What tpye of computers do you guys use for your bikes? I've got a gift certificate at this LBS and was thinking of getting a computer for the bike. They have a few cat eye's that range around $30. Then they jump to $100. They also carry a few Specialized computers. I was thinking about the Turbo Elite. It's right around $70 bucks, and it's wireless and has just about everything on it beside an inclometer, temp, Altimeter,and Alt.Gain. That's about all they have, but I really don't have to buy one there. What's everyone using, and what are your reviews.
Computers
- Thread starter JSB
- Start date
I use a $17 Bell computer that I got at Sports Unauthority. It does everything I want it too. Current speed, average Speed, =/- avg speed, trip meter, odo, top speed, time & ride time.
my only complaint is that the magnet sensor is friggen huge.
my only complaint is that the magnet sensor is friggen huge.
J
JRB
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Cateye Enduro 2. The new one is the Enduro 8 I think. I have never had any trouble. Well, once. I was at Big Bend and really needed mileage for some logistics. I reset it and it worked from then on. I is 2 years old or so and has many miles on it.
whatever is on sale
What's everyones take on wireless too. I was leaning wireless, because I didn't want to mess with routing a wire, but if wireless is not reliable I'll deal.
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They mostly suck.JSB said:
loco said:
Yep!
Not only do you have to worry about changing the battery in the computer, but you have to worry about changing it in the sensor too. They recieve a LOT of interference (Sensormatic really throws them for a loop for some reason) and they are not always reliable. you have to have them lined up exactly right or they wont work. If you are going down a bumpy trail and your handlemount computer moves, it doesnt work. If your sensor moves, it doesnt work.
Go with wired, cheaper, and more reliable
Hmm. Mostly suck, and cost more...Not a good combination. That shoots holes through what I was wanting to acocmplish with that specialized comp. It has a two wheel option so you can use it on two bikes. I was hoping to use it on a road bike as well. I guess I can buy two Cat eyes for the same price though.
I've got a Shimano Flight Deck on my road bike. I like it a lot...it serves my purpose and gives me all kinds of cool, useless statistics. The Flight Deck can be swapped simultaneously between four bikes. I had been swapping it between my road bike and mountain bike, but I removed the hookup from my MTB out of fear of breaking it.
I've had good luck with the Planet Bike 9.0, 2 wheel setting (road and MTB) cheap extra mounting kits ($10). Lotsa info on on screen.
Had a wireless SigmaSport and it worked for 5 years before the transmitter part broke, can still use it with the regular wire harness.
Had a wireless SigmaSport and it worked for 5 years before the transmitter part broke, can still use it with the regular wire harness.
I Are Baboon said:
I never understood the flight deck thing. Is it really necessarry to have a computer tell you what gear you are in?
I have the Enduro 8. I think almost all but the very cheapest models have at least a 2 bike option. However for the $20 that they cost, just get 1 for each bike and save the swapping. No doubt it will always be on the wrong bike when you want it most.
I have a wireless on my roadbike (it came with it when I bought it used) but I had issues with a wireless computer on my MTB in the past.
I have a wireless on my roadbike (it came with it when I bought it used) but I had issues with a wireless computer on my MTB in the past.
it's obvious that you've never actually looked at one becuase it does all kinds of stuff other than that. Cadence, elapsed, laps, mph, avg. etc. it's an invaluable too.BigMike said:
On the mtb I usually go cheap because I have a tendency to brake them off.
trip time, trip distance, odometer, stopwatch, average speed, max speed...The Toninator said:
Edit: I don't actually use the gear display all that much, but setting it up correctly makes for more accurate statistics.
Oh man. Sore subject right now. I had a Cateye on my Blur but it worked intermittently. I cleaned the contacts, checked the wires, etc, no matter what I did it would just randomly work.
So for the 24 hour race I got a this $10 computer from Supergo, hey I knew it was a piece of crap but I only needed it to work for one day.
I get done with my first lap, and I want to check my time, etc so I push a button. It get stuck. Now the stupid thing is flashing back and forth between my max speed and average speed or something stupid like that. I can't get the damn button to pop out. So I push the other button out of frustration. It gets stuck too, and after 3 seconds of both buttons being pushed in, the whole thing resets to factory defaults.
I threw it in the garbage. Bike computers suck.
So for the 24 hour race I got a this $10 computer from Supergo, hey I knew it was a piece of crap but I only needed it to work for one day.
