Wireless computer or Wired???
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 64
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wireless computer or Wired???
Hi, Whats your thoughts on Wired bike computers vs Wireless.
Do they both work relatively the same? Is one better than the other? And does the wire on the wired computer get in the way or looks messy?
Thanks all
Do they both work relatively the same? Is one better than the other? And does the wire on the wired computer get in the way or looks messy?
Thanks all
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,690
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1128 Post(s)
Liked 257 Times
in
207 Posts
There's pros and cons to both, it just depends on what you want. A Wireless job looks nicer when it's on the bike due to no wire going from the computer to the sender, but they cost more to get the same features found in a wired computer. Wireless computers use batteries in the computer and sender, the bat in the wireless computer will last at least 5 years same with wired, the wireless sender about 6 months. The wireless is a bit heavier due to the bulky sending unit. Typically a wireless computer will last about 4 years though none of mine ever made it past 3 years. Overall I believe wired computers are better in terms of features, reliability, and cost.
Brand wise Cateye and Sigma are my favorites, currently I use Sigma's, I think they offer more features for the money, plus I think their the nicest looking of all the computers on the market.
Brand wise Cateye and Sigma are my favorites, currently I use Sigma's, I think they offer more features for the money, plus I think their the nicest looking of all the computers on the market.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 2,751
Bikes: Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 126 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times
in
34 Posts
When I use to have an Avocet 45 wired, I would compare it to the wireless Polar which I would also mount on the bike at the same time. The wired responded to speed changes and showed them to you instantly where as the wireless had a short delay. I now use a Cateye double wireless on one bike and a Ciclo wired on the other. Both have cadence and the wireless is muss less messy with out all of the wires and double senders. My one dislike of Cateye units are the very narrow digits.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 2,835
Bikes: Nothing amazing... cheap old 21 speed mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I use a basic wired cateye. Totally reliable and the single wire going to the front wheel can ride down the brake cable. Its lasted six years so far and never missed a beat. If you want cadence etc wireless may offer a neater solution, but IMHO its just more complicated for no real reason going wireless.
Last edited by krobinson103; 05-18-12 at 05:45 AM.
#5
Schleckaholic
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Carteret Co., NC, USA
Posts: 1,230
Bikes: '08 Trek 1.2, Schwinn Avenue Hybrid, '11 GT Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The biggest thing in my book is that when, (it's only a matter of time), you mess up the wire in a wired system your screwed. I have nothing against them and I loved mine. Worked flawlessly for years but because the wires somehow frayed or split made mine a paperweight.
If all you want to know is how far you went and how long and how fast then all you need is a basic wired, or a watch. if you want all that other stuff cadence, elevation, blah blah blah. go wireless.
If all you want to know is how far you went and how long and how fast then all you need is a basic wired, or a watch. if you want all that other stuff cadence, elevation, blah blah blah. go wireless.
#6
Senior Member
I have had trouble with interference from bike lights disrupting the signal of wireless computers. Doesn't happen with my Garmin though which uses a digital protocol that is less susceptible. Just something to bear in mind.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 260
Bikes: Cervelo RS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I had a Cateye Strada wireless, you didn't have to do anything to get it started unless the bike had been sitting for a long time (like 2 weeks) and it went to sleep. Otherwise just get on the bike and go. I use a Garmin Edge 200 now, which requires a few button pushes (power on, select ride mode, press start) but is a much cleaner installation with nothing on the wheel or fork.
#10
Keep on climbing
I have a wireless computer on my bike. Whenever I start a ride (i.e., mile 0) I reset the various ride counters (i.e., time ridden, distance ridden, etc), so that "wakes it up" anyway. If I am just resuming from a mid-ride stop (i.e., traffic light, lunch, etc) though, I don't have to touch it.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
I bought a wireless CatEye Strada Cadence, what a waste of money. Even if it wasn't crap (it just stopped working one day - I replaced the batteries and it just shows 0 mph no matter how fast I'm going) I wouldn't have a use for it now that I've got a Garmin.
GPS bike computers can be profoundly useful and nice-to-have. If you're the type of person who might want one down the line, consider putting the money you might have spent on a wireless cyclocomputer right into a GPS.
