a clock, cadence, and an odometer. that sums up the "needs". they aren't really needs, but really handy to know. you can gauge wear items roughly from an odometer. cadence: good to know. it helps answer that question "why do my knees hurt?" it's not crucial, i suppose.

clock.

c'mon, that's self explanatory :)

I have a GPS and a "regular" bike computer. The GPS eats AA batteries, and a pair lasts a whole day. But of course if I do a lot with it, or used it the day before and haven't changed the batteries ... I'm not going to be able to rely on the thing. On the other hand, the CatEye has something like a watch battery, which I haven't had to mess with since I got it in July.

I like knowing how many miles I've put in my bike ( total, and on a given trip ). I think it's very important to be able to know my current speed, and of course the average for a trip is cool, too. I find this stuff pretty compelling. If you don't see a need to have it, then you probably don't need it. None of this will keep you alive; either you have that compulsion, or you don't.

The GPS is much cooler when you get home. I use it occasionally on very long rides when I get lost in neighboring towns I don't know very well, but it's main use is the data it logs for me. I get charts showing my altitude change, how much climbing I've done, how my heart rate correlates with this and with my speed, etc. And jpeg maps I can email to people who should have come with me. Again, as a confessed geek, I really like having this kind of information. But it doesn't bring about any real changes in my life; I just like having it.

Pass.
I tried that - my review is listed here under "D Hill".
http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T5H731-I...owViewpoints=1

I took the old Cateye Mity 3 off my commuter/tourer last summer, to try out a Garmin Edge 305. I sold the Garmin a few months later and haven't missed the Cateye at all.

I'll probably put a Strada on the new bike for navigating purposes, but I've become pretty happy with not caring how fast I'm going in the meantime.

I also have a Strada Cadence cyclocomputer that i use during my commutes for pretty much the same reasons. I use the cadence option to help keep myself efficient as well. Before i got it i was at too low of a cadence and too high of a gear all the time and was unaware of it. Now i stay at around 85-95rpms. Sometimes it's cool to see what my speed is, but it's not a major concern. I also like the ODO to see how far i go if i take a different route or go somewhere else.

I use the cateye Astrale 8. It is nice to have if you track it over time you, maybe could see where you are improving.

I like the size of the clock on this one. I'm always checking for the time and I have to change views on my current comp.

Temp is nice to know.

I'm looking for a new one because the current one is on it's last legs. I can't even remove it from the bracket because it switches off and I have to plug in the wheel info and time again.

Yeah, I don't use a computer for commuting either and for longer rides I use a GPS. I'd love a small clock though with thermometer for my bike :D

i find my daily commutes to be so completely bland and regular that there's really no need in having a computer. same distance, same speed, dayindayout. only ever really use the clock (though time is usually the same every day) because i have to catch a bus and i'm OCD about schedules.

Nice to have you back on the forums, mr super socks.

I got rid of my computer. I use a garmin etrex for speed and direction now.

Me too... My Sigma has it and I thought the backlight would be cool but I've never used it once.

In this thread I see a long list of things a cyclocommuter might want, but not one that a cyclocommuter needs. ;)

As for me, I have a zen computer - it gives me all I need, and what I need from my computer is nothing. :D

Me either, although that's one of the few things I've managed to resist buying.

The $70 price for that on the REI site makes that one easier to resist.

Will that thing mount to the stem? I'm tempted to try one if it will.

I had a similar experience.

I gave away an old triathlon because I wanted a new one. The new one lasted about 1.5 years and one of the buttons stopped working. So, stupidly, I bought another one, which lasted just over a year and stopped.

Then I bought this and I've been quite pleased.

I was happy with my Cateye Strada wireless. But I just splurged and purchased a Garmin Edge 500 with cadence sensor and HRM. It just arrived on Thursday and I'm stuck in the house oncall this weekend, but it's a nice small unit. And I think Garmin Connect is pretty slick. I'll be able to monitor my fitness level. I plan on keeping the Cateye on the bike because it reports total miles.

I moved my Garman 305 from my road bike to my new commuter, because I like the fact that you can charge it and it gives distance, speed, HR, and cadence...or at least it did. I found that the single sensor for speed and cadence really doesnt work for my new bike...there is too big of a gap between the sensor and magnet on the pedals. Like many others, I find that my natural tendency is to pedal slower but in too high of a gear...so I really want to retrain myself. Any suggestions for a unit with cadence, speed, and heart rate?

I guess y'all don't have the one I do, it is the retro version Ironman but usually I guess I can fall back on my DOXA Sub or Rolex Submariner or Heuer, but, seriously, isn't a watch on the wrist easier to see for those of us who wear glasses. (No, I don't really wear those watches on the bike, they cost more than my bikes and I cannot get a lock through them.)

This one, 35 dollars at Wally World:

http://www.paragonsports.com/webapp/...ampaign=NexTag

If there's no good location to get the magnet & sensor closer together, you could glue a rare earth magnet to the crankarm. I got a stack of 'em at a hardware store. It's a lot stronger than the regular magnet that came with my Blackburn, and it stays in place better than the zip ties that the OEM magnet used; it won't get bumped by my foot.

I haven't had any need for a computer while commuting. I just got one w/cadence but that is for the occasional group ride group ride that I do. When you're pulling at the front it's hard to tell if you're going to fast or slow.

If I was going to get more serious about turning my commute into training I would get a power meter like the iBike Sport.