I did a search of the forum and I consulted Sheldon Browns page on cyclocomputers. Couldn't find my answer either place.

Here's the situation and the confusion. This is a $20.00 wireless Bell unit from Walmart (yeah, I know). I properly mounted the magnet and the sensor close to the hub. I calibrated the computer for wheel size, time, etc. and mounted it on the handlebar. I gave the front wheel a spin and 0.0 showed on the speedo. I found that if I moved the computer to a location where there is no metal interfering with the line of sight signal transmission that seems to be in effect, I could get a speed reading that seemed accurate.

Darn thing works fine if I hold it out to the side, but when it is secured to the handlebar, it goes back to 0.0. What am I doing wrong??? I figured the computer part needed to be on the handlebar so it could be seen while riding, right? BTW, the handlebar is aluminum.

I'm really at a loss as to how to straighten this out. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Fred

return the cheap wireless computer and go get a Cateye Astrale 8 for about the same cost.

Seriously, even nice wireless computers are notoriously unreliable. Sounds to me like you're doing everything right and the thing just isn't very good.

Your other option is to mount the magnet and sensor higher up, closer to the computer. Perhaps mounting closer to the hub is making them out of range.....

check the batteries in the sending unit? move magnet as close to rim as possible?

WHen I hold the computer away from the handlebar a bit, it picks up the signal from the sensor. But when I put the computer back on the bar, it goes back to 0.0. Darn, I thought spending the money for a wireless one was a good thing. I guess not. The Cateye looks pretty good.

Like I said, perhaps moving the sensor up on the fork, closer to the computer might fix this problem. The signal will be stronger. There is nothing wrong with mounting the magnet and sensor higher up....away from the hub.....in fact, most most wireless sensors are mounted closer to the fork crown rather than near the hub.

I'll give that a try.

Wireless computers have a limited range for the distance between the pick up and the computer head. 1. Follow fixer's advice and mount the magnet and pick up higher on the fork.
2. Spin the wheel and hold the head close to it to assure yourself that you're getting a MPH reading.
3. Now experiment with various areas of your handlebar that you can mount the computer head. Sometimes a brake caliper or mounting the pick up on the opposite side of the fork will interfere with the reading.

Good luck!

Have the magnet as close a possible to the sensor. Almost touching it....

Last time I had a wireless cyclometer act like that, it turned out to be a weak battery in the sending unit. If it came with batteries, maybe they have been sitting around for a length of time, or subjected to temp extremes (like a cold trailer).