Who DOESN'T use a computer?
08-13-09, 12:24 AM
#1
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Who DOESN'T use a computer?
Seems I focus so much on my computer when I ride the roadie or FG. On my MTB, I don't use a computer and it's a bit free'ing... like I really am just riding for the ride, not to accomplish some mileage or top speed goal. It's nice.
I'm back and forth on ditching the computer altogether, but it's a painful farewell. My brother hasn't used a computer since the early 90's and he's a pretty dedicated racer (MTB and cyclocross, so maybe it's different).
Anybody ditch the technology? How did it feel? Do you ever miss it?
I'm back and forth on ditching the computer altogether, but it's a painful farewell. My brother hasn't used a computer since the early 90's and he's a pretty dedicated racer (MTB and cyclocross, so maybe it's different).
Anybody ditch the technology? How did it feel? Do you ever miss it?
08-13-09, 12:27 AM
#2
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I dont. Although I constantly consider picking one up. I havent used one on the mtb or road bike in probably 7 years.
08-13-09, 01:04 AM
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I don't own a watch. I use sundials for time measurement. But people have been stealing my sundial rocks, so I may buy a watch. What type of person steals a rock from a neatly arrayed sundial? I am pissed. Rant over.
08-13-09, 04:18 AM
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didnt use one or many years. I have 7 bikes all different and now 1 has a computer that tells me just about everything.
All the others have no distractions.
well, actually the bike with a computer is no distraction as I went so long with nothing, I like to see the time in the morning for getting to work thats about it, I just download the data otherwise and go from there.
All the others have no distractions.
well, actually the bike with a computer is no distraction as I went so long with nothing, I like to see the time in the morning for getting to work thats about it, I just download the data otherwise and go from there.
08-13-09, 05:33 AM
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when commuting i never use a comp. but in training it is a good idea, but a lot of people are too interested in the data rather than enjoying the ride. a power meter would be the ideal thing and maybe cadence..everything else is superfluous.
tech is certainly useful. not using it is not 'liberating' per se..just different.
tech is certainly useful. not using it is not 'liberating' per se..just different.
08-13-09, 05:42 AM
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I don't. I bought one last winter but haven't bothered to install it.
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Last edited by Homebrew01; 08-13-09 at 05:52 AM.
08-13-09, 05:43 AM
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I sort of don't. My Edge 305 is headed out on RMA . . . again.
Nice thing about the Edge is that you have numerious displays to choose from. When I get tired of looking at mileage, avg. speed, speed, etc. I just look at the compass with time of day displayed. Then I look at the other stuff only on the quarter hour or something like that. I like the data that I get, but it is sometimes a distraction from just riding.
Nice thing about the Edge is that you have numerious displays to choose from. When I get tired of looking at mileage, avg. speed, speed, etc. I just look at the compass with time of day displayed. Then I look at the other stuff only on the quarter hour or something like that. I like the data that I get, but it is sometimes a distraction from just riding.
08-13-09, 06:07 AM
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Had 3, busted 'em all in stupid crashes and other moronic situations. They're nice, but I haven't had one for a year and until I get a crazy deal on one I'm not going to bother with another.
08-13-09, 07:34 AM
#10
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I'm about the same as ljchar.
I used a comp, then used a PT, took all that off...it was wonderful.
I rode with out from about October till last week when I put the bike pod fora garmin 50 on. No rides with it yet, but it'll be here to stay.
I used a comp, then used a PT, took all that off...it was wonderful.
I rode with out from about October till last week when I put the bike pod fora garmin 50 on. No rides with it yet, but it'll be here to stay.
08-13-09, 07:41 AM
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Haven't used one since 2002 after using them for years. Don't really care about anything on there, I can always guesstimate the miles or ask someone else.
08-13-09, 07:55 AM
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AGH! I have to!
I have one on the road bike, but..........
I have a cheapo Target Mountain bike (had no computer on it) I ride with the family, and I got sick of maping out my routes afterward on the computer (Home pc) to find the miles, that I just bought a $9.99 computer to put on it. I have to log EVERYTHING or my mind goes nuts.
That's just me.
I have one on the road bike, but..........
I have a cheapo Target Mountain bike (had no computer on it) I ride with the family, and I got sick of maping out my routes afterward on the computer (Home pc) to find the miles, that I just bought a $9.99 computer to put on it. I have to log EVERYTHING or my mind goes nuts.
