REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Suggestions for a cyclocomputer

1634 Views 24 Replies 18 Participants Last post by dsully575, Aug 2, 2004

SSINGA

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2004

I've been window shopping on the net and visited a few of the LBS but what to ya'll use? I was thinking of getting the altimiter function but from the reviews it looks more like a gimic than somthing truly functional. I don't need a HR monitor but I definately want it to be wireless. My price range is up to $100.

Thanks

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Fuelish

· #2 · Jul 23, 2004

SSINGA said:
I've been window shopping on the net and visited a few of the LBS but what to ya'll use? I was thinking of getting the altimiter function but from the reviews it looks more like a gimic than somthing truly functional. I don't need a HR monitor but I definately want it to be wireless. My price range is up to $100.

Thanks

Cateye Wireless has been very good to me for several years, now - functions flawlessly, your basic info, have only needed to replace batteries - the only drawback I've found with the wireless....I've destroyed a few wired ones, have been perfectly happy with the unwired... (I think mines a the Cateye 2 wireless, discontinued, so new one would probably be only better, if possible...heh.

World B. Free

· #3 · Jul 23, 2004

VDO Cytec/Performance Axiom

Ive been using a VDO Cytec wireless for a few years now, its been pretty flawless. It looks like Performance's Axiom is the same thing, but cheaper.

SSINGA

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 23, 2004

Thanks! I found a wireless Sports instruments SI-90 at Performance with 4 HR monitor functions and 9 other functions for $55 shipped after a 20% coupon.

Dax

· #5 · Jul 23, 2004

do you guys think getting one that has cadance is a good idea? also is wireless realy better. I hate to replace batteries all the time (coin cells are like $5ea)

Blue Shorts

· #6 · Jul 23, 2004

SSINGA said:
I've been window shopping on the net and visited a few of the LBS but what to ya'll use? I was thinking of getting the altimiter function but from the reviews it looks more like a gimic than somthing truly functional. I don't need a HR monitor but I definately want it to be wireless. My price range is up to $100.

Thanks

It's not a gimick, altimeter functions do work.

I've been using cycle computers with altimeter functions for over 10 years. Sometimes the total ascent can vary from brand to brand, depending on the algorythm used, but overall they're pretty accurate.

My current computer, Polar 720i has never been off by more than 35 feet. The time it was off by 35 feet, it was over a 5 hour period with over 4000 feet of climbing. That's less than a 1% error overall.

I used to use a Cateye AT-100. It worked well, but it had 2 issues. It showed more altitude gain than other brands of altimeters and it got very inaccurate if I didn't replace the battery every 6 months. The reason is tended to show more altitude gain than others was the algorythm it used. It would add to total ascent when the altitude changed by as little as 3 feet. Most altimeters that work on barometric pressure use 5 feet or more...and some use 10 feet or more as the minimum gain. The important thing here is that they are repeatable.

That ensures that you can use the altimeter function to show increases in climbing ability over time.

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Blue Shorts

· #7 · Jul 23, 2004

Dax said:
do you guys think getting one that has cadance is a good idea? also is wireless realy better. I hate to replace batteries all the time (coin cells are like $5ea)

Cadence is a good function to have if you have no idea how to guage your cadence. I find that most of the people that I know that used cadence.....stopped using it after a few weeks.

After a while, you will be able to tell what your cadence is without the use of the cycle computer.

If you're a newbie.....get the cadence, it couldn't hurt.

As far as wired vs wireless......I used to use wired units. Then my riding style got more aggressive and I started destroying the mounts. The wires would get ripped out and I got tired of replacing the mounts......so I went wireless.

It's personal preference based on your riding style and terrain.

Trevor!

· #8 · Jul 23, 2004

Dax said:
do you guys think getting one that has cadance is a good idea? also is wireless realy better. I hate to replace batteries all the time (coin cells are like $5ea)

I honestly think that Cadence is only valuable on a road bike, not the mountain bike - plus routing the cable can be a bit hard.

Yellowstone Yeti

· #9 · Jul 24, 2004

My wife has one...

SSINGA said:
Thanks! I found a wireless Sports instruments SI-90 at Performance with 4 HR monitor functions and 9 other functions for $55 shipped after a 20% coupon.

on her mountain bike and she really likes it. She uses the HRM more than I thought she would.

I personally would recommend Vetta. I have both the V100 on my commuter and a V100A (with altimeter) on my mountain bike. They've been flawless for me and Vetta's CS rocks.

