The best thing I ever did for my commute...
 

... was to not replace the computer battery. I rather like not knowing how fast I'm going. The commute is so much more relaxed now. I'm competitive by nature if it's just against myself, the clock, or the damn little bike computer.

When I get a new computer, I'm gonna challenge it to a race! :D

Yoo hoo. The amazing thing is that every bicyclist has a built-in bike computer. It measures breathing, heart rate, energy spent vs energy available, muscle strain and a load of other functions. You just have to spend a little time to listen to it. :thumb:

And you are right. It's so much more relaxing. You can look up and enjoy the world if you are not looking at and worrying about a bike computer. :D

I got a computer for my commuter, but only so I could have a thermometer to tell how cold it is. I'm pretty sure the speed is set to "Molasses moves faster than you." Especially in the winter.

I don't have my computer so that I know how fast I'm (not) going. I like to know how far I've gone.

what i do like about a computer: i like knowing the time of day ( i dont wear a watch) , distance, and average speed. it also helps me track my progress of improvement.

i don't look at it much though, usually i just relax. often times when im going really fast i look at the speed on the computer and i get scared and slow down. perhaps that is for the best.

but you're right after a while you do get a feel for speed and dont really need it.

Don't get me wrong.. I do like knowing what time is it, how far I've gone, avg. speed, etc. But now that I've been commuting pretty much the same route for a few years now, there isn't much info my computer is going to tell me that I can't guess just by seeing where I'm at. Plus, after a few rides of trying to break my own records only to see my actual commuting time only decrease by 5 max., it dawned on me that no matter how hard I ride, the stop lights always win. :notamused:

But for any other riding, I'm definitely going computer.

:thumb:

I gave up computing my commute some time ago. I am much happier too.

I use one long enough to get the distance/time dialed into my head for a new commute, then ditch it.

My commuter doesn't have a computer, but my xc mtb does and the last trail ride of the year I didn't realize it wasn't completely in the mount and it was in idle mode until about 7 miles into the woods. Guess I was concetrating to much on the trail and didn't care abouit my speed.

I laugh at the folks that record their times in a spreadsheet. My computer's purpose: To record my long-awaited 40.00 minute commute (I can't beat 40.3x to save my life).

Commuting all I pay attention to is the clock.
Weekend training/pleasure rides I like to see how long and how far I have rode and occasionally I will watch the cadence when I am working on leg strength to maintain speed on hills. My Blood pressure medicine screws with me doing all out so I rarely race the clock but I did drop off a full minute when I Went from a Hybrid to a Touring bike. Probably swap the Computer off my Hybrid to the Crit bike I have just for the Cadence.

I like my speed....but have to have distance....... there could be a market for a super simple odometer....it could just attach to the fork.....no wireless, just 2 parts magnet, and detector display module.

You will bro. Just one big tailwind away.

my motto: no computer on the commuter.

I use a bike computer, but I don't usually even look at it while I am riding. I just like having a documention trail. It keeps track of all kinds of statistics, and if you are losing weight (like I am) you get to see improvement in your time without having to race yourself to get it (you just see the gradual improvement over time).

I put one like that on my son's bike 30 years ago, except it didnt have a magnet, just a pin on the spoke and a 5 pointed star on the end of the display.

I never feel oppressed by my computer. I decide how fast to go based on how tired or not I am and whether I'm in the mood to cruise or push. On 'push' days I might look at my speed to motivate me to push a little harder, but mostly knowing my speed doesn't affect me one way or another.

But I loves the data. I thought I might get less crazy that way over time, but I've actually gotten worse--I now record time, speed, temp, wind, weather, and which bike for every single commute. And just today I found myself graphing round trip avg speed vs temperature to settle a dispute over whether cold weather slows me down or makes me ride faster to get in out of the cold sooner (answer: it slows me down).

The only info I use regularly from the commuter computer is the odometer. How many miles am I getting out of my tires? Chain? Mileage last month? etc...

The other info is for entertainment purposes only.

Here's a tip.

Wireless computer in your seatbag or pocket, etc. It will tell you everything you need to know after your ride, not during.

Welcome to the analog life.

I like using my computer. I could care less about my average speed (most of the time). But I like to keep track of my commuting mileage and time. However, you are right about one thing -- the red lights always win! My fastest commutes are usually when I catch the fewest red lights. Grrrr ...

You do replace components as indicated by visible wear, not mileage, doncha? All the info is for entertainment purposes. Nothing wrong with being entertained, though and if keeping data logs floats your boat, that's good too.

I prefer to have my computer. Not having it means I don't know what time it is...since I don't wear a watch. I could care less about speed since I'm in a city and I rarely get the chance to go all out due to stop lights and signs, but knowing how far I've gone in a week is nice.

Have the commuter on the roadie, don't want one on my commuter or my off-roaders.

Just to check the average speed when I finish.
A posted 15 or 20 mph zone, I use it to make
sure I broke the law.:)