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Old 04-08-12, 07:20 PM
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Recommendations for a bike computer

Anyone know of a decent computer (not C&V ) that is easy to transfer among bikes, with relatively inexpensive harnesses? Wireless is preferred. Garmin 200 may be the answer. I tried searching the forums, but got error messages. Thanks!
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Old 04-08-12, 07:53 PM
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android phone. mytracks or endomondo.

or garmin forerunner 305.
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Old 04-08-12, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by illwafer
android phone. mytracks or endomondo.

or garmin forerunner 305.
Thanks. I've been using my iPhone (in my pocket), but I'd rather have a dedicated inexpensive computer. Have not tried mytracks, only Cyclist Pro and iMapMyRide.

One solution I've considered is the Wahoo Sports iPhone case with built-in ANT+ receiver, and an optional external battery. I'd just need extra harnesses and speed sensors.
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Old 04-08-12, 08:26 PM
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I like my Garmin 200. Still have a dumbphone, so a phone app wasn't an option. The Garmin looks sleek, is waterproof, and has good battery life. It came with two mounting brackets, and the actual GPS unit is easily transferable between them. Additional brackets are like $15, which is kindof a ripoff for a little piece of plastic. But its not a pain to move the whole bracket - they're held on by essentially high quality rubberbands.
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Old 04-08-12, 08:29 PM
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Any Garmin.
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Old 04-08-12, 08:32 PM
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Some places I ride I get very poor results with my phone. I have a Garmin edge 705 with some of the extras and can use it anywhere and download a lot of information to my computer. The current model is the 800 but some of the other models look like they would work well. Ive had this unit for 4 yrs and like it a lot .
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Old 04-09-12, 01:09 AM
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Don't you have to bring your phone anyways? Like, you can't make calls with those garmins, can you?
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Old 04-09-12, 02:25 AM
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Yes, you can!
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Old 04-09-12, 05:05 AM
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I've got a Garmin 500, with mounts on four bikes. I believe the 200 uses the same mounts. The 500 came with two mounts, and a package with two more mounts was about $10. The 500 goes on whichever bike I'm riding. I'm guessing that the 200 would work the same way.
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Old 04-09-12, 06:07 AM
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I don't know much about newer wireles computers but I think your better off just going Garmin. I have a love/ hate relationship with my Garmin. I love all the information I get from but I can't use it to its full potential just yet. It is easy to move from bike to bike.

One big thing I really hate about it is when you get out on the road somewhere and you hit the "Go Home" button it back tracks rather than finding a route back to the starting point.

I think the model I have is able to track milage on 4 or 6 seperate bikes.

If you buy a Garmin online make sure you buy it from a US website!!! I got mine from a place out of Ireland and it is is setup with European software and never interfaced with my computers. Garmin was going to help me resolve the issue but after I hurt my knee I never followed up on it.
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Old 04-09-12, 06:19 AM
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Anyone have experience with the garmins in heavy woods? We've had problems on a few rides here with phones not getting a connection.
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Old 04-09-12, 06:59 AM
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I have a topeak wireless on my Univega, and it's nice for my around town rides etc, because it has the time of day on it. However, it's not backlit, so it's about useless after the sunset. My brother bought me a Bell wireless for christmas, and I generally dislike bell products, but this one has been very nice.
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Old 04-09-12, 07:09 AM
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I dump my android in the back pocket running strava, and I have 2 of the wireless schwinn computers from walmart $15 on my bikes. Cheap, but a nice live metric of performance. I can get the real details when I get home with the strava track.
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Old 04-09-12, 07:19 AM
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Mavic Wintech wireless.
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Old 04-09-12, 07:30 AM
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Planning on buying a Cateye double wireless for the Kirk. I've run various Cateye products on all my bikes and they've always done well for the cost/features.
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Old 04-09-12, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 20grit
Anyone have experience with the garmins in heavy woods? We've had problems on a few rides here with phones not getting a connection.
I actually had a Garmin 305, but it's on loan to my oldest son (kind of went with the bike.) It occasionally has trouble finding enough satellites for a good signal when there's cloud cover, and I think I've had it lose connections under heavy tree canopy. I've not used it in about a year, so this is all from memory. Perhaps the newer ones are better.
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Old 04-09-12, 09:56 AM
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Thanks to everyone for the responses.
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Old 04-09-12, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 20grit
Anyone have experience with the garmins in heavy woods? We've had problems on a few rides here with phones not getting a connection.
this is due to cell reception and not GPS. GPS works anywhere in the world.
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Old 04-09-12, 11:30 AM
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I use Cyclemeter, a $3 app for the iphone. The iphone is on me or the bike at all times. I don't turn the app on every time, though. This app is incredible. It has features coming out of its ears!

For long rides, it's a good idea to power the iphone with an external battery. This will allow the GPS to run for many hours.
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Old 04-09-12, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by illwafer
this is due to cell reception and not GPS. GPS works anywhere in the world.
Some of my concern stems from issues with our GPS driven Surveying equipment at work. It doesn't fare as well in heavy tree cover. Nor does any satellite radio that I've seen.
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Old 04-09-12, 12:05 PM
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For me it is a cheap old Schwinn cordless and they work just great - every time. Price, on sale a couple of times each summer, is thirty dollars plus tax...



I have tried higher end computers and liked none of them. I will go with this cheapie every time these days.
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Old 04-09-12, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by illwafer
this is due to cell reception and not GPS. GPS works anywhere in the world.
I use GPS in thick brush pretty regularly, and I've had it lose signal/accuracy in heavy woods. I use GPS on my phone for ride tracking, and I've had the same thing happen before.
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Old 04-09-12, 12:19 PM
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If you have the means, I vote Garmin. Aesthetically, what's better than a wireless computer that doesn't require you to zip tie a receiver onto your beautiful fork or chain stays? Plus, it goes from bike to bike without worrying about what tire or wheel size or whatever else. I'm seriously considering snagging one from REI while they are offering the 20% deal. But with a new baby, that's doubtful.
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Old 04-09-12, 01:10 PM
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I was looking for a spare harness for my Blackburn Delphi 3.0. As it turns out, the cost of a harness + shipping ($14.99 + $9.99) is exactly the same as a new computer ($19.99 + $4.99).

I did get an eyeful fo a lot better bike computers, and I'd really like one with a HRM. Question though: Are there any that monitor blood sugar?
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Old 04-09-12, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by WalksOn2Wheels
I'm seriously considering snagging one from REI while they are offering the 20% deal. But with a new baby, that's doubtful.
GPS stuff not included in REI sale. So don't blame the baby! Congrats btw
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