I get done with my first lap, and I want to check my time, etc so I push a button. It get stuck. Now the stupid thing is flashing back and forth between my max speed and average speed or something stupid like that. I can't get the damn button to pop out. So I push the other button out of frustration. It gets stuck too, and after 3 seconds of both buttons being pushed in, the whole thing resets to factory defaults.
I threw it in the garbage. Bike computers suck.
ROTFLMAOEcho said:
Sorry dude
I had a wireless avocent one on my old hardtail that worked great. Pretty basic but all i needed was speed and distance. then the bike got stolen. i still have the computer but can't get the wheel end of it anymore, i don't think. :mumble:
The Toninator said:
Right. I've had plenty of cyclecomputers, and they have all done Elapsed, mph, avg, some of them cadence, etc. Its my understanding that the only difference between a nice cyclecomputer and a flight deck compatible one is the gear stuff. am I incorrectly informed?
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Nope - my $23 dollar Cateye Astrale on my road bike does all of that. I just look down to see the gears. I don't know what the numbers are anyway.BigMike said:
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Yossarian said:
I was just giggling to myself. Still am. Bummer echo.
Yossarian said:
The answer is MOOT. If you were making a comparison between bike computers in this statementBigMike said:
then i either missed it or you didnt relate your argument very well.BigMike said:
The main reason I believe the gear indicator is there is because the flight deck system uses virtual cadence which is calculated off of Gear and speed. This way it cuts down on wiring and extra sensors and stuff that easily gets messed up. I think.
As Echo said, bike computers suck. Another thing to break, something to take your mind off riding. In my opinion, they're a frivolous distraction.
you reminded me that one of the worse crashes i've had was the day i got that old computer and was watching it trying to get above a certain speed when i trail turned and i ran into the flat side of a big rock. it hurt.johnbryanpeters said:
johnbryanpeters said:
I concur, had one broke it and miss it not at all...
![=[Stinky]=](/data/avatars/m/0/414.jpg?1000521489){kind=avatar}
Mtb_Rob_FL said:
They was to go if your MTBing... The Cateye Enduro uses a much thicker wire, and more secure harness, than a lot of other computers. The Specialized Turbo Elite is an excellent comp. Its got a back-light too, which is great. The plug in cadence sensor is poo sticks tho. I just run mine with wireless speed.
ANdrew
Can somebody give this man a hug? DING DING. Hes right. It uses gear ratio and your current speed to calculate virtual cadence.The Toninator said:
thanks i need a big one, you busy around 5?=[Stinky]= said:
Also the biggest advantage they have over other computers, if used with shimano shifters is, the controls are integrated into the shifter pods so you dont have to take your hands off of the shifters to toggle through the menus.
Thats a pretty big bonus.
Thats a pretty big bonus.
Are you hitting on jaime's man?The Toninator said:
dont be ratting a brother out.Yossarian said:
Thats cool=[Stinky]= said:
But wouldnt crank length have somthing to do with it too? Do yuo program in your crank length?
BigMike said:Thats cool
But wouldnt crank length have somthing to do with it too? Do yuo program in your crank length?
Crank length shouldn't have anything to do with calculating cadence, if you have the gear ratio and tire circumference determined, but I imagine it would have a lot to do with calculating Watts.
sorry bossThe Toninator said:dont be ratting a brother out.
But for mostly MTB use, I should stick with wired computers right? Especially since I don't pass many jumps up.=[Stinky]= said:
I think I'm more confused than before. First I thought get a computer, because you've been working on times and keeping speed up. Then it was go wireless, less to mess with. Then go wired, because wireless is unreliable. Then screw it you wuss, just kick ars and ride, their too distracting, and you might as well talk on your cell phone while riding. Now I'm back to hey that specialized isn't a bad deal after all. :nuts:
JSB said:
If you'd like my suggestion, get a wired computer, make it nice and secure, reset it before every ride, and forget about it until you are done. I have a cyclecomputer on my Cross bike, because it is what I use to keep in shape. Reset the thing before I ride, check my mileage, time, and avg speed when I am done. (Sure, sometimes I take a quick glance down to check speed, but I dont rely on it enough to become distracting)
or if you have crank arm lenght, teeth and speed you wouldnt need tire circumference.Yossarian said:
i didnt set mine up so i dont know.
How y' gonna get the speed absent the tire circumfrence, ace? All the sensor does is count wheel revolutions...The Toninator said:
J