Garmin and Accessory questions
 

Looking for some advice. I'm looking to pick up a Garmin Edge 500 and wanted to get some thoughts. Yes, I've done some searching as well. My thought is to purchase the Garmin 500 as an individual head unit instead of the bundle and then buy the accessories. I was comparing the Garmin and Bontrager speed sensor and cadence sensor (not combo unit). Figure I'd put the speed sensor on the front wheel so I wouldn't have to worry about adjusting it when changing gearing and then do the cadence sensor on the chainstay, obviously. The Bont sensors have the rubber mounting which I've read works great while the Garmin uses zip ties. Also, the Bont has a rubber mounted magnet sleeve that mounts on the crank arm versus the Garmin one that zip ties on. I've seen people put magnets at end of the pedal spindle too. Does anyone have any experience with the Garmin vs Bont Ant+ components? I'm going to pick up the heart rate monitor with the shop "bucks" I get back so the cost is the same if I buy the bundle or the individual components. Damn SRM is a little out of the price range. :lol: Thanks!

You might want to ask the road forum.

Thanks! I'll post it there as well...

I have used both and really haven't noticed any difference between the two. My Bontrager speed and cadence sensors also used zip ties. I am not sure what this rubber mounting you refer to is all about unless there is a newer model.

You have the right idea about separate sensors on a track bike. That is the way to go. I would suggest that with either setup to not use the magnet strap on the crank arm. These inevitably get kicked or bumped and moved around. Get a small round strong magnet )like the size of a dime or so) for a buck or so at a hobby or crafting store. It should magnetize to the end of your pedal spindle on the back of your crank arm. Line up your cadence sensor to this magnet and voila... no strap. Clean and bump proof. I rode and raced mine all season (and my road bike as well) without bumping the magnet loose or losing it.

Thanks LeeRoy. That's exactly the information I was looking for. And yes, the newer Bont sensors use rubber mounting straps. I'll do the same with the magnet.

Yeah, I've had zip-tied crank cadence magnets fall off or move around a lot.

Now I use 3M Outdoor Double-sided tape to tape the cadence magnets to my road bike and track bike (when not using the SRM). I've never had one fall off and it's also a clean look. I've been using this method on my bikes and the bikes of friends since 2009.

The tape is rubbery, not hard. It peels off with some effort. It's about as strong as old chewing gum might hold (if that makes sense). Once you get it started, it peels right off.

Here's what I use:

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/atta...failure-01.jpg
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/343/3mtape.jpg


I bought one roll for $5 back in 2009 and I'm still using it :)

- Decide where the magnet should go.
- Wipe the area on your crank arm with alcohol to remove any grease or dirt.
- Cut off about 1 inch of tape.
- Affix the magnet to it.
- Cut off the excess around the magnet.
- Take the red backing off of the other side.
- Stick it and forget it :)

Quick update: This weekend I picked up the Garmin Edge 500 along with the Bontrager speed & cadence sensors. I just finished setting everything up. Works like a champ. Amazing all the different display pages and options you can configure. Carleton, I've actually got the exact same tape (just used it for some Christmas string lights) and will use it to mount the magnet when I pick it up.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8...77fb6729_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8...aea74820_z.jpg

and I have a regular spoke magnet on my spoked rear wheel. maybe i'll get brave and tape the sensor too lol.

I've had okay luck using two zipties to secure the cadence sensor to my crank arm (Cateye Strada double wireless set up, however), but it looks ugly as hell. I'm intrigued by Carleton's tape method though. I'll have to pick some of that tape up and try it out.

Just use a bare magnet. You can find them at any hardware store or whatnot. Buy the strong kind.