Knog NERD
#1
Knog NERD
What are everyone's experiences w/ these? Getting a computer, and these are the most aesthetically pleasing. I don't need some crazy gps stuff and cadencing. I just want to keep track of distance, speed, etc longer rides.
Durability issues?
I realize the price is about 10-20$ more than most wireless computers, but i like the simplicity of it.
If you don't suggest the NERD, any other simple wireless computers you would suggest?
Thanks
Durability issues?
I realize the price is about 10-20$ more than most wireless computers, but i like the simplicity of it.
If you don't suggest the NERD, any other simple wireless computers you would suggest?
Thanks
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
Press and hold the button for 10 seconds, and it'll come on. 5 second press reset your trip.
As for the computer itself... Lemme go find something I posted before.
I have one, and really, it's all looks. It's not particularly fancy, no fancy settings (I have the 12-mode one), after a while, it starts to look ugly instead of growing on you (for me anyhow). For the price, I wish I'd bought something else. But, it is easy to move around (which is convenient for me since I have too many bicycles) and it's waterproof with a light. It get's the job done, but maybe not for it's price.
I think the aesthetics of it are not kind to me because it's plain bulky, not sleek at all. But I have nothing else to compare to other than wired ones, so that's just me.
As for the computer itself... Lemme go find something I posted before.
I have one, and really, it's all looks. It's not particularly fancy, no fancy settings (I have the 12-mode one), after a while, it starts to look ugly instead of growing on you (for me anyhow). For the price, I wish I'd bought something else. But, it is easy to move around (which is convenient for me since I have too many bicycles) and it's waterproof with a light. It get's the job done, but maybe not for it's price.
I think the aesthetics of it are not kind to me because it's plain bulky, not sleek at all. But I have nothing else to compare to other than wired ones, so that's just me.
Last edited by leed; 10-19-10 at 01:23 PM.
#4
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
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From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Yeah it's really not much of a looker, but as with all knogs you're getting the best mounting system in the business. Buy a couple extra spoke magnets and switching computers between bikes is a 10 second deal (as opposed to maybe 20 seconds for a different mount).
#7
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Yeah that doesn't make much sense.
The size savings of a wired computer don't really make up for the hassle of setting it up if you want to swap rides.
The size savings of a wired computer don't really make up for the hassle of setting it up if you want to swap rides.
#9
Banned.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Bikes: trek t1
You can do that with a wired comuter. The harness is what stays on the bike. Most computers twist right off.
Use batteries at a slower rate
More reliable
less to go wrong
easier to set up IMHO. Plus I love doing a real clean wire wrap around the front brake cable.
Use batteries at a slower rate
More reliable
less to go wrong
easier to set up IMHO. Plus I love doing a real clean wire wrap around the front brake cable.
#10
any suggestions for a simple clean looking wired one?
#12
I have been using my nerd since like January, and I have few complaints. I got the wrong color, that's my main issue with it lol
One thing that was a must to me was being able to mount on the stem, cause my handle bars are all for holding, and it mounts like a champ. Anytime I'm in a sketch area, I can just pop it off and throw it in my bag.
I think I payed $48 for mine off amazon, not too pricy at all. I just have the 9 function model, which doesn't have the backlight. Sorta miss that a bit, although I wear a headlamp so I can see it if I'm intentional.
And as far as battery life, like I said, since January and have had no issues yet
One thing that was a must to me was being able to mount on the stem, cause my handle bars are all for holding, and it mounts like a champ. Anytime I'm in a sketch area, I can just pop it off and throw it in my bag.
I think I payed $48 for mine off amazon, not too pricy at all. I just have the 9 function model, which doesn't have the backlight. Sorta miss that a bit, although I wear a headlamp so I can see it if I'm intentional.
And as far as battery life, like I said, since January and have had no issues yet
#13
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Yeah battery life should not be a big worry, it'll probably last you a couple years before you have to buy a replacement.
Expanding on what stryper said about the stem mounting, it's cool how the Knog can pop right out of its casing and do a 90 degree rotation for things like that... stem/top tube/downtube/wherever mounting, while still maintaining perspective.
As for the reasons for choosing a wired computer over a wireless one... none of them have any factual basis at all. "Less to go wrong"? I bet he's still got a land line, too.
Expanding on what stryper said about the stem mounting, it's cool how the Knog can pop right out of its casing and do a 90 degree rotation for things like that... stem/top tube/downtube/wherever mounting, while still maintaining perspective.
As for the reasons for choosing a wired computer over a wireless one... none of them have any factual basis at all. "Less to go wrong"? I bet he's still got a land line, too.
You can do that with a wired comuter. The harness is what stays on the bike. Most computers twist right off.
Use batteries at a slower rate haha
More reliable lol
less to go wrong what
easier to set up IMHO how in the i dont even
Plus I love doing a real clean wire wrap around the front brake cable ok I'll admit they do look pretty ******
Use batteries at a slower rate haha
More reliable lol
less to go wrong what
easier to set up IMHO how in the i dont even
Plus I love doing a real clean wire wrap around the front brake cable ok I'll admit they do look pretty ******
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,974
Likes: 400
From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I've had 3 different wireless computers and they all averaged about 4 years of life, and all of them the senders went bad, the computers were still good. The senders went through about a battery every 8 months, which I didn'd really care since the bats are cheap but it was a bit of a hassle to make sure you had a bat in stock so I kept one in my seat bag. My wired job before those lasted 13 years, so remembering the good old days I went back to a wired computer and got a Sigma BC1609, but I've only had it a month so no long term report can be made, but it's a nice computer with backlight that my other computers never had.
