Anyone use a bike thermometer?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Anyone use a bike thermometer?
For commuting, I've always wanted a stand alone thermometer that would mount on the handlebars similar to a computer. Some computers include a thermometer, but I'd really prefer a separate unit with a large digital readout. Anyone use one? Wouldn't want to spend more than $10-15.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
have never seen one. Yes my bike computer includes temperature readout. Why would you want a separate piece of equipment for that?
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Already have a computer that works great and I have figured out how to program it. Just looking for a separate unit that does nothing else but give a temperature readout.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Posts: 2,928
Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
My phone gives me the temperature ... as does the sign at the bank
Phone also doubles as my bike computer.
Phone also doubles as my bike computer.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW Arkansas, USA
Posts: 1,031
Bikes: 2015 Giant Roam 2 Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 91 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Nope, don't want to know, especially the high temps. Seems I do alright till I ride by a public thermometer like at a bank and see that it's reached triple digits and then immediately seem to melt. Same with lower temps, I see that it's below a temp I seem to feel comfy in and I immediately start to shiver. While it might be nice to know the psychological effects always seem more harm then good.
But whatever floats your boat. There are small digital temp gages out there, not necessarily for bikes, both electric and passive. Remember though being out in direct sunlight might skew the results a bit.
But whatever floats your boat. There are small digital temp gages out there, not necessarily for bikes, both electric and passive. Remember though being out in direct sunlight might skew the results a bit.
Last edited by Rootman; 10-01-13 at 07:26 AM.
#6
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
I use one.
Gives a good reading as the tip is out of the sun.
https://www.autopartsandstuff.com/fjc...FSdo7AodSAIAww
Gives a good reading as the tip is out of the sun.
https://www.autopartsandstuff.com/fjc...FSdo7AodSAIAww
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
Last edited by 10 Wheels; 09-30-13 at 09:32 AM.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
You could try one of these -- a "Stem Captain" that mounts to the top of your stem. The thing I've wondered is that it seems like sunlight would cause inaccurately high temperatures.
https://www.stemcaptain.com/
https://www.stemcaptain.com/
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You could try one of these -- a "Stem Captain" that mounts to the top of your stem. The thing I've wondered is that it seems like sunlight would cause inaccurately high temperatures.
https://www.stemcaptain.com/
https://www.stemcaptain.com/
#11
Lula Mae = 15 lbs.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: I keep hitting <Escape>, but I'm still here!
Posts: 766
Bikes: 2011 Trek Madone 6.5 w/SRAM Red 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,901
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,926 Times
in
1,209 Posts
I've got a zipper pull on my saddle bag (the one with the spare tube, multi-tool, and patch kit). Temperature doesn't vary quickly, it's usually the same out in the sun as it was when I pulled over under the tree to take a break.
#14
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I have one on my Planet Bike Protege 9, but it's just a curiosity. I wouldn't pay an extra dollar for it if it was a separate option. It's kind of fun to look at when it gets below zero or over 100 but I don't really care that much.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#15
ride for a change
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,221
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Honestly the only time need to know the temp is before I get on the bike and leave the house, while I can do something about it.
But I can understand the curiosity factor of having it on the bike, especially in the winter. I'm kind of smitten with the stem captain idea. They should make digital versions as weil.
But I can understand the curiosity factor of having it on the bike, especially in the winter. I'm kind of smitten with the stem captain idea. They should make digital versions as weil.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Honestly the only time need to know the temp is before I get on the bike and leave the house, while I can do something about it.
But I can understand the curiosity factor of having it on the bike, especially in the winter. I'm kind of smitten with the stem captain idea. They should make digital versions as weil.
But I can understand the curiosity factor of having it on the bike, especially in the winter. I'm kind of smitten with the stem captain idea. They should make digital versions as weil.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,706
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
251 Posts
For commuting, I've always wanted a stand alone thermometer that would mount on the handlebars similar to a computer. Some computers include a thermometer, but I'd really prefer a separate unit with a large digital readout. Anyone use one? Wouldn't want to spend more than $10-15.
In the end, I switched to an industrial bimetal thermometer, like 10 Wheels in the other post. It is precise and reacts very quickly to temperature variations. Its disadvantage is a long stem (not visible in 10 Wheels' photos) that needs to be pointed somewhere out of the way.
Regarding those motorcycle thermometers, there had been many complaints on the net about their thermal inertia. I would read reviews before jumping on any one of those. They seem to be made for looks and tend to be expensive.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: central ohio
Posts: 1,536
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I have a Planet Bike Protege 9.0 bike computer. It has a thermometer on it but I'm doubtful to its accuracy. I say that because it never matches the the thermometer on the bank sign. But who's to say how accurate that one is. But it does give mis-readings in direct sunlight.
But let me add. On cloudy days, and when I ride in the dark. It gives close readings that are pretty accurate or close to it.
But let me add. On cloudy days, and when I ride in the dark. It gives close readings that are pretty accurate or close to it.
Last edited by scoatw; 12-21-13 at 07:02 PM.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
Gives a good reading as the tip is out of the sun.
https://www.autopartsandstuff.com/fjc...FSdo7AodSAIAww
#20
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
The stem inside the bag gives an actual real temp of the air.
The mechanical thermometers can also be calibrated in a glass of ice water.
Most bank signs have incorrect temps showing.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
So if you hold the thermometer outside the bag, in the shade, it reads the same temperature as inside the bag with sun shining on the bag? Maybe so, but I don't see how that would be possible unless there's air flowing through the bag when you're moving.
Yeah when I worked at Starbucks we had a bunch of those mechanical thermometers, and every so often I would stick them in a cup of ice water and adjust them all to read 32°F exactly.
Yeah when I worked at Starbucks we had a bunch of those mechanical thermometers, and every so often I would stick them in a cup of ice water and adjust them all to read 32°F exactly.
#22
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Get one from an auto parts store...About $5.00..See for yourself.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
From Brookstone. I pulled off the back drilled a hole and bolted a piece of velcro to the back. Using double sided carpet tape i added foam to the inside. The velcro needs something to compact and keep tension on it like squeezing the foam pipe insulation. It fits all 15 of my bikes. It's accurate, the pavement is always about 5-10 degrees hotter than on the grass. The shade is always about 5 less. I use it in 115 f to 10 f almost all the time.
I learned what to wear before leaving the house with this.
#24
I don't get out enough
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: las vegas
Posts: 270
Bikes: Gary Fisher Marlin, Bike E rx, Diamondback Centurion Expert TG, early 80's steel bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The temps that bank signs and the weather channels show are not direct sunlight temps. Here in Vegas, those things were reading 112º but in direct sun it was 119º. I had to stop riding for about a week after that day. I drank over a half gallon of water on a 11 mile ride. It was just way to hot for me.
Sorry strayed a bit. Don't trust the banks for the temps.
Sorry strayed a bit. Don't trust the banks for the temps.
#25
I don't get out enough
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: las vegas
Posts: 270
Bikes: Gary Fisher Marlin, Bike E rx, Diamondback Centurion Expert TG, early 80's steel bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts