mtbcyclist

We have only had out tandem out for a few times and my stoker is driving me nuts about wondering how fast we are going. One way to solve that, her a computer too.

I was thinking about a wireless model so I don't have to stretch another cable/wire accross the frame. Anybody try this? What do you all run? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

TandemGeek

Wireless, while a bit on the pricey side, is definitely the way to go for a clean installation. Debbie has a Polar s720i which is really at the high and adds the HRM functionality and also has wireless cadence. There are some less expensive Polar models that use the same transmitters which will also work.

The model that "seems" to finally be sorted out and that a couple of friends are using with success are the 3rd generation Cateye dual wireless computers which also provide wireless cadence. They are still a bit over $100 but if you want wireless that works on a tandem....

Finally, if these options are too pricey, keep in mind that the wheel pick-up on many of the standard or rear wheel length wired computers can usually reach the front wheel with the wire descretely run down the stoker's handlebar, captain's seatpost, and along the underside of the Captain's top tube. To secure the wire to the top tube in a way that also hides it, just use orange plactic electrician's tape; no need for zip ties. While it's possible to "tap into" Sigma and some other computer wires such that the stoker's computer could be slaved off a single set of pick-ups, you can end up having a single point failure where both computers go on the blink... usually because moisture gets into the wire splice. Just something to consider when formulating your wiring strategy.

phil.

Not wireless but cheap: Cateye Astrale 8 ~ $25 to $35. It's designed as a rear mount speed sensor and also wired cadance. How I've to it setup is I've got the speed sensor on the front and the cadance on my (captain's) timing ring's spider (only place where I could put the magnet so it would be close enough to the sensor). My wife was worried about cadance before knowing that I spin faster than her, so that's why I went w/ something w/ cadance. I think it's also nice if she knows and just gives her a little more info about what's going on.

Murrays

We have a Cateye Mity with the extra long/tandem mount https://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=17157

As TG mentioned above, I ran the wire under the stoker top tube (rear wheel mount) using white electrical tape. I think it's pretty discrete.

-murray

mtbcyclist

Was thinking about getting this:

https://www.tandemseast.com/parts/accessories.html (SIGMA 1600)

Its cheap, looks like it does the job and comes with a long cord.

TandemGeek

An excellent choice... I've used SigmaSports computers since '98, the majority of which were the predecessor to the BC1600, the BC1200. You should have no problems running the signal wire to a front wheel pick-up as previously described.

Tandem Terri

We do have the Cateye Dual Computer and it works great! But it was around $150 so pretty pricey.

jrisles

Tandem Geek said;

>>The model that "seems" to finally be sorted out and that a couple of friends are using with success are the 3rd generation Cateye dual wireless computers which also provide wireless cadence. They are still a bit over $100 but if you want wireless that works on a tandem....<<

The question i have is how do you know that when you purchase one of these you have actually purchased a 3rd Generation model?? Are there any visible differences or otherwise that distinguishes a 3rd generation model from previous models??

regards
Jeff
Brisbane, Australia

mtbcyclist

Tandem geek thanks for the electrical tape tip. I did go that route and bought a Cateye Mity 8 with a long mount kit. Worked out great and the orrange tape is barly noticeable.

TandemGeek

Not that I'm aware of. From what I've read and heard, most of the changes were internal tweaks to the circuit boards. On the bright side, I believe that Cateye has probably pulled back all of the old stock that was suspect and most major retailers should be selling the current product offering. I would note that the folks who had the problems bought their dual wireless computers as soon as they came on the market, which was well over a year ago.

turtlendog

Does anyone know of a HRM with a dual display (2 heartrate belts)?

I'd really love to be able to see both our heartrates and have her be able to do the same.

Alternatively, maybe I'll get her a Polar 200CAD or something but leave the old cateye MSC3DX on her bars so at least she has my HR on that. The Cateyes have been great but they are not encoded, so she picks up my HR if I wear the belt, but I can't read her HR when she wears it. I usually go without the belt and let her have the HR data.

Tool that I am, I've bonked twice like this. I sure would like to have had my HR data to help diagnose the problem. I'm sure some wise person will point out that I should be able to guess my zone pretty accurately, and they'd be right, but...

Anyone using the Polar 200CAD with or without success in the stoker compartment?

Roadie Rob

I have a Sigma PC with a long cable mount made specifically for tandems. It about 4 years old, but Sigma is still popular enough that most online shops should have this still.

Keeps my wife more interested in the ride (though scares her when we hit 40+ and she yells for me to slow down....)

zonatandem

Have installed a Sigma 1600 long wire on stoker position on a tandem for a customer. Works fine.
Stoker Kay does not want a computer for stoker position; she has a pretty good sense how fast we are going and lets me occasionally know, we are going a bit too fast.
One time coming down Mule Pass in Bisbee, AZ at 40+ mph, she asked me to brake/slow down. Yiiikes! Good thing, seconds later after tapping the rear brake, a deer darted out a scant few feet in front of us. Stoker's intuition?

Jim Bonnet

I just installed a cateye astrale 8 with cadence for my stoker... The wiring worked out OK, used some clear tape and a few zip-ties. I use a polar 725 wireless for myself.

Jim

bockwho

I put a Cat eye 8 same as on my trek .. wired up the back of the bike and up to her bars wires bairly fit but she has the data.

I can guess my cadiance and a clock across the head will let me know if its too fast.

any other data is just gee wiz stuff. untill the ride is over.

Im hoping for a polar all in hrm for my birthday if not most likely a gift certificate twards it.

KB

1000 oaks

This is probably a really dumb question...

I don't see a tandem model on Cateye's website. So I assume your friends are buying two wireless units and setting them up to pick up the same signal? Will the signal reach that far, from the rear wheel to the front handlebar?

TandemGeek

There is no tandem-specific model. The CC-CD300DW is Cateye's dual wireless computer (there is also a CC model with HRM functionality). It was designed for a regular 1/2 bike and mounts on the left rear chain stay where it picks up speed from the rear wheel and cadence from the crank and has sufficient transmission range to reach from the rear stays to the handlebars of a regular bike. Coincidentally, this is the same configuration needed for a stoker's riding position.

The captain must use a separate computer -- wired or wireless -- that picks up wheel speed from the front fork and cadence from their cranks which obviously requires two separate sensors. However, I would note that since Cateye and Polar have both figured out a way to boost transmission range enough to support a rear wheel mount it would seem as though (which is to say I haven't tested it nor do I know if anyone else has) you might be able to run both a captain's and stoker's wireless computer off of a single transmitter mounted on the front wheel. However, I can see no advantage in doing this since each computer comes with it's own transmitter and I'm also guessing that there would probably be some issues to deal with related to the "own code" features used by Polar's wireless and the Cateye CC model's.

MCorn

I have the new Cateye wireless with both speed and cadence functions. I hoped the range of the sensor would be sufficient to operate readout units for both the captain and stoker. Unfortunately, it does not. Cateye indicates a maximum 100 cm range (about 4 feet). The distance between the speed/cadence sensor (which must mount on the rear chain stay) and the captain's handlebars is too long, at least on our tandem.