Bicycle Computers?
 

I have been looking for an easy to set up, and read cyclometer that won’t break the bank. I was wondering if anyone has used a Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Computer. I like how it has a four line readout, and it is not that expensive. Remember I am just a recreational rider that likes to keep track of my workouts.

here is a link ot the Nashbar page.
Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Computer

Thanks

Mark

Hi Mark:

I don't have experience with the Protege but it looks kinda nice having 4 readouts going at once on there. It seems larger than the average computer, though.

Yea, but that does not bother me, I like having everything up front, as my Trek only shows 2 lines, and I hate pushing buttons while riding. I am mostly worried about how easy it is to program, and how reliable it is.

Mark

I own a protege 9.0 and have mixed feeling about it. There is only one button on the computer, and that can cause problems. First of all, to press the button, you press up on the entire computer. Pressing the button changes the information displayed on the bottom of the computer. It seems like the button starts to stick after a few months of use and if you hold the button too long, it resets the data.

Also the temperature gauge was not very sensitive. It seemed to read in increments of 4 or 5 degrees....I much prefer the cateye computers. I own a protege 9.0 and have mixed feeling about it. There is only one button on the computer, and that can cause problems. First of all, to press the button, you press up on the entire computer. Pressing the button changes the information displayed on the bottom of the computer. It seems like the button starts to stick after a few months of use and if you hold the button too long, it resets the data.

Also the temperature gauge was not very sensitive. It seemed to read in increments of 4 or 5 degrees....I much prefer the cateye computers.

Cateye Mity 8. Easy to read, easy to set up, and fairly cheap ($19.995 at biketiresdirect.com).

My son has a Mity 8, I was just looking at something with all the information on the screen all the time. I hate fumbling with buttons.

Thanks

I love my Protegé 9. I've had it since September and have had no problems with it. It's really not any bigger than most computers. I have reset the trip data by accident a few times. Like you, I picked it so I could see all the pertinent info without having to push buttons.

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photo...l/CE-CD200.gif
Cateye Astrale 8 Computer

My old Cateye Astrale is about 11-12 years old! Works great!
Get the Candance with any one ya get!

The only problem I have with the Astrale 8 is that the odometer is not programable. My batteries were running low (weak display) and I tried to change the battery as quickly as I can (took about 3 seconds from the time I popped out the old battery to the time I clicked in the new battery), but the entire thing resetted!

I was hoping that there would be a 10 - 20 second grace period where the computer would retain all the info. But guess what? My odometer read "0". Oh well. And I have no idea why this is one of the few Cateye computers that does NOT allow you to program your odometer. Almost all other Cateye computers have that function.

Performance has the db4lw wireless on sale now for 19.99. It also has 4 lines readout and I really like not messing with wires.

Program it for what?

I only had to change a battery once, and it was NO PROBLEM.

Mine has trip odometer, total odometer both which can be reset.

01/01/06 I reset them to zero

I bought my Giant OCR used on a Sunday (LBS not open) and I just AD to have one so off I go to Wal-Mart and pick up one for $10 until I could get to the LBS. Two years and 2000+ miles it is still on it. I'm just to cheap to throw it away and buy another one. Probably will get a better one if this one ever dies.........Sam

I have a Trek Incite (9i) now and like it fine. However...that one you show looks pretty nice. I may try to remember that one if mine ever dies.

I know a lot of people like Cateye, but my 1st comptuer was a Cateye and I had problems with it within a month or so.....it was interemittent and getting worse for about a year before I bit the bullet and finally went with the cheap Trek that the guy at my LBS recommended. It may have been a fluke...but I'm a bit turned off on Cateyes now.

I had one of these but only for a short while. I hated the interference from outside sources. You can read about it here :) .

Yeah mine has the same issues... but with the old wired cateye units I kept breaking wires...

And the wireless is a nice clean fast install.

I like your thinking.....here in Brooklyn, NY we do the same with our cars. On January 1st of every year, I bring my car to "my guy" and have the odometer rolled back 8,000 miles. But that's besides the point.

My point is......when the battery dies (mine died in December, only 3 months of purchasing it.....I guess it was old stock?), how do you prevent the odometer from reading "0000" again?

When you said "I only had to change a battery once, and it was NO PROBLEM", what does "NO PROBLEM" mean? Does it mean that you had no problem changing the battery or does it mean that after you changed the battery, the Astrale 8 retained all its data?

The cheap little Bell computer that I bought at Wally World allows you to edit the cumulative (total miles ever ridden) odometer, so you can reprogram it after a battery change. Or add on a 'few' thousand extra miles when you want to impress your cycling buddies.... :D

B'Dog

Forget "setting the odometer... " simply write down the distance at any critical time or the end of the year and don't worry about it... trying to get some cheap computer to memorize all your milage for you is a waste of time. They were never meant to be cycling "black boxes."

Think pen and ink and paper and relieve all your anxiety...

Nearly every cyclometer I've seen allows you to set the milage when you change the battery. Even the cheap ones from wally world. Why not use the functionality, if it is available?

(edit) - er, uh, what I meant to say was: Listen to BubbaDog. He's right. :)

I got an el-cheapo (not an actual brand) from Target and it's done what it's supposed to for over 750 miles so far.

Yup, my el cheapo Specialized computer has that function. I think over 95% of the computers out there have that function.
That's what I do, I have an MS Excel log. To be honest, logging in your mileage for the hell of it (as in not using it for future analytical purposes) is a waste of time, trying to get some cheap computer to memorize all your mileage for you is a bonus. No time wasted there.....just keep pedaling & it'll the odometer will keep ticking.