Looking to get a computer. New to this,nothing fancy,just basics.
Wireless vs. wired. Do the wireless need periodic adjustments or anything like that?
Are they as or less sensitive than wired? Is the only downfall of wired.....THE WIRE?
Recommendations? Brands?

Thanks.

well ones has no wires to wire and the has wires to wire now unless you are planning to take the bike and comp and bring it to a shop, wiring it takes time! like it took me an hour!

Wireless provides a cleaner look and requires two sets of batteries. Wired takes a little longer to install but will function longer before the battery needs to be changed. My favorite, the Sigma BC-1600 is available either way and both attach very simply without tools. It has a good sized display, all the basic functions and will accept a cadence kit, but only in wired mode.

I have each type (two different bikes) and recommend both -- the Cateye 7 and 8. They run about $30/$35 at Performance. I don't find the wire to be a problem at all but I think it's personal preference. I bought it for the cadence feature. If you want cadence without wires, you're looking upwards of $100. The wireless one has a cleaner look but sometimes high tension wires interfere with it.

I just like the wireless. Performance makes a house brand Axion 10W. Nice, reliable and affordable.

had 4 wires comp and 1 wireless

the wire does get cut if you travel/ship alot or generally thrash around a bit

the connections are often less than perfect in very wet conditions, my cateye simply zeroed out several times during the rain

bought the cheap supergo wireless and darn the battery-transmitter is surprisingly heavy, but a-okay in a heavy downpour

I bought a cheapie Schwinn wired comp for 15 bucks at Dicks. It took about 10 minutes to install and works great. As for accuracy.....I think its pretty close. I do pretty much the same ride 6 or 7 days a week and the distance is within .001 mile everytime. I've had it for 2 years and it still has the original batteries.

I wouldn't use a wired comp again, not with well-working units such as the Cateye Micro Wireless on the market (model # CC-MC100W). Easy set-up, can mount on the stem or bar, accurate, reliable, comes in black or silver. Has everything but cadence/altimeter, and I don't need those functions.

What more do you want - free? LINK

Wireless all the way! This is the 21st century ya know.

An hour to wire a computer???

I'd say installation time wired vs wireless to be about a wash. While you do have to figure out how to run the wire neatly, a handful of zip ties are usually all that is needed for a quick, neat installation.

The drawback to wireless computers is that they have a very limited range and are sometimes sensitive to objects, like brake arms that are in the computer's line-of-sight. I install the magnet and pickup first, and then spin the wheel and hold the head to be sure I'm getting a signal. Then I hold the head where I plan to mount it on the handlebar to be sure that I'm still getting a signal. It's not normally a big deal but then neither is running the computer wire.

The bike computer that I recommend for most people is the Cateye Enduro. They're cheap and it has a fatter wire that's less likely to get broken.

Thanks.

I'd avoid wireless unless you have some odd circumstance that demands it.. More batteries + interference problems = hassle that for most people outweighs the benefit of running all of 12 inches of wire.

My favorite is the Sigma BC-1600 as well, it can be acquired for around 20$ if you look on ebay, and slightly more elsewhere (though still quite reasonable, even at its MSRP), it holds two wheel sizes in memory (for switching between two bikes, if you buy a second sensor assembly), has about every feature you'd want, including an optional cadence sensor, intelligent controls, good size, and flexible mounting options (mine is mounted on my stem).

Oh, and it took me about 15 minutes to cleanly install...

peace,
sam

The interference thing is an issue with some cellphones, or even with signals from cars or streetcars. I had a wireless and took it back it because it kept giving inaccurate readings (top speed 90km/h for example). I now have a cateye enduro, which works just fine. The wire is not as pretty as the wireless, but it just works better.

Ditto to this guy...I just installed the same one in about 10 minutes and it is perfect. I ride with my girl who has my old bike with a wired avocet 50 computer (i think thats the model) and both are dead nuts the same at the end of each ride...ave speed, mileage, ride time are all the same.

