Strengths: Really holds up. it did fall off, but that was because I hadnt heard the SNAP sound that it makes when its on fully. many functions. holds up great when your bike flips(that hurt), after some retard lady runs you off the road wit her minivan.
Weaknesses: took a while to install(fork clamp was hard to adjust and difficult to line up 1/6 from the wheel. slow response to acceleration.
Bottom Line:
Great value. Bad for true trail riding, but street biker and BMXers like me should not be its enemy. Does require careful installation.
Similar Products Used: Specialized, much better for 17 dollars more.
Bike Setup: '04 MongoosePro Motivator. no chaingaurd(bent arter a bad crash), ipod auxilary setup with lightweight presidian radioshack speakers.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Sims
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Worth, TX
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2005
Strengths: Inexpensive, easy to install
Weaknesses: Cheaply made, difficult to read
Bottom Line:
I already thought it was kind of difficult to read, but it got worse. One day after I had had the computer for about 6 weeks, I got my bike out of the garage and the lense on the display was so clouded I couldn't even read the larger numbers on the display. We had many 100 degree days, but this comp was never left outside or in the sunshine. I have never had one do that before and I thought that was a defect. If yours does this, here is how I fixed it. First I used a metal polisher that was already impregnated into the cotton. I used Nevr-Dull, but glitz would probably work as well. Then I followed up polishing it with toothpaste with my finger. It didn't make it perfect, but it polished it well enough to be seen again clearly.
Strengths: Inexpensive, 8 modes cover most one needs
Weaknesses: Delayed speed reading, clips out too easily, connections loose
Bottom Line:
This computer would be ideal for a person who rides street only. Also if you are not too concerned about a major delay in time for speeds to register then this would be ok. For the price it is decent but for offroad try another product. Mine came out of the base and was lost on the trail.
Submitted by
Dan H
a Weekend Warrior
from Issaquah, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Strengths: Easy to read. Enough functions for me. Inexpensive.
Weaknesses: It does fall off or disconnect from the contacts easily. So far it has only happened when I leaned into the handlebars. Instruction manual is weak but useful. It is not waterproof, so if you take it out in the rain you need to wrap it in plastic. The average speed function is inacurate!!! When I do the math (divide the trip distance by the trip time) it can be right on, or it can be off by as much as 5%. Error seems to be random. I can find no way to contact Bell to inform them of this bug. Sensor needs to be adjusted periodically. Threads on sensor clamp are weak.
Bottom Line:
Cycling is a brand new ballgame since I started using a cycle computer. It makes cycling a lot more interesting to me. If you can't or don't want to spend much, this is an adequate entry level unit. If you can afford another $10 to $20, I'd recommend getting into something more reliable. Look around at on this site for similar products.
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, TX
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2003
Strengths: Good value
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Computer does well for me. No problems falling off. Make sure you push it onto the mount until it clicks into place. Used in the rain and it still worked. Wires are kind of thin so expect them to break at some point. Easy to read and easy to use.
Submitted by
Chriso
a Weekend Warrior
from Aurora Il
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002
Strengths: Cheap. $40+ won't cut it. This was about the right price. Slightly larger display than my riding buddies' 'puters. I found it easy to install.
Weaknesses: Skinny little wires, will break soon. The sun hits the display and it can't be read. Needs a light (they all do).
Bottom Line:
I ride a river trail to and from work. This is what I needed. I went over the wires running up the fork with Kapton tape so it won't snag. For the people who ride easy, or are tight on cash,(why do all bike add ons cost $40?) go for it. The case is roomy enough to add a small LED for night rides, BTW.
Submitted by
Bob Grzib
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbury NJ USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002
Strengths: Low price, relatively easy to install, enough functions for my limited use, uses standard round camera-type battery, easily removable from bike(also a weakness.)
Weaknesses: Computer doesn't lock onto bar mount very well, not especially pretty. Resetting the trip odo is also a little tricky the first time (unless you have the manual handy.)
Bottom Line:
Low price, easy to use, relatively accurate, won't win any beauty prizes though. I can also see how this product would not be the most appropriate one for the more hardcore offroader. But for the rest of us it's available through mass merchandisers for under $20, so there's no reason not to know how far, how fast, or how long you've gone!
Bike Setup: Specialized HardRock FS, Serfas Deep Groove Seat, Specialized Comp Tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Amy
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City Mo
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2001
Strengths: Low Price. Purple Color. Nice Display. Easy to install. Buttons are easy to reach
Weaknesses: Cannot reset trip odometer. Cloogy computer bracket. Computer comes off too easy. Way too easy.
Bottom Line:
This is an ok computer. Cheap price. I purchased a really swanky purple one.
On my third day of use, the computer fell off. You would think that it would be easy to find a bright purple computer amongst fall colors. No such luck.
Didn't Bell test this thing in the real world before they mass produced the prototypes? Good grief, the thing was lost in under 8 hours of riding (16 miles last time I looked) by a novice!
Would I buy one again? Nope. Would I recommend it? Well, it is a nice computer, just make sure you permanently glue or tape the thing on your bike. Otherwise, put your phone number on it.
I am only giving this thing one chili as something so simple as proper connection should have been fixed before mass-production. Hey Bell, you owe me dinner.
Strengths: This unit works OK. It isn't the most attractive I've seen, but it works better and has more features than a Sigma Sport BC 401 I also have and it is easier to install and seems to be more rugged too. A good unit for the price. It's available at Wal-Mart, so it's easy to get for a good price.
Weaknesses: Could use a better way to connect the unit to the sensor. The 2 conductor cord is easily damaged. I haven't had that happen yet, it's almost inevetable.
Bottom Line:
If you want one, this one is worth the cost and won't be hard to find.
Submitted by
David B.
a Cross Country Rider
from TN
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2001
Strengths: 8 functions, price, lookes good, you can take it of bike when not in use, easy to set up.
Weaknesses: Speed feedout is slow, unit wont stay seated: the second day I had it, it fell off and got scuffed up.
Bottom Line:
Ok, This is a very decent computer for the price. Put a peice of black tape on the inside of the mount and look down a few secounds slow to see how fast you just WENT and you will be ok. This isnt much of a hassle for the money saved!
Bike Setup: 2000 KHS Alite 4000, full XT, Thompson seat post/stem, Pyslo SL fork Mavic X517 wheelset, WTB velocirapter tires F&R/ SST TI leather saddle
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Antelope, CA.
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001
Strengths: Well, it looked better than some...
Weaknesses: The mount on the fork is very weak. Not big enough for larger forks.
Bottom Line:
Bought from Sears because it was 50% off all bike stuff. Would not have paid normal price of 26.00 for this computer. The set-up is poor quality. I already tore the wire somehow. Will not replace with same brand.
Tire has less 300 miles. Very nice shape.$ 60.00 postage paid.Selling due to Husker Du puchase.
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