does a computer with these features exist?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(
Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"
does a computer with these features exist?
Hey guys, I have a Cateye Velo 8 right now and it is lacking. The main problem is it resets everything except the odo without my permission. I'll go for a ride, and the next day all the info is gone. So unless I check all the info after a ride I have no idea how fast I went, how far, etc. Do your computers force you to reset ride data? That's what I would prefer.
So I checked many of the computer and Garmin websites and they don't inform you if resetting data is automatic like the Cateye or if I have to reset everything.
I'm sure there are phone apps that do what I want but since I travel internationally, my phone won't work on foreign roads and I don't want to vibrate it to death.
So does a bike mounted device exist that does the following?
Current speed
Odometer (that doesn't reset when the battery is replaced)
Two or more tripmeters (handy for multi day adventures)
rain proof
Clock
Average speed of a ride (until reset by user)
Average speed for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user)
Max speed of a ride (until reset by user)
Max speed for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user)
Elapsed ride time (until reset by user)
Total time ridden for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user)
Battery level
Cadence
Pace +/- indicator
Calories burned on ride (until reset by user)
Calories for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user)
lit screen option
Stopwatch
Since most computers already have a clock, I would think a calendar associating to rides wouldn't be hard to program.
Ideally there would be a date/timestamp of all rides and info could be downloaded via USB to make charts and graphs.
So do you computers do a lot of the above? Perhaps you could copy my list of wants and answer yes or no to them.
Thanks for the time.
So I checked many of the computer and Garmin websites and they don't inform you if resetting data is automatic like the Cateye or if I have to reset everything.
I'm sure there are phone apps that do what I want but since I travel internationally, my phone won't work on foreign roads and I don't want to vibrate it to death.
So does a bike mounted device exist that does the following?
Current speed
Odometer (that doesn't reset when the battery is replaced)
Two or more tripmeters (handy for multi day adventures)
rain proof
Clock
Average speed of a ride (until reset by user)
Average speed for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user)
Max speed of a ride (until reset by user)
Max speed for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user)
Elapsed ride time (until reset by user)
Total time ridden for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user)
Battery level
Cadence
Pace +/- indicator
Calories burned on ride (until reset by user)
Calories for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user)
lit screen option
Stopwatch
Since most computers already have a clock, I would think a calendar associating to rides wouldn't be hard to program.
Ideally there would be a date/timestamp of all rides and info could be downloaded via USB to make charts and graphs.
So do you computers do a lot of the above? Perhaps you could copy my list of wants and answer yes or no to them.
Thanks for the time.
#2
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#3
It seems to me that the unit is malfunctioning if it resets without permission? I've got a Velo 5 on my wife's bike, and a Cateye Micro on mine, and they don't reset unless instructed. I'd be very surprised if the reset you experience was a 'feature'.
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 7
From: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(
Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"
So your Cateyes will keep data for indefinite times unless you reset them?
That would be logical.
So I contacted the support link, thanks.
Of course they just direct me to the place I bought it and I threw away the receipt last month so I'm probably SOL.
Typical customer service, pass the buck on to someone else.
With that said, can anyone recommend another brand with the features above?
#5
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,231
Likes: 1,748
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
I don't think any bicycle computer is designed to reset automatically. They are designed to require a user to force a reset.
It's possible that some computer exists that retains the odometer reading without the batter, but I think it's rare. Some may retain it if you change the battery quickly.
There isn't a computer with all of these.
It doesn't exist. What's your budget?
It's possible that some computer exists that retains the odometer reading without the batter, but I think it's rare. Some may retain it if you change the battery quickly.
Current speed ->all computers do this
Odometer (that doesn't reset when the battery is replaced)-> unlikely.
Two or more tripmeters (handy for multi day adventures) -> highly unlikely.
rain proof-> typical (to some degree).
Clock-> typical for many computers.
Average speed of a ride (until reset by user) -> typical for many/most computers.
Average speed for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user) -> highly unlikely.
Max speed of a ride (until reset by user) -> typical for many/most computers.
Max speed for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user) -> highly unlikely.
Elapsed ride time (until reset by user)-> typical for many/most computers.
Total time ridden for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user) -> highly unlikely.
Battery level -> The Bontrager Nodes have this.
Cadence -> there's a computer in nearly every company's line that has cadence (interestingly, Planet Bike is not one of them).
Pace +/- indicator -> Planet Bike computers have this.
Calories burned on ride (until reset by user) -> useless: It's not accurate without power.
Calories for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user) -> useless: It's not accurate without power.
lit screen option -> The Bontrager Nodes have this.
Stopwatch -> I suspect there isn't one.
Odometer (that doesn't reset when the battery is replaced)-> unlikely.
Two or more tripmeters (handy for multi day adventures) -> highly unlikely.
rain proof-> typical (to some degree).
Clock-> typical for many computers.
