Submitted by
Bradley Parsons
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa City, IA, USA Date Reviewed: January 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
I miss California!!!
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Sigma Sport has the best customer service around. I lost a head unit on a ride and they made the replacement very easy even though it was an older unit that I needed. Wireless harness is easy to use and can be purchased seperately. I currently use the same head unit on three different bikes. The price is also very reasonable.
I've always liked my Sigma Sport computer, but the customer service was just so over the top fantastic that I give this 5 chilis!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from N. Augusta, SC Date Reviewed: October 28, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
PricePoint.com
Strengths:
Everything you need in a basic package. The computer has functioned flawlessly for over a year now, and I purchased one last week for my wife. The readouts are extremely legible. Mounting is simple and the mounting method (rubber O-rings, NOT rubber bands!) works great. The computer's buttons work very well and are also easily accessed while wearing full-fingered gloves. Water seems to have zero affect as mine has survived trips in the rain on the roof rack and numerous stream crossings in DuPont SF.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Avocet 15, 30, etc. Various Cateyes.
Bike Setup:
Yeti AS-R, Fox Vanilla 130mm fork, blah, blah, blah...
Bottom Line:
If you want a basic computer that works with minimal efforts, this is it. If you want wireless, buy the wireless base. No brainer. This simple computer shows and computes everything the average JoBlo needs to know.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Leonard
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Corta Madera Creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Nothing spectacular, it works
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Trek 7000 ZX
Bottom Line:
I don't know what people are complaining about, I have never had any problems with it. I use it in combination with the wireless base, maybe that makes some sort of difference. And mine has an average mph setting, contrary to what the guy below says. Who knows. I think its great for around $20. I think I got mine for $25 with the wireless setup. Buy this if you want a cheap, reliable, no bells and whistles computer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kristina P
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax,VA Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$19.00
Purchased At:
Performance? (it was a Christmas gift)
Strengths:
Easy to read numbers, easy to mount
Weaknesses:
It would be nice if it had an average speed calculator. But then again, the lack of one gives me a chance to use my 4th grade math skills ;)
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Turner XCE, Vanilla 125r, Avid Juicys, Thomson stem/post, king wheels, etc.
Bottom Line:
My husband gave this to me for Christmas '02 and it worked great for about 10 rides and then quit all of a sudden. We changed the batteries and it still wouldn't work. I finally contacted Sigma back in March and they came through like a champ. I sent it in and they repaired it free of charge (weak signal in the transmitter) and its been working great since. I shouldn't have waited so long to get it fixed.
I've used this computer on a Mantitou Black fork w/Hayes brakes, Fox Vanilla 125r with Hayes and now Avid Juicys and haven't had any problems at all with setup and fitting. I'm not sure why there's a problem with the user below with his Vanilla and Hayes.
If it hadn't been for the initial "burp" in its use, I would give a 5 but I'll give a 4 b/c their customer service was excellent.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Graeme
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City, MO, USA Date Reviewed: January 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Landahl
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Ease of use, Large Display, Inexpensive, Large buttons make for easy scrolling through the multiple display options.
Weaknesses:
Horrible Instructions, Unit can pop off if not properly seated in base.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
A 1997 tank of a double-skwishy Raleigh M-7000
Bottom Line:
For my weekend warrior use, the BC800 was a great purchase, especially for a first cyclocomputer. Other than the horrible setup instructions, I haven't had a single problem with this computer. It is unfortunate some have had battery problems... mine has lasted close to a year on the original battery.
The mileage and speed seems fairly accurate and although the rubber bands gave me pause as I cracked open the box, they have lasted and show no indications of cracking or giving up. They hold the individual pieces snugly to the fork and the handlebar.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Glunt Bramling
a Cross Country Rider
from La Honda Date Reviewed: December 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Banana Slug
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
Seems to have easy-to-read, useful features. But only if it could actually be mounted on a bike. It's inexpensive and light, too.
Weaknesses:
Mounting: doesn't. Sensitivity: none.
Similar Products Used:
none, first on my bike.
Bike Setup:
Fox Vanilla 125r with Hayes disc: which prevents use of the BC800.
Bottom Line:
Seriously: How can this product possibly be mounted on a mountain bike?
The sensor must be within 5mm of the spoke magnet. The spoke magnet can rotate away from the sensor when mounted correctly and prevent the device from working. Ignoring that, mounting the sensor as indicated on the fork puts it a few inches from the spoke magnet, which doesn't work.
Okay, so if I build a platform for the sensor to ride on that places it close enough to the spoke magnet, there's no way to take the wheel off because the sensor sticks out so far. And the Hayes disc brake prevents the wheel from tipping out of the way, even if there were enough clearance between the fork stanchion and the sensor.
I've tried more powerful magnets to increase the working distance from sensor to spoke magnet, but (inverse square law? inverse cube?) short of a one-pound magnet rotating on the rim, there's no way of mounting the sensor out of the way of the tire.
The can't imagine anyone usefully mounting this device on any current, fairly wide MtB fork. If you build a platform upon which the sensor can ride, you commit to never removing the front wheel.
