Which flight deck computer to get?
 

All,
We bought a used 2004 Co-Motion Speedster. It came with the Flight deck kit installed, but not the computer. The seller could not find the computer itself
I wanted to buy the computer separate, but am not sure whether the Shimano SC-6502 will work?
The shifters are 9-speed DuraAce, but I do not know the model number. I have uploaded some (low quality) photos here (this picture and the next 4)

I looked at Shimano.com and saw some other models listed as well. Before I order it, can anyone verify that the SC-6502 is the right computer and will work with this setup?
Thanks, Duppie

Without walking out to the garage to see which model Flightdeck I have: The brifters are stamped with their part number...again, without walking out to the garage, I believe you just need to pull back the hood a little (like you would to re-tape the bars) and it's around there somewhere. I'll check in the morning, if needed.

A more complicated question than I think it should be.

SC 6502 is indeed the right head. It's supposed to be programmable for 8, 9 or 10 speed drivetrains.

SM-6501 is the part number for a wireless harness. In this case, wireless refers to the wheel sensor only.
SM-6500RS is the part number for the wired road harness.

You say that your bike has the harness already installed. That could be a problem. The instructions for programming the head used to come with the harness. If that's the case, PM me. I think that I have a spare instruction book I can send you.

Here's a 650x manual.

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830604501.pdf

There is a chart for head and harness compatability.

I agree. I am known to overthink issues:)

The document that Skipper mentions below also shows an SC 6501, which when googled comes up as another head. Hence the confusion.
I guess the SC 6501 is an older version? I will order the SC6502.
I will keep your offer in mind should I need it.

I tried that. There is no part no. visible, but there is plenty of electrical tape used, which may obscure the part no. I am leery of removing the electrical tape, since it appears to be "integrated" into the bar tape

Thanks for your replies,
Duppie

SC6500 auto start and supports one bike
SC6501 needs to be "woken up" each use
reads out the gear (52-11) after each shift for several seconds
can be programmed for 4 bikes or different gears or wheels
SC6502 supports 10 speed but is 9 speed compatible (my assumption, I haven't actually used one)

The different heads mount in any bracket. The bracket is what must work with your bike. The features I listed are based on my computers. It's possible Shimano has made changes even within each model. I much prefer the SC6500 over the SC6501. The SC6501 not only needs to be turned on but you also need to make sure a tiny icon is flashing or it won't record mileage, avg speed, etc. Then you need to scroll to the proper section on the menu to turn on either the trip recording or the stopwatch recording.

I finally did get the 6502. I installed it and works nicely in some initial testing. We'll take it out for a long ride this weekend.
I did find the instructions online here. Oddly enough, Shimano does not post them online.
Thanks for your help!
Duppie

Actually they are on the Shimano site but you need to go to the bottom of the page to "Other."
http://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs/index.jsp It's a little disconcerting since there is an image of the Flite Deck at the top of the document page but no link from there.

ALSO, we use the Flite Deck. Here's a problem I had along with our solution. I ride on the top of the hoods and apparently my left thumb was frequently pushing the button on the left brifter which stops the odometer. I finally cut a small doughnut out of mole foam to put over the button (underneath the rubber hood) and that provided enough resistance so that I don't accidentally turn off the odometer.

Enjoy your Flite Deck.

Bloomington, IN

I may be wrong on this but I think the start/stop button only activates when the display is on "trip distance". So, as long as you switch out of that display, accidentally hitting the start/stop button has no effect.

We tried it on our ride last Sunday. Sofar I like it since it makes you aware of the gear you are in.
Mrs. Duppie, my stoker, commented that my shifting appeared to be more focused (less shifting into the wrong gear :eek:). She gave credit to the FlightDeck, but I like to credit me becoming more experienced on riding a tandem as well as using brifters.

I did not notice the issue described by Bloomingcyclist, but it appears to have to do with the position of your hand on the brifters. Mine were placed all the way forward and were effectively in front of the buttons.

Duppie

The button does stop/start in other selections, here is another way to make the buttons less sensitive:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=461781