#15
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Yeah it was poor wording on my part lumping the battery life thing in with the other tidbits that had "no factual basis"... obviously wireless transmission requires more power than wired. That's just physics.
#16
I have been using my nerd since like January, and I have few complaints. I got the wrong color, that's my main issue with it lol
One thing that was a must to me was being able to mount on the stem, cause my handle bars are all for holding, and it mounts like a champ. Anytime I'm in a sketch area, I can just pop it off and throw it in my bag.
I think I payed $48 for mine off amazon, not too pricy at all. I just have the 9 function model, which doesn't have the backlight. Sorta miss that a bit, although I wear a headlamp so I can see it if I'm intentional.
And as far as battery life, like I said, since January and have had no issues yet
One thing that was a must to me was being able to mount on the stem, cause my handle bars are all for holding, and it mounts like a champ. Anytime I'm in a sketch area, I can just pop it off and throw it in my bag.
I think I payed $48 for mine off amazon, not too pricy at all. I just have the 9 function model, which doesn't have the backlight. Sorta miss that a bit, although I wear a headlamp so I can see it if I'm intentional.
And as far as battery life, like I said, since January and have had no issues yet
people who complain about battery life are cheapskates. unless it lasts for some ridiculous unreasonable amount of time, i could care less. If i have to replace it every 4 months, oh well, i can spend 5$ a few times a year.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
I've had one about a year- the two-bike version. I think this function combined with the quick and easy mounting and removal is what makes these make sense. You store two calibrations in the computer, buy an extra magnet, and swap it back and forth. It is also cool that you can mount it on the stem or the bar, though I only use it on the bar.
I have had an issue where if the thing doesn't get used for a while, it'll have a hard time communicating with the sender at first. It's not a reception thing; holding the head unit down by the sender doesn't change anything. Last time it did this it came back when I was tapping the sender while riding (dumb idea, wouldn't do it again). However, it always has come back after a mile or so, so it hasn't really been a problem, just an oddity.
I have had an issue where if the thing doesn't get used for a while, it'll have a hard time communicating with the sender at first. It's not a reception thing; holding the head unit down by the sender doesn't change anything. Last time it did this it came back when I was tapping the sender while riding (dumb idea, wouldn't do it again). However, it always has come back after a mile or so, so it hasn't really been a problem, just an oddity.
#18
Banned.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Bikes: trek t1
#19
my NERD to me is a terrible computer compared to the cateye micro wireless that i used to have because of the way the functions are set and how it makes no sense how the NERD nonlogically cycles through the menu (makes no sense x4)
if the NERD looking 9000+ cooler wasnt the main reason i got it~ i would definitely go back to the cateye micro wireless.
battery is not a problem though
if the NERD looking 9000+ cooler wasnt the main reason i got it~ i would definitely go back to the cateye micro wireless.
battery is not a problem though
#20
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,974
Likes: 400
From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Two of my three wireless computers were Cateye's, a Micro and a Wireless 2, both lasted an average of 4 years, both the sending units failed. Cateye had wonderful customer service for the Wireless 2, they sent me another sending unit for free a year AFTER the warranty expired, but two years later the replacement failed. But due to their outstanding customer service I thought I would try them again and got the Micro, that one lasted 3 years and the sending unit died last month. I gave up on Cateye computers and any wireless now, I went with the Sigma BC1609 wired.
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 287
Likes: 3
Just got a Nerd and personally I love the thing. Super easy to see my speed and it is just a simple device. I have the backlight on mine and it mounts on my stem. It's really nice to see my speed because I ride for fitness as well as commuting. The scrolling odometer looks killer.
I am averaging around 20-24 mph out there and can hit 30Mph...which I guess is good..who knows..the main thing is figuring out my RPMs from this information, and I still do not quite know how to pull that one off.
I am averaging around 20-24 mph out there and can hit 30Mph...which I guess is good..who knows..the main thing is figuring out my RPMs from this information, and I still do not quite know how to pull that one off.
#22
OASAASLLS
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Bikes: Pake, Surly Pacer, Kilo TT, Giant XTC, SE Stout, 853 Ritchey MTB
https://software.bareknucklebrigade.c...it.applet.html
You can use this to get a rough estimate of RPM.
You can use this to get a rough estimate of RPM.
#23
Yeah been using the Knog Nerd for like 17 months now and it's been great the whole time. My only complaint is what looks like electric blue on amazon is baby blue in person, so I have a baby blue computer :|
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 1
I have a Cateye Strada Wireless that I have never used because the mounting bracket "quick release" is so difficult to use. It felt like I was going to break something when I took the computer off, the only time. I am a student and ride my bike all over the place and as such can't leave a $60 computer sitting on a locked bike. May have to revisit the Knog, despite how ugly it is.
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 287
Likes: 3
Love that I can remove it when I need to. The mechanic has a Cateye as well, but he loves the Nerd and is saying he likes it way more. Not sure how the Cateye scrolls, but the Nerd's MPH display is awesome.
I think Knog makes killer gear. Their Frogs are also extremely cool.
Eric, Im going to try that link out when I get home..thanks..work computer won't let me install it.



