Reasonable Size Bike Computer Suggestions Please
#1
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From: The Witterings, West Sussex
Reasonable Size Bike Computer Suggestions Please
I'm looking for computer for a new bike, I'm long sighted so ideally something with a reasonable size screen / display that I can read without having to grab a pair of glasses and don't really want to spend a fortune either.
I found a Pedalpro one that I was quite excited about until I read the reviews which instantly put me off, mainly due to reliability
https://www.pedalpro.com/pedalpro-wi...E#product-tabs
Main Functions I'd like are current speed and Trip Setting for distance, average speed and ideally with an auto start / stop function.
Other not so important are total mileage, wireless (not essential if the wired version was quite a bit less) and if any remembered your previous settings including total mileage when you change the battery would be a huge plus.
Any suggestions much appreciated.
I found a Pedalpro one that I was quite excited about until I read the reviews which instantly put me off, mainly due to reliability
https://www.pedalpro.com/pedalpro-wi...E#product-tabs
Main Functions I'd like are current speed and Trip Setting for distance, average speed and ideally with an auto start / stop function.
Other not so important are total mileage, wireless (not essential if the wired version was quite a bit less) and if any remembered your previous settings including total mileage when you change the battery would be a huge plus.
Any suggestions much appreciated.
#4
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From: The Witterings, West Sussex
EDIT: I've just found the Padrone on a different site where the dimensions are bigger than Strada ... one of the sites has obviously made a mistake and the Padrone does seem quite a bit larger.
Last edited by Witterings; 01-01-18 at 02:19 PM.
#5
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From: ALASKA , SoCal
Bikes: /Skye/ Torker mt, Sirrus flat bar
I got some safety glasses at the local hardware store (wrap around sun glasses) with 2.0 bifocal for $8
Became necessary couple years ago& work pretty good as my riding glasses. Can see if repairs needed too
#6
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From: The Witterings, West Sussex
Thanks to all for the suggestions they've been REALLY useful !!!!!
#8
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From: The Witterings, West Sussex
Or even better transfer the one from my other bike for free that I could no longer see ... that said I'll probably do both and get the Padrone at some stage as well hence why I said they were all good suggestions
#9
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From: The Witterings, West Sussex
I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Padrone but does anyone that's longsighted have the Velo or the Wireless Plus version and if so how do you find it without glasses?
Whilst not as big as the Padrone it still seems bigger than a lot of them but has quite a nice back light / night mode that none of the others do and I'd find useful as 50% of my cycling's in the dark during the winter
CC-VT235W | CATEYE
Whilst not as big as the Padrone it still seems bigger than a lot of them but has quite a nice back light / night mode that none of the others do and I'd find useful as 50% of my cycling's in the dark during the winter
CC-VT235W | CATEYE
Last edited by Witterings; 01-02-18 at 06:01 PM.
#10
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From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
I got these sunglasses, one pair in gray and one pair in brown. Gray for sunny days, but for overcast days I prefer the brown instead. I think I got 2.0 for the bifocal part, but the strength would be up to you.
https://www.readers.com/bridgewater-...focal-sun.html
I have also bought some clear ones at a safety supply store, but rarely wear them unless it is raining out or after sunset.
I can't imagine trying to read a computer or GPS or anything close up now that my eyes are 64 years old.
https://www.readers.com/bridgewater-...focal-sun.html
I have also bought some clear ones at a safety supply store, but rarely wear them unless it is raining out or after sunset.
I can't imagine trying to read a computer or GPS or anything close up now that my eyes are 64 years old.
#11
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From: South shore, L.I., NY
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Maps are a different story and in general if wanting to use and read maps, the larger the unit, the better. I’m 62, use 1.75 reading glasses, but can read the color map on my Garmin 1000 with no glasses.
The Bolt, as BTW is roughly 3”x2”
Last edited by Steve B.; 01-02-18 at 08:35 PM.
#12
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From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
The GPS units are typically easier to read then smaller non GPS. The screens are usually larger for one thing and most of them let you configure how many metrics of data on a non map screen. The Wahoo units let you zoom in on the data screen and the info can get quite large.
Maps are a different story and in general if wanting to use and read maps, the larger the unit, the better. I’m 62, use 1.75 reading glasses, but can read the color map on my Garmin 1000 with no glasses.
The Bolt, as BTW is roughly 3”x2”
Maps are a different story and in general if wanting to use and read maps, the larger the unit, the better. I’m 62, use 1.75 reading glasses, but can read the color map on my Garmin 1000 with no glasses.
The Bolt, as BTW is roughly 3”x2”
#13
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From: South shore, L.I., NY
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
I was only using the photo as example of how large the text can get.
On the Bolt you can do 7 metrics. On the larger Elemnt you can do 9. As well you have the option to zoom out, or create add'l screens with as many lines as desired (up to 7 or 9). Garmins work the same way (except page zoom), I think 9 lines on my G1000
On the Bolt you can do 7 metrics. On the larger Elemnt you can do 9. As well you have the option to zoom out, or create add'l screens with as many lines as desired (up to 7 or 9). Garmins work the same way (except page zoom), I think 9 lines on my G1000
#14
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From: Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others
I keep my Bolt on 7, but it can do 9, that gets too small for my eyes. I have a hard time seeing any detailed text in any case. I tried bifocal cycling shades but found that the view wasn't where I needed it, and they were otherwise crappy glasses. Maybe I'll try different pair, but the Tufosi shades I bought to replace them are really nice. I guess I just have to remember the order the metrics are displayed since the numbers are big enough.
My old Cateye Astale 8 could do 8 metrics total, and you could only display 2 at a time and one had to be cadence or speed. Things have come a long way.
My old Cateye Astale 8 could do 8 metrics total, and you could only display 2 at a time and one had to be cadence or speed. Things have come a long way.
#15
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: South shore, L.I., NY
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
#17
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From: The Witterings, West Sussex
Complete result today .... normally the Padrone is £49.99, the cheapest I found it on the internet was £35 delivered, I was in Halfords as went to look at the Velo to see how large the writing was and mentioned to the staff I was comparing it to the Padrone .... he stuck it into his phone and it came up at £26.99 at a LBS just down the road .... happy days 
Also ordered a pair of these as I'm sure they'll come in handy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/voltX-CONST...23XYZGKNS94CK5
Cheers for everyone's help and suggestions