Sensor-to-magnet distance may be an issue on all bike computers. Maybe all Fox Vanilla 125r with disc brakes have this problem in mounting speedometers. I'll give 3 flamin' chilis because if it mounted usefully, it'd be a useful bike computer. Of course this is like saying the rock of Gibraltar would be a good boat if only it floated...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Fisch
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO USA Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
UTE Valley
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Jenson Bike I think
Strengths:
Easy to set up.
Weaknesses:
Battery Life, Mounting, Tough to get a signal
Similar Products Used:
Older Sigma Products
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR XC Pro
Bottom Line:
I would not recommend this product. I finally packed it up after dealing with an average 1 month battery life. Too expensive to maintain.
Couple this with fickle readings...almost have to have the sensor touch the magnet to get a reading.
I have worked around the mounting problems by using zip ties instead of the stock rubber bands.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ben
a Cross Country Rider
from blaine mn usa Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
performance or nashbar dont remember
Strengths:
good functions
Weaknesses:
quit working after a year of use for no apparent reason
Similar Products Used:
first computer
Bike Setup:
2002 specialized stumpjumper compe with fox rl 80 forx
Bottom Line:
I liked it when it was working, but it should have lasted much longer. Maybe thats why you can now pick one up for about twelve bucks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny Chan
a
from HongKong Date Reviewed: January 18, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Local shop in HongKong
Strengths:
It is quite cheap and can be install easily(just 20 mins). Three buttons can contol all the function and A large display to let you read the information clearly. It shows the average speed while BC400 can't.
Weaknesses:
The rubber bands (which come together in the box) aren't big and wide enough to surround the front fork and the sensor unit.
Bottom Line:
i never use speed sensor before. BC800 is my first try. Fortunately, it does give me a good experience. Though this unit is wired, i didn't mind at all, since i am not a pro-rider, i just want to have more fun when i am in the cockpit.
For the installation, i give up the rubber bands and use thick double side tape to stick the sensor on the fork. Then i use 2 pieces of nylon tie wraps to ensure the sensor won't move around. It is quite easy to install if you aren't stubborn enough to use the rubber bands. For the display unit, i just stick the mount with 2 layer of thick double-side tape. It looks firm enoguh cos the display unit is so light.
I think 20 bulks isn't a lot for such kind of speed sensor. it gives ueful information during riding. peoples who are looking for a cheap and reliable speed sensor set, BC800 is your choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
NIGHTHAWK
a
from LAKELAND, FLA. USA Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
all of em'
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At:
Temple Terrace Schwinn
Strengths:
Simple ! Large easy to read display. Hands free start and stop.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Bone Stock Giant Iguana !!
Bottom Line:
Simple Basic and to the point. Records and tracks the necessary info. while leaving hands free to dodge trees, rocks, etc. Currently wired and I will avoid wireless to keep down on potential problems of interferences. Display is large enough to be read easily on the fly. 2 bike feature will come in handy once I purchase my second bike. Nice product for the same price as a wristwatch.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Brussels, Belgium Date Reviewed: May 30, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Clear display, wireless option, 2 tire sizes, customer support
Weaknesses:
no decimal digit
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, cheap no-names
Bike Setup:
Sunn Neuro
Bottom Line:
The unit comes with a wired sensor, and the wireless pickup is an option. I think the wireless goes well with front suspension, especially if you are going to remove the fork now and then for maintenance and you can use the wired pickup on a second bike.
The wireless sensor and pickup need to be more or less in line, but that is ok on a standard MTB with a suspension fork and a normal stem. It doesnt seem to mind brake fittings and cables getting in the line of sight.
Even though the instructions are clear, I didnt read them properly and managed to fit both the wireless sensor and the pickup the wrong way round. I would recommend playing with the magnet and sensor to see which side should face the magnet, and to put the display on the pickup before installing it.
The display is clear and easy to read, the cheap unit I had was difficult to read in dim light or when wearing sunglasses. I missed the decimal digit on the speed display at first, but later realized I didnt need it. It is easy to set up the unit for 2 different tire sizes, if you change tires with the seasons.
On the unit I bought some pieces were missing from the wireless kit. I think someone had tried it out and returned it to the shop. I had enough bits from the wired kit to install it, but Sigma sent me a spare kit so that I could install the wired pickup on another bike. It is good to know the company will support the product.
I think it is good value for a wireless unit, and cheap if you stay with the wired kit.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rik Dawson
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Coed y Brenin
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
Wheely Good Bikes
Strengths:
Features, ease of use and large display.
Weaknesses:
Needs line of sight between transmitter and receiver and is a bulky unit.
Similar Products Used:
Halfords wireless function and some cheap wired units
Paying top price for a top end computer, I got top end troubles. Huge mounting brackets don't fit on handlebars carrying cateye lights, LX brake and STX gear levers. The transmitter needs a clear line of sight with the sender on the fork, I wonder why Sigma puts the receiver behind the handle bar when the transmitter is obviously infront on the fork. Also being wireless, interference is picked up from the lights giving me a top speed of 258mph. I'm not that fast. I'm now using a £12 wired unit with no problems and as many functions. Ultimately it was frought with problems and was meant to be the best. There are far cheaper products with as many functions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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