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Bike computer (wired) doesn't show speed, and distance doesn't change

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Bike computer (wired) doesn't show speed, and distance doesn't change

Old 07-06-11, 01:20 PM
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Bike computer (wired) doesn't show speed, and distance doesn't change

Hi, I'm hoping someone can tell me something else to try.
My Bontrager Trip 2 computer isn't registering speed or new distance (or new max speed), but all the other displays show, so it's not the battery. It worked at first, but the speed now shows as 0.0, and the distance no longer increases on the trip screen or odometer screen.

I read the manual again, and have turned the magnet the other way and checked to make sure it's centered relative to the sensor and that both parts are clean, but it still doesn't work. The wire has not been pulled or anything and seems to be secure and in its original position. It's only a month or two old, and I don't know what else to try. The bike shop where I bought it and had it installed is out of town, so I'm hoping I can get it fixed myself. Any ideas on what it could be? Thanks for any advice!
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Old 07-06-11, 01:43 PM
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I just had another thought about what the problem might be: Could the wrong combo of buttons have been pushed so that something now needs to be reset? I don't want to mess with it if this couldn't be the problem. I'm not good with gadgets. Everything except speed and distance works, so what setting would affect those? Wheel size, maybe? Would that setting be very easy to mess up accidentally, without the other settings being affected too? If not, that's probably not it, as the computer hasn't been fiddled with much. Often I forget to even turn it on.

I didn't set the computer up, the bike shop did, and it worked great at first.
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Old 07-06-11, 01:49 PM
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Take the magnet off the wheel and move it across the sending unit.

If it works the gap between the magnet a sending unit was to large.
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Old 07-06-11, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Take the magnet off the wheel and move it across the sending unit.

If it works the gap between the magnet a sending unit was to large.
^ This

If the sensor isn't seeing the magnet then it won't register that the wheel is turning, so the speed will show 0 and the distance won't increase. Which seems to be the exact problem you're having.
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Old 07-06-11, 02:04 PM
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Thanks-- Does the magnet just pop open to remove it? I don't want to break it.
If that's the problem, I don't know what caused it or how to fix it, though. The computer worked great until recently, and the parts haven't been moved. When I checked, the magnet was still centered.
The sensor is strapped tightly to the fork, and the magnet is on a spoke. How would I get them closer together?
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Old 07-06-11, 02:51 PM
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Not sure how yours comes apart. Mine is just clamped onto the spoke. I don't suppose it has to be that magnet, though, if you have another one handy.

The problem almost certainly is that it was installed just barely close enough to work, and/or it somehow moved slightly - just enough to no longer reach. Your spokes get closer to the fork as they go toward the hub. To get the magnet closer, you will have to move it toward the hub end of the spoke. Depending on how far you move the magnet, and where it us placed currently, you may also have to move the sensor so that they are aligned.

It's all quite easily done, but you may need another zip tie for the sensor, depending on how yours is mounted.

BTW, I just looked at mine. My sensor (Sigma computer) is mounted with an o ring, so it would be easy to move. The magnet has a metal outer piece that slides on once you get it in place. To remove, you would just slide the metal piece up or down.

Hope this helps.
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Old 07-06-11, 03:09 PM
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Here is a link to the Bontrager Trip 2 manual, if that is the correct model. If so, it looks like your magnet snaps together, unlike mine. It should just snap back open to remove.
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Old 07-06-11, 03:39 PM
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Thanks, everyone! Before I tried to take the magnet off, I moved it around every way I could, and it finally started working again. The end of it is angled in a bit and it works now. Apparently it is just barely close enough and the end has to be tilted in toward the spokes.
The sensor is tied very tightly to the fork so I don't think that I can slide it toward the hub any. Now that I know how the magnet has to be positioned, I'll try to remember to check that. I appreciate your help.
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Old 07-06-11, 03:54 PM
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No problem. But it it's just barely close enough, you might want to re-position it anyway. Of course if it works, it works. When you say 'tied to the fork', do you mean with zip ties? You might be able to open those up with some sort of object. Otherwise you'd just need to get more zip ties.

As a side note, you might want to measure your tires, then go through the setup procedure too. There is a really great chance the LBS just used the recommended number for your tire size, rather than measuring. It's really easy to measure if you put a drop of oil or grease on your tire, roll the bike, then measure the distance between the spots. That is one of my favorite tips that I read here on BF.
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Old 07-06-11, 04:57 PM
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Thanks! The sensor is attached tightly and very neatly with zip ties, and as long as it's working, I don't want to take it off. I'm not good with such and I'd probably never get it back on securely, and scratch my beautiful new bike in the process.

