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Old 09-17-08 | 09:49 PM
  #10  
bottlecape30
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Originally Posted by mechBgon
Absolutely certain, yeah It's a question I have to answer a lot (LBS mechanic since 1989).

If the computer were trying to detect the linear velocity at which the magnet is travelling, then it would matter, because the further out the magnet is located, the faster its linear velocity. But that's not how the computer computes speed. It looks at the frequency of sensor impulses, which is independent of the magnet's location on the spoke. For a given ground speed, any point on the spoke will pass by the sensor at the same frequency.

And that's a good thing, or else it would be very difficult to set up bike computers accurately!

On a separate note, I like to put the magnet at the crossing point of the spokes too, for wired computers (for wireless, I put the sensor as close to the bars as possible). Many spoke magnets can engage two spokes at the crossing point, keeping the magnet from getting bumped out of position as time goes by.

Hey thanks,
that makes sence. I remember hooking one of these up to my brothers bike years ago and they had you messure a point on the spoke. Good to know that is no longer nessary.
Cheers
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