That's just me.
08-13-09, 08:23 AM
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I rode without one for almost all year. Just reinstalled one recently. There's something nice about going back to basics.
08-13-09, 08:31 AM
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I think I would enjoy my rides less without a computer. A computer doesn't prevent me from doing what I want on my rides, and it provides information if I want it.
08-13-09, 08:49 AM
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I go through phases (when life gets busy and the riding gets heavy) where I just don't have time to do anything with the data - so...I just don't ride with it.
I have a ton of different computers and I sometimes ride with them and sometimes don't. Having a powertap is something I consider to be a necessity for activities like indoor training and TT's as well as interval work (although I can give you a HR and/or cadence device for intervals).
Outside of that I am riding group rides and racing....those two type of riding have their own built in measurement systems...pain level and position.
I have a ton of different computers and I sometimes ride with them and sometimes don't. Having a powertap is something I consider to be a necessity for activities like indoor training and TT's as well as interval work (although I can give you a HR and/or cadence device for intervals).
Outside of that I am riding group rides and racing....those two type of riding have their own built in measurement systems...pain level and position.
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08-13-09, 08:49 AM
#18
stole your bike
I have computers on both of my bikes but don't feel restricted or distracted by them.
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08-13-09, 08:56 AM
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Most of the time I forget to even turn mine on so when I sell the bike I can say it has low miles. Mainly I just use it on group rides where there is an established cruising speed.
As for training my heavy breathing and aching legs will tell me if I had a serious workout or not.
As for training my heavy breathing and aching legs will tell me if I had a serious workout or not.
08-13-09, 08:58 AM
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I never got around to installing the one from my old bike to my new one...
It is somewhat nice to worrying about speed, distance, whatever, but I ride partly for exercise so I feel like I'm losing out.
It is somewhat nice to worrying about speed, distance, whatever, but I ride partly for exercise so I feel like I'm losing out.
08-13-09, 09:05 AM
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When I bought my first decent mountain bike in 1987 (Ritchey Ascent) I bought a Cateye computer for it. It was kind of fun to see the miles add up, and I learned quite a bit about cadence from it. After a while one of the cables broke, and then the battery died... and I never got around to replacing it. I just like riding and don't care that much about numbers.
08-13-09, 09:20 AM
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Got one but couldn't see it... till I got polarized bi focal reading sunglasses. Wow.
The reading part is not polarized so no problem seen the screen.
During the rides I watch the HR mon, and use the speedo when I'm pulling in a pace line. Use the ride time, trip distance, Ave mph and max to record rides. Don't really look at it much during the rides unless I'm checking my HR.
Just added one to the new tandem. Stoker likes to know Distance and top speed to amaze her friends at work.
Took one off my hybrid. Don't ride it much now, and when I do it will probably be either sidewalks or off road. Not so important.
Incindentally I was penning a somewhat related post about the same time...
The reading part is not polarized so no problem seen the screen.
During the rides I watch the HR mon, and use the speedo when I'm pulling in a pace line. Use the ride time, trip distance, Ave mph and max to record rides. Don't really look at it much during the rides unless I'm checking my HR.
Just added one to the new tandem. Stoker likes to know Distance and top speed to amaze her friends at work.
Took one off my hybrid. Don't ride it much now, and when I do it will probably be either sidewalks or off road. Not so important.
Incindentally I was penning a somewhat related post about the same time...
Last edited by bobthib; 08-13-09 at 09:25 AM. Reason: Update
08-13-09, 09:34 AM
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I didn't use one for a long time but recently installed a cateye micro wireless. I love love love it. It makes me push myself. If I'm going up a hill or even on flats I can look down and be like "ugh I'm only going 14, I need to step it up.." or something like that. I also use it to know my mileage b/c mapping it out on a computer is just a waste of time. But, all in all, I only glance at my computer every couple of minutes, I certainly don't stare at it the whole time.
Also, those Garmin GPS units seem really dumb to me. Isn't getting lost out there part of the fun of riding? It is for me...I feel like a Garmin would take some of the spontaneouty/mystery out of riding.
Also, those Garmin GPS units seem really dumb to me. Isn't getting lost out there part of the fun of riding? It is for me...I feel like a Garmin would take some of the spontaneouty/mystery out of riding.
08-13-09, 09:43 AM
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I had one for a while but didn't find it too compelling. When the battery died I got rid of it.