Bike Computers?
12-20-18, 10:47 AM
#1
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 33,031
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 326 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11983 Post(s)
Liked 6,702 Times
in
3,503 Posts
Bike Computers?
I'm wondering, do you guys fawn over bike computers the way roadies do? I'm considering one for my son who rides SS/FG. I need to know today so I can get it ordered and delivered by Monday. Nothing too pricey, I already got him a couple of things.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
12-20-18, 12:01 PM
#2
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
Fawn? No.
My fixed wheel bike however, is no different then my other bikes in terms of a computer. All my bikes have speed/cadence sensors attached and a computer goes on them whenever they are ridden. The type of bike doesn't matter.
Helmet. Shoes. Computer. Gloves. Bottles. It's all part of the sport.
-Tim-
My fixed wheel bike however, is no different then my other bikes in terms of a computer. All my bikes have speed/cadence sensors attached and a computer goes on them whenever they are ridden. The type of bike doesn't matter.
Helmet. Shoes. Computer. Gloves. Bottles. It's all part of the sport.
-Tim-
12-20-18, 12:13 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Traveling through time, will return last week.
Posts: 730
Bikes: Bare Rum Sword Knuckle Runner
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 278 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
64 Posts
i use the wahoo elment bolt. no fiddly touch screen, has the features I need and most important just works.
it can do navigation with routes created in rwgps (which sync automatically). works fine for me when on a ride i'm not familiar with, but it's not a feature I use all that often. this video does a good job showing it's nav capabilities.
it can do navigation with routes created in rwgps (which sync automatically). works fine for me when on a ride i'm not familiar with, but it's not a feature I use all that often. this video does a good job showing it's nav capabilities.
12-20-18, 12:26 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,947
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4836 Post(s)
Liked 3,966 Times
in
2,577 Posts
I"m no help. I ride fix gears for their pure simplicity. You pedal. You go. (I do change gear ratios often on a couple of my fix gears. I figure I've earned that right, having ridden them for 40 years into my 60s.) So they have almost no electronics. A taillight. Sometimes a headlight. Occasionally a heart rate monitor that I usually forget to look at. Dumb cell phone in my pocket. A moderately capable brain between my ears I sometimes turn on.
Ben
Ben
12-20-18, 01:48 PM
#5
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,213
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Mentioned: 142 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2686 Post(s)
Liked 3,219 Times
in
1,697 Posts
Nope! I ride a Garmin 520 on my roadie so I can display power output, but don't bother on my fixie, MTB or track bike.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
12-20-18, 02:00 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,581
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5228 Post(s)
Liked 3,599 Times
in
2,353 Posts
regardless, sounds like a decent gift idea
12-20-18, 03:15 PM
#7
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 33,031
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 326 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11983 Post(s)
Liked 6,702 Times
in
3,503 Posts
Maybe I'll start with something simple and let him graduate to the sophisticated units when he needs to. He may not see the need is what I'm thinking.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
12-20-18, 03:31 PM
#8
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
I have a bottle holder and sometimes take a small radio. I can't help much, clothes and food work for me.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
12-20-18, 03:54 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,893
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1062 Post(s)
Liked 665 Times
in
421 Posts
Should be a nice idea. I like to use a computer on longer rides, just to pace myself and gauge my progress. It happens that I use my geared bike for those rides. On my single-speed bikes, it's a lot easier for me to know my speed and effort by feel, and from my cadence.
12-20-18, 04:27 PM
#11
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
They'd all just be to the LBS or to get food.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
12-20-18, 05:37 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2953 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I'm a slave to my Garmin on my road bike, but not on the FG. I'll turn it on, but I hardly look at it.
12-20-18, 05:46 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 961' 42.28° N, 83.78° W (A2)
Posts: 2,344
Bikes: Mongoose Selous, Trek DS
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 941 Post(s)
Liked 319 Times
in
189 Posts
Just two questions, is your son at all a gadget geek, and do you feel he'd be curious as to how he's doing and how he's progressing? If the answers might be yes, get it for him.
12-20-18, 05:58 PM
#14
Jedi Master
I bought a 10 pack of Sigma BC906's on ebay a few years ago for fifty bucks so I could have the same computer on all my bikes. I like knowing how far I've ridden and what time it is.
12-21-18, 01:50 AM
#16
THE STUFFED
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,671
Bikes: R. Sachs Road; EAI Bareknuckle; S-Works Enduro
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
17 Posts
My garmin 1000 that I've had for the last year and a half has been treating me well 
Pretty overkill for what I use it for actually! I seldom use it for plotting actual routes and more data recording.
