Now that I'm getting my new steed tomorrow, I thought I might get one of these fangled cycling computers. It seems the days of jumping on and riding may be gone. I just whipped into Tandy and they have one for sale (made in China) for around US$22.00 has twelve functions... mainly bull**** if you ask me.. countdown timer, alarm, etc. Has max and average speed but NO CADENCE. How important is cadence and should I hold out for a more expensive model.

Thanks again

Umm 30 bucks will get you the cateye astrale 8 from performancebike.com, it has cadence, both my friend and I use that model. I think cadence is a good thing to have, that way you know where your comfort level is and you can aim for higher if you wish...

Yeah, there's a few at the LBS that have it but are about Aus$60.00 - US$50.00 thing is buying items like that from the US adds postage in the order of $20 so in the end it's better just to get it locally.

Yeah, the last thing I want to buy is some gizmo with the main thing not on it. I hate buying stuff only to find out I really shoulda bought the next model up. Of course I blame the manufacturers for making the lower end models in the first place.

Just bought a do all computer for $99.00 US

VETTA V100HR Wireless Heart rate monitor/Cycling computer with Cadence kit - New in box! This one does it all - features include:

- Current Speed - Average speed - Maximum speed - Speed Comparator - Cumulative Odometer - Trip Distance - Intermediate distance - Current heart rate(HR) - Average and maximum HR - Percent of Maximum HR - E-Z Set programmable upper/lower HR limits - Time In, Above and below Target Zone (TZ) - Average Heart rate In, above and below TZ - User selected audible and visible alarms - 12/24 hour clock - Stopwatch - Total time - Ride time - Service timer - Low battery alert - Cadence - Average and maximum cadence - Dual Bike memory - Freeze frame memory

- FREE USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING!!!

-FREE extra batteries

I just got a Cateye CD300DW wireless speed and cadence data for $99 new on eBay.
https://www.cateye.com/en/products/vi...d=6&subCatId=0

I've only used it for the last 3 days, but I liking it very much. Nice and big easy to see numbers. It lights up. Awesome mount, but I still had to buy a computer mount for my Aerobars.

I have a trainer that came with a DVD that instructs you to use a specific variations of cadence during the workout. I got an awesome workout on it yesterday keeping up with the proper cadence of the workout.

But I'd also check out the Vetta listed above. A heartrate monitor would really be nice too. For me, I use a HR monitor already that downloads to my Mac, so I'm not really interested in that feature.

Here's some eBay listings that I find is $50 less than retail:
https://search.ebay.com/CD300DW_W0QQfromZR40QQsojsZ1

I'd take one with a built-in HRM over cadence. If you don't already have a monitor, it's a much more useful bit of gear than knowing what you're spinning at. Supergo and Pricepoint have them cheap. I can probably get you one shipped by USPS if you're not in a huge rush. Or try ebay.

Thanx Expat, still just looking and trying to get a feel for it all. I just think I worked out what a cassette is. I see we're both in NSW... big state, were you thinking of delivering on the twin?

I gave my wife my custom FS, with wireless computer/HRM of course, and lately she hasn't been too keen on taking the titanium limo out. Hurts my wallet to sit down. Are you anywhere near Newcastle?

Your cadence is easily found out by using your watch, and counting the number of times you turn the pedals for 15 seconds; multiply by 4 to get your rpm. Do it five to 10 times over a week in varying conditions. You should be turning at 70-90rpm, as I think you were informed in a previous thread.

Soooo, forget cadence as a required function on a bike computer. It requires messy cabling from the bottom bracket or another sensor at least, and adds to the price.

For where you are with your cycling, Haagen, forget the hype and go for the cheaper model. I use Cateye stuff normally, but have ventured into others in the past. There are cheaper computers that have speed, trip distance, odometer distance, real time and trip time, and maybe average speed. I prefer the average speed over maximum speed as an option. That set-up is what I have had for around eight years. It's only since losing my original Cateye on a randonnee that I have upgraded on that bike to Cateye with a few extra functions (which I still haven't explored fully).

AUD$25 should give you an adequate computer for your needs. You could even pick one up in Kmart

And heart rate monitor... nah.. not needed. Go basic first, then when you know how things work, like your bike and you, then think about upgrading... if you want to get competitive. You don't need an HRM for simple touring, like you are contemplating.

Dude, Kmart sells Mongoose. Leaves me without words.

Yeah, also Bell.

I thought I was on your ignore list. Have I done enough to return to it?

That was ages ago. I think you came back from your big ride with a big chip on your shoulder, or you were just plain cranky. You seem to have gotten over it, and so did I. Nothing like airing dirty laundry on the forums.

Nowhere near Newcastle, bit further north in the New England Ranges.

Then you can just forget about personal delivery, ok?!

Cut me some slack eh After all, it might be a little uphill getting here but you can coast most of the way home.

If only it worked that way.

i've got a cateye astrale 8 with cadence - have been using it for over 2 K km. It is very reliable, accurate and has a good display. After trying a Polar, I've found that the Astrale 8 provides all the input I need for my training and other rides - the added heart monitor/metabolic data afforded by Polar was useless to me.

Give me a break Bluey, at least you carry a spare motor.

Was that pun intended?

Cadence is a cool function - IF you are interested in cadence. With most computers, cadence requires running a wire down the down tube of your bike which some people find to be somewhat unesthetic. Current speed, trip distance and total distance are the three functions people are interested in most and virtually every bike computer has those.

Errr, it was in reference to you riding a tandem... no offense intended.

No offense taken. Non Aussie's are probably not familiar with that as a reference to something else. I found it funny, just didn't know if you meant it to be.

Another way to find your cadence, or at least find a reference cadence, is to pedal at a constant speed (on flat ground) and work out your cadence by working backwards from your speed, wheel circumference and gear combination.

If you have a 28" wheel, let's say the circumference is 2.22 m, or 7.3 ft.
You read your speed to be exactly 35 km/h (22 mph) and your gear is 48-11.
The gear ratio is 4.36:1, so for every pedal revolution, your wheel makes 4.36 revolutions.
35 km/h = 9.7 m/s.
4.36 * 2.22 = 9.7.
So for 1 pedal revolution per second, the speed is 35 km/h.
And 1 rps = 60 rpm!

I've had computers with cadence and without. In fact, I currently have a Vetta RT77 on my Giant OCR 1. That computer has cadence.

HOWEVER, I just bought a new computer for my Land Shark. I went with a basic model from Supergo: clock, thermometer, odometer, trip distance, average speed, max speed, and trip time.

Cadence is interesting, but the owner of Rivendell Bicycles makes a suggestion somewhere about not keeping track of cadence. I no longer do and I enjoy my bicycling more.

Keep your bicycling as simple or as complicated as you like. For me, just being on the bike is enough.