Big K

· #10 · Jul 24, 2004

2nd the Vetta

I love my Vetta V100HR... you can put cadence on as an option, but I never felt the need for it. The HR is useful in conjunction with other training like running where you're trying to see how the two compare. After I saw what a typical ride did for me in terms of heart-rate, don't really watch it anymore. I do use time/distance and basic functions every time I ride... use it to press myself to go the same route in less time or get more milage in a set amount of time. I find the display on the Vetta to be very easy to read and the controls very simple -- this is very important... you don't want to be straining to control/read a bike computer while you are moving. As for wireless, I wouldn't use anything else... have had zero problems with it and the original batteries are still running after 18 mo's. One of the advantages of the Vetta that contributed to me buying it was that it has good wireless range... I have an extra-long fork (C'dale Lefty) and some computers I looked at were rated at a distance (between the wheel sensor and computer) that was just shy of what I needed. Vetta is a little hard to find locally, I ended up calling their US distributor in Chicago (see web site) and talked to their technical support guy prior to buying. He was very knowledgeable and got me comfortable with what I was wanting to do. Good luck!

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Brown_Teeth

· #11 · Jul 24, 2004

I bought the 5 for 14$ but would buy this for 20$ in a heartbeat

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=CP707A08

beeristasty

· #12 · Jul 24, 2004

I second the Planet Bikes

Brown_Teeth said:
I bought the 5 for 14$ but would buy this for 20$ in a heartbeat

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=CP707A08

I bought the 5.0 and 9.0 a few days ago from guess who? Jenson. They are pretty nice computers and they seem pretty sturdy(so far).

The only thing I don't like about them is the huge spoke magnet; it looks like a bullet casing. Does anyone know of an aftermarket magnet that has a lower profile?

Brown_Teeth

· #13 · Jul 24, 2004

As long as it staya on the spokes be happy

I like the large display and seeing what I want, price is a give away. I screwed up mine a bit getting the cord sucked into the tires but it still works even with no shielding on the cable. Would be excellent if it was wireless but if so it would not be so cheap. Hey I'm in socal so rain is not an issue but I did have to do some creative hot glueing... yes it was my fault.... routing is the issue and make sure you take into account your fork movement cause nothing worse than loosing the cord while compressed in narrow singletrack...

beeristasty

· #14 · Jul 24, 2004

I hear you.

I'm a cable routing/zip-tie freak. Everything has to be perfect... or else!

summitlt

· #15 · Jul 24, 2004

I have a Sigma Sport BC1600, its something like $25 and has all the stuff youd want (Trip up, Trip down, averge speed, max speed, stopwatch, cadence, dist per day, odo for 2 bikes) I like it a lot and you can beat the price.

Speedub.Nate

· #16 · Jul 24, 2004

I'm another firm believer in the altimeter function. In many cases, my altitude data is far more important to me than the distance.

For about 7 years I used a Cateye AT-100. Ok computer, a little kludgy and, as Blue Shorts mentioned it ate batteries pretty quickly. I was happy with its accuracy but the two line display left something to be desired.

I've been using the VDO MC 1.0+ for almost a year. Gives me 5 data points on any given screen, added average, max & instant grade functions (just to verify that, yes, that hill was pretty steep) plus two wheel size capability & wireless.

Couple other good altimeter models out there from Vetta & Cyclosport and a neat looking wristwatch/bike computer/HRM/cadence from Oregon Scientific called the Outbreaker.

roadiegonebad

· #17 · Jul 24, 2004

beeristasty said:
Does anyone know of an aftermarket magnet that has a lower profile?

Cateye's is pretty small:

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NappyT

· #18 · Jul 25, 2004

Cateye Cordless 7 Cyclometer

Love mine and have a friend who has one and likes it too. Very compact only down side is I like my old wired PlanetBike with the full size display. You could get all the info at once. The CatEye you have to click through to get all the info.

jksu2000

· #19 · Jul 26, 2004

cateye

you can get a mity or enduro for under $20 new on ebay... got my enduro for $16 and it works great. plenty fo functions, easy to read display and easy to install, tough guage wiring.

john

pacman

· #20 · Jul 26, 2004

a different choice

I agree with the altimeter being important. So much so then when I replaced a computer I put a GPS in my camelbak. Now I have a record (on my PC) of altitude gain/loss and grade of any climb. The usual functions of distance and speed are included plus it's great for exploring new trails. And no sensors that snap off, wireless or not.

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