Solid Bike Computer (Does one exist?)
 

So I'm thinking about a new bike computer for the new Orca as I'm not so happy with the ROX 9.0 I have on the old Specialized. After doing some reading here and looking at various reviews around the Internet it would seem that a solid reliable wireless bike computer that has both cad and hrm has yet to be built. The ratings on all of them, even those with gps, are average at best. It would seem that if someone came out with a rock solid device, they'd make millions. :)

:popcorn

PS I don't have a vested interest in this because I have no computer and IMO the best computer is no computer. Just ride.

Garmin....excellent product and excellent support just in case....

What do you mean by "solid"?

The only issue with wireless tends to be with flashing headlamps - sometimes. I like wireless for ease of setup, but on my fav road bike I use a wired Cateye w/cadence. The sensors are both in the rear, so I can use it when on the trainer as well. Don't over think this, it's only riding.

Cateye products.

Solid means one that works well, and continues to work well for an extended period. I have found numerous complaints on all the major brands referring to all sorts of problems including loss of transmission, suspect data, display issues, etc.

I started this thread cause I'm hoping that maybe it's like anything else and folks are only posting reviews when the want to complain. Hopefully BF can change my mind and point me in the direction of a rock solid device.

Never had any problems with my Garmin Edge 500.....just sayin :)

I only use wired computers (batteries are already the bane of my existence), but have you looked into VDO? I believe they have a computer that meets your requirements, and seems to have a reliable transmission from the few people I've heard recommend them. My VDO works great and the company stands behind their products, although mine is wired as I said.

In my experiences, Cateye has been the most robust and reliable brand. However the wireless models still have issues, so if you want the most reliable unit, IMO opt for the wired sensor models. I have a wireless Cateye and it is alright but the "max speed" often is 2X 3X or higher than the actual top speed that I know I could have gone.

Garmin seems pretty solid. And they made close to a Billion last year.

I've had very good luck with CatEye's Strada wireless and Micro wireless units. I've got them on my MTB and commuter, and aside from destroying the mount on the MTB (tree trumps plastic), no problems whatsoever.

No matter what the product, be it cycling related or electronics or pretty much anything you can think of, if you search the internet for opinions, you will ALWAYS find complainers about EVERYTHING. If you made a rule to never buy anything that had complaints about it on the internet you would never buy anything! Most of the time you have to look at the general concensus of opinions and ignore the minority. Actually, IMO the complaints are frequently overly represented, as most people who are satisfied with a product don't bother to write about it but the ones who have a beef feel compelled to warn others of their discovery.

I am very happy with my Polar CS500. Gives me reliable hrm, cadence and speed data. Everything wireless. I train often in the evening under high tension power lines, with a LED lamp next to the computer and haven't noticed any interference problems. The display is nice, large and very easy to read. If it only had illumination it would be 100% perfect. Still, even in dim conditions the numbers are large enough to be recognized.

In the beginning when I bought it I had a couple of issues that are now solved. Firstly, for the IR data transmission you need to upgrade the software to the newest level. In addition, for the transmission to work perfectly, I found it was better to exit the internet browser, since the Polar wants to open it again itself to get you to the online training analysis webpage. Secondly, it is important to pre-wet the hrm belt to get reliable readings from the very first minute. Both of these were minor issues for me and do not bother me any longer. All in all, I'd recommend it to a friend (but one has to know the limitations for riding in total darkness) ;-)

Which is, like I said, why I started this thread. Good input so far. Makes me think what you say is on the money.

I use a Polar HRM that uses the same strap as the CS500 and I have found one issue, BT headsets(Motorola S9-HD) that can use A2DP function buttons interfere with each other, hitting the play/pause button resulted in my HR being displayed at 300 something for a second and every once in a while the HR will bleed over into the headset and cause a BEEP BEEP BEEP in sync with my pulse.

I had a Cateye Strada wireless that refused to operate whenever I had my Dinotte on any mode other than full brightness (the dimmer steady modes achieved their dim-ness basically by flashing at a high frequency). I switched to a Blackburn Neuro that ran on 2.4 GHz and didn't suffer interference problems.

But, I hated the display on the Neuro, which would get washed out if I used the backlight, and the LCD's preferred viewing angle made it hard to see if my head was even a bit forward of perpendicular. Cateye has their own 2.4 GHz models, so that's what I'd consider if I got another wireless 'puter with cadence and HR.

Still, a wired version with cadence would be cool, too.

I just got a garmin 500 and it's awesome.

I have had the Bontrager Node 2 for almost a year. It has been very reliable. It comes with a HRM strap and you add a speed or cadence sensor to fit your bike. Since it is ANT+ you can use other sensors if you choose. I used a Garmin combined speed/cadence sensor for a while. It will also read power meters that output ANT+. I have ~4K miles on mine and just replaced the battery. If you do not require down-loadable data nor GPS this is the best bang for your buck.

Garmin Edge 500, great product plus has ANT + if you ever buy a Power Meter.

Anybody using any of the Iphone cycling apps? I really don't want to shell out for the mount ($30), if its not worth it. Might be nice to have GPS/Pandora/Phone all in one spot.

I'd only use one if I could plug it into a dyno charger. Any ride long enough for me to want GPS is long enough to suck down most of the battery.

garmin 500.
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I use the Cateye V3. Have had no problems with the Dinotte on strobe and never any crosstalk or interference with the HRM, cadence or speed. I'd say that's pretty solid.