Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Winter Cycling
Reload this Page >

Does your cyclo-computer work under 32?F

Search
Notices
Winter Cycling Don't let snow and ice discourage you this winter. The key element to year-round cycling is proper attire! Check out this winter cycling forum to chat with other ice bike fanatics.

Does your cyclo-computer work under 32°F

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-13-06 | 07:29 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
Does your cyclo-computer work under 32°F

Does anyone have a cycling computer that works under freezing. My Micro-Wireless does not work so well. The display is fine but the transmitter isn't quite doing the job.

The transmitter battery is rated to 6,250 miles. I put about 700 on it. I HAVE been able to get this to work by putting the receiver about a foot away from the transmitter.

I think I'll try a brand spanking new battery and see if that helps. But my question here is does anyone have a wireless cylco-computer that works "just fine" when it's under freezing???
willtsmith_nwi is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-06 | 07:30 PM
  #2  
Mars's Avatar
coitus non circum.
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,495
Likes: 2
My Cateye is pretty iffy below 40F.
Mars is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-06 | 08:01 PM
  #3  
CastIron's Avatar
Sensible shoes.
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,798
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul,MN

Bikes: A few.

Cateye wireless failed below freezing. Replaced with a Planet Bike Protoge 9.0 (wired) and have had zero temp issues.
__________________
Mike
Originally Posted by cedricbosch
It looks silly when you have quotes from other forum members in your signature. Nobody on this forum is that funny.
Originally Posted by cedricbosch
Why am I in your signature.
CastIron is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-06 | 08:22 PM
  #4  
Mtn Mike's Avatar
Super Biker
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA

Bikes: 2014 Curtlo, 2006 Serotta Coeur d’Acier, 2005 Independent Fabrication Steel Delux, 2003 Surly 1x1, 2003 Surly Cross Check, 1986 Schwin Worldsport SS commuter, 1980's Mongoose Supergoose

My cateye Enduro wired hasn't had any trouble at any temp
Mtn Mike is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-06 | 09:22 PM
  #5  
Machka's Avatar
In Real Life
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 774
From: Down under down under

Bikes: Lots

I have never had any of my computers completely fail on me on my sub-freezing rides, but what does happen is that the screen goes black.

I currently use a Topeak, and I've taken it down to about -16C/0F ... it still functions, but half the screen is black and it takes a long time to change from one 'view' to another (so I just leave it on Distance)
Machka is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-06 | 09:27 PM
  #6  
Banned.
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,016
Likes: 1
From: Home alone

Bikes: Trek 4300 X 2. Trek 1000, Trek 6000

My Cateye Mity 3's have NEVER failed in temps below 0 F. The numerals change a bit slower when you get below 0 but still reads out correctly.

Ironically, my cellphone didn't work one day when it was -5 F, yet my Mity 3 still did.
Portis is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-06 | 09:34 PM
  #7  
Machka's Avatar
In Real Life
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 774
From: Down under down under

Bikes: Lots

Originally Posted by Ranger
My Cateye Mity 3's have NEVER failed in temps below 0 F.

Sadly ... my Cateye Mity 3 took wing and flew away from me in the middle of the Great Southern Randonnee in Australia.

It was a good computer!! I don't recall having any trouble with it not working in cold temps.
Machka is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-06 | 09:50 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 0
From: portland or
it's the battery in the transmitter. it gets weaker in the cold so the range goesway down.. if you can replace it with a lithium battery the problem should go away.
steveknight is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 07:34 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Zion, Illinois
For what it is worth, I use a Garmin FR301. So far, I have used it in the rain, sleet, and snow in temps down to around 0F. I keep it strapped to my left forearm, so perhaps that keeps it a bit warmer. I make sure to wipe off the face of any lingering snow or water every mile or so. In a really heavy downpour, I use a small, clear ziplock bag and cover the unit, making small holes for the strap along the back. So far, that works well for me.

