I would like a wireless computer that displays current speed, and logs average speed, elapsed time, and trip odometer. Cadence would be a nice function, but not required. Mounting brackets, magnets, and sensors sold as accessories would be great because I intend to use it on two bikes.

The only brands I know are Garmin and Cat Eye, and I'm not ready to purchase a Garmin, yet. The Cat Eye Padrone seems to meet my criteria, but I would like to solicit other opinions. What do you use? What brands/models do you recommend?

I started with a Bontrager Node and it did those functions. I later got a Garmin 510 and along with GPS it allows data uploads to web based sites like Strava.

Both can handle 2 or more bikes.

On the Garmin, I have 3 "bikes" and 2 "workouts"... one for road and one for stationary.

With the Garmin 520 replacing the 510, i bet you can get a used 510 cheap on ebay.

Amazon directs me towards a Cat Eye Strada when I search for Bontrager Node. I'll check out the Garmin 510's; with and extra set of speed sensors and an additional mount for the Cat Eye, the cost may be about the same.

Just go on eBay and by one from China for less than $10. There are tons of them. I have been using them for years. Cheap enough to buy extras for replacements and to get mounting hardware for additional bikes. I always keep two or theee around.

If you intend to use the same computer on two bikes, the wheels have to be the same circumference for the results to be accurate. I do a runout which is to measure the distance between each time the wheel hits the ground as it revolves. Tied a thin string around the tire, wet it with ink, and rode the bike a couple of feet until I had 3 revolutions and then took the average distance between ink marks as what I put in the computer. The same bike with different tires will have different distances to enter.

Nashbar used to make a wired computer with two different wheel settings so that you could record the results for two different bikes with vastly different wheels. Had mine for years. No longer sold there but this $7 computer is roughly the same (IS WIRED) LCD Cycling Bicycle Waterproof Backlight Computer Odometer Dual Memory Stopwatch | eBay
You just toggle between Bike A and Bike B to use it for different bikes.

Brands have a range of products depending on the feature list..

some even have a memory, and you can A/B 2 different wheel sizes, to share on 2 different bikes .



(curmudgeonly I havent put a battery in mine for Years , since I only used my wired computer to track the Miles , on Long Bike tours)

While you aren't wrong, the differences are negligible within a class of tires like road, MTB, etc. Even a change of one size doesn't make much difference. We are talking 1or 2%. That isn't going to bother me. You?

I did a rollout with each of my bikes and yes, the difference is minimal per revolution, but on a long ride, there are quite a few revolutions--and why even track it if it isn't accurate?

I did a number of wireless computers---I Really liked the features on the Nashbar Tempo (it goes onto pause quickly and stays paused for a long time, it is easy to reset, it displays the basic functions quite clearly, has two wheel diameter, and Nashbar even sells multi-bike kits, so you can move the computer and everything else is already there)---but the freaking sending units on most wireless computers seem to be pure crap.

I have tried a bunch of Sigmas ... have one now ... hopefully this one's sender won't crap out.

Wired? You can good Chinese computers for a couple bucks, as RPenman and others note. Buy a handful and mix and match.

I might go back to Nashbar for the wired version of the Tempo ... but I hate how the wires look, which is pretty silly considering how my bikes look.

FWIW I have had good luck with Cateye products.

It sure does make a difference if you have an unusual size tire. There was a 2% difference just between two different type tires of the same 20" 406 size on my recumbent trike. The rollout for a Schwalbe Ultremo ZX was 1412 and for the tire I currently use a Tioga Powerblock S-Spec is 1442. The sole 20 inch tire listed with the instructions for the computer (20 X 1.25) is 1614. If I had simply set the computer based upon the instructions I would have been off by 12%. It certainly is worth my time to do the checking. Takes less than 10 minutes to perform the rollout if you have the string, ink, and meter stick handy. I can do a quick check on the accuracy by simply looking at the computer and seeing how far apart major streets are in town because they are almost all based on a one mile grid. That doesn't help in making the correction though.

I agree that if you are willing to use a wired computer, the inexpensive wired computers with one for each bike is a cheap solution. I gave some of them away as Christmas gifts in the past. You can get this one for under $3 postpaid. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Bicy...GSGrmb8_HQyJqA If you don't like it, toss it. Sunding is the brand I gave away and I think they were around $6 two years ago for the same computer.

Do you have any one in particular that you recommend? I was thinking about getting a cheapie for my daughter.

Try one of these.

SunDing SD - 548C1 Wireless Bicycle Computer Odometer-5.78 Online Shopping| GearBest.com

I have a SunDing that hasn''t messed up yet ....

Cateye Strada Digital Wireless is what I use. It was the cheapest option for me to get cadence that I could find. I would have liked an altimeter, but I'll have to wait to have that feature until I can get a GPS unit.

Wahoo RFLKT+

Get a GPS or get a cheap one. Don't spend $50+ on a wireless computer that pales in comparison to a GPS unit.

I have a Cateye Strada on my road bike now. It been just fine and was easy to install.


In years past I have also used and had success with computers from Sigma Sport. When I picked up the Cateye above at my LBS they were a little upset at being out of the Sigma units. It was their preferred brand as it was an easier install and configuration.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I use Strava, so this will be a backup and something to show me my current data (my phone is in my pocket). Accuracy isn't critical, and GPS isn't necessary.

The Cat Eye Strada looks like it is the winner, but I'll do some more research into SunDing--at $6 it's really the price point I'm looking for!

Bontrager Node 1.1 or 2.1 (adds barometric altimeter functions) gets close to displaying OP's desires. The 2.1 is on sale now at $100 and includes a "soft" HR strap that lists at $60. Bontrager Node 2.1 | Trek Bikes.

Displayed upper left: time of day, upper right: ride time, Large center: choice of MPH or MPH avg. Lower left & right dual display is a programmable choice of two of these... HR, CAD, DIST, TEMP, GRADE or PWR. Mine is set to display HR & CAD. Std & Metric unit choice is programmable.

Big upper right button toggles the display center between MPH & Avg MPH. Lower right button scrolls bottom display from dual mode through each of the programmable choices. With my setup this is where distance is found...I find that button small and clumsy to access while riding.

Scroll through end ride info record to find Time, DIST, CAD: avg & max, HR: avg, max, calories, time in zone 1-5, Grade: avg & max, Alt: +/- & max, MPH: avg & max. My PWR function is programmed OFF so don't know what of that parameter might record. Harder to find in the setup menu is an odometer, (programmable to match miles already on the bike if desired).

I find the 2.1 very reliable and accurate for distance and elevation. Only maintenance has been changing the battery after a year (about 300 hours).
Programming was frustrating at first with a poor manual included. Better instructions are found online https://trek.scene7.com/is/content/Tr...1_+_2.1_EN.pdf

This Node works fine next to a Bontrager ION 700 headlight with Cyglolite Hotshot on the rear. A Blaze 1 watt headlight does freeze it. Biggest nitpick is suspect my HR strap-skin conduction isn't great resulting in an infrequent bad HR reading.

Added this forward mount to mine too. Bontrager Adjustable Computer Mount | Trek Bikes.
My ANT+ speed and cadence sensors are in a DuoTrap Bontrager DuoTrap S Digital Sensor | Trek Bikes.

This is good advice.