Bike Speedometer/Computer
 

Hello All,

Perhaps this post more properly belongs in the electronic and lighting section, but I'll try here first. I need a new speedometer/computer. Nothing fancy - just the basic functions are good enough for me. The only thing that I'd like that is a bit out of the ordinary is a large screen - something that doesn't require reading glasses for a vintage rider to see. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance,

The Viking

Look at the Cateye Velo; there are several models with slightly different features. Some are wireless, which may be important. If you can't see the screen on these consider glasses.

The Cateye Padrone may be a little bit more, but they have noticeably larger displays than anything else in the low end market.

You could get a Garmin 1030 and run it with just three items. It's fancy, large, and ridiculously expensive.

Something that doesn't require reading glasses? Are you still in denial? <grin>

Cyclemeter, and app on that huge phone.

Planet Bike Protege 8.0. I used one of these for over 10 years. I just replaced it with another Planet Bike wired computer. I can use them without the aid of reading glasses.

I second the Padrone.

The basic Schwinn and Bell bike computers (around $20 @ Wallmart and Target) seem to have grown quite large over the years.

Take a look at some Bryton and Lezyne GPS computers. Even if you don't need the GPS or use Strava, these are very versatile computers. They're compatible with most sensors (I started with heart rate, then added speed and cadence). Combined with an app to check my heart rate variability it helps motivate me to train a little harder within my limitations, and reminds me when to take it easy or take a day off.

I considered a Cateye Padrone a year or so ago, but realized for the same $50 or a little more I could get an entry level GPS computer and save my phone battery.

The Bryton Rider One, 10 and 15 appear to have larger than usual displays.

Lezyne computers vary quite a bit in size and reported ease of use. I think the Macro Easy is considered their easiest entry level computer that's also easy to read.

I got a XOSS G+ in January and am satisfied with it, although being a Chinese company the pandemic hit them had and they were incommunicado for a couple of months. I never had any problems with mine, but some international customers said complaints went unanswered.

So while it's a good value, XOSS wouldn't be my first suggestion now. And it's quite small -- I need the +1.5 diopter on all my riding safety glasses to see anything closer than arm's length. Bryton appears to be the best overall value in entry level bike computers.

I have a small inexpensive odometer, and the battery lasts many months. It has not gone flat yet, after over a year.

Another vote for the Cateye, I've used them for years, and am quite satisfied.

I run a Cateye Micro Wireless. It displays three items at a time on the screen (two of which are selectable). I also use over the counter non-prescription sun glasses with a bi-focal reading lens at the bottom. Life changing.

walmart.
$20.
bam!
i use strava garmin watch or cell phone not usef bike mount computer for years.

Don't know about the quality, but you haven't lost a lot if it's not "up to snuff", but I was looking for something else, came across this and recalled someone looking for a large display: https://www.dx.com/p/west-biking-lar...l#.XrQsvs6SnIU

I use Cateye WIRED Strada, with cadence. I love it for four reasons. It is easy to see and use. It is easy to switch between bikes with another mount kit, It uses only one battery. The battery lasts forever! (well, almost)

30 years ago I bought a Sigma Sport bike computer with cadence. Over the years I realized that if I need a computer to help me with cadence after all these miles, I'm in need of whole lot more. But I keep picking up basic Sigma Sport computers and installed them on all our bikes, so I am stuck at this point. I have a stockpile and they are not made any more. But for basic computer functions, if I hadn't gone that route, I would have gone with a Cateye.

I probably wouldn't go wireless. I realize that wireless devices can be really useful in a lot of situations when a wire gets in the way. Somehow I never could figure out how a couple feet between two stationary objects posed such an impediment to have to go wireless... "Yeah I built the bike, but figuring out what to do with that wire just baffled me."

John