Take care,
T
Thomill is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 07:43 AM
  #10  
dobber's Avatar
Perineal Pressurized
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,555
Likes: 2
From: In Ebritated
Originally Posted by steveknight
it's the battery in the transmitter. it gets weaker in the cold so the range goesway down.. if you can replace it with a lithium battery the problem should go away.
I though Lithium's had cold weather performance problems?
__________________
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
dobber is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 09:14 AM
  #11  
Severian's Avatar
META
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 945
Likes: 3
From: Madison, WI

Bikes: Gary Fisher Aquila (retired), Specialized Allez Sport (in parts), Cannondale R500, HP Velotechnic Street Machine, Dented Blue Fixed Gear (retired), Seven Tsunami SSFG, Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Hardtail (alloy version)

I've got a Vetta V100 wireless that only has issues below 0f. And then it's just that the LCD is slow to respond.
Severian is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 12:42 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
My Garmin 301 has functioned at -20C. Any colder and I stop functioning.
woof is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 02:52 PM
  #13  
Stacy's Avatar
Car-Free Flatlander
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 0
From: Below 14th Street

Bikes: Sirrus

I have a couple of regular routes where i know the mileage. Several times last year, when the temperature dipped below freezing, I noticed my Cateye Velo 5 had only logged about half as many miles as I knew I had cycled. It also tends to temporarily short-out when moisture gets between the cyclocomputer and the bracket.

So far so good this year except those plastic zip ties are popping so I have to come up with other ways to attach it to the bike.
Stacy is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 03:53 PM
  #14  
gboy's Avatar
accident-prone
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Toronto

Bikes: Brodie Romax Cyclocross

My Vetta 100's worked till -30 C.
gboy is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 04:00 PM
  #15  
OC Roadie's Avatar
Out of Commission
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 0
From: SoCal

Bikes: Felt FC, S-Works Roubaix, Epic Comp, Cyfac Proxidium

My Specialized Turbo Pro (wireless unit) did pretty well today. The low was 26 F, and we hovered in the 32 F range for quite a while.
__________________
If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, then come sit next to me.
OC Roadie is offline  
Reply
Old 01-16-06 | 08:55 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Mity3 worked fine this morning -15C. Colder and the display is iffy, but it still records the distance and everything for viewing when it warms up.
ghettocruiser is offline  
Reply
Old 01-16-06 | 05:08 PM
  #17  
Daily Commute's Avatar
Ride the Road
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,058
Likes: 5
From: Columbus, Ohio

Bikes: Surly Cross-Check; hard tail MTB

My Specialized computer has had no problem at 0F, other than my ability to push the ******* buttons with thick gloves or mittens.
Daily Commute is offline  
Reply
Old 01-17-06 | 01:07 AM
  #18  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by dobber
I though Lithium's had cold weather performance problems?
No, lithium and lithium ion batrerries perform better than others in the cold.

I did a replacement lithium. I don't know what chemistry the old one was, it could have been zinc-oxide.

In any case, it's working again for no at 30-40°F temperatures. We'll see what happens when it gets colder. It could simply be that you need a VERY fresh battery in colder weather.

BTW, I found out you can get CR2032 lithiums for $.25-$.50 apiece online. I'll have to find someone to do an order with.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
willtsmith_nwi is offline  
Reply
Old 01-17-06 | 01:46 AM
  #19  
Juha's Avatar
Formerly Known as Newbie
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,249
Likes: 5
From: Helsinki, Finland
I've used wired VDO and both wired and wireless Sigma comps in fairly cold weather (-30C or so at the coldest). Displays can get sluggish, but all the computers still registered trip properly. Sigma wireless does eat batteries for breakfast in winter, that is one of the reasons I switched back to wired.

--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.

Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?


Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
Juha is offline  
Reply
Old 01-18-06 | 12:31 PM
  #20  
Banned.
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
i use the planet bike protégé 9 and it works in the rain and at -30 wind chill
The Selector is offline  
Reply
Old 01-19-06 | 03:22 PM
  #21  
Banned
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
It was -25C today and my VDO C1 was working just fine, although the display was a bit slow.

Last edited by Cyclist0383; 01-19-06 at 03:30 PM.
Cyclist0383 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-19-06 | 07:48 PM
  #22  
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I have regularly ridden in minus 20 to 35 degrees Celcius, and have never had any problem with my computer, it is not wireless, and this may have some effect. It is branded as CCM, and I don't know who actually makes it.
torider is offline  
Reply
Old 01-19-06 | 08:01 PM
  #23  
Bikepacker67's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 3
From: Ogopogo's shoreline

Bikes: LHT, Kona Smoke

Originally Posted by Machka
it takes a long time to change from one 'view' to another (so I just leave it on Distance)
Of course you do.
You're a randoneering freak of nature!
Bikepacker67 is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.