Average speed of a ride (until reset by user) -> typical for many/most computers.
Average speed for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user) -> highly unlikely.
Max speed of a ride (until reset by user) -> typical for many/most computers.
Max speed for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user) -> highly unlikely.
Elapsed ride time (until reset by user)-> typical for many/most computers.
Total time ridden for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user) -> highly unlikely.
Battery level -> The Bontrager Nodes have this.
Cadence -> there's a computer in nearly every company's line that has cadence (interestingly, Planet Bike is not one of them).
Pace +/- indicator -> Planet Bike computers have this.
Calories burned on ride (until reset by user) -> useless: It's not accurate without power.
Calories for life of the computer/bike (until reset by user) -> useless: It's not accurate without power.
lit screen option -> The Bontrager Nodes have this.
Stopwatch -> I suspect there isn't one.
It doesn't exist. What's your budget?
Last edited by njkayaker; 05-31-12 at 07:40 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 817
Likes: 2
Check the Planet Bike Protege 9.0 - Current speed, speed comparator, ride time, trip distance, dual odometer (for 2 wheel sizes), average speed, maximum speed, clock, and temperature.
What it doesn't have from your list are the "for life" things, cadence/pace, battery life indicator. Then again, you could get "for life" readings by never resetting the computer before each ride.
Another way to get both "for life" and "per ride" info would be to use dual cyclometers - you'd actually only need one magnet.
And a cheap way to get cadence is to buy a $3 eBay special cyclometer and mount the magnet on your chainring and the sensor on your frame then set the wheel size to something appropriate. There's info specific to this idea on the Instructables website, here.
What it doesn't have from your list are the "for life" things, cadence/pace, battery life indicator. Then again, you could get "for life" readings by never resetting the computer before each ride.
Another way to get both "for life" and "per ride" info would be to use dual cyclometers - you'd actually only need one magnet.
And a cheap way to get cadence is to buy a $3 eBay special cyclometer and mount the magnet on your chainring and the sensor on your frame then set the wheel size to something appropriate. There's info specific to this idea on the Instructables website, here.
#7
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,231
Likes: 1,748
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Check the Planet Bike Protege 9.0 - Current speed, speed comparator, ride time, trip distance, dual odometer (for 2 wheel sizes), average speed, maximum speed, clock, and temperature.
What it doesn't have from your list are the "for life" things, cadence/pace, battery life indicator. Then again, you could get "for life" readings by never resetting the computer before each ride.
Another way to get both "for life" and "per ride" info would be to use dual cyclometers - you'd actually only need one magnet.
And a cheap way to get cadence is to buy a $3 eBay special cyclometer and mount the magnet on your chainring and the sensor on your frame then set the wheel size to something appropriate. There's info specific to this idea on the Instructables website, here.
What it doesn't have from your list are the "for life" things, cadence/pace, battery life indicator. Then again, you could get "for life" readings by never resetting the computer before each ride.
Another way to get both "for life" and "per ride" info would be to use dual cyclometers - you'd actually only need one magnet.
And a cheap way to get cadence is to buy a $3 eBay special cyclometer and mount the magnet on your chainring and the sensor on your frame then set the wheel size to something appropriate. There's info specific to this idea on the Instructables website, here.
One might not need the cadence forever. So, the cheap extra computer trick might be a good temporary solution.
#8
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: born in singapore, based in shanghai
Bikes: Titus FTM, GT Avalanche
garmin edge 800 has all of the above except the stop watch i think. I have used my garmin edge 800 until it's batt is totally dead. and didnt charge it for almost 3 days. all the data is still intact.
i use the per trip to see how much i cycled, and the odo to guage when is my next service.
I do a full clean on the drive train almost every 500km.
i use the per trip to see how much i cycled, and the odo to guage when is my next service.
I do a full clean on the drive train almost every 500km.
#9
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
Check out the VDO Z2 PC-Link or Z3 PC-Link. They seem to have many of the functions you are looking for.
Click though the 'functions' and 'features' tabs for more info.
https://www.cycleparts.de/en/produkte...en/?part=daten
https://www.cycleparts.de/en/produkte...php5?part=puls
Click though the 'functions' and 'features' tabs for more info.
https://www.cycleparts.de/en/produkte...en/?part=daten
https://www.cycleparts.de/en/produkte...php5?part=puls
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,835
Likes: 1
From: Incheon, South Korea
Bikes: Nothing amazing... cheap old 21 speed mtb
two or more tripmeters
#11
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 7
From: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(
Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"
Hey all, thanks so much for the recommendations, I checked them all out.
Through my further research on the Vetta, Cateye, Sigma, VDO, Planet Bike, Sundig, Polar, Topeak, Blackburn, and Filzer websites; I realized the cost vs. features is something I need to rethink.
I created a comparison spreadsheet with the features I wanted if you want to copy it and modify your own.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...ENiQWhEdE9vNVE
I was most impressed with the Sigma brand; their Rox 9.1 has the most features I like....but its $200.
