I picked up a road bike yesterday,,, it came with a "Catseye" computer.... "wired", and kind of difficult to read. Aside from it's altogether different programming approach that I have on my Trek hybrid computer, I just can't really read the thing... and can't afford to have to stare-it-down while cruising down the road. So.. it's time for another option... losing focus on riding and risking my being isn't realistic... and I do like clocking my rides. The question... unlike some items electronics are always evolving... if you're happy (or unhappy) with your choice of a bike computer how about sharing some insight.... ??? Thanks.

I got the Sigma BC 14.12 last year for the Altimeter feature. I got the wired version.

Very happy with it. The altimeter seems to be quite accurate. It doesn't give you descending feet, only ascending.

Has all the usual functions besides the altimeter, is easy to use, and even has a backlight although I've never used it.

I have a Garmin Edge 20 and it covers all the things I wanted: GPS, speed, time, etc. You can even use it to follow routes (a feature I haven't tried myself yet). In retrospective I should have gotten the 25 model because with that one you can upload your workouts from your phone (I have to connect mine to my laptop via USB). I got the most affordable model because I didn't know if I'd really use it, since I mainly track my rides with my phone. The display numbers are large enough I can peek at them while riding.

My SO doesn't have much luck with technology, he doesn't get how to get the tracking apps started, so I'll be getting him a regular ol' cycling computer so he can track his miles and speed, which is just what he wants (no need for GPS or uploading rides).

For me, the big thing is being able to use the computer on all three of my bikes, so I've been using a Garmin Edge 200 GPS model for the past few years. If I were to buy a new GPS computer, it would likely be the newer Garmin Edge 25 - that has anout everything I need. I've also used a Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless and a Cateye Strada wireless over the years, and they both worked well for a one-bike setup.

I'm a data junkie, use basic wireless Cateye computers and have tracked rides with my iPhone and Endomondo. Then discovered the Garmin swim watch, thus Garmin Connect, then got a Garmin 810, so am now a slave to the GPS.

In theory, the 810 does everything I need as it can use pre-made courses and do turn-by-turn. And it does this very well, as well as tracking rides and has a great customizable display system. Painless uploads and downloads as well.

Trouble is its a really flaky unit and has crashed 3 times in 16 rides. Once more and it's getting returned.

I like the Specialized "SpeedZone Sport" that keeps ending up on my bikes. Inexpensive wired ones that only record mileage in whole numbers, but do everything I need otherwise.

I look at the kitchen clock before I leave, and again when I get back. Combine that with my definition of "easy", "medium " or "hard" effort, and that's all I need.

Distance , speed and average speed are about all I need . Sigma BC 509 and Cateye Enduro 8 are the only two I have ever owned. I believe both are no longer manufactured . I prefer wired as well .

"Value" is in the eye of the perceiver. A data junkie. like Steve B, might find value in many functions that a guy like me might find utterly useless. What ever the entry level Garmin is - that's what I've got. Tells me what I want and I can switch it from bike to bike with no programming.

This thread hit right at the right time for me. I to am looking for a new computer; however, I'm the kind of guy that misses his old Avocet 20. You know speed, time and odometer. I was all hot to buy a Garmin 520 until I watched a Youtube video on the thing. It unsold me pretty darn quickly. Waay too many buttons to do things. How in the world do you work that thing while riding??

I did get a Cateye Velo wireless and really like it; however, I'd like something that integrates with Strava to. All of them have their pros and cons...Polar, Garmin, etc.

I'll be watching this thread.

I press the start button at the beginning and end of the ride. Sometimes I'll also press the lap button at the bottom and top of a climb. It has many features but you don't have to use them all.

Cateye Padrone; basic functions, large readout.

I have a wireless Cateye Strada and love it. At minimum I need the clock, speed in mph, and an odometer. I do like having the average speed and elapsed time. I wish I had the money to drop on a power meter though.

I like the current speed, distance, and average speed. Cadence might be nice, but perhaps more for curiosity. So, a basic Bell computer is all I really need.

I have been using Cell Phone Strava or RWGPS lately, but I don't always display it real-time, but sometimes just carry it in the pack.

I bought a Garmin Edge last year and have not looked back. I linked up with Strava and am really enjoying tracking my rides and monitoring my progress during the season. IMO the typical Cateye, Sigma, et. al. are going extinct.

I used to have a few Cateyes, but I use Sigma computers mostly now. My favourite is a wired 1602.

My main recording unit now, however, is my cell phone, a basic Samsung, attached to my stem by a Quad Lock mount. Strava and/or RidewithGPS can be used at will and I get a record of my rides.

I enjoy tracking my mileage, time and average speed but that's enough data for me. So I generally buy simple, basiic computers like the Cateye Miteye or its replacement model. I used to get wireless computers for the cleaner look but have switched to wired versions because the wireless models burn up batteries much quicker and their data gets messed up by traffic lights on my commute route.

Used, older model Powertaps are not very expensive.

Factory refurb Garmin Edge 800 on ebay for $170 FTW.

I mostly commute. After 24 years of serious commuting, all I want is distance, current speed, average speed, max speed, current time, total time, and temperature. I like my Planet Bike Protege 9 which has a screen where time and temp are displayed. On my two older bikes I have your basic Schwinn/Bell 9 function device that will display all but cycles only through speeds, and distances. I added a clock and thermometer to those bikes. When I first got a smartphone I played with Strava and other GPS apps and those are pretty nice, just not for me.

I've been using a Bontrager GoTime
( Bontrager GOtime | Trek Bikes )

For the most part I keep it on speed and clock (time of day).
I'll click through the odometer, avg speed etc every so often but not as a matter of routine.

Distance and current speed is all I want from a bike computer. Data capture is a different story, but that may be better served using an additional device.

I use Bontrager, Cateye, and Sigma computers on different bikes. I like the Cateye Padrone, for its large display. I use it like a speedometer, tracking current speed and either elapsed time (if I'm riding a known course, and trying to better a previous effort), or average speed, which I use to gauge effort.

I do like the looks of the Wahoo RFLKT, which is more of a remote display for the tracking systems on your phone. Nice display, and very configurable.

For a commute bike i use the btwin count 4 which provides just speed, time, trip distance and odometer.

for the race bike im currently using the bryton rider 310, which provides 70 over parameters, but it includes power,hrm,speed cadence sensor support. a good buy for like 80 eur or so

I use a Garmin Edge 800 and a Garmin Fenix 3 GPS watch. The watch uploads my data over the air which is a big deal for me; it also vibrates with phone notifications; the ABC functions are spectacular; I like the swimming and running features too.