cycle computers
#1
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cycle computers
Can anyone recommend an inexpensive and simple cycle computer (preferably wireless)? All I am interested in is MPH, distance, and time. If it does more that’s cool, until it gets complicated to use, then it’s a deal breaker.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
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Walmart used to sell a little computer for $9.32 that did all that. It's not wireless. I think they marketed it under the Schwinn name. I haven't looked to see if they still sell it, but I put one on my winter bike a few years ago and it works great.
Last edited by Thulsadoom; 03-21-11 at 11:13 AM.
#4
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My companions on the TA used wireless and hated them. They logged miles while in a restaurant if they parked anywhere near the front of the restaurant if there was a neon sign in the window. They also got bogus readings around power lines, electric fences, and other stuff.
My advice is just go with a nice wired unit. The ones listed as mountain bike computers tend to have a heavier duty wire if that is what your concern is. The Cateye Enduro 8 is a nice one.
Sorry but I can't recommend a wireless one since none of the ones I have tried were satisfactory.
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Wireless computers tend to have most every feature, so they're a little more complicated than par. They also generally don't turn on automatically when you spin your wheel (which is good; otherwise you drain the computer battery). So if you want something that's simple to use, you need to go wired. Anything by Cateye is fine.
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I strongly recommend against wireless. I have owned a few and none were satisfactory.
My companions on the TA used wireless and hated them. They logged miles while in a restaurant if they parked anywhere near the front of the restaurant if there was a neon sign in the window. They also got bogus readings around power lines, electric fences, and other stuff.
My advice is just go with a nice wired unit. The ones listed as mountain bike computers tend to have a heavier duty wire if that is what your concern is. The Cateye Enduro 8 is a nice one.
Sorry but I can't recommend a wireless one since none of the ones I have tried were satisfactory.
My companions on the TA used wireless and hated them. They logged miles while in a restaurant if they parked anywhere near the front of the restaurant if there was a neon sign in the window. They also got bogus readings around power lines, electric fences, and other stuff.
My advice is just go with a nice wired unit. The ones listed as mountain bike computers tend to have a heavier duty wire if that is what your concern is. The Cateye Enduro 8 is a nice one.
Sorry but I can't recommend a wireless one since none of the ones I have tried were satisfactory.
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Wireless catseye,I've had no problems with mine in 4-5 years.My wireless goes thru batteries faster than my wired ones did.I change them every year now(6 bucks/2 batteries)
#9
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Years ago I had an Echo J12 that I found in a surplus store for $5.99. That was a great little computer that worked in all weather conditions and showed cadence as well as speed, avg speed, max speed, odometer, and trip odometer. I had about 15k miles on that little thing when it flew off the mount while I was riding single track a few years ago. Never found it, and don't think they're made anymore.
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CC-MC100WMICRO WIRELESS this is the one I have and it works great now for two years.Not real cheap but you get what you pay for too.
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I've not found wireless to be consistent in operation, so I no longer use them. As xyzzy832 mentioned the cateye enduro 8 works great, but is wired. I have one one each bike.
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I've never had a problem with my Cateye wireless. 50K miles between several bikes over 6 years. It just won't die. It's actually the one piece of bike kit I've had the longest. No kidding.
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I had a wireless unit. I wanted to use it on the rear wheel so I could put it on the trainer, but the electronic unit had to be really close to the sender and did not work. I then found that my handlebars were too far away from the sender location on the front fork so it did not even work on the front wheel unless I put the computer down lower than the handlebar. No more wireless for me.
I also like the automatic on and off of the wired variety.
I like the wired Sports Instruments SI 90 but the company that made it is defunct so they are no longer available. It had a large diameter wire so you don't break the wiring like on the several older Trek computers I had that had wimpy wiring that easily broke.
If I had to buy a new computer, I would look for one with robust wiring. And one that can be installed on the stem is nice if you have a lot of stuff already on your handlebar.
I also like the automatic on and off of the wired variety.
I like the wired Sports Instruments SI 90 but the company that made it is defunct so they are no longer available. It had a large diameter wire so you don't break the wiring like on the several older Trek computers I had that had wimpy wiring that easily broke.
If I had to buy a new computer, I would look for one with robust wiring. And one that can be installed on the stem is nice if you have a lot of stuff already on your handlebar.
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I've had a couple of wireless in the past and didn't like them at all. I go strictly with wired now. So much so that I passed on the one feature I was really wanting - altitude as that was only on the wireless ones that I found.
I got a wired Planet Bike Protoge 9.0 instead. Works well, no buttons to push after the initial set up (less openings for moisture), fairly heavy wiring at about 1/8 in thick. I'm happy with it.
I had the additional issue (with any computer) of trying to get it to work on a recumbent tadpole trike.... no real place to put the sensor close to the spoke magnet. Got this https://www.rei.com/product/736957 - the pic on the web page is like 4 times the actual size - and you can have up to a 20mm gap between the sensor and the magnet.
I got a wired Planet Bike Protoge 9.0 instead. Works well, no buttons to push after the initial set up (less openings for moisture), fairly heavy wiring at about 1/8 in thick. I'm happy with it.
I had the additional issue (with any computer) of trying to get it to work on a recumbent tadpole trike.... no real place to put the sensor close to the spoke magnet. Got this https://www.rei.com/product/736957 - the pic on the web page is like 4 times the actual size - and you can have up to a 20mm gap between the sensor and the magnet.