Originally Posted by
Iride01
If you have the budget for a GPS/cyclometer combo, then my thought would be "why wouldn't you want one?" Whether for road or mtn.
I can't speak for any of the non-GPS devices. I'm sure there are excellent ones. Me? I use a Garmin Edge 500 that quite old now and out of production. The things I get from it that I like are:
1) A record of my track
2) Heart rate, both real-time and logged
3) Calorie count, real-time and logged. But if you are going to wonder why one day you burned 200 less Calories than you did for the same ride another day, then there-in lie the devil. You'll be vexed forever.
4) Pretty much all the data you get from a non-GPS cyclometer.
I never really understood why people use these devices. I just take my smartphone with me, and it gives me exactly the same data through Strava or Runkeeper. I guess they stem from an era before everyone had smartphones.
The only benefit I can see is turn by turn navigation on some of those units. But even then, if you get a sturdy handlebar mount for your phone (I keep mine in my back pocket personally), it practically does the same thing.
Originally Posted by
seedsbelize
In answer to your question, they are all basically the same. I've used Cateye for years because they are readily available. The wired ones have exceptional battery life, compared to wireless. I've also used Sigma. Personally, I'd stay away from Bell.
I have one by Sigma, never had any issues with it, except for the cable attaching to the sensor breaking. They sell replacement sensors though, so no issues. Sigma makes some really good products, I have 2 front lights of theirs as well, nice and bright, well designed.
Cateye makes good products as well, but I have never tried one of their cycle computers.
Nowadays though I rarely use the cycle computer. It is nice to see current speed, but I find my rides more enjoyable if I am not seeing the numbers. I just want to see calories burned, avg speed etc. after the ride, which I do through Strava or Runkeeper on my phone.