Originally Posted by scrapser

First let me say I've never owned a bike computer. I know they've been around for years but just never got around to buying one. Now that I'm looking at actually owning one I have found from reading threads here and elsewhere they are not a simple purchase. Wired versions are much more reliable than wireless and heat and weather seem to be an important consideration, too.

So, my situation is I'm looking for a bike computer for my recumbent. I want speed, total distance, and cadence (any other readings are icing on the cake). I want to be able to read it from 4 feet away since I have underseat steering and it will be mounted on a "T" mount that sits out in front of me on the frame.

I looked at the PDF manual for a Cateye Strada 200 series. The instructions say the magnet must be no more than 3mm from the sensor. I looked at my bike for mounting both the speed and cadence sensors. The distance between my frame and my crank arms is roughly 2 inches and a bit more between my front wheel spokes and the fork.

Here are my questions. Is there a well established model that has a good reputation for reliability? Do the sensor mountings come with spacers and adjustability to deal with the spacing I must overcome as described above?

I don't think I want to get into wireless as I've read too many negative accounts of them failing due to various types of interference and other weirdness.