50 Mission Cap

I've got this trek computer on my LHT. Works intermittently. I've changed all batteries, gotten 3 different wheel magnets, and this thing is not working right. I was approaching mile 200 on the katy trail - 190, 192, 193, 195, and then it stops working, only to start up again 5 miles later. Also, I've been commuting all week as part of bike to work week. Damnedest thing - does not work in the morning, but will work in the evening when I'm riding home.

Any recommendations on what to do? Or recs on new computers?

m_yates

I have a Cateye Mity 8. It works well and only costs about $20.

imi

I'd recommend the Cat-eye Enduro 8: https://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/254
Wired is stable, and the Enduro has stronger cabling...

Bacciagalupe

Cateye makes good equipment. Even a basic unit should do the job.

jeffpoulin

I have a cateye velo 8 on my commuting bike. It just works in all kinds of temperature/weather. My touring bike has a 10 year old cateye mity and it has never given me problems either.

I used to have a wireless computer that kept going out when the temps were below 5C (40F). Not consistently either. Some days it would record 15km out of 20, some only 5km. That was my first (and last) wireless computer.

kayakdiver

What I love about the Cateye is the stem mounting. Love the stem mounting!

tmoritz

If your computer is removable, i.e. it quickly attaches/detaches from a handlebar mount, it is possible you are having problems with intermittent contacts between the computer and mount. Moisture can aggrevate this problem. I had this problem with my Cateye, mornings after about four or five miles on my commute, or in the afternoon after a thundershower on the way home the my speed went to zero and milage didn't change. The quick fix was a dab of electrically conductive paste on the contacts. I haven't had a problem since. This will only work if the contacts are a fair distance apart. You can get the paste a an automotive parts store. Good luck.

50 Mission Cap

Anyone ever used a garmin 205 / 305 for touring?

bugly64

I have a garmin Etrex. I took my Cateye off because it was making a clicking noise.

illwafer

if you can charge it somewhere, you'll have a lot of fun with a garmin 305 (forerunner even). forerunners are $180 bucks new, and you can use it on all your bikes, running, etc.

rainking63

I use a Garmin GPSMap 60 that I got while serving in Afghanistan. I'm married to the thing. Anyways, I ordered the handlebar mount for it, stuck it on and use it every day while commuting, as well as longer trips. In addition to having turn by turn directions you have any kind of speed data imaginable. Moving average speed, moving time, MPH, etc, that are all totally customizable.
I had seen a touring website a while ago that said that GPSs are worthless to a bicycle tourist. Couldn't be farther from the truth. While nothing can take the place of a good paper map, if you're willing to spend a few bucks a good, hand-held GPS is worth it's weight in gold.

Just my $0.02

mijome07

Look no further. I had the wireless without any problems. I suggest the wired, while being cheaper. Try out the demo. Be careful, you might fall in love.

prathmann

I got a Garmin eMap GPS over 10 years ago and don't go anywhere without it whether it's by bike, car, plane, boat, foot, or whatever.

Gives me all the usual biking data (except for cadence) but also shows me where I am on a map and where I can find things like grocery stores, motels, restaurants, ATMs, etc. It also keeps track of where I was at all times so I can later synch up any pictures taken along the way and automatically see exactly where they were taken. This model has been discontinued for many years, but if/when it dies I'll certainly replace it with a more current GPS - but probably not any of the bike-specific ones like the 205/305/605/705.

bugly64

rainking63,
Got mine in Iraq.

late

Depends on the budget. I just ordered a Planet Bike 8 from Amazon. It's cheap.
It's also my third Planet Bike, they only last a year or two.

TrekJapan

Battery?

mihlbach

The wheel magnet was probably hitting the sensor with each rotation of the wheel. I don't know how else it would have made a clicking noise.

BigBlueToe

I've had many brands of computers on my family's many bikes and they've all worked fine, though sometimes they were in need of adjustment. The adjustment usually consists of moving the sensor ane/or magnet until they pass as close as possible to one another without touching (no clicking.) I don't know which end of the sensor is more sensitive, so I put mine where the magnet will pass by the center - not either end. It always works.

Sometimes something gets bumped - usually the sensor - and the computer stops sensing the magnet. I can usually adjust it without tools or new zip-ties. Every few years the batteries run down and I replace them.

The whole thing seems pretty simple and foolproof to me. I use wired. Why add another layer of complexity and more batteries to replace?

kayakdiver

The one thing I do like about the Planet Bike computers is the temperature feature. Last fall it was nice for gauging the idea of frost while touring. Just wish they had a stem mount like Cateye.

kayakdiver

If you can figure out how to charge a 305 while on tour... they are pretty reasonable. $179 at Costco and I think the same at Bestbuy. Does not include the cadence but does include heart rate. Can always add cadence.

Link https://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11467635&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=〈=en-US

I don't think it would be all that great on tour................ but damn sure would be nice around the home front. Love to have all that cool data from my training and group rides on the roadie.

LucasA

I have that, and I kinda hate it.

It seems to never want to work at night, and randomly stops working. I did everything according to the instructions.

one_beatnik

The simplest & cheapest solution is to "scrape" the contacts on both the computer and sending unit with a pencil eraser. If the contacts are the problem this WILL solve it.

Randochap

+1

imi

yeah! oxides build up on most electrical contacts (gold plated contacts on bike computers anyone! there are velofils out here!) ... scrape them gently clean...