I already have a Garmin Edge 705 that I use for offroad excusions in the Colorado backcountry. Since I just got into roadbiking, it would be a good idea to track my cadence. However, the cadence unit/setup for the Edge seems cumbersome and complex with the relatively big cadence unit, two magnets, zipties, and 5mm distance between them on crankarm and spoke.

Is there a reliable cyclocomputer that will give me speed/distance/cadence with a simpler setup, yet not too expensive? If all cadence units are similar, I'll get the Garmin cadence unit, set it up, and hope for the best.

The Garmin unit installs with ease and why wouldn't you want to use the 705? Seems like a no brainer to me. Use the 705.

This. Just install it and you'll find out it's relatively easy. All cadence units are basically the same - your description sounds exactly like my powertap cadence setup.

That is a typical bicycle computer set up.

Once again, I will take the advice of the BF brotherood...unlike that 5'7" rider. I hope my penchant for accepting BF wisdom is remembered fondly in the future.

like everyone has said, use the 705! the cadence unit installs in minutes and works flawlessly! you can find spare stem mounts really cheap on ebay if you need to use the computer on multiple bikes, the cadence units can also be had very cheaply.

You can avoid using zipties on the crank by sticking a rare earth magnet on the end of your pedal spindle (assuming it's steel).

why is it that these almost common sense ideas are usually the best? thanks for the tip!

It's a steel Speedplay Frog spindle. Thanks for that tip. Now I need to look for a rare earth magnet.

I've seen them at Radio Shack, and in some refrigerator magnet sets.

get the cadence sensor and a heart monitor from ebay.

Mine has the HR monitor- I just ordered the cadence unit from Amazon for $39 and free shipping.

Also, If the pedal spindle puts the magnet in an odd spot, I've had good results using hot glue or double sided mounting tape to hold the magnet to the crank.

Very good. I'll go find some hot glue or epoxy just in case. I can find some good use for that stuff anyway...around the house.

I wouln't use epoxy, especially on a carbon crank. Hot glue is OK, double-sided tape is fine. The idea is you want to be able to easily remove it. I cringe to think of someone removing an epoxied-on magnet from their carbon (or alloy) crank. Yeeesh.

Haha, I was going for ultimate adhesion on my Ultegra crank but I'll go with your ideas if the magnet idea doesn't work.

only thing with hot glue is, depending where you live the summer temps can get very hot. if your bike sits inside a garage or in a locked car for any time the sensor will probably move/fall off.

I think you've got bigger problems if your garage or your car gets to 250F for the low temp version or 380F for the high temp stuff.

+1

Yeah, you're not going to melt hot glue unless you put your bike in an oven.

The sensor can be mounted with the sensor arm up or down. Make sure the sensor is secure if you mount it in the up position, because if it shifts inward for any reason - like a big bump - your spokes will take out the arm. With the arm down, a spoke strike will push it out rather than pulling it inward.

Wow, you know, I have that problem with my cateye. I need to try mounting it upside down. I can't think of any reason it wouldn't work.

Thanks for all the tips. Being a newbie to roadbiking and all the associated (and expensive) gear, this really helps.