My first garmin "cyclocomputer", an edge 500, is my all time favorite. Currently down due to the battery having worn out by use and age.
The edge 800, the first color cycling-garmin, which I originally intended to replace the 500 with, was a POS in my book. Had to replace twice within a year before I got rid of it.
Pretty overkill for what I use it for actually! I seldom use it for plotting actual routes and more data recording.
My first garmin "cyclocomputer", an edge 500, is my all time favorite. Currently down due to the battery having worn out by use and age.
The edge 800, the first color cycling-garmin, which I originally intended to replace the 500 with, was a POS in my book. Had to replace twice within a year before I got rid of it.
12-21-18, 07:10 AM
#17
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
I hope that the OP bought the computer for his son's bike. That sounded like a good gift.
I use a cyclocomputer on my fixed gear, as I might glance at it occasionally when a change in my cadence alerts me to something different in riding conditions. Since mine only displays speed, I have to do the math in my head to figure cadence, which isn't hard.
I don't use computers on my other bikes normally, unless I'm planning a ride where I'll have to follow a cue sheet. In that case, I mount one from my box of spares/junk onto that bike temporarily.
I use a cyclocomputer on my fixed gear, as I might glance at it occasionally when a change in my cadence alerts me to something different in riding conditions. Since mine only displays speed, I have to do the math in my head to figure cadence, which isn't hard.
I don't use computers on my other bikes normally, unless I'm planning a ride where I'll have to follow a cue sheet. In that case, I mount one from my box of spares/junk onto that bike temporarily.
12-21-18, 09:41 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Traveling through time, will return last week.
Posts: 730
Bikes: Bare Rum Sword Knuckle Runner
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 278 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
64 Posts
If all you do is run to the store for snacks a cycling computer is pointless. On long rides I’ve found being able to check my avg speed, time and distance helpful with pacing, which is maybe even more important fixed since you can’t coast or switch to an easier gear if your legs give out 2/3 through a ride.
On unfamiliar routes I also really like the hill feature. It basically shows elevation changes in a graph, so when approaching a winding incline I’ll see if it’s a couple hundred yards I can just blast or much longer and need to conserve energy.
To each his own I guess..
Oh and as already mentioned being able upload rides to Strava without having to run it on your phone during the ride...
On unfamiliar routes I also really like the hill feature. It basically shows elevation changes in a graph, so when approaching a winding incline I’ll see if it’s a couple hundred yards I can just blast or much longer and need to conserve energy.
To each his own I guess..
Oh and as already mentioned being able upload rides to Strava without having to run it on your phone during the ride...
12-21-18, 09:14 PM
#19
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,685
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4423 Post(s)
Liked 4,068 Times
in
2,714 Posts
If all you do is run to the store for snacks a cycling computer is pointless. On long rides I’ve found being able to check my avg speed, time and distance helpful with pacing, which is maybe even more important fixed since you can’t coast or switch to an easier gear if your legs give out 2/3 through a ride.
On unfamiliar routes I also really like the hill feature. It basically shows elevation changes in a graph, so when approaching a winding incline I’ll see if it’s a couple hundred yards I can just blast or much longer and need to conserve energy.
To each his own I guess..
Oh and as already mentioned being able upload rides to Strava without having to run it on your phone during the ride...
On unfamiliar routes I also really like the hill feature. It basically shows elevation changes in a graph, so when approaching a winding incline I’ll see if it’s a couple hundred yards I can just blast or much longer and need to conserve energy.
To each his own I guess..
Oh and as already mentioned being able upload rides to Strava without having to run it on your phone during the ride...
I gotta get that KOM while picking up some Rap Snacks and Faygo.
12-22-18, 12:31 AM
#20
Still kicking.
What's a computer? 
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
12-23-18, 09:11 PM
#21
What happened?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
255 Posts
I have no idea what KOM means or who Lucas is (Star Wars?), and I don't think it matters on a bike with a springer and reverse painted tank and chain guard with no fenders and paperboy baskets.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
12-24-18, 12:26 AM
#22
THE STUFFED
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,671
Bikes: R. Sachs Road; EAI Bareknuckle; S-Works Enduro
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
17 Posts
An online running and cycling activity tracker with a built in social aspect.
KOM = king of the mountain. A title that gets awarded to whoever does a specific segment of a road, usually involving a climb, the fastest.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Unca_Sam
General Cycling Discussion
27
10-03-19 12:53 PM
Hasty
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
4
09-02-10 08:35 PM
