Gramercy

I only track my routes/speed through Strava on my Samsung smart phone. I don't have an adapter to attach it to my handlebars, and I'm not sure I want the large screen up there. Also, I don't even know if there are apps that show constant speed, it seems Strava and others only track average speed (but I could be wrong, I only turn it on and tuck it away).

Do people on here have regular speedometers? I see a lot of CatEye ones available on Amazon and Nashbar, but they vary in price a lot. Anything wireless would be nice, and although I'd like to track how many miles I put on the trainer, that's not really necessary since I'm not going for a specific mileage goal. I just want to have something that will show my speed when I'm riding outdoors. Any recommendations? Can I get one for like 30 bucks? Do I need anything else if I get one that can measure cadence?

Smokehouse

I landed up with a Sigma 1609 and it did a superb job. The display was large and the unit is super easy to use. The only reason it was replaced was to go to a Garmin 500.

Seattle Forrest

If you want to measure cadence, it should be wireless. If you want to use it on a trainer, it should be wireless. If you don't want to do either of those things you could put the magnet on the front wheel, and it's less objectionable to have a short wire that's more out of the way.

I'm not sure you can find a $30 wireless speedometer with a cadence sensor. But you don't have to break the bank on the most expensive one you can find, either.

You don't actually do any miles on the trainer, it's stationary.

markjenn

I have four Sigmas I've bought over the years and all are still in use and work fine. I've always just gone wired - less things to go wrong and a lot cheaper (typically $20 or so for the basic models). If all you want is speed and an odometer, smartphones and GPS systems are overkill.

- Mark

canam73

I also had a Sigma 1609 before going to an Edge 500. The Sigma worked fine for speed except for one issue: it didn't like to mounted next to a light and do a lot of early morning riding.

10 Wheels

$6 bucks...I use them on three bikes.

https://dx.com/p/sunding-electronic-b...FcZZ7AodDX8ALA

MikeWMass

I think wired is the way to go. For under $50 you can get a wired Cateye with cadence. They go to the back wheel, so you can use it on a trainer. The wire wraps down a brake or derailleur cable and down the bottom of the downtube, is not really noticable, and only has to be done once. I think it looks less bad than having the clunky wireless sensor on the fork. Also, one battery, lasts years, and don't have to worry about interference.

buffalowings

X2

Agreed, installing it neatly takes a bit of forethought, but not too much. Mine is very reliable and having a cadence counter on the trainer really helps keep the pace up.

Looigi

All the major phone apps show current speed as well as average, just like any gps or cyclometer. Speed and distance on the trainer is zero. What's relevant to exercise and training is intensity and duration. Even on out riding the bike, structured training plans are all about level of effort and duration, not speed or distance. Level of effort is quantified by RPE, HRM, or best, a power meter.

The Wahoo RFLKT is a bar mounted readout that shows all the relevant parameters, but it gets them via bluetooth from an app running on your phone and the phone's GPS.

Gramercy

I'm pretty sure wrapping the wire all the way from the handlebars down the tube to the rear of the bike is pretty noticeable. But if I could get one with cadence for the same price as a wireless one without cadence it may make sense to go for the cadence.

rpenmanparker 

I get wireless bike computers for under $25 routinely, but not with cadence. I used to use cadence metering, but after a while I realized I had trained myself to apply appropriate cadence (my preference, 90-100 when cruising on the flats) and no longer needed the cadence measurement. I have even found some bike computers that match my existing (to provide spare mounting kits) for under $10 now that I am not using cadence. Hard to find these particular ones anymore, variously labeled dBase, Ascent, etc., but ebay is the general source for inexpensive bike computers.

RPK79

After I broke my old wired computer (the magnet came loose on my aero spokes and smacked the sensor senseless on a 40 mph descent) I opted to buy the low end garmin edge 200 for $130 and haven't regretted it for a second. So much better than a computer/phone combo ever was or could be. I wish I had done it sooner.

buffalowings

GPS based computers have benefits over the traditional computers but the OP needs one for his trainer.

on a side note: I would get a Garmin edge 200 but I would miss my cadence sensor.

dralways

I bought a $20 accurate as the best of em Cateye with all basic functions, no cadence and still spent enough time looking at it instead of my path to get in the worst wreck of my entire life and end up with a few permanent reminders on my f-ing face (makes me so mad) a few months ago. I'm scared out of my mind what might happen had I not already learned this lesson the hard way and strapped a Garmin onto my stem with every little measurement/function including remaining bladder capacity, maximum sweat gland threshold, etc on it.

Just counting my blessings, I guess.

**PSA brought to you by the Broken Face Foundation**

brianmcg123

I love my Cateye micro wireless.

RPK79

Per the OP - "although I'd like to track how many miles I put on the trainer, that's not really necessary since I'm not going for a specific mileage goal."

A cadence sensor is the only thing I really wish I had with the 200. At the same time though I've never had much of an issue maintaining cadence in the 80-100 range so I can live without.

markjenn

When I first started using computers, I insisted on having cadence, but over time, didn't find it something that I cared much about and just generally ignored it. And the wiring to a cadence sensor is generally more obtrusive and difficult to route. But if you're into serious training or racing, it is almost a must have, although in this case, you probably want to go the whole nine yards with a power meter, HRM, etc.

- Mark

Ice41000

Cycling specific Polar (with hart rate). I rarely use GPS (on my phone), and I don't use Strava at all.

On trainer you don't do miles, you do hours.

Cateyes are OK.

the fat climber

Happy here with my trusted Vetta V100A,does all I really need. The second bike has an equally-useful Ciclosport C4.4A.
Tried Strava,couldn't be bothered with it.

Dagamon

Garmin's what?

big chainring 

You can always go classic with a cable drive unit.

Rons

You can't go wrong with Cat Eye. Reasonable price and very dependable.

catonec 

$15

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...06_-1___202553