Bike computer recommendations
 

I'm looking for some advice around quality, mid range bike computers.

I'm after the following features:
- current speed
- average speed
- max speed
- trip distance
- odometer
- time elapsed
- clock
- wireless

The unit will be fitted to a mtb and must be robust enough to cope with offroad riding.

My budget is max US$70. Can anyone recommend in their experience a quality brand and model that fits what I'm after? I've looked at the Topeak Panoram V10, Cateye Strada Wireless RD300W and Cateye Micro Wireless so would welcome comments on them or any other models.

I have the cateye strada wireless, picked it up on amazon for about $50. Easy to install, works great. I like the clickable screen which is easier to use than buttons. I personally wouldn't put it on a mountain bike - it doesn't have the feel of high durability...not to say it is flimsy, but it is all plastic.

For the basic functions, I would probably go with a cheaper option. Many models are around $25-50 making them somewhat disposable in case of a crash.

$53.90 free shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIGMA-BC-160...item5ae9e7882f

$34.99 free shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Planet-Bike-...item2563bb7b00

I have a Sigma BC1609 it works really well. You can buy a second bike kit for it and use one computer for two bikes. It has time, temp, totoal milage, total time as well. You can also purchase a candice sensor later on down the road if you like.

I second the Sigma BC1609 as well. I have the wired version (they make it in wireless too). I chose wired over wireless because I had a Sigma BC2209 MHR wireless and had nothing but problems with it from cell phone interference to it acting up from interference caused presumably by my LED headlight battery pack or something. Sigma couldn't figure it out with two units new out of the box, so I gave up on wireless. If you're running full suspension, then the cadence function might be tricky to set up. The way the front wheel magnet mounts on a spoke is much more secure then the 2209, and for that matter better than on either of the two Cateye computers I owned before the Sigma. I've been using my BC1609 since about January and I've had ZERO issues with it. Another plus is you can buy a dock for it that allows you to download ride data onto a PC or Mac where their dedicated software (included with the dock), analyzes your ride stats and will graph it all out for you. This computer is the least expensive bike-specific computer to have this option. Everything else that is bike-specific is more expensive or goes into the realm of smart phone apps or dedicated GPS units, all of which are far more expensive and oftentimes far more delicate.

Wireless - $65.99

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-1609-Wir...ma+bc+1609+sts

Wired - $30.50

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-1609-Cad...ma+bc+1609+sts

Docking station - $21.89

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-Docking-...ma+data+center

Haven't found wireless units to be reliable or durable. They require two batteries (one in each unit), and can have issues if you're mounting lights or other electrical gadgets in close proximity. The issues are compounded as the batteries drop in voltage because there is a minimum distance that must be maintained between the two units and as the batteries weaken - that distance becomes smaller and smaller.

I know my response is not going to be popular (my responses seldom are lol) but for the features you want, go to Walmart and get one of the cheap Schwinn computers, under $20. I'm using one on the Dark Knight bike and it is durable and dependable. I've used it for about 210 city (commuting and urban assault) miles and it's doing great. For the features you want, why pay more? :)

Does it come in black? :lol:

Naw, I had to paint the little bad boy . . .