therh

Hello,

I have been looking into bike computers, and have you to make up my mind. I have come across Sigma, and they have a wide variety of option.

I am looking for a computer that will track, current speed, average speed, distance, and wireless. Cadence would be nice, but is not a must.

Any thoughts on the Sigma Sport BC 12.12 STS or Sigma Sport BC 16.12 STS CAD? Any thoughts other Sigma computers or anything else in the sub $100 range?

RH

cyccommute 

I have a BC 1609 and my wife has a BC 1209. Both are outstanding computers. I like the 2 bike harnesses so that I can set up the computer for 700C and 26" wheels. I have the wired version which is a bit cheaper and has less problems with certain types of interference. The computer itself is incredibly waterproof, having gone throught the wash several times.

The mount is really positive and better that other mounts I've used. I had Cateye...which are good computers... in the past but the mounts for the Cateye are prone to breakage and then the computer comes off. I lost 3 of them in one year at about $50 per unit. I haven't lost a Sigma in about 5 years of use.

kabt53

Is the 1609 still available?

cyccommute 

No. But the 1612 is essentially the same computer.

dual650c

Before I bought my Garmin eTrex GPS, I used cyclecomputers and considered various Sigmas. The one thing that put me off about them was the units I looked at didn't have replaceable batteries. For me, that was a showstopper. Other than that, I'd have bought one.

Best of luck.

fietsbob

[h=1]Σ ... ?[/h]

cyccommute 

Huh? I've had a couple of Sigmas. They use a CR2032 coin battery that is easily accessed through the bottom of the computer just like every other bicycle computer I've owned. I've even changed the battery.

2manybikes

I have 7 Sigmas. They all work fine, 6 have been in the rain. They all have replaceable batteries. The oldest one is from around
1999 it has over 10,00 miles on it in 15 years, never a problem. I get a few years from each battery. Never counted the years.

The two newest ones mate to a docking station that feeds the data to my lap top. It stores data, will compare rides, and lets you map your ride.

dual650c

Oops. I misremembered and miswrote what I intended - I meant Polar, not Sigma. Sorry about that.

cyccommute 

Okay. No problem. However, I doubt that Polar uses unreplacable batteries either. I have a Polar monitor once. It wasn't obvious how to change the batteries but they could be changed.

dual650c

I didn't say ALL... or didn't mean to imply that. OTOH, the ones I looked at definitely required sending them back to the factory for battery replacement - at a significant cost.

Back to your favorite non-nit-picking channel.
I'm out of the thread.

Juha

Hey, it's not nit-picking if someones wrong in the Internet... Seriously though, many if not all Polars are waterproof. As in, go ahead and swim with one. That's why they require you to take it to an authorized service point for battery replacement (NOT to the factory). They can make sure it's properly re-sealed after they change the battery.

Before I went all GPS I had several Sigmas, wired and wireless. Very solid computers and the dual bike mount was useful. In our winter I preferred wired units. I keep the winter bike outside for long periods at a time, and cold weather killed the batteries in the wireless transponder. Sigmas were excellent for cycling, but GPS works better for me in multi-sport use (mainly XC skiing and paddling besides cycling, in my case).

--J

Nikon shooter

I use the 12.12 and never had a problem. $75 at REI. Doesn't have a cadence sensor, but on the plus side it is wireless.

joeyduck

I had an old polar hr monitor and I changed the battery of the chest strap. Failed in weeks, I broke the seal and it didn't reseal and moisture for in.

gsa103

Save your money, get wired. Wireless non-digital computers are extremely prone to RF interference especially from headlights, leading to unreliable readings. You're basically paying more money to get a worse product. If you move up to the $200+ range you can find excellent digital wireless units like a Garmin 500.

Your best options are a good wired computer, or spend the extra money for a more advanced GPS computer with ANT+.

cyccommute 

I agree. The Sigma BC1612 is a wired computer that sells for around $50. The BC1612 STS is the wireless for around $85. Personally, I can deal with the wires for $35 less. A second bike harness for wired costs about $12 and a cadence sensor (if you want one) costs another $12. A wireless harness set for the STS costs $75.

LGHT

I'm looking for something a little better than the cat eye that came with a light I wanted. I figured it was on sale and I get the computer and light for $20 so got it. I found the BC1612 wired for $30 on amazing and I think I'm gonna pull the trigger and just leave the other on my old bike for now. Seems like the only problem is the backlight can't be selected to stay on so it's practically useless for early morning or night rides.

cyccommute 

The backlight can be selected to stay on for 5 seconds according to the Sigma manual

LGHT

OK that's at least better than nothing, but I think most people that didn't like the feature wanted it to stay on for things like night riding. I don't ride at night often enough for it to be a deal breaker for me. Plus I'm cheap. My whole bike costs less than what some guys spends on just their computers...

cyccommute 

The backlight is an energy hog and chews through the CR2032 battery quickly. Other computers I've seen with backlights use a similar strategy. On the other hand, if you use a helmet light, you don't need the backlight. On still another hand..."Pardon me, sir. May I borrow another hand?...I'm usually occupied at night with other concerns and checking my computer is low on the priority list.

That price is, indeed, a killer price on the 1612

2manybikes

The backlight on that computer is not very bright anyway. Also the first button touch lights the computer without changing the function. Need to hit it twice to change functions.

As you said a helmet light is better. My helmet light uses rechargeable batteries so I don't care how much I use it on a ride.

However when you do run down the battery in the computer, all you need to do is reset the clock. All the rest of the data stays in the computer.

LGHT

Ahh so that makes a lot more sense than. I never thought about the battery being the issue. I'm sure a LOT more people would complain about it being a battery hog if you could set it so it stays on for the entire ride.

rebayona

I've been using a 16.12 wired with cadence everyday for about 4 years now. It is a very good deal as it has cadence, temperature and back light for a very good price.

My only complains are temperature readings (unreliable) and plastic quality. I like the handlebar mount but it tends to fail after a few months, it seems that it doesn't make a good contact.

It is a very good cyclocomputer, but I'm afraid it won't last decades like my old Cateye Enduro8.

cccorlew

I had a 1609 (wireless) for years. I like that it didn't lose it's info when I changed the batteries.
My MagicShine light as well as my mintyboost usb battery extender interfered with the wireless transmission.
It was a bit hard to remember what the 4 buttons did at first
You have remember to hit "start" each ride, unlike Cateye and other computers I've had.

That said, I still liked it a lot. I used it to track total miles. Now that I use my Garmin and Strava I log everything that way.

Old Crab

I have 2 Sigmas, one on my Bike Friday and the other on my Lemond. I like them. Both are the 8 function kind, wired variety. I forget their model numbers. They are as good if not better than my old mainstay, the Cateye.