... to add a cycle computer to an italian steel bike.... such as my Bianchi Sport SS?? My LBS is replacing some worn brakes and mis-matched front rim. I want to also replace the seat and post down the road. Otherwise, bike remains stock with DT shifters and bars.

Thoughts on this?? I want to keep this as my "roadie" bike and not turn it into a commuter.

Not a sin...Just doesn't look the part IMO.

But can there be such a thing as taking a steel bike that is 20+ years old and making it practical for modern day's use without detracting from it's original fame??

Many peeps seem to think so...Just don't go drilling or cutting and it's all pretty much fair game...

Examples a plenty: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/361558-retro-roadies-old-frames-sti-s-ergos.html

It depends on how you want to use the bike - ie. are you just riding for recreation, doing triathons, racing criteriums, etc. It's not as though terrain has changed a lot in the past 20 years, and the bikes all worked fine then. But if you're racing or doing serious training with others on bikes with modern drive trains, then yes, you might need to upgrade. Or get crazy strong.

Back to your original question - there was a thread putting computers on vintage bikes a couple/few months ago. The search function should find it.

Its addition and later removal would be non-destructive, so what's the issue? Might not want to take it to a show in that altered state, however.

Not a sin in my book.

Go ahead, I'm sure all the Italians used them as soon they were available. We seen to think Italians are the purest of purists but in reality they're just like everyone else. They want the latest and the greatest and the high tech.

this ain't the fixie forum. C&V won't yell at you

whays a cycle computer?

Slightly off topic: At a thrift shop a few years ago I saw (but foolishly did not buy) a rough circa 1895 'Bismarck' bike with an early Cateye computer mounted on the bars!

On topic: No, not a sin.

Computers have been around for 25 years or so, so your vintage bike may have had a computer on it "back in the day".

Of course you should add a cycle computer to the bike if you want. They were available when your Bianchi was new.

If you get a cycle computer with a wired sensor, you can use clear tape to fix it to the inside of the fork blade, then wrap it around the brake cable, and tuck the excess wire up in the steerer tube.

I think I have an old friction type odometer in the parts box

The hills around here seem like they are much steeper than they were 20 years ago...

A friction odometer? Thats really cool... Vintage computers are cool... But to replace the saddle and seat post seems a little extreme... Especially if it's a vintage bike with vintage parts...

It'd be like putting one of those fin things on the trunk of a Nova.

I'd say not.
My red Pinarello had a red Schwinn Sting-Ray cyclocomputer with a white racing stripe. Looked great.
I'm easily distracted, so I took it off.

I aquired a Huret cyclometer recently, looking forward to testing it out on the road

I picked up a 1983 Fuji S12-S mixte a while back, had this computer:



Very tron, as we used to say. I've since changed the bars from drops to uprights, haven't got around to remounting it, but it is going on.

A Multito

No sin on the computer at all. I had a computer on my bike back in 1986.

I imagine that you're spending a decent chunk of change to have the front rims
and brakes changed. Whatever you do, make sure that you hang onto to the old brakes, and seat/post, if you change them. Shops like to just toss the old parts away without asking (and I suspect that the younger shop help like to keep some of the spares for themselves).

An alternative to a cycle computer that I have used for about 5 years now, is a wrist strap GPS unit and a handlebar mount.



Mine is the Garmin Foretrex 201 which shows speed, distance, time, average speed, altitude, bearing, and a cookie crumb trail if I find myself lost. I paid about $75 for mine and another $3-4 for the mount for each bike.



It takes less then a minute to move it from bike to bike, has rechargeable batteries that give about 15-20 hours of use, and never needs to be calibrated for wheel size, etc.

Hey, that's neat! I imagine it works just fine if you leave it on your wrist while riding, too, yeah?

Wow, great replies. Not sure what exact purpose this bike will fit into. I'm thinking about riding it to work but then I need a lights, too.

I'll keep you posted. Either way, its getting a computer of one design or another!

If you're looking for high quality commuter lighting, you'd be hard pressed to find better than DiNotte:
https://store.dinottelighting.com/sha...t=products.asp


These also have very low-profile (but very effective) mounting. They're pricier than Cat Eye etc. clip-ons, but you really do get what you pay for.