scottbot84

I don't mean to start another "this or that" thread, but is it a problem when folding? I'm assuming it wouldn't be a problem if you wrapped the wire around the brake cable as usual, but I thought I would ask.

Foldable Two

I have been using a Garmin Foretrex 101 for the last 2-3 years. It is wireless, is moved easily from bike to bike and does everything but Cadence and Heart Rate.

It can also be used for hiking and in the car - even plugged into my laptop as a sensor for Microsoft Streets and Trips. (We got lost driving through Virginia on vacation in 2008 and used that last feature to figure out where we were.) It also doesn't interfere with folding either the Dahon or the NWT.

It's not a slick cycle computer, but doesn't seem to have the problems many folks have with them.

I noticed they are available now for $110 on Amazon, likely lower elsewhere.

energyandair

I've got a wireless one on my Birdy but want to change it to wired for two reasons.
a) It goes haywire when I have my LED headlights on
b) Whenever I stop for a few minutes, I have to remember to turn it back on.
My problem may be to find one with long enough wires for the Birdy.

David

EvilV

Interesting - I wonder how much power they use though. I have two gps devices, one an old early Garmin GPS that literally EATS 4xAA alkaline batteries in about three hours and the other, a small bluetooth GPS receiver which I use with my PDA, which uses less, but most of the work is being done by the PDA and the battery doesn't last long on that when in navigator mode. So how long does your battery last?


I just got my first wireless bike computer and fitted it onto my strida copy. It seems to work very well, even though it is pretty far between the sensor and the device. Like others have said, you do need to 'wake up' the computer by pressing a button, but that's no big deal, since I notice it isn't on within a few yards of beginning a ride.

werewolf

"... an old early Garmin GPS that literally EATS 4xAA alkaline batteries in about three hours"

Which model? I've used Garmins for years. I still have my old model 2+ (as well as 2 newer models). Sometimes I take the 2+ on my bike, put it in the bag. Measures distance and leads me back to the place where i started, but no map. Forget about the alkalines. get the new hybrid rechargeables, like Eneloops or other brands. They are great and they hold the charge as opposed to regular rechargeables.

A problem with wireless on small wheel bikes is the wheel sensor is farther away from the handlebar than on a normal bike. I didn't have any luck with the one wireless i tried.

I still remember the old mechanical cyclometers that clicked with each wheel rotation. I guess they're extinct now.

EvilV

I can't remember the model - it's buried somewhere in one of my electro -junk drawers and cupboards. Having had three teenaged and early twenties sons who have all now moved out and left me with old computers, obsolete games console rubbish, junked mobile phones, computer graphics cards etc - I have half my house given over to electro junk storage. I hate to thin how much it all cost.

I'm going to look up these eneloops batteries. I'm not having a great time with non - original rechargeable batteries at the moment, having had to return two types of substitute PDA batteries to the suppliers.

My wireless speed computer was really cheap and works great at about 90 cm from the sender unit on the forks.


EDIT: found it - Garmin GPS 12xl - stone age stuff ->

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=81

werewolf

I think your 12xl is from around the same era as my 2+. I've used gps for years now. I don't even know where I am without it, probably wouldn't be able to find my way home.

Here's some links for those hybrid or pre-charged (they go by different names) rechargeable batteries. They're great.

https://thomasdistributing.com/

https://thomasdistributing.com/shop/d....html?SP_id=75

https://www.thomasdistributingshop.co..._208-1021.html

These are US links and you're in the UK, right? - but it will give you the idea.

dschwarz

I have a super cheap Bell wired cyclocomputer on my DT Mini. Wired is no problem (the wire is long enough, even when the handlebar is folded down). Works okay.

rbrian

I wasn't sure about this either, so I took a chance on a £6 Bell wired computer for my Brompton - the wire is plenty long enough, and seems to stand up to folding ok. And at that price, it does everything I could reasonably ask. I remember spending ten times that 15 years ago for a Sigma which did nothing more.

EvilV

Yes - they have really come down in cost. My wireless one was about £12 on ebay. It even tells me the temperature - not that that is essential. Riding early today on ice, I knew it was bloody cold anyway.


https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WIRELESS-BICYC...QQcmdZViewItem

Foldable Two

I think some clarification about the Garmin Fortrex 101 is in order:

1) It uses two AAA batteries. They last for several hour rides at the worst. Carrying two extra AAA's in an under seat bag takes up minimal space and weight. The unit allows you to replace your dying batteries and not lose your current trip data. Purchasing AAA's at COSTCO is pretty economical. If you use your device on EVERY ride - which we don't - you might want to use rechargeables from an environmental point of view.

2) You can download your trip data from the 101 to your Computer and overlay it on a map. I have done this to where a couple of bike paths actually went in relation to the streets and roads we knew.

3) You can also "mark" (and name, if you want) points in your travels to assist in your retracing your route, or in the "mapping" mentioned in #2, above.

If you want to know how far you have gone, time actually moving, average speed while moving, max speed attained and altitude, plus much more. Screens can also be tailored to what you would like to watch as you ride.

It attaches VERY securely to the bike's handle bar.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=260#

mjw

After all the great reviews I bought the planet bike wireless bike computer. It's performance was very flaky because the distance from the transmitter to the receiver was too far by a few inches on my dahon vitesse.

I'll probably give the wireless to my brother and find something else for me.

kamtsa

If I recall correctly, somebody mentioned in another thread the the Cateye unit do not suffer from this problem.

Kam

mrbrown

I have used the Cat Eye Strada Wireless on both my Dahons and it works great. The wireless range seems to be better than most. And I have one less wire to deal with when I fold.

But yes, as energyandair pointed out, super bright LEDs can screw up wireless cyclometers. Mine go screwy when I run my Fenix L2Ds at Turbo mode. LOL.

My only complaint is that the Cat Eye Strada Wireless has gone up in price in my neck of the woods. I paid S$78 (US$52) for my early ones, and they are now S$95 (US$63).

Ouch.

Amuro Lee

I also use a wireless cyclocomputer on my Strida.


How to install it:
https://www.stridaforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2364


And I use a Garmin Forerunner 101 on my A-bike.