General Cycling Discussion - Do you have a computer on your bike?

Main Entry: com·put·er
Pronunciation: k&m-'pyü-t&r
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
: one that computes; specifically : a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data

Why or why not?

Main Entry: com·put·er
Pronunciation: k&m-'pyü-t&r
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
: one that computes; specifically : a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data

Why or why not?

I haven't been able to keep them working very long and I just gave up. I don't race and I think of my riding in terms of hours anyway.

I like to keep some track of mileage, and since I don't wear a watch it functions as my "clock". I got my first computer ever this spring when I got my 'bent.

'bent Brian

I got one so I could see my actual improvement, plus I was curious to know how fast, etc I was going.

I have a Vetta RT77 (http://www.vetta.com/Product_RT77.html) on both bikes. They've been going strong for a couple of years.

i bought a vetta rt55 couple of weeks ago, it´s got all the functions i need. was thinking about other models as well, but i don´t really need some of the extra functions like knowing my cadence.

NO, I don't need a computer. Waste of money, and it gets boring after a few weeks.

Fair enough reasoning, I like being able to see myself improve, pretty good motivator

i find it quite useful, apart from the satisfaction of getting better, i really appreciate knowing how far i am to the next town. of course i can do a rough calculation in my head, but there´re always some extra "surprise miles" in the end. and it´s a pain in the ass at the end of the day.

Fair enough reasoning, I like being able to see myself improve, pretty good motivator


sure, but after a year or two see if you still use it as much.
You could just get a reallly simple one..speed and odometer.

I have a Cateye Enduro on my touring/commuting bike and my mtb, and a mity 3 on my road bike. I don't have a computer on my fixed gear for a few reasons, mainly money and trying to keep it clean looking.

It's fun keeping track of how far I have ridden. Trying to do more miles this year then last (which shouldn't be to hard to do, unless this rain keeps up).

I have had computers off and on for years. I haven't found one durable enough. The last one I had made it about 7 months and 1250 miles before it broke. Two or so a year was rediculous, so I just stopped using them. If anyone knows of a really strong computer than has a 2 wheel setting let me know, please.

Nope. I have enough numbers and computers in my life. Getting on my bike is how I escape all of that. I was even hesitant to put a watch on my bike (I don't wear one on my wrist). But I did, since I have to show up at work with some semblance of being on time.

No
I was given a 'pooter and tried fitting it to my commuter bike, but it kept loosing the settings during a ride.
I can navigate without one in most places. I like my bikes to be low tech.

Yep, a pretty basic Sigma model.

I find it a good motivator, tracking improvement, miles logged, average speed etc.

I have a hunch most analytical types will have one, the less analytical types won't.

If you're the type that likes crunching numbers, checking statistics, researching things to death etc. you probably have one. If you're the type that goes more by feel, likes words more than numbers etc you probably don't find a bike computer very interesting/usefull.

Yup. I use mine for a variety of things including heart rate monitoring, tracking/logging miles, measuring progress (or lack thereof!), also some bike path cops/rangers are dicks about speed limits and it's useful for staying right at the limit :). I have no moral problems with adding technology to technology.

Felt like I was becoming a slave to the average speed, so I ditched my computers a few years ago. I missed keeping track of mileage though, so I bought a nos Huret Multito fork mount belt drive odometer. Works great and never needs batteries.

No computer. I'm so compulsive and competitive I'm afraid it would ruin my rides! I like my bike time to be in-the-moment time ... and I'd just want to beat my last speed or time for a certain route. It would probably make me train better on the bike, but that's what I'm looking for.

Decided I didn't care about mileage. I just keep track of time, kind of, don't even really care about that much. I do have a bike computer on my car because the odometer does not work.

I haven't in ages. Same reason as Rev, I don't care about distance. On a mountain bike everythng is relative but difficult to measure with numbers, I found a computer to put me in a very depressed mood if I took the numbers too seriously.. A very tech course can take 3 hours but is really short while a long easy xc course can take the same time.

Thats said, I am getting one on my xc to track my cadence. One out of 3 bikes will have it :)

Yep. I have a VDO C10. I like to keep track of my kilometreage and speed, and clock is a nice plus. The C10 is an overkill, a simpler model would do the trick, but I need to be able to calibrate it for two different bikes (summer/winter).

I've been commuting by bike nearly 10 years now, and I've had a computer from the beginning. If I for some reason ride without it, it definitely feels weird.

