Cycle computers Pros and Cons

[Burnsey]

I am thinking about buying a cycle computer. If anybody has any views on Wire/Wireless ones, advantages/disadvantages I would appreciate their comments. I am looking for a fairly simple one, unlike the one that tells you how your hearts doing then makes the tea

 

[joab]

Use a wired one. The wireless ones sometimes don't work on e-bikes.

 

[WALKERMAN]

Computer

Use a wired one. The wireless ones sometimes don't work on e-bikes.

So that's why mine stopped working!

 

[Barnowl]

I'm using the one that came with my bike. It's wireless and doesn't seem to suffer much for it. It doesn't tell me how fast my heart is beating either - thank god! Ditto for cadence, GPS, and making a cuppa. Those come at a premium.
It seems a bit erratic on occassion (the computer that is). I suspect my mobile phone might be interfering with it. And before anyone says it no I don't use my moby while cycling but I do clip it over the cables in front of the handlebars.
Cycle computers are great. The only downside was when I had a puncture and had to push my bike home. Talk about a watched kettle never boiling!

I'm sure there's a thread(s) elsewhere on the forum discussing this. Have you tried a search.

 

[Edrich]

I've just bought a (wired) Cateye Enduro 8; £22 retail, probably a bit cheaper on the Internet. Easy to set up and seems to work well. After calibrating for tyre circumference it matched my car's odometer on a 4.6 mile test trip. I chose this model because, as well as the total odometer, it has two trip distance recorders, so I use one for the day's ride and the other for the distance on the current cycle battery charge. Also, when the time comes to change the computer's battery you can re-enter the total odometer figure and so keep the "total distance ever" figure going.

 

[Footie]

On a recommendation from flecc I got a Velo5 (wire).
I think they are a must. Very useful for setting a comfortable cycling speed. Helps avoid those embarrassing moments when you think you have slowed down enough to pedal and end up cycling air.
I find the Velo5 simple to use and been very happy with it - gives me what I want (no heart rate)
Displays speed up to 185 mph

Cateye Velo 5 Cycle Computer
.

 

[the_killjoy]

I find my wireless one that came with the Wisper fine; unless I have my flashing LED front light on then it gets its knickers in a twist.

 

[Intex]

If all you are looking for is distance travelled, then if you happen to have a Apple iPhone mobile, there is a free program that uses the builtin GPS function to determine miles pedaled or travelled, as well as a save function. Just a thought, it works for me.

 

[Burnsey]

Thanks to everyone for your replies, I think I will go for the wired one. I'm off to write my letter to Santy

 

[Rad]

Does anyone know if there is a computer that can handle more than a 5mm gap between the sensor and the magnet?

I bought a sigma computer but the forks on my x-6 and the wheel rim appear to be about an inch and a half apart so the sensor doesn't 'sense'. It's going back to Amazon.

I bought a Bell computer from Asda today and my heart sank when I read the instruction book and it said the gap could be no more than 2mm. It's going back to Asda.

2mm is a ridiculous distance, I'm going to need a sensor with a range of about an inch at least. Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[Danny-K]

Rad, unless I've misunderstood you, you can still use your cycle computer - simply pack out the space between the fork and the sensor, (longer plastic tie needed to reach round now and hold everything ie., Halfords or local car accessories shop or local market), either with the additional rubber grips they put in the kit or something cut to fit that's lying about the house or garage. True the sensor will now sit extraordinarily far out from the fork - but the plastic tie should keep it all securely in place.

 

[Rad]

Cheers Danny, I did consider that but dismissed it as I thought it'd look ridiculous. But then again, I'm on an electric bike! So I'll give it a go.