Oddly enough after all your help, I might have gotten my Velo 8 to work properly.
The cradle slid off the flat of the handlebar and was bending.
This warped cradle must have been sending bad electrical signals and causing the resets.
I remounted the cradle with tape and zip ties on a totally flat part of the bar, took a ride, and it has been over a day and the data is still there.
Thanks for the help, hopefully someone else can use my spreadsheet info to make a computer purchase decision.
Through my further research on the Vetta, Cateye, Sigma, VDO, Planet Bike, Sundig, Polar, Topeak, Blackburn, and Filzer websites; I realized the cost vs. features is something I need to rethink.
I created a comparison spreadsheet with the features I wanted if you want to copy it and modify your own.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...ENiQWhEdE9vNVE
I was most impressed with the Sigma brand; their Rox 9.1 has the most features I like....but its $200.
Oddly enough after all your help, I might have gotten my Velo 8 to work properly.
The cradle slid off the flat of the handlebar and was bending.
This warped cradle must have been sending bad electrical signals and causing the resets.
I remounted the cradle with tape and zip ties on a totally flat part of the bar, took a ride, and it has been over a day and the data is still there.
Thanks for the help, hopefully someone else can use my spreadsheet info to make a computer purchase decision.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Sequim, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula
Bikes: Co-Motion Mocha, Fuji touring, Trex hybrid, Bike Friday Tandem Traveler
I agree and was thinking this is a poor design if it just resets after rides.
So your Cateyes will keep data for indefinite times unless you reset them?
That would be logical.
So I contacted the support link, thanks.
Of course they just direct me to the place I bought it and I threw away the receipt last month so I'm probably SOL.
Typical customer service, pass the buck on to someone else.
With that said, can anyone recommend another brand with the features above?
So your Cateyes will keep data for indefinite times unless you reset them?
That would be logical.
So I contacted the support link, thanks.
Of course they just direct me to the place I bought it and I threw away the receipt last month so I'm probably SOL.
Typical customer service, pass the buck on to someone else.
With that said, can anyone recommend another brand with the features above?
Had a similar experience with three pricey LED lights for my RV. All three failed within three months of minimal use. Their answer, "Either your voltage is too high or you've had really bad luck." No mention that they might have sold me a defective product. GRRR!
#13
Ride the Santa Cruz Mtns!
Joined: Jul 2011
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Bikes: Felt Curbside, Cervelo R3 Rival, Specialized Tarmac Pro SL4 Ultegra Di2
My vote goes for the Garmin Edge 800. No compromises on features...or on your wallet. But, I've come to this conclusion: If one of my bikes get stolen, I might not buy the same bike again. But I will definitely buy another Garmin Edge 800.
#14
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 40
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From: born in singapore, based in shanghai
Bikes: Titus FTM, GT Avalanche
there's one thing about the 800 that i really liked vs most other, automatic custom wheel size. I dont have to measure the wheel and stuff. if the air pressure is low, it will make almost every other speedometer inaccurate. but with the 800, it will automatically detect the wheel circumference. eg, on my slicks it's 1934cm, with my rocketron mtb tires, it's 2068cm@ 55psi. if i drop the 45psi, garmin will register as 2065cm.
I just check out.. there IS a stopwatch function.. and there's also calories function as well. I got my 800 almost 6 months ago and i'm still learning new functions.
what i really liked about the 800 is cadence alarm and heartbeat alarm. useful for endurance rides so that i know how much to dial back to conserve energy. I'm usually at around 70-75 cadence. and if i realized if my heartbeat is still quite high and my speed is ~25km/h. then i know that fatigue is setting in and/or i'm running out of energy and need more food soon.
I just check out.. there IS a stopwatch function.. and there's also calories function as well. I got my 800 almost 6 months ago and i'm still learning new functions.
what i really liked about the 800 is cadence alarm and heartbeat alarm. useful for endurance rides so that i know how much to dial back to conserve energy. I'm usually at around 70-75 cadence. and if i realized if my heartbeat is still quite high and my speed is ~25km/h. then i know that fatigue is setting in and/or i'm running out of energy and need more food soon.
#16
Don't make me sing!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,023
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From: Western PA
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Crosstrail Elite, 1986 Centurion Elite RS, Diamondback hardtail MTB, '70s Fuji Special Road Racer, 2012 Raleigh Revenio 2.0, 1992 Trek 1000
what i really liked about the 800 is cadence alarm and heartbeat alarm. useful for endurance rides so that i know how much to dial back to conserve energy. I'm usually at around 70-75 cadence. and if i realized if my heartbeat is still quite high and my speed is ~25km/h. then i know that fatigue is setting in and/or i'm running out of energy and need more food soon.
Sounds like I'm going to be getting a new computer, soon! Thanks for all the great info!
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