How much difference would measuring the circumference of the tires likely make to the computer's accuracy? It's a Bontrager computer on a women's Trek bike. Would the computer probably have a fairly accurate number for the bike's original equipment tires (700x35)? I'm just a casual rider and super-accuracy isn't needed. OTOH, I would like numbers reasonably close to what they should be. But usually when I start messin' with stuff that's not broken, I wind up wishing I'd left well-enough alone. Of course, pressing buttons wouldn't scratch my bike. But would I lose my other saved data if I reset?

That is an easy way to measure the circumference! Great tip-
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Old 07-06-11, 05:12 PM
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I don't know the specifics of your computer but somewhere along the line you'll have to tell it the circumference of your tyre.

In very simplistic terms the diameter of a 700 wheel is very roughly 10% more than a 26" MTB wheel, so the circumference is also going to be around 10% bigger. If the default setting for this computer is a 26" wheel then everything it reports will be 10% too low. If the default setting is for a 700x32 and you're running on 700x35 the difference will be much smaller. But even then I'd be minded to ask what the point of measuring your speed is if you're not going to measure it with at least a degree of accuracy.

In terms of repositioning it you can cut zip ties with wire cutters without damaging the bike at all. Just be careful where you cut. Then you can use fresh zip ties to secure it wherever it needs to be. It's really not difficult.
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Old 07-06-11, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by goagain
Thanks! The sensor is attached tightly and very neatly with zip ties, and as long as it's working, I don't want to take it off. I'm not good with such and I'd probably never get it back on securely, and scratch my beautiful new bike in the process.

How much difference would measuring the circumference of the tires likely make to the computer's accuracy? It's a Bontrager computer on a women's Trek bike. Would the computer probably have a fairly accurate number for the bike's original equipment tires (700x35)? I'm just a casual rider and super-accuracy isn't needed. OTOH, I would like numbers reasonably close to what they should be. But usually when I start messin' with stuff that's not broken, I wind up wishing I'd left well-enough alone. Of course, pressing buttons wouldn't scratch my bike. But would I lose my other saved data if I reset?

That is an easy way to measure the circumference! Great tip-
If you don't care, it doesn't matter And honestly, I don't know how much difference it makes. I mean, I guess we could do the math if we wanted, but I don't, and it sounds like you don't either. I do know that the recommended number in my manual for my tire size was pretty far from what I actually measured mine to be though, so thought I'd mention it.

You might be fine forever with your minor adjustment, and you might not be. My guess would be that it may shift again, but who knows. You can cross that bridge if/when you come to it.

Oh, to answer your other question, you would have to read the manual to see how to change the tire circumference, but it won't require a reset of your computer, so your data will be fine. You'll want to verify to be certain, but no bike computer should ever be made that way. People change tire sizes all the time and have to adjust that setting.
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Old 07-06-11, 06:04 PM
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Thanks, guys!

I don't have wire cutters and I don't have zip ties, so I'll just leave the sensor where it is as long as it's working. I know it's not at the perfect position but it's working fine with the magnet adjusted a little. I should probably add that I'm a not very mechanically minded grandmother.

The bike shop manager set up the computer, so I feel confident that it's not set up for 26" tires. I bought the bike and the computer at the same time, along with some more items, and he installed it and set it up. He took a lot of time with me and seemed happy to answer my many questions, so I trust him to have set it up as best could be without doing an actual measurement of my tire.

I appreciate your advice and tips. If I were the usual cyclist those things would all be a breeze!
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Old 07-08-11, 03:06 PM
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Glad that you got your computer working again. However, depending on how tight the magnet is on the spoke, the tend to swivel around and become out of range for the sensor depending on the type of riding you do (off road, rough or bumpy streets). If the LBS did not set the sensor to where it would pick up the magnet, even when swiveled, you will need to have the sensor and magnet repositioned.

Another thing that you might want to consider is to have someone show you how change the settings in the computer or else you will have to take the computer to the bike shop for things like time change from/to daylight savings time. Also, if you change the size of your tires (height from the bead to the thread), you will need to know how to set the new tire size or the computer will be off. Don't rely on the instruction sheet for that computer. My wife has a Bontrager Trip 5W and I pretty much threw the instructions in the garbage for as much use as the were.
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