Jason S

(update: increased the list to include Cateye v3, Sigma ROX 9.0, Polar CS500, Garmin Edge 305, and Garmin Edge 500)

Ive gotten to the point that I want to spring for a bike computer. I'd like to be able to measure the normal parameters and heart rate some of the time. I've narrowed my search (I think) down to the sigma rox 9.0 and the cateye v3 (I want wireless).

I was just curious if anyone had either of these and what general experiences have been. I've read that the sigma instructions downright suck and some reports of it not working well in colder weather. The sigma seems to include more functionality though.

Any suggestions, recommendations, or experiences would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

jonathanb715

I'm one of the people for whom it did not work well in cold and wet weather. It would turn itself off frequently even while riding, and started going through batteries every couple of weeks. This was my second Sigma (first was a 1606), and both did the same thing. Cold is a relative term, too - we're talking temps in the 40s and low 50s mostly. The Rox 9 lasted just over a year for me, at which point I decided to switch brands. Maybe it was just a bad sample, but the fact that it happened to 2 that I owned makes me think there's a problem with Sigmas in this regard.

JB

TriEngineer

I had a friend whose v3 turned out terribly for them, the HRM battery exploded and the actual computer was finicky to set up.

rffffffff

I have heard bad things about sigma, but have no experience... I have heard great things about cat eye, but nothing good about the heart rate monitor portion of their stuff. I like my cat eye computer in general, but I dont have HR on it. The polar computers are where I would look for reliable heart rate monitoring. The only downside I can see there is that they have non replaceable batteries in the HR straps, but in my experience, the battery never dies so its no big deal to me at all. The cycling computer part is easy to make, so I can't imagine you'll find much difference between the different models in that regard... The only thing I would look for is a backlight if you ride at night.

The last point: I have a garmin edge 305 and its great in all regards. Its more money, but the GPS features are really nice... I would probably go for an edge 500 at this point, but you'll likely have to increase budget massively!

Jason S

So to complicate things even further (Thanks, rffffff ) I have added the Polar CS500 cad, the Garmin Edge 305, and the Garmin Edge 500 to the list. I have an iPhone and wasn't really originally interested in a bike computer with GPS since I use Runkeeper, but being able to virtually "race" previous runs of the same route is fairly interesting.

MPress

Love my Cateye V3. It has worked very well for me. The computer does take some time to properly setup, but once done you won't need to mess with it. The battery in my heart rate monitor is replaceable.

AzTallRider

I have the Cateye V2C (no HR monitor, but otherwise the same). The only issue I have is that it sometime "reboots" for no apparent reason, and I have to reset the clock and such to get it going again.

rffffffff

Okay, now were talkin'! I have an iphone too, and the garmin 305 replaced it, so I don't use the iphone anymore. The only downside to the garmin 305 is that even when using the gsc-10 speed sensor, the instantaneous speed is off at times... max speed is always 1mph slower than another computer because it relies on satellite data even if the speed sensor is hooked up. annoying. I have the powertap computer there too so its no big deal to me because I have a better instantaneous display. Average speed is perfect, and I would imagine it works better when your not in the woods, but I ride in heavily treed areas for the most part. I am not sure if the 500 is better in that way, but I would get the 500 if you are ever going to think about a power tap. Other than the annoying displayed speed issue, I love the 305, though.

I know nothing about the polar but I have read awful things about how you have to download the data with a microphone or something goofy like that. I like their products a lot, but that was a no go for me with the computer. I dont think I was looking at the 500, though, so make sure that info is accurate. If it has wireless or usb downloading I bet its pretty good.

Oostal

I have the Polar CS500. In general I am very happy with it. Here are some major pros and cons:

+Large display. Very easy to read!
+The best system I have found to change between various modes. Instead of fiddling around with buttons, you just press on the left or right edge of the device and it will cycle through all the screen modes. Such a function is achieved together with the special bike attachment. What it means though is that you can easily look at different data as you are cycling at full speed, since you do not have to take the hands off the handlebar.
+Accurate altimeter and thermometer
+Polar is the best known company for heart rate monitors. They have developed them for ages and this is what they are good at. The competitors are just cycling computers or GPS devices with the hrm somehow added on. The hrm strap is very comfortable.
+Interference-free WIND data transmission. In case you ride somewhere near power lines, this might be important.
+Polarpersonaltrainer online software can give nice graphics for your heart rate, altitude, cadence, speed, etc...

Cons.
-Display is not backlit. Since it is so large, then it hasn't bothered me even when riding in dusk. Yet, in case you ride a lot during the night it is something to think about.
-In order to get data to your PC, you need to buy an extra infrared USB adaptor (unless your laptop has a built in one)
-The IR connection can be tricky and the software is not fully mature. They have released numerous updates, but some connection problems can still occur. There are ways to get around this (check the Polar forum)
-Limited possibilities to customize display. There are views that you can switch to, but for instance you cannot have HR and elevation on one display. Still, as it is just a knock with your thumb on the right side of the CS500 to get more values, then I do not consider it a main problem.

