Mountain Biking - Speedometers/computers

I'd like to buy a speedometer for my bike, but I don't really know what model to get.
Which ones are best for under $50-ish?

I found this one:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=8684

This one says it's meant for mountain bike use, would it be better:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=82&subcategory=1035&brand=&sku=8685&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

I currently have the Astrale 8. Pretty nice actually. The only bad thing I could say about this model is the wiring might not be so appealing for a bike. The wiring reaches the rear wheel but all those cable ties might not look good but it shows your cadence. I think you should pick what suit you best.

DB4L $14 Canadian. Every function you can think of except cadence.

Hmm, I had a $10 speedometer on my old bike, in fact I still have it, but the problem with that, other than not showing cadence, is I don't know how accurate it is, and since I kinda broke the magnet that goes on the wheel, I have to tape it to the spokes, and I don't want to mar the appearance of my still-nice bike that way.

Thanks for the quick replys BTW.

Is that Astrale 8 detachable from the bike without unhooking wires?

wtf is cadence?

RPM.

Just how fast you spin the pedals.
Probably useless info for me, but hey...

i've got a 10yr old vetta C-15 that still works OK. Sometimes it freaks out and doesnt' register the speed correctly or worse, completely resets. Sucks when it resets cause now i have no idea how many miles i've ridden this year, i only know it's about 560 since the last time it freaked....that one's on my commuter/beater bike. My MTB has a Mity 3. I got it from performance for like $15. It's better than the vetta, but has no cadence.. I don't really care that it doesn't have cadence, it's got odometer, 2 tripometers, riding time and time of day. It's got other crap, but i don't use that stuff....I really want one with altimeter, it'd be really cool to see how far I've climed after a ride, or percent grade I'm currently riding....

Personally I think the CatEye Enduro is awsome.
It has a ton of functions and also has beefier lines so it'll withstand the roughness of the trails.

Cateye Cordless 7. No cadence but I don't need cadence anyway.

It's cordless and installation is painless, toolless. Well, you need a scisscors to cut the straps but you can still use your teeth, can't you? :D
I just got it today, $30 shipped usps priority through ebay. :) This one is marked $49.99 at my LBS..

Computers only get lost when used offroad. Save your money.

Computers only get lost when used offroad. Save your money.

*nod

I have trouble with mounting mine... I cant remember what brand right now, I'll have to look at home. It says to mount on my front fork in the instructions, and that it needs to be 2 mm from the magnet.. HA, I have a suspension fork, and the closest I can get is more than 1.5 inches :P

Silly me I didnt think of trying it in the back.. Maybe I can get away with that one. I'll try that.

I got a cheap one on clearance for 9.95 or something.. I think it was a stigma something.

I guess mounting on back will work just fine? I'll try that...

I have trouble with mounting mine... I cant remember what brand right now, I'll have to look at home. It says to mount on my front fork in the instructions, and that it needs to be 2 mm from the magnet.. HA, I have a suspension fork, and the closest I can get is more than 1.5 inches :P

Silly me I didnt think of trying it in the back.. Maybe I can get away with that one. I'll try that.

I got a cheap one on clearance for 9.95 or something.. I think it was a stigma something.

I guess mounting on back will work just fine? I'll try that...

Try mounting it in the front as much as possible. Rear wheel spinning on mud or loose surface will give you erroneous readings. You could use a huge shim or you can place the sensor as close to the front wheel axle as possible (therefore decreasing the distance?)

Try to turn the sensor to the inside of the fork between the two fork arms.. Well, 2mm is very close. Mine just need 5mm.

Topeak Wireless Panoram

It has something like 17 functions

Bike Selection
Odometer
Distance
Maintenance
Actual (time)
Trip (time)
Accumulated Trip (time)
Average (speed)
Maximum (speed)
Actual (speed)
Speed Pacing (havnt used that yet... dont know what it does)
MPH
KPM
Backlight
Auto Sleep
Multi Angle Clip for mounting
4 Screens
Low Profile


http://zach.unixforce.com/albums/album02/DSC00211.jpg
http://zach.unixforce.com/albums/album02/DSC00212.jpg

I think they should make analog speedometers for bikes. Just like those round stainless steel ones that mount to the rollcage of a stock car. That would be great, only I'd break it with the amount I fall.

I have a sigma sport BC1200W. its got lots of bells and whistles,is not easily knocked from its cradle and its digitally wireless.paid $31 U.S.+S/H

Thanks for the tips, I will give it one more shot before marking it as a 9.95 bucks wasted. Not too bad, I can live with that. :)

Subhuman, watch out, I might mug you for your nice bike :)

I got that Astrale 8; I don't really do a lot of crazy riding that would make it fly off, and I'd like to know my cadence.

$32 shipped, can't wait until it gets here :)

astrale ownnnnnnnnns

seriously, aside it kicking ass per se, the company is awesome

only complaint is that , yeah , rear wheel mount line does get cumbersome... in which case.. for mtb applications, i'd go for a wireless w/o cadence (still CATEYE, though)

I already have some inconvienently placed brake/shifter cables, maybe i'll run it parallel to one of those...

http://zach.unixforce.com/albums/album02/DSC00212.jpg
Damn where do you put the keyboard and the mouse?

Cateye are great

Computers only get lost when used offroad. Save your money.
What do you mean by lost, there not just gonna fall off your bike.

Damn where do you put the keyboard and the mouse?

Where else? Your Camel back.. cmon man think!!! :)

What do you mean by lost, there not just gonna fall off your bike.Happens all the time. I can't tell you how many times other riders have come up to me on the trail asking if I'd seen a computer on my way through. Normally this is right after a technical section that the rider had either crashed or nearly crashed on.

Where else? Your Camel back.. cmon man think!!! :)
http://img91.exs.cx/img91/5262/Bigolcomp.jpg
Can you check your e-mail with that too? :D :beer:
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/magazine/apimages/cartoon_big87.gif

haha, i like the name of the file. Its a damn nice comp i would sugest trying it out

haha, i like the name of the file. Its a damn nice comp i would sugest trying it out Naa. I've got an orange version of this:
http://img54.exs.cx/img54/8418/lilbittycomp.jpg
Wouldn't trade it for the world. I've had it on my commuter for years.

I get it. you post to bikeforms.net with that bike computer don't you, subhuman? :)

DB4L $14 Canadian. Every function you can think of except cadence.

The DB4L from www.mec.ca (mountain equipment coop) is an excellent unit for only $14... I've seen some computers w/o cadencs for sale in US bike shops at $35-50 that don't have as many features or displayed measurements.

I've yet to wear out the battery on mine, any idea how long it should last?

everytime i get a speedometer something happens to the wire when i go beyond road. i gave up on them :(. I might go for the wireless someday but i dont know enough about them