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Wireless speed sensor on seatstay - possible?

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Wireless speed sensor on seatstay - possible?

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Old 02-09-05, 09:51 PM
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Wireless speed sensor on seatstay - possible?

I have a CicloSport HAC4+ (with wired cadence) with a wireless speed sensor mounted on the fork and the computer mounted on the handlebar. I tried to mount the speed sensor on the seat stay but it's too far to detect. Physically it mounts fine.

The only reason I wanted to get speed is so that I can record MPH and Power while I'm on my trainer so I can look at it later on in the computer (or maybe use the power instead of HR during my CTS workouts). On the road is fine the way it is right now.

Is there a way to, say, add a small piece of wire to act as an antenna so that my HAC4 can sense the speed sensor rf signals? The alternative would be to mount the computer on the top tube so that its within range but it would be harder to see and I'd probably crash pushing the buttons with my hands so far from the drops/hoods.
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Old 02-09-05, 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Bontrager
The only reason I wanted to get speed is so that I can record MPH and Power while I'm on my trainer so I can look at it later on in the computer (or maybe use the power instead of HR during my CTS workouts). On the road is fine the way it is right now.

Is there a way to, say, add a small piece of wire to act as an antenna so that my HAC4 can sense the speed sensor rf signals? The alternative would be to mount the computer on the top tube so that its within range but it would be harder to see and I'd probably crash pushing the buttons with my hands so far from the drops/hoods.
I think you can just set it up and leave it on the top tube.
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Old 02-10-05, 05:01 AM
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I'd anticipate two separate problems.

The first is getting the sensor close enough to the wheel magnet to pick up a reading. If you have a pick up that is designed for the front fork, you will probably have to rig some kind of a spacer to move it in closer to the wheel.

The second is the distance limitation for the wireless sender. None of the wireless computers that I have worked with had enough range to even come close to being adequate for rear mounting service. Heck, some have barely enough range anyway if you are installing it on a larger size frame.
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Old 02-10-05, 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
I'd anticipate two separate problems.

The first is getting the sensor close enough to the wheel magnet to pick up a reading. If you have a pick up that is designed for the front fork, you will probably have to rig some kind of a spacer to move it in closer to the wheel.

The second is the distance limitation for the wireless sender. None of the wireless computers that I have worked with had enough range to even come close to being adequate for rear mounting service. Heck, some have barely enough range anyway if you are installing it on a larger size frame.
It comes with a rubber thingy that you put between the fork and the sensor. I've already tried to put it on the seatstay and it'll mount fine physically but no signal until I move the mount closer.

Holy crap I just got an idea.

The computer itself isn't the antenna, the mount is and the mount has 3 pins that make contact to 1) put the computer in bike mode (vs run/ski mode) and 2) send it speed and cadence. I can probably mount the mount closer to the sensor and then extend 3 wires from the mount to the computer (which will require some other type of mount but on the handlebar) - essentially change the speed sensor to a wired one.

I like the idea of a small wire for an antenna though. Only thing is it might mess up other ppl's computers as the speed sensors are probalby similar.
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