Cycle Computers - help me find one
#1
Thread Starter
Raptobike Rider

Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 400
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From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: Raptobike Lowracer, Redline Conquest CX, Cruzbike Vendetta
Cycle Computers - help me find one
I am about to buy a new bike. All my current bikes are low end mountain bikes. The bike I want is a 52cm Fuji Cross. I ordered it but am waiting to ride the frame I need. I am still debating over the bike but I am interested in cycle computers.
I want to get the computer at the same time as the bike or before as I want to have a total milage count of the new bike. Silly I know but I just want to track the miles.
The features I want in a cycle computer is sub $100 price, altitude, and the basic milage, etc. Wireless would be nice but...
Any ideas? It seems all the models of cyclecomputers with altitude and a sub $100 price have been discontinued.
-Duncan
I want to get the computer at the same time as the bike or before as I want to have a total milage count of the new bike. Silly I know but I just want to track the miles.
The features I want in a cycle computer is sub $100 price, altitude, and the basic milage, etc. Wireless would be nice but...
Any ideas? It seems all the models of cyclecomputers with altitude and a sub $100 price have been discontinued.
-Duncan
__________________
My stable:
2013 Redline Conquest CX
2010 EasyRacer GRR
2015 Cruzbike Vendetta
2009 Raptobike Lowracer #0067
My blog
My bike pictures
My stable:
2013 Redline Conquest CX
2010 EasyRacer GRR
2015 Cruzbike Vendetta
2009 Raptobike Lowracer #0067
My blog
My bike pictures
#3
Planet Saver

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 289
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From: Near western burb of Chicago
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD-10, Novara Randonee, Raleigh Super Grand Prix, Schwinn Mirada Sport winter beater
I've used a VDO wireless for 2.5 years and have been happy. Some reviews say they aren't durable. My model is the same one Performance sold. The new models look a lot different than the one I have. BikeWorld has them sub $100. https://www.bikeworld.com/vdo.htm
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 127
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From: St. Croix, USVI
I'm very happy so far with my Specialized Speed Zone Pro Classic computer.
https://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProd...rowselevel=top
It's wireless with altimeter, thermometer, and cadence (wired).
https://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProd...rowselevel=top
It's wireless with altimeter, thermometer, and cadence (wired).
#7
Ah..but he wants alti, too. Cateye AT100 is listed at $90, should do the trick. In genral, though, you're looking at the pricey computers to get altitude - are you sure you really want that? For about $25-30 you could get a full feature computer without altitude.
#8
Thread Starter
Raptobike Rider

Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 400
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From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: Raptobike Lowracer, Redline Conquest CX, Cruzbike Vendetta
Everyone - thanks for all the replies.
All the cyclocomputers look good but I do want altitude. I have a GPS from my hiking/climbing hobbies that I have been using as a cycle computer. It suffers from wet tree related problems, i.e it doesn't work in certain conditions. But I got addicted to altitude and climb profiles from it.
I will take a close look at the Speed Zone Pro Classic Computer. It also has cadence which is a very nice benefit.
-Duncan
All the cyclocomputers look good but I do want altitude. I have a GPS from my hiking/climbing hobbies that I have been using as a cycle computer. It suffers from wet tree related problems, i.e it doesn't work in certain conditions. But I got addicted to altitude and climb profiles from it.
I will take a close look at the Speed Zone Pro Classic Computer. It also has cadence which is a very nice benefit.
-Duncan
__________________
My stable:
2013 Redline Conquest CX
2010 EasyRacer GRR
2015 Cruzbike Vendetta
2009 Raptobike Lowracer #0067
My blog
My bike pictures
My stable:
2013 Redline Conquest CX
2010 EasyRacer GRR
2015 Cruzbike Vendetta
2009 Raptobike Lowracer #0067
My blog
My bike pictures
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 127
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From: St. Croix, USVI
All of the bike computers use barometric pressure altimeters, which won't be nearly as accurate as your GPS. (Maybe there are some really pricy computers that don't use barometric pressure...) Barometric pressure changes with altitude, but it also changes a lot based on the current weather. You basically have to set the altitude before every ride if you want an accurate reading. I only use it for the altitude gained figure, which generally seems fairly accurate, but is ocassionally way off. If you only care about alt. gained, you don't need to set it before each ride.
One of the cool features of the Speed Zone Pro Classic Computer is the inclinometer; it estimates the gradient of the road based on how your altitude has changed over the past minute or so. It generally seems fairly accurate on longer steady climbs.
One of the cool features of the Speed Zone Pro Classic Computer is the inclinometer; it estimates the gradient of the road based on how your altitude has changed over the past minute or so. It generally seems fairly accurate on longer steady climbs.
#11
Thread Starter
Raptobike Rider

Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: Raptobike Lowracer, Redline Conquest CX, Cruzbike Vendetta
Originally posted by tnorman
All of the bike computers use barometric pressure altimeters, which won't be nearly as accurate as your GPS.
All of the bike computers use barometric pressure altimeters, which won't be nearly as accurate as your GPS.
Originally posted by tnorman
One of the cool features of the Speed Zone Pro Classic Computer is the inclinometer;
One of the cool features of the Speed Zone Pro Classic Computer is the inclinometer;
-Duncan
__________________
My stable:
2013 Redline Conquest CX
2010 EasyRacer GRR
2015 Cruzbike Vendetta
2009 Raptobike Lowracer #0067
My blog
My bike pictures
My stable:
2013 Redline Conquest CX
2010 EasyRacer GRR
2015 Cruzbike Vendetta
2009 Raptobike Lowracer #0067
My blog
My bike pictures
#12
Da Big Kahuna

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 814
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From: Oahu, Hawaii
Originally posted by djwid
All the cyclocomputers look good but I do want altitude. I have a GPS from my hiking/climbing hobbies that I have been using as a cycle computer. It suffers from wet tree related problems, i.e it doesn't work in certain conditions. But I got addicted to altitude and climb profiles from it.
All the cyclocomputers look good but I do want altitude. I have a GPS from my hiking/climbing hobbies that I have been using as a cycle computer. It suffers from wet tree related problems, i.e it doesn't work in certain conditions. But I got addicted to altitude and climb profiles from it.
Maybe you have a lot more new places to deal with than I do. If I could even borrow a GPS for a few days, I could get the values for every major hill I deal with.
You also mentioned that the altitude on a GPS is the "least accurate" measurement. I ran into a guy who had one and who showed me some things on it. As it happened, he picked up a bunch of satellites and the unit said (I think) that it was accurate at that time to 11 feet. The guy said this meant 11 feet in every direction, including up and down. At another point he picked up fewer satellites and the accuracy was 33 feet.
Are you saying that he was wrong about how he described this?
Also, even if it is the least accurate part, how would it compare to getting altitude from barometric pressure? I know some GPS units have that, though I don't know if those ALSO have the other altitude measurement to compare to.
Bob
#13
#14
Sloth Hunter

Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Tucson, Arizona
Bikes: 03 Lemond Zurich (Sold) 07 Steelman Custom steel road bike
Shimano wireless Flight Deck from Licktons for $102 delivered.
Pretty straight forward installation. It took about 7 minutes the first time to program and about 3 the second time.
I love the virtual cadence and gear indicator. I never look back now and my cassette.
It has all the features that I find important.
I'm not interested in a altimeter or inclinometer.
I do wear a Polar S210 HRM.
Good computer and a pretty decent price.
Pretty straight forward installation. It took about 7 minutes the first time to program and about 3 the second time.
I love the virtual cadence and gear indicator. I never look back now and my cassette.
It has all the features that I find important.
I'm not interested in a altimeter or inclinometer.
I do wear a Polar S210 HRM.
Good computer and a pretty decent price.





