Recommendations of $100 or less bike computers?
 

Hello,

I am looking to get a bike computer.I am looking to spend $100 or less. I only need it to track distance and speed. USB charging would be nice, but not a must. Anything else is a bonus, any recommendations?

Thanks,
RH

Cateye Strada Wireless is pretty much the standard. Bombproof and no need to charge, just switch the batteries once a year. No need to spend more unless you want cadence/HR/GPS.

I use a Cateye Strada Double Wireless, so it has cadence on it. I got it for 100 at REI. Very pleased with it so far, I've been using it for about 4 months now. It does exactly what I need it to.

Forget wireless. Just get a strada cadence from Cateye.

+1 or get the double if you want cadence.

Has anyone used the computers from Sigma?

If you can, shell out an extra $50 and get a Garmin Edge 200. No hassle with magnets and you get to use GPS to record your routes and upload to Garmin Connect or Strava.

I got a Cateye V2C for under $100 and I love it, wireless with cadence, might be a little more than what you need, but it's easy to use/setup.

I use a sigma 1009, their basic model without cadence. It was very cheap ($21) and I love it so far. Has been perfect over the 900 miles I've had it. I do wish I went with the cadence model though since that was only a few more dollars.

I had a Cateye Double Wireless Cadence. It stopped working after three or four months; I replaced both batteries, and now it works sometimes, but not other times. I'll never buy a Cateye again. I replaced it with a Garmin, and now I (mostly) don't have to worry about whether the thing is going to work or not. It's pretty frustrating when a cyclocomputer can't function as an odometer. :mad:

given your VERY modest requirements, any low end cateye/sigma WIRED model will fulfill your needs for $20 +/-, I bought a strada wired for $16 new off of the 'bay shipped to my door, does everything I want it to for now, over winter I'm upgrading to a garmin 500 though. 2 seasons of riding on it have been plenty and it has performed admirably. if funds run short over winter I'll use it for another season. quality piece, new battery in the spring, I'm good to go.

Or spend $80 and get one that does the same thing. http://dx.com/p/holux-gpsport-245-gp...FQhgTAodW1PRvA

http://vancruisers.ca/Members/bhughe.../image_preview

Wifey and I use the specialized wireless ones that I think are $40. Comes with a nice mount that works with your steerer cap which is a nice touch. I hate wired computers-thats the best way to make a nice bike look sloppy.

if you take your time and wrap the wire nicely its tough to see it unless you're standing less than 10ft from the bike. in the OP's situation I'd buy the cheapest thing that got the job done and then start saving my pennies for the Garmin down the road a bit. :D

Cateye Strada Wireless + Strava is, IMO, the best and most cost-effective combination.

this actually looks pretty cool.

You definitely don't need a $100+ GPS unit to do this, unless you plan on utilizing the more advanced functions.

I use a $15 Planet bike protege, and I haven't changed the batteries in a year/3500 miles.

I've had it a couple months and have no complaints. Battery lasts a long time (~30 hrs), USB charging, picks up a signal quickly. The software and mapping works fine, but unlike a Garmin you need to save as a GPX if you want to upload to Strava or whatever. They are sold on ebay also and there are lots of reviews there. I don't even mount it but keep it in my pocket, since I don't like to look at numbers when riding.

The big advantage vs basic computers is that you have a detailed log and map of what you did.

+1, I like mine, though I rarely look at cadence these days. The wiring can be a pain, but I used to get lots of interference and crazy readings from my old wireless computer (I think it was a sigma but not sure).

If those last, I might have to think about getting one. I've really wanted something with turn by turn directions so I could map a route in advance or explore new areas without worrying about getting lost, but I don't have that kind of scratch. At least this would get me going with a gps to map where I'd been.

If you just carry it in your pocket, you might be just as well served using a free smartphone app (assuming you have a smart phone - I have several friends that still don't).

I barely have a cellphone...

Also, the GPS seems to drain my wife's phone really fast.

as an fyi, smartphones still comprise less than 50% of the cell phone market.

And there are some of us that have a pay as you go phone (in my case a tracfone) for emergencies that we never keep on. I don't see the point in being constantly reachable. In fact, I don't want people to be able to contact me wherever I am. **** connectivity.

I just don't pick up if I don't want to. :D

I use my smartphone's hotspot connection for my internet connectivity at home, and got rid of my home phone, so now I pay one bill instead of 3.