crash66

Anyone have an idea when cyclocomputers, radio transmitter/receivers and power meters came into favor in cycling?

I just googled some images of Eddy Merckx for my pc wallpaper, and after scanning through a bunch was reminded that these high-tech items weren't always around. And yet this Belgian guy seems to have done pretty good for himself without the help.

531Aussie

Catyeye's first computer was released in 1981, but I didn't see one till about 1986. A guy brought one to the velodrome on a track bike, and everyone was riding next to him to see how it worked

Short Cateye history
https://www.cateye.com/en/about_us/index.php

AVOCET brought out the Cyclometer 20 computer in 1985
https://www.avocet.com/cyclopages/cyclo.html

The first I heard of a heart rate monitors was in the early 80s when Francesco Moser was using one to train for his successful hour record attempt. They were about the size of a digital set-top box, and weren't remote. We had one at the gym I was working at in 1986/87

cyclezen

Not exactly sure when I bought my 1st HRM, but I thin it was late 80's. Was called the "Cycle Coach" and had both a finger hood and a chest strap for measuring HR. Could use either, but the chest strap was more accurate. Both were hardwired, meaning a wire from the sensor to the unit, which was handlebar mounted - a bit restrictive.
Th main unit was about the size of a small PDA, like the old Newton, and required some serious rubber straps to keep it fastened to the bars. Also came with a 'rainhood', clear vinyl to cover the unit from rain, water, sweatage.
It was great and lasted almost 5 years before it gave up the ghost.

On the longevity side - Cateye Micro - I still have one that was purchased in '89??? (maybe 88) on its 3rd battery and currently resides on the Cinelli Del Mondo bars on my '76 Limongi Custom Crit. and gets ridden at least once a week. No auto on/off, but along with the usual stuff it has cadence! 1st time I replaced the Battery, the ODO was at 28K miles. I did the 2nd battery replacement in 2004 and the ODO was again at 25K miles and with no riding/miles between '98 and '04.
my money's worth, no doubt...

531Aussie

I bought my Polar Edge in 1992 for about $180 US, and it still works; it just needs a service and a new wrist band.

I still use Cateye Mity 2s and a Tomo that I've had for years!!

MrCjolsen

I had an old cateye that my brother got around '85. It's presently in a display case of vintage cycling equippment at a bike shop. It was about the size of a computer mouse, and had four magnets on a ring. It was really touchy and if one magnet was just a tad too far from the sensor, you would get a reading that was 3/4 of whatever your speed and distance really was. Very annoying.

johnny99

Greg LeMond used an Avocet computer when he won the 1986 Tour de France. None of the big name riders used computers during races before that. LeMond also helped introduce the clipless pedal and the time trial aerobar to pro road cycling.

socalrider

Hinault actually was the 1st to use clipless pedals in 1985 TDF.. Lemond went clipless the following year..

neilG

You whippersnappers don't remember the Erisman Pace Meter which was a re-calibrated VU meter. You got speed and cadence. Wish I could find a picture. It was huge.

catatonic

And what about mechanical gagues? Talk about a PITA to setup.