I'm with your stoker.

We had a wired CatEye for me that showed speed and miles but I really didn't care that much. When it quit working I was glad to have it gone.

Cgallagh uses a Garmin 305 or something...I just want the miles ridden, avg. speed and amount of climbing. And I can wait until the end of the ride for that info.

That's what I though. Unfortunately, that's too short for me. Even if you do shorter rides, you still would have to remember to charge it each time you get off the bike.

Yes ... anything under 90 hours is completely pointless, and I'd prefer something that lasts a lot longer than that.

The computers I have on my single bicycle last years before I need to replace the battery.

Cateye Mity 8. The only additional things I'd like are climbing feet and elevation. I can get elevation from a map and climbing feet is only for bragging to your friends.

Is that a wired version? If so, how do you set it up so that both the captain and stoker can have a monitor?

What's the battery life on the Garmins? Somewhere I remember it being something like 8hrs? I use the VDO 1.0+ and like it a lot. You can use two confusers with one sending unit.


I use a Garmin Forerunner as an auxiliary computer on my single when I want HR and the battery life is somewhere under 10 hours.

We use a flight deck on the tandem (nice to see what gear your in) with the forerunner for the stoker. Works pretty well. The 705/305 solution seems a little expensive and I would get tired of recharging the battery every night.

Frank and Terry

Yes ... anything under 90 hours is completely pointless, and I'd prefer something that lasts a lot longer than that.

The computers I have on my single bicycle last years before I need to replace the battery.

Depends what you want the bike computer to do. The Edge 705 is not a simple bike computer. It's a GPS system with maps. GPS systems need a bit of power. Either you replace the batteries or recharge them. Unless you ride double centuries every day they do not need to be recharged every day. However, few portable GPS systems can last more than 12 hours of use without recharging.

I have a similar question, except that I'd be interested in a wired computer because wireless doesn't work well around me.

I am a stoker who wants to know: what time it is (I don't wear a watch and don't plan to start for times I ride the tandem), what distance we've covered, and what speed we are going. That's all I need to know ... all the rest of the stuff computers offer is unimportant to me on the tandem, and on my single bicycle.


Depends what you want the bike computer to do. The Edge 705 is not a simple bike computer. It's a GPS system with maps. GPS systems need a bit of power. Either you replace the batteries or recharge them. Unless you ride double centuries every day they do not need to be recharged every day. However, few portable GPS systems can last more than 12 hours of use without recharging.

So, given that Machka is really looking for something plain, vanilla, it would seem to me that the right answer is to get two plain vanilla wired computers. Heck, we're not even talking cadence here.

So, given that Machka is really looking for something plain, vanilla, it would seem to me that the right answer is to get two plain vanilla wired computers. Heck, we're not even talking cadence here.

Doesn't even have to be electronic. It could just connect to the hub through gears.;)

I think this thread got hijacked.

So, given that Machka is really looking for something plain, vanilla, it would seem to me that the right answer is to get two plain vanilla wired computers. Heck, we're not even talking cadence here.


I think this thread got hijacked.

Well, Machka wasn't the OP, and the original question allows for a sizable scope of discussion.


Has anyone figured out a good wireless option for both the Captain and Stoker computers?

As a stoker, I like to know how fast and how far. Cadence/altitude are of little interest. A $20 Cateye is
enough, and with the Cateye it is easy to splice in an extra cable length and run it down the stem, top tube
and back to the chain stay to a sensor on the rear wheel. This has worked on two tandems and a long WB
recumbent with a cumulative 14yrs experience. Shimano Flite Deck cabling has fine threads mixed with
40+ gauge fine wires and is not easily spliced.

We are a little over the top but I use an iBike iAero and my stoker uses a Garmin Edge 500. The iBike provides power and cadence information that is then transmitted wirelessly and picked up by the Garmin. We use this set up for time trials where our power output is used as a gauge for our efforts. We also use the power output when we do interval workouts (shooting for a particular power average for a given inteval). Stoker says she likes to have something to focus on other than my posterior.

As a stoker, I like to know how fast and how far. Cadence/altitude are of little interest.

The cadence should be of interest to the captain, as he is shifting to keep the cadence just right for the stoker. His computer will have a cadence sensor, and these are usually wireless. Given a wireless cadence/speed sensor on board, the obvious choice for the stoker is to have a computer that picks up the signal, thus obviating the need for additional sensors, magnets, batteries, wires, etc. A stoker computer that reads cadence (without the additional sensor) is no big bump in cost, and so it is no big deal to have it or no.

The altitude is a bump in cost, and its main benefit is the calculation of grade percentage. Not everyone cares about cadence, but when climbing a hill, the steepness of the hill is of universal interest.



We are a little over the top but I use an iBike iAero and my stoker uses a Garmin Edge 500. The iBike provides power and cadence information that is then transmitted wirelessly and picked up by the Garmin.

FWIW, both the Node 1 &2, with its ANT+, would also pick up the iBike's power output.

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/computers-and-monitors-12/trek-bontrager-node-digital-cycle-computer-31050-6607_medium.jpg

We use a Garmin Edge 500 for the captain and Just a regular Sigma HRM for the stoker.

I like the Edge 500.

The battery easily lasts long enough for double centuries, and you can bring some charged up AA battery and a MintyBoost (google it) for longer rides, or tours with no access to electricity.

I like the altitude. Came in handy when climbing White Mountain this Saturday (to 10,100 feet), to know how much more climbing was left, and how much we have done.

I especially like looking at the ride data afterward.

Like this: http://www.strava.com/rides/182309

My wife doesn't need all the data in her face because she just asks me. However, the HRM is invaluable to her for gauging effort, so she has just a simple HRM

We have a wireless flight deck in the front for the captain, and a cateye strada double wireless for the stoker. http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/552
No interference or other issues. Only challenge during installation was a little fiddling with placement of the cadence magnet on the stoker crank so that it wouldn't deflect the timing chain causing it to touch and 'click' each revolution. I think there was a previous thread discussing that issue. Our wireless solution is not as cheap as using wired computers, but a more reasonable cost than most of the GPS combos mentioned.

We previously used a wired cateye (no cadence) for the stoker with the extra long harness to reach the rear wheel. But with S&S connectors and travel we kept cutting or shorting the fragile wire with all the bending and rough handling. However, for a non-S&S tandem this is a good cost effective solution. http://www.ebikestop.com/cat_eye_strada_mount_kit_rear_long_cord-CY2101.php

We have a 705 and an old suunto t-1, no interference, helps me keep tab of stokers effort
R&J

+ 1 for the flight deck for captain and Cateye strada double wireless for the stoker.