Wileyrat

I'm referring to cycle computers, gps, power meters etc

I keep thinking about climbing out of the dark ages of cycling and getting a wireless computer, but that's only to track my mileage. I'm not sure my speed, cadence, etc. are important numbers to pay attention to.

Sometimes I just feel like I'll become a slave to the numbers if I go electronic.

JanMM

Maybe you should start out with a wired computer. Not the least bit curious to know how fast you are going?

Johnny Mullet

I use mine to basically track miles. Couls care less of my speed or cadence.

leob1

It beats tick marks on papyrus.
Go get a cheap one a wally-world, if you like having it you can get a better one. If you don't no big loss.

Phildog

I'm on board with some of the gadgets. I cycled hard around 25 to 28 years ago, as I was playing a lot of hockey. So cycling was another regimen I used to stay in shape...outside of the gym. I had a Cateye Vectra. Now, that I'm reintroduced to road bike cycling, I want something that I can track more details of my riding. As far as GPS, that's something I really don't need. I want to keep things simple.

martianone

Have used a wired (or cable driven) cyclometer for some time, just to keep track of distance. Late in the summer, I had tree bikes with non-functioning cyclometers. Family got for my birthday the most basic GPS unit to track my distance, have to confess - I like it. Just move it among my bikes.

JohnDThompson 

I had a bike computer a decade or so ago. I found it distracting. When the battery died, I didn't bother replacing it. I haven't tracked numbers since then.

B. Carfree

I don't need something to measure my speed since I can read the mile posts and can tell time. I don't need anything to measure my cadence since I can count and tell time. (Actually, I can my cadence to within two or three RPM and my speed to within one mph without counting or looking at a watch, as one would expect after as many miles as I have ridden.)

However, I do use a couple of modern toys. I generally ride with a Spot on the bike so friends and family know where I'm at. I'd hate to have folks waste half a day looking for the body when I could have narrowed down the search. I also occasionally bring a tablet with GPS ability out on a ride along the logging roads in the coast range. It's sometimes difficult to tell which ones connect, even with a map, so it's nice to create a more accurate map of my own by riding them with the GPS keeping track of where I've been.

Now my wife is thinking about adding heart rate monitors to the tandem so we can have an alternate way of keeping track of our efforts. By the time we do that, we'll probably need pace makers too.

sdmc530

I just use a simple one for distance, and times. The rest I don't care about. Average speeds are fun and sometimes motivating but not the main need.

RoadLight

Hi Wileyrat,

It's a good thing you came here first before doing anything foolish. It sounds like this would be a very bad move for you. There's nothing worse than a runaway numbers addiction while cycling. You could go into a digital coma. Don't do it!!!

;-D RoadLight

BluesDawg

I regularly use a Garmin 800. I haven't succumbed to anything.

LesterOfPuppets

I used to have cyclecomputers but mainly for ODO and time of day. Having a smart phone is better, having 7 bikes it's better to track miles with the phone and Strava. Once you get all your bikes entered you just choose the bike from the dropdown as you upload your ride. You can even track miles on chains, cassettes pedals, etc.

Six jours

I don't have much use for such things. I have not yet found one that quantifies my enjoyment of cycling.

If you are "training" then you will need one. Otherwise...

Dave Cutter

Slightly technophobic huh? Lots of people are. If someone is happy with their life.... any "change" could seemly present something negative. The only way to get past the fear is to just jump right in.

It is true... the stats/numbers/data can be a little additive.... but not addictive like booze, cigarettes, crack, or watching Animal Planet.

I think it should be safe to try out a cheap little bicycle computer.

Six jours

As a side note, I will point out that just because a word ends in an "S" does not mean that it also needs an apostrophe. You damn heathens.

<edit> Dave changed "lot's" to "lots" which kind of blunted my point. I just wanted to make sure everyone know's he is still a horrible person.

Artkansas 

I confess, I have succumbed. My lamps are all LEDs now. Is that what you meant?

OldsCOOL

I have a tiny Garmin Geko taped to the stem to give me ride info. I also carry my iPhone 5 clipped to my back/waist for music, Strava, work (on call) and emergencies. Other than that.....

Bikey Mikey

I have a cyclocomputer(Specialized sport, wireless) to keep track of my miles and to see my speed. I can more easily maintain my speed occasionally(very) the readout than I can when I don't have it. I feel I also can maintain a higher speed. I also have a Smarphone(Droid Maxx) and use Strava. I am considering a heart rate monitor so I can get a better idea of my effort.


I hope you're not using earbuds and listening to music while cycling. I came up on a guy who was also cycling, just not as fast, and I kept repeating "On Your Left," but he didn't seem to acknowledge me. As I passed him, he almost lost control because I startled him so much. He had no idea I was there since he couldn't hear me over his music.

Gerryattrick

I spotted you're deliberate mistake's their and have corrected them.

Trsnrtr

You can always buy a Huret Multito from Ebay. I used one back in the early 80s and they were amazingly accurate.

I use an 810 now.

Gnosis

By law, I require a headlight & taillight for my nighttime rides. Having battled my way back from a heart attack that nearly claimed my existence at age 53, tracking my progress via a simple $13.00 12-function bicycle computer has been a vital tool in that battle, as it has permitted me to evaluate my progress.

qcpmsame 

Not addicted to electronics, nor have I adopted the Luddite lifestyle. I carry my cell phone in a jersey pocket, it makes my wife feel better about me being out, with my various ailments. A wireless cyclocomputer resides on my stem, primarily for tracking mileage. Not a racer by any stretch of the imagination, so no power meter, I couldn't afford one at current prices, anywho. Lights are Planet Bike, both using non-rechargeable batteries, daytime rides only. I can easily see why a cyclist would use any of the various devices available, and I can also see how they could take over your riding pleasure, if you let them.

Okay, Dave, Six Jours, Gerry, grade and edit away, please. Should be fun to see how I fare/fair/phare....

Bill

tcs

I still use one.

rdtompki

I like the additional information provided by my Garmin and while I do save my "data" on Strava I don't pay much attention to PRs, etc. I also really like my Cardio bluetooth headset; it lets me listen to audio books during my solo back country rides.

Caliper

I've got computers on two of my bikes, but use Strava on all my rides. It tracks mileage better than I would (entering computer distance in a spreadsheet or paper log really sounds like work) and gives me lots of other data to boot. Comparing your time up a given hill or on a certain route over time is very nice.

Overall, I don't miss the cyclecomputer on the bikes without it, it's nice not having that monkey on your back sometimes. If I'm really concerned about my speed on most rides I know that means I should just push harder.