Search
Notices
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets HRM, GPS, MP3, HID. Whether it's got an acronym or not, here's where you'll find discussions on all sorts of tools, toys and gadgets.

Bike computer

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-23-14 | 03:32 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 12
Bike computer

I just got a new bike and would like to get a new computer for it, I want something simple, that will show speed,time,MPH, distance, and cadence. Also wireless, or wired? Any sugestions will be greatly appriciated.
Paul
gundogblue is offline  
Reply
Old 11-23-14 | 04:45 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 16
If you already have a smart phone, there are free apps available that will track and display speed, time, average speed and distance. If you want to see it while you're riding, then you need a mount for it. And to get the cadence you're interested in, you'd need a bluetooth cadence sensor (unless you've gone the extra mile to get Ant+ to a phone, which would allow you to get an Ant+ sensor instead).

If you don't have a smartphone or would have to buy a mount, you might prefer to buy a wired or wireless bike computer and get all the features you are asking for for one low, low price. I've had a few Cateye models over the years and always been satisfied.

Mainly, I wanted to point out the smartphone option, especially if you don't want to see the data while you're riding. Otherwise, I'll leave it to others to suggest their favorites and why they prefer wireless (appearance, ease of installation, portability) or wired (reliability ...).
Athens80 is offline  
Reply
Old 11-23-14 | 04:53 PM
  #3  
noglider's Avatar
aka Tom Reingold
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,199
Likes: 6,440
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Pretty much any of the computers available will do the job just fine. Buy online or from your local bike shop.

I've never used a wireless computer on one of my bikes. They are sometimes prone to interference, and you need a battery in both the sensor and the computer. When the sensor battery wears down, weird things happen. But of course, they are wireless, so you don't have to run wires, and it's easier to move the thing from bike to bike, if that's a concern.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Reply
Old 11-23-14 | 06:39 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Ohio

Bikes: Schwinns and Miyatas

I have and like the Cateye wireless computers. Mine doesn't have cadence ( I just ride for pleasure ), and have never experienced problems after 6 or 7 years. Mine also has the capability to store 2 different sets of history, so if you have two bikes that you ride, all you need is an extra wheel sensor and handlebar mount, and you can transfer the computer form bike to bike. I know you can get a model with cadence, so in my opinion, Cateye is a very good choice.
1 Miyata Biker is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-14 | 09:22 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX

Bikes: Trek 7.3 FX

I picked up a refurb Edge 500 and the new Garmin magnetless sensors a few months ago, great setup.
saeyedoc is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-14 | 11:02 AM
  #6  
Yendor72's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 890
Likes: 10
From: Minnesnowta

Bikes: 2016 Trek Emonda SL, 2016 Framed Wolftrax

gundogblue, since you have the same needs as I do I am going to hijack your thread a bit, hopefully it helps up both.

Anyone have experience with the Cateye Strada Double Wireless? This appears to meet the needs.
Yendor72 is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-14 | 11:50 AM
  #7  
cyccommute's Avatar
Mad bike riding scientist
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,156
Likes: 6,216
From: Denver, CO

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Originally Posted by Athens80
If you already have a smart phone, there are free apps available that will track and display speed, time, average speed and distance. If you want to see it while you're riding, then you need a mount for it. And to get the cadence you're interested in, you'd need a bluetooth cadence sensor (unless you've gone the extra mile to get Ant+ to a phone, which would allow you to get an Ant+ sensor instead).

If you don't have a smartphone or would have to buy a mount, you might prefer to buy a wired or wireless bike computer and get all the features you are asking for for one low, low price. I've had a few Cateye models over the years and always been satisfied.

Mainly, I wanted to point out the smartphone option, especially if you don't want to see the data while you're riding. Otherwise, I'll leave it to others to suggest their favorites and why they prefer wireless (appearance, ease of installation, portability) or wired (reliability ...).
There are a couple of problems with smart phones. First is the expense, of course. Then there is the weather proofness of the unit. Some do well in wet weather and others get turned into a hockey puck. Then there is the accuracy. I've used cell phones to track my routes in lots of locations but I also use a wheel computer. The maximum speed that is tracked on my phone can be extraordinarily higher than what my maximum speed recorded on the bike computer is...like 10 mph. I'm fairly certain I didn't hit 55 mph on a rainy descent of New Found Gap in the Smoky Mountains. I'm dumb but not that stupid

Finally, the other problem I have with the smart phone is the power requirements. Tracking my routes can burn through the battery is pretty short order. That's not a problem for one to two hour rides but rides that stretch to 4 or 6 or 8 hours drain the battery before I get to my destination.

As for a computer to do all you want, gundogblue, I'd suggest a Sigma 16.12 wired. It has all the features you want for about $40. Wireless 16.12 cost about $90. Second mounts are cheap and can be configured for 2 different wheel sizes so you don't have to reprogram when riding different bikes. You can even get a docking station to download data.

The unit is very rugged as well. Mine has been through the wash several times and it just keeps going.
__________________
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!





cyccommute is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bobh123
Tandem Cycling
8
05-01-18 12:09 PM
corrado33
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
3
11-10-14 02:05 PM
joshuatrio
Commuting
39
07-22-13 12:48 PM
littleluck55
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
15
08-21-10 11:19 AM
MrCjolsen
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
3
12-25-09 11:26 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.