I was deciding between the top Garmin model and the Polar. I chose the Polar because in contrast to around 1 day battery life of Garmin, the Polar will last for months. Considering how little time I usually have every day, I thought that I would definitely forget to charge the Garmin so often. Aditionally, the hrm in Polar is supposedly much more accurate.

fordmanvt

Why not just buy an app for the iphone? Your going to take a cell phone on your ride anyway, right?

Blackdays

Dedicated bike computer > iPone app

fordmanvt

I own an iphone and a cateye v3, and I don't think this statement is correct in all cases.

jonathanb715

Here's how you change that - at least on the 500. Go into settings, then bike settings, then Bike 1, then Bike Details. At the bottom of this screen is an option to set a wheel size. the selections are auto or custom. If it is on auto, it calculates your wheel circumference from the satelite data and defaults to the satelite data when calculating speed and distance. If it is on custom, you enter a circumference (rollout, use the satellite figure or the figure from the manual) and then it calculates speed and distance the same way as a non-GPS computer. The factory default is auto, and the option to change it isn't really explained in the manual (I found the instructions on the Garmin forums). I'd imagine the 305 would let you do the same thing, although the menus may be setup differently.

I can get speed and distance data from a trainer workout with the computer setup like that, even though the GPS part of the computer knows I didn't go anywhere.

JB

rffffffff

I actually did that, and its still a little goofy. I am not sure it just doesnt use a longer sampling time at the moment, as it seems to have a little less wiggle to it, but tonight's ride had a 31.1 mph max via garmin and 32.8 max via powertap. Both are set to the same tire size 2096, I think.

chado445510

I hate Sigma with a passion. I have the BC 1609l + Cadence, and the speed never works, the mount is wearing down so that it doesn't hold the computer well, and the sensor need to be so close that when I get out of the saddle and wrench the bike with my arms, the sensor hits the magnet and drives my crazy. The only thing that has been reliable is the cadence, but it doesn't go over 180 (which makes sense, but sometimes I like to see how fast I can go, and I go over the limit).

I've got two VDO computers I've won at races and I'm going to sell all of my computers and buy a garmin or a powertap.

av8torjim

Funny. I've had a Rox 9.0 for a little over a year and 5,000+ miles and it has worked fine. I had some problems with the HR sensor, which turned out to be a bad battery that leaked and damaged the electronics. Sigma replaced it without question. The software has a few glitches, mostly because it was written in Germany and in metric. A couple of the conversions to miles don't work out correctly. Overall, I've been very pleased and would buy another one if this one breaks. Search the forums here and at roadbikereview.com for more comments.

canam73

I have a 1606L w/cadence and for what it is worth it has always worked well for me. The only issue I had was riding with a headlight next to it would interfere, but I don't really look at my computer much during night rides.

That said, I now use an Edge 500 and it is amazingly better. In addition to some of the reasons previously noted, I like it because I have multiple bikes I use it with and with the gps technology I can just slap a new mount on any of them and I'm ready to go. I even have a mount on my daughters jogging stroller. I do have the speed/cadence sensor on my main ride and it does seem more accurate speed wise, especially if you are interested in real time data. And be careful of loading your work outs into a computer with a garmin or polar or anything else that can do it. Analyzing the data can get addictive. If you do run and are interested in data recording, take a look at the 310xt. It is similar but in watch form and does not get goofed up by the motion of running.

And not tempt you too much further, but Garmin is coming out with an Edge 800........

saba

Went from a Rox 9.0 to Garmin 500. The Rox is a decent computer, but I had problems with cadence. Also never really felt it was accurate enough for my tastes, ex. %grade was always under/over on known roads. Second problem for me was distance. The Rox 9.0 uses wheel circumference code for calculations. I assume this is what the Rox uses to calculate rotations and distance: variable wheels led to variable distance calculated. Please don't get me started on calories burned, that part of the ROX is a joke. One last thing and man I sure wish someone from Rox was on this board reading this. If you make the strip around the computer silver, what do you think happens with the reflection of the sun off the computer? Nothing like climbing a 12% grade as your computer flashes right into your eye from the silver band around the computer

With those complaints said, Rox CS is one of the best in the business. Someone answered my emails same day. Any issues I have had were resolved quickly and amicably

BTW I have a Rox 9.0 in the trade section set up for 2 bikes if anyone wants to give it a try on the cheap

Jason S

After much deliberation, I ended up going the route (hehe) of the Garmin Edge 500. I think I'm going to return it and go with the Edge 800 though since during unknown routes it sure would be nice to have turn queues instead of having to decipher breadcrumbs. For known routes and not a lot of exploring, though, the Edge 500 is pretty dreamy, I must say.

Thanks for all the input.

Happy riding!

dennisa

I have a ROX 8.0 and it been working wonderfully wireless w/HRM and cheaper than the ROX 9.0, only compaint is that the altimeter does keep an accurate record of your cumulative ascent and decants over a ride it doesn't always have the correct starting elevation. e.g. I'm at 100ft above seal level. If you keep the computer in the house in air conditioning and then throw it on the bike it'll report the wrong starting elevation but it is consistent throughout the ride. That's really my only complaint.