Best basic computer?
 

I know, there are lots of threads about cyclocomputers but I'm looking at the current crop of gizmos and am somewhat confused. What I want is a simple time, distance, speed computer. Small, reliable, preferably wireless but would consider wired too.

I ride recreationally so some of the functions some of you guys want (heart rate, cadence, etc.) are not of interest to me. Like to buy via Amazon if possible as I have a credit there.

I Like the Cateye Strada bicycle computers. I have a wired Strada and a double wireless (wireless speed and cadence) and my wife has a wireless Strada (no cadence). All are good quality units. The double wireless sensor is a bit of trouble to set up, but the single wireless is not trouble.

Another brand worth looking at is the Sigma Sport computers. They are somewhat cheaper, but still reliable. If you choose a Sigma Sport computer, I suggest you also buy the power magnet. The magnet that comes with the Sigma Sport computers works, but the power magnet makes the unit more reliable.

I have this Sigma BC 1009. I like it pretty well so far. They make a model that is even cheaper. I can't remember what functions it lacked, but for less than $20, I'm happy with this one.

Over the weekend, I found a wired Cateye Strada at the LBS for $22. It does all I was looking for--distance, speed, avg speed, accum miles, etc. Exactly what I was looking for.

The Sigma BC1009 struck me as a pretty decent deal and cheap enough that I'd go for the wired version.

Decided to go with the Sigma. For under $20 for the wired version it's cheap enough to see if I even really want one.

Exactly my thought process when I got mine. And I do like it. The only thing I can see that the Strada has and the Sigma doesn't, is that the Strada seems to be a one button type operation. At least I think so. For a basic computer, I didn't find one that could beat the 1009. And I over research everything.

I did have to go to the hardware store for an extra o-ring, as I have a large fork and an oversize stem, so I needed two big ones, and it comes with a big and a small, but that cost about $2.00. And you can use zip ties instead if you want. Installation and setup was easy.

BTW, I took the advice of someone here and put a drop of grease (oil also works) on my tire, then rolled the bike and measured the distance between the marks to determine my tire circumference. I did it twice to make sure, because it was so far off from what the manual said for my tire size. I suggest you do the same. It's really easy. On a 20 or so mile ride, my computer is often quite a bit off from the distance of other peoples' readings, but it's right on with the guy who has a Garmin GPS, so I think mine is correct :)

Hope you like it. I'm very happy with mine.

The drop of grease is brilliant. I'll do that.

It really is brilliant, and so simple. Wish I could take credit :)

You won't go wrong with cateye.

Late to the dance, I went with a Sigma.

Enduro 8 - mostly because I have four bikes and want to be able to switch out fast if i decide to ride and one fails..... Otherwise get some cool deal....

Got the Sigma BC1009 today and spent 15-20 minutes installing it. Ended up coding the wheel size (26x1.9) rather than the alternative methods but I might compare down the road and see how accurate it is. Took a quick ride to a known distance marker and it seemed pretty spot on.

Very cool to have one of these for keeping track of mileage, time, speed, and distance. Not a bad deal for $19!

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-BC-1009-...1465734&sr=8-1

Glad you like it. Mine has been great. The number may be spot on for your tires, or not. It only matters if it matters to you. Enjoy :)

I figure at some point I'll see if the numbers are right but I suspect their probably close enough for recreational riding.

I was in your position a while ago, and got a regular old cateye. However, I have recently upgraded to a Garmin Edge 205, which I bought used from someone on this forum for only $100.

There are some big advantages:

1. Only one thing to put on your bike. Nothing on the spokes, no wires, no sensor.
2. It's rechargeable, so you don't have to buy new batteries.
3. You can customize the display, and choose a lot of nice information (including sunset time)
4. You can share and keep track of your rides automatically.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80641139

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a39...l/Calendar.jpg

So, if you think those advantages might be worth it, look for a used GPS.

The very cheapest cyclocomputer (unless you buy something from a place like DX) is this at $13. It even has a number of features that many computers don't have -- thermometer, backlight and calculating moving average (rather than simple average) in particular.

However, it does have one flaw -- the screen goes black in full Texas summer heat when in the sun on an unmoving bike. Like this, but that's after it's cooled off some. It can easily go completely black. It doesn't hurt the screen, but you can't read it while it's in that state. It might be OK in Idaho, but here there's a few months a year I'm tempted to replace it.

It's also a bit bigger than some other models, and the sensor has to be really close to the magnet to work. But it's hard to beat it for the money, and saying "Schwinn" I'd say it's less likely that somebody will steal the head unit off your bike :)

Those are decent computers. It will serve you well.

I bought a Bell wireless model... it works pretty well. I also have a handlebar mount for my Garmin eTrex right beside the one for the Bell (I'm a geocacher).

Cateye Strada is good, but if you don't need cadence then a very good choice is the Cateye Enduro 8, as it's not expensive, lasts a long time, basic information. And for me it IS wired, which I have found to be more reliable.