Can I install a cyclocomputer myself?
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Can I install a cyclocomputer myself?
I'm sure all 6,844 members (and counting) of bikeforums know by now that I'm not very mechanically inclined. However, I finally found my cyclocomputer- it's an Axiom Cyclocomputer 8.0C. I'm wondering how hard it really is, or do I need some special calibrating machines or some kind of protractor or something along those lines?
If not, it's off to Yojimbo's sometime next week!
Koffee
If not, it's off to Yojimbo's sometime next week!
Koffee
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It shouldn't be too difficult. Make sure you position the sensor as per instructions. Also I would suggest doing a rollout calibration rather than relying on predetermined charts. Basically you will need to input the diameter of the wheel into the computer and the best way to do this is to mark the rollout on the ground and measure it. Do this 10 times and average out the numbers. Some bike computers only have a certain "resolution" so you will have to input the number that matches as closely as possible to your available choices. Some excellent suggestions for installing bike computers can be found on Sheldon Brown's website.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cyclecom...tallation.html
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cyclecom...tallation.html
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"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
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Unless it is a weird computer you should be able to do it yourself, if you want a good clean look your lbs may be a better idea.
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The Sheldon Brown site has good information. The job is about the simplest accessory you can install; OK, a handlebar bag might be a little easier .
Good luck,
Mel
Good luck,
Mel
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Originally posted by djbowen1
Unless it is a weird computer you should be able to do it yourself, if you want a good clean look your lbs may be a better idea.
Unless it is a weird computer you should be able to do it yourself, if you want a good clean look your lbs may be a better idea.
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Originally posted by Chuvak
What difference does it make if there is a wire or not?
What difference does it make if there is a wire or not?
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"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
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"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
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One other note... if you have a suspension fork (assuming front fork mounting) then you will of course want to leave a little slack in the cable (assuming wired sensor) to account for the suspension travel.
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"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
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Originally posted by Mel
The Sheldon Brown site has good information. The job is about the simplest accessory you can install; OK, a handlebar bag might be a little easier .
The Sheldon Brown site has good information. The job is about the simplest accessory you can install; OK, a handlebar bag might be a little easier .
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"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
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Girl, you can do anything you set your mind to. And if you need a little technical advice...you know you can have it.
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Originally posted by Koffee Brown
What is rollout clearance? Is it possible to get a tape measurer out and just straight up measure the diameter using the D= 2pi r squared formula or something?
What is rollout clearance? Is it possible to get a tape measurer out and just straight up measure the diameter using the D= 2pi r squared formula or something?
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BTW, even properly and carefully calibrated bike computers aren't extremely accurate. Expect a certain degree of error.
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"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
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"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
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Koffee - it's straightforward, even I managed it
Just remember when setting the rollout to err on the right side of mileage (i.e round up the distance rather than down )
Richard
Just remember when setting the rollout to err on the right side of mileage (i.e round up the distance rather than down )
Richard
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Koffee,
"YOU CAN DO IT!" it may look ard but its not that bad, i would try. If you fail just bring it into a shop, but i dont think you will fail.
good luck
-ross
"YOU CAN DO IT!" it may look ard but its not that bad, i would try. If you fail just bring it into a shop, but i dont think you will fail.
good luck
-ross
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Yes. It's one of the easier and more satisfying DIY bike projects. For a professional finished look, coil the excess wire around the brake cable ousing.
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You can, you will do it!
- Look at the instructions, especially for the minimum/maximum distance between the spoke magnet and the 'pick-up'.
- I would start the wiring operation at the fork/chain stay (whatever is applicable), rather than at the handlebar/computer mount. This makes it a little easier to save the excess wire for last, when you can wrap it around your brake cable.
- Keep the wires under the tubes as much as possible (visually better).
- Make sure that there is enough wire at the headtube/downtube intersection; your front wheel should make full turns (in both directions) without overly stressing the wire. While riding, you won't need this slack, but one days you/somebody lifts up your bike and starts swinging it--your 'puter wires will not survive then.
- Verify that the 'puter is picking up all the necessary signals before finally tightening the wires with tie-straps/tape. A bike stand and/or a friend assisting you comes in handy.
- Follow all the good calibration advice out there...
Good luck doing it!
- Look at the instructions, especially for the minimum/maximum distance between the spoke magnet and the 'pick-up'.
- I would start the wiring operation at the fork/chain stay (whatever is applicable), rather than at the handlebar/computer mount. This makes it a little easier to save the excess wire for last, when you can wrap it around your brake cable.
- Keep the wires under the tubes as much as possible (visually better).
- Make sure that there is enough wire at the headtube/downtube intersection; your front wheel should make full turns (in both directions) without overly stressing the wire. While riding, you won't need this slack, but one days you/somebody lifts up your bike and starts swinging it--your 'puter wires will not survive then.
- Verify that the 'puter is picking up all the necessary signals before finally tightening the wires with tie-straps/tape. A bike stand and/or a friend assisting you comes in handy.
- Follow all the good calibration advice out there...
Good luck doing it!
Last edited by Bruco; 08-11-03 at 08:28 AM.
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As we say up here Koffee, it's a scoosh!
Just do it.
Just do it.
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plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
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Originally posted by khuon
Some excellent suggestions for installing bike computers can be found on Sheldon Brown's website.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cyclecom...tallation.html
Some excellent suggestions for installing bike computers can be found on Sheldon Brown's website.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cyclecom...tallation.html
THANK YOU FOR POINTING ME TO SHELDON'S Site!!!!!
he has wheel sizes for 16" wheels, found on some recumbents.
thanks!!!!
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koffee, feel free to ignore khuon's very helpful advice about doing a rollout. if you want the best accuracy, khuon's right. but it's not absolutely necessary, you can just plug in the values the manual says to plug in. this will get you pretty close, and these computers aren't exactly perfect in the best of situations. i think mine claims 1/10th of a mile per 10 miles, something like that. i just plugged in the numbers for a 700x23 wheel and it's been reasonably similar to my car odometer (which isn't perfect either). perhaps one day i will do a rollout, but if i'm going to get on my bike for three revolutions of the wheel, i might as way stay on.
if you notice your speed changes radically back and forth, like from 14 to 17 mph and back, within the space of a few seconds, the sensor probably isn't close enough. my Cateye claimed the magnet had to be within 5mm of the sensor, but it really needs something like 2mm. which means occasional hard jolts will knock it out of alignment, creating the weird speedometer readings stated above, and causing me to get off my bike and tweak the magnet a little.
it's pretty easy. realistically speaking it's more involved than putting on a wedge bag or even a water bottle cage, but it's not rocket science.
if you notice your speed changes radically back and forth, like from 14 to 17 mph and back, within the space of a few seconds, the sensor probably isn't close enough. my Cateye claimed the magnet had to be within 5mm of the sensor, but it really needs something like 2mm. which means occasional hard jolts will knock it out of alignment, creating the weird speedometer readings stated above, and causing me to get off my bike and tweak the magnet a little.
it's pretty easy. realistically speaking it's more involved than putting on a wedge bag or even a water bottle cage, but it's not rocket science.