I would run wireless, but wireless computers and HIDs do not work well together, therefore, I don't use a wireless. I use an astrale 8.

That's not the case with good wireless designs like the Cateye Micro that I and kritter spoke of. I live in a fairly large metro area and ride in the city a lot. I've had exactly zero interference problems with this unit since I started using it about a month ago. None at all from power lines, cars, train crossings, cells, etc.

And what's the BS about batteries? How often does one need replacing - about every year or two? It's not a big deal to take a quarter, open the back, insert battery. If you're worried about it, replace the batteries once a year at the start of the riding season.

The sensor has a 70 cm. range to the main unit, which should be plenty for most needs. I have mine mounted on the stem with the sensor on the right side of the fork about 38 cm. away. The main unit detaches easily so you can take it with you.

The Micro works flawlessly every time I get on the bike, which is every day.

I suppose my point is this... For the teeny tiny wire run (that has to be run anyway, because of brake cables), wireless offers a lot of expense (and some potential hassle, which I'm glad you haven't experienced, but many people have), for almost no benefit. Like I said, a clean wired install is lightning fast, and will cause you zero problems ever. A clean wireless install might take 2 minutes less, but might cause other problems down the road.

Unless you have a special circumstance that would make a wire run highly impractical, you might as well save 20$ and remove the possibility of problems or additional hassle by going with a wired unit. I know that the wireless are high-zoot and all, but they really aren't that practical for most riders. Wireless computer mice, on the other hand.. Totally worth the hassle.

peace,
sam

It's usually not a big job to install a wired unit, except for something like a Campy ErgoBrain which I never want to install again! But some people want the cleaner look of a wireless, and that's the main reason I bought the Micro. It's an awesome unit, and I must confess I got a great deal on it from a friend who wanted the HRM version.

If I had any problems to report about it at all, believe me I would.

I got the cheapie Supergo wireless, but ran into problems: The range is 60cm only, and I can't mount it on my handlebars because of that. I had it there and it worked originally, but as soon as the cooler weather set in, it stopped counting pulses on cold mornings. The transmitter is on the suspension forks as high as possible but it is still not enough. I had to mount the display unit on the top tube, and even there the distance is just inside 60cm.

The other thing I have against mine is it does not start auto, only shutdown auto. So sometimes I forget to switch it on.

For these 2 reasons I am looking to get a wired.

My wireless flight deck requires replacement of one of the two batteries at leaset a few times per year, whereas my wired cycle computer batteries I replace only about once every five years. Now this is no problem, if you catch it soon enough when the "low battery" light is flashing, because all it costs is a couple bucks. But if you wiat too long to change, your computer loses all the data, and it requires reprograming all info again. (I hate when that happens).

Has anyone any experience with wireless in the rain/winter? Does the sensor/battery hold up well to road crap, and the muck of winter?

Weather proofness depends on if the person took the time to ensure the seals were correct and how the unit was designed in the first place, result: answers will vary.

I'll agree with the no go with the wireless. I'd trade mine for a wired right now. Freaking interference. At least I know now whether or not the traffic lights detected me by looking at the comp and seeing if it's spiking 99kph until I move off.

What would be the downside of wireless in wet conditions? You eliminate wire and contact points. The wireless transmit and recieve function doesn't care or is not affected by weather conditions at 2 feet. So in my opinion wired would have more weather related components and possible negative issues than wireless.

I just have never seen the wireless work as anthing but perfect or as advertised in any condition and I have riden them all.

Dudes! If you want a wireless that actually works, I'm tellin' ya's to try the Cateye Micro. It has NO probs with interference or with range. Cateye has hit the ball outta the park with this one.

Maybe it's my steel frame that acts as a good antenna between the sensor and main unit? All other materials...ahhh not so good?!

Totally agree with the CatEye products. Don't really get the steel comment but since you put a big grin at the end don't know if I actually need to.