Also ordered a pair of these as I'm sure they'll come in handy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/voltX-CONST...23XYZGKNS94CK5
Cheers for everyone's help and suggestions
#18
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,728
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From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Complete result today .... normally the Padrone is £49.99, the cheapest I found it on the internet was £35 delivered, I was in Halfords as went to look at the Velo to see how large the writing was and mentioned to the staff I was comparing it to the Padrone .... he stuck it into his phone and it came up at £26.99 at a LBS just down the road .... happy days 
Also ordered a pair of these as I'm sure they'll come in handy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/voltX-CONST...23XYZGKNS94CK5
Cheers for everyone's help and suggestions

Also ordered a pair of these as I'm sure they'll come in handy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/voltX-CONST...23XYZGKNS94CK5
Cheers for everyone's help and suggestions

#19
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
In the 80's I got a German made Ciclomaster,
the display is not big but its easily removed from the mount to hold it up to where I can see it.
since I personally only needed its odometer and reset-able trip mileage functions, it was no problem stopping to do that..
battery in screwed shut compartment & electronics encased in epoxy it has been 100% weatherproof..
I used the fork blade mount so its not even on my handlebars.
.....
the display is not big but its easily removed from the mount to hold it up to where I can see it.
since I personally only needed its odometer and reset-able trip mileage functions, it was no problem stopping to do that..
battery in screwed shut compartment & electronics encased in epoxy it has been 100% weatherproof..
I used the fork blade mount so its not even on my handlebars.
.....
#20
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From: The Witterings, West Sussex
I thought I'd get them anyway as even with the bigger screen which I know I'll be able to see, whilst I always take a normal pair of glasses with me in case I need them and for phone / text in the pub after a ride hopefully I can leave them behind.
Must admit though I was so torn between the Velo Wireless where the screen is a reasonable size and really like the nigh light function but I don't think I'd be able to see which mode it was in as it's smaller at the bottom.
I actually think they'd be better off reversing it as - - - if it's just constant numbers like speed you can make them out a bit smaller .... what you can't see where it's smaller on the bottom screen is what mode you're in ... if they swapped them round with large letters next to the mode I think it'd be a lot more usable if it was one of the smaller ones.
Sad think is I had 20/20 vision until just a few years ago.
Must admit though I was so torn between the Velo Wireless where the screen is a reasonable size and really like the nigh light function but I don't think I'd be able to see which mode it was in as it's smaller at the bottom.
I actually think they'd be better off reversing it as - - - if it's just constant numbers like speed you can make them out a bit smaller .... what you can't see where it's smaller on the bottom screen is what mode you're in ... if they swapped them round with large letters next to the mode I think it'd be a lot more usable if it was one of the smaller ones.
Sad think is I had 20/20 vision until just a few years ago.
#21
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Joined: Dec 2015
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From: ALASKA , SoCal
Bikes: /Skye/ Torker mt, Sirrus flat bar
A variety of glasses here:
https://www.readers.com/bifocal-safe...d-goggles.html
Amazon has a good variety proSport::
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...cal+Sunglasses
https://www.readers.com/bifocal-safe...d-goggles.html
Amazon has a good variety proSport::
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...cal+Sunglasses
Last edited by bogydave; 01-05-18 at 07:04 PM.
#22
I just bought a 10" tablet.
It should be GPS and bluetooth enabled... So, I could try to install Ride with GPS on it.
If I ever get to the point where I can't see the screen, then it would be time to just stop riding the bike and get a blind cane instead.
It should be GPS and bluetooth enabled... So, I could try to install Ride with GPS on it.

If I ever get to the point where I can't see the screen, then it would be time to just stop riding the bike and get a blind cane instead.
#23
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,162
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From: Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others
#25
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From: The Witterings, West Sussex
Quick query for anyone that's using the Padrone ... if it goes into sleep mode do you have to press it once to wake it up or should it be auto wake ..... I know there's auto start stop for distance / time actually cycling rather than stationary and not in sleep mode which works fine but wan't sure about the other.