GPS bike computers can be profoundly useful and nice-to-have. If you're the type of person who might want one down the line, consider putting the money you might have spent on a wireless cyclocomputer right into a GPS.
#12
Schleckaholic
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Carteret Co., NC, USA
Posts: 1,230
Bikes: '08 Trek 1.2, Schwinn Avenue Hybrid, '11 GT Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I bought a wireless CatEye Strada Cadence, what a waste of money. Even if it wasn't crap (it just stopped working one day - I replaced the batteries and it just shows 0 mph no matter how fast I'm going) I wouldn't have a use for it now that I've got a Garmin.
GPS bike computers can be profoundly useful and nice-to-have. If you're the type of person who might want one down the line, consider putting the money you might have spent on a wireless cyclocomputer right into a GPS.
GPS bike computers can be profoundly useful and nice-to-have. If you're the type of person who might want one down the line, consider putting the money you might have spent on a wireless cyclocomputer right into a GPS.
I agree.. if you think you're gonna stick with cycling and really really want a computer just do yourself a favor and get something nicer from the get go.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
85 Posts
I prefer wired, but I have a Cateye Double Wireless on my road bike because the black wire from the chain stay to the handlebar on a white bike just looks weird. The computers on the other bikes are Sigmas.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#14
Canadian eh?
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,135
Bikes: 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times
in
54 Posts
I use the Bontrager Node 1.1 system. It's a great system, big screen...but for Trek Madone riders, the best part is the sensors built right into the frame mount. Makes for a very clean setup.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,690
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1128 Post(s)
Liked 257 Times
in
207 Posts
One poster mentioned that the wire on a wired job can be broken, that's true, you can break one...but it's also a rare event, my last wired computer lasted 18 years before the wire got loose...18 to 20 years vs 3 to 4 years for wireless...hmmm, I can't figure out which is more reliable and cost effective, maybe someone can figure that out for me.
#17
Live to ride ride to live
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 4,896
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a Garmin which is wireless. It works perfectly and have never had an issue with it. I am using cadence and heart rate on it so they require two batteries and the head unit is rechargeable.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,793
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1021 Post(s)
Liked 464 Times
in
293 Posts
My Gramin Edge500 works great. It is a bit pricey, but I can use it on three of my bikes and still get a grand total of miles for all three bikes.
Wired computers are OK, but I kept ruining the wires.
Wired computers are OK, but I kept ruining the wires.
#19
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
#21
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,246
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1355 Post(s)
Liked 1,249 Times
in
626 Posts
One poster mentioned that the wire on a wired job can be broken, that's true, you can break one...but it's also a rare event, my last wired computer lasted 18 years before the wire got loose...18 to 20 years vs 3 to 4 years for wireless...hmmm, I can't figure out which is more reliable and cost effective, maybe someone can figure that out for me.
https://www.dealextreme.com/p/sunding...edometer-24075
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,173
Bikes: Fuji
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've used Schwinn (Target) wired and Topeak wired and they were ok. The Schwinn ones didn't have features I needed (heart rate, I would get tunnel vision up some hills and decided to upgrade to something with heart rate) and the Topeak failed horribly. My wireless ones are both Sigma and I love them. I get interference from lights in the winter, so I just use strava for then when commuting. I got the Sigmas from moderbike.com and REI.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Gulf Breeze, FL
Posts: 4,128
Bikes: Rossetti Vertigo
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 229 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
70 Posts
Don't know why anyone would still use a wired computer. That's like having a cord on your house phone. Get with the times and just buy a wireless system.
#24
1337
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 858
Bikes: CAAD10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The biggest thing in my book is that when, (it's only a matter of time), you mess up the wire in a wired system your screwed. I have nothing against them and I loved mine. Worked flawlessly for years but because the wires somehow frayed or split made mine a paperweight.
If all you want to know is how far you went and how long and how fast then all you need is a basic wired, or a watch. if you want all that other stuff cadence, elevation, blah blah blah. go wireless.
If all you want to know is how far you went and how long and how fast then all you need is a basic wired, or a watch. if you want all that other stuff cadence, elevation, blah blah blah. go wireless.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 191
Bikes: 2012 Trek Madone 5.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Second that for the Node, I have the Node 2 on my Madone. Seeing as you are a fellow Torontonian which model Madone do you have?