--J

Began with a Cateye Solar back in 1984, have had a few Avocet's along the way, and was most pleased with the SigmaSport models for basics, e.g., odo, cadence, *** odo, ave. speed.

Current devices are Ciclosport HAC4 (his) and Polar S720i (her) which add HRM data and allow me to review performance data at my leisure when I get around to downloading to laptop after collecting data over the course of a few rides. Data gets dumped into diary software on laptop.

Odo and HRM are the primary focus on the bike these days. Speed and cadence are sometimes look at for "sanity check". Never had too many technical issues with any of these devices where the problem wasn't obvious, e.g., damaged signal wire, weak battery, broken moisture seal. HAC & Polar have been very reliable thus far; knock on wood.

Bottom Line: They are nice to have and provide useful information, but not necessarily essential.

Oh yea, there's a SigmaSports Enduro cycling computer on my motorcycle. It's more accurate than the motorcycle's speedo and is useful when verifying cue sheet data before organized rides.

No computer. I'm so compulsive and competitive I'm afraid it would ruin my rides! I like my bike time to be in-the-moment time ... and I'd just want to beat my last speed or time for a certain route. It would probably make me train better on the bike, but that's what I'm looking for.


How about this?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=1083714059533&type=product&ref=03&loc=01

Sony S2 Sport Water-Resistant Bicycle Radio with Cycle Computer

Model: ICFM88B



Keep track of your riding statistics and listen to the radio at the same time with this compact, bike-mountable radio and cycling computer.

Built-in cycle computer features a clock, speedometer, odometer, tripometer, ride time, average speed, maximum speed, sleep mode, freeze mode, wheel-size setting
Digital AM/FM tuner has 15 station presets
Ergonomic design is durable, stylish and ready for go-anywhere outdoor fun
More Options

I used to have one on a couple of my previous bikes, but I just sort of lost interest in it. I periodically debate putting one on my new ride, but in the end can never really come up with a good reason why I would.

I have a fairly basic one (Cateye Mighty or Enduro) that I install either on the touring and tandem bicycles. Basically, all I want is distance, so I know how far away I am from the next city. I also like the fact it shows the time, though I would prefer if the clock (rather than time lapse) showed also seconds.

My daughter also has one that alternates between her bicycle and tandem.

And I don't have a cyclocomputer on my commuter. Basically, when I am in town, I don't need it to know if I'm 5, 10 or 50 km away from the next store.

I have a cateys astrale 8. I use it to keep track of my cadence. I need to keep my cadence up around 90 so without the computer I don't think I can keep track.

I got one so I could see my actual improvement, plus I was curious to know how fast, etc I was going.


Please read above ^^^^^^^^. Said exactley what i was about to say.

I like my computer. It's a cheapie wireless from Performance. Works great.

I mostly use it to keep track of mileage. It helps to keep me motivated. Knowing the speed is secondary. I don't even use the other features.

Yes, I'm the analytical type...I enter my cycling mileage onto an Excel spreadsheet. Running mileage onto another. Backpacking miles onto another. Plot them all out. In Color! Yeah!

Garmin eTrex Vista
CicloSport HAC4+ (on the way)

I do, and a GPS with color topo maps....you can never have too much information

Felt like I was becoming a slave to the average speed, so I ditched my computers a few years ago. I missed keeping track of mileage though, so I bought a nos Huret Multito fork mount belt drive odometer. Works great and never needs batteries.

that sounds intriguing. I'm going to find one of those.

that sounds intriguing. I'm going to find one of those.

They pop up on ebay periodically. Just search under the word huret. Got mine for about $10. The only down side is they are mounted between the axle nuts on the front wheel, so if you swap wheels often you'll need more than one. Once you see one, you'll you what I mean.

I run a Mity 3 on the commuter, but I feel they're useless potential trail garbage on my trail bike.

Howdy,
Until lately I've been riding alone, so my computer was my only competition, basically average speed was my measure of progress.
I have one on both my MTB and my skinny tire.

M.R.

I do, and a GPS with color topo maps....you can never have too much information

Wow - you ride with a satellite on yours :D (couldn't resist).

Here's mine in b/w for added coolness factor. I need to figure out how I can keep the batteries in contact when I'm going over bumps so it doesn't shut off in the middle of a ride :(

Yep - a budget wireless (Echowell Zone 7W). Works Great.
Why? Likemany have said, to measure my performance/improvement. And because I'm an information junkie. :)

I have computers on all my road & touring bikes, none on my mountain bikes, the commuter or my bike path cruiser.