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Is this normal?

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Old 03-01-03 | 07:24 PM
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Is this normal?

This concerns my new supergo wireless computer. Has anyone noticed thier computer doesn't register if you go below a certain speed? Mine has a stop function that makes it stop registering all riding functions when you stop. Problem is, it stops not just at complete stop but at about 2.5 MPH. So if i go under that speed it doesn't register speed or distance.

This may not seem important being that the speed at which it stops is so low. But it's important to me because i do certain rides that are extremely steep, requiring me to be in the lowest gear and go less than 2.5 MPH for a good part of the ride. One of these rides is about 3 miles long of real steep fireroad before it gets easier, but i'll never know exactly how far it is because i can't register it at the speed i have to go for a good part of the ride.

So has anyone else found this problem? By the way, it's definatly NOT a computer/transmitter connection problem. I can hold the computer an inch away from the sensor and spin the wheel, and still it stops registering when it gets below 2.5.
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Old 03-01-03 | 07:50 PM
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Dazco,

I have the same problem with my Cateye Enduro 2. My computer will register speed under 2.5 mph, but at much below 2 mph it stops registering speed. A symbol flashes on the screen registering the fact that the computer knows the wheel is spinning, but it doesn't show a speed. My computer is set up completly according to directions (just got it) and I havce ridden with it on the road to test it and it matched the car. Most of my rides have the type of steep climb that you describe, but my group moves fast enough over them to keep speedometers registering. It's not jusst a problem with your computer. Could you try going back down the climb at a higher- than-climbing speed to register the distance you are climbing?

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Old 03-01-03 | 08:39 PM
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I could, but that would kinda ruin the ride. Thing is, i'm not in great condition, and i'm an old geezer. I can keep it over that speed, but i won't go as fast as i'm capable because i feel it's not healthy for your heart. I believe in a long ride thats not real strenuous, and some of my climbs would actually get your heart way up there even at 2.5 MPH. I stayed just under that today. Just that extra fraction of a MPH it would have taken to get the #$%& thing to register would have given me a much more strenuous workout........more than i feel good about doing.

I'll have to live with it i guess. No biggie, but it seems like it's been forever since i've bought anything that works the way it should. Wish i'd have known this before i bought it tho.....
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Old 03-01-03 | 11:14 PM
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How do you balance going so slowly? You must be a track standing ace. Seriously though the majority of people who use bike computers tend to go faster than 2.5 MPH and therefore it's not a big deal. It realates to the fact (for most people) that if you're under 2.5 MPH you're most likely going to stop and so the computer starts its shutdown timer in order to save the battery life. I haven't come across a comp that does register below 2 MPH save for the old gear type which never was very accurate to begin with. The computer IS working the way it should. It just looks like you need to put a little more kick into that hill or skip the hill until you've got the oomph to hit it a bit faster.
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Old 03-02-03 | 12:36 AM
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Well, like i said.......i'm talking very steep hills that are even hard to walk up and are a few miles long, and add to that the fact that i'm new to this and i don't want my heart rate way up there. As i said, i could go faster but i don't think thats healthy. Just recently i heard of another young guy who was very heavily into lots of hard long exercize and dropped dead while doing so. I really believe it's not good for the human body. I got into this for exercise, but it doesn't take anywhere near that kind of strain to be healthy. So when the hill is rediculously steep for miles i take my time and save the fast riding for when the road gets less demanding. I wish the computer could register slow speeds like that just so i'd have an accurate milage count. If and when i get to the point that i can go over that speed on these insanly steep, long runs w/o getting my heart rate over what i think is healthy, then i suppose i won't have a problem with the computer. I was just asking if this is normal for most computers, and it seems it is.
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Old 03-02-03 | 06:12 AM
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Yup
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Old 03-02-03 | 09:16 PM
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Dazco,

I am using a Cateye Astrale computer. There is no automatic shutoff. If you come to a stop and do not want the computer recording your time at a stop, a light, or whatever, you manually have to pause the computer. (Of course, you have to remember to turn it on again when you start up again!) It sounds as though you purchased a computer that automatically suspends operation when the speed falls below a certain amount. What you need is an "old-fashioned" bike computer that does only what you tell it to do and does not make decisions for you. The moral of this story is that there is no free lunch.

My $.02
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Old 03-02-03 | 09:45 PM
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Most or all computers do something like that. Mine is the Cateye Enduro (or Mightly – same model), and it doesn't display speed below 3-4 km/h. Even when riding at 5 km/h, I think the wheel doesn't spin fast enough for the computer because displayed speed varies endlessly between 4.5 and 5.5 km/h.

My computer still computes the total distance, however, but it's a wired unit.

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Old 03-03-03 | 01:28 PM
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Put another magnet on your wheel. Then divide speed and distance readings by 2.
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Old 03-03-03 | 01:54 PM
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I have a sigma sport and it registers below 2! of course even climbing i average 5-6 so unless I am stopping or starting i am never going that slow.
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Old 03-03-03 | 02:37 PM
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Put another magnet on your wheel. Then divide speed and distance readings by 2.
Or, just brag to everyone about your max speed, avg speed and distance after a long weekend. Take your computer with you as proof!

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Old 03-03-03 | 03:13 PM
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Nothing really new to ad here, but most computers I have seen do not read below 2MPH or so. I know mine reads 1mph, but that is just when I walk my bike out of the garage.

2MPH is pretty slow, but the two magnet setup seems to be a good option if this is a problem.
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Old 03-03-03 | 04:49 PM
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I already thought of the 2 magnet idea, but i don't wanna have to divide everything i see. I wanna look down and see it without having to think about it.
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Old 03-03-03 | 05:47 PM
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Originally posted by SteveE

I am using a Cateye Astrale computer. There is no automatic shutoff.
The Astrale can be set for auto on/off operation. In the T, D or A mode, press the small central button. You will need to use a pencil or something. A small "AT" symbol will appear on the screen. This means the Auto mode is on. To turn it off, hit the little central button again.
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Old 03-03-03 | 09:47 PM
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Originally posted by RegularGuy
The Astrale can be set for auto on/off operation.
See what you can learn when you read the manual?

Thanks, RegularGuy!

Also, I just checked and now see that the computer does not display speed readouts below 2.0 mph. As I am unable to balance on my bike at speeds below this figure, I never noticed this fact before!
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Old 03-03-03 | 10:45 PM
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Originally posted by SteveE

Thanks, RegularGuy!
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Old 03-04-03 | 06:06 AM
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would it make a difference if you did use the two magnets, but halve the wheel size?(setting in the computer- if it goes that low)
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