cycle computer

doobrie said:

any recommendations for a cycle computer

seeing the problems some seem to be having with the wireless variety is it best to stick with
standard wired or are the wireless problems rare?

I have had the Cateye Cordless on four bikes for several years with no problems whatsoever. If I
needed another computer that is what I would get again.

John B

doobrie said:

would like current speeed, odometer, trip, average speed (do they/should they take traffic stops
into account or not?) max speed would be nice to see for the odd downhill i guess

Cadence is a function I wouldn't be without. I have no hesitation in recommending the Cateye
Astrale, which Gearshift currently have for under 20 quid. gearshift.co.ukgearshift.co.ukOpen ↗

--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( juggler.netdannyOpen ↗ ) Recumbent cycle page:
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukrecumbentsOpen ↗ "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

doobrie said:

would like current speeed, odometer, trip, average speed (do they/should they take traffic stops
into account or not?) max speed would be nice to see for the odd downhill i guess

Cadence is a function I wouldn't be without. I have no hesitation in recommending the Cateye
Astrale, which Gearshift currently have for under 20 quid. gearshift.co.ukgearshift.co.ukOpen ↗

yes, another thing i use whilst on the gym exercise bike is the cadence monitor .. very useful -
hadnt thought of that one

reviews of that model seem 50/50 especially for wet weather ... do any others with cadence come
recommended? although to be fair im unlikely to be out riding in the wet if i have a choice so might
just give that one a try ....

just took a look round gearshift and wiggle id seen mentioned ... so much to look at, so much to buy
... glad my credit card is safely tucked away downstairs or i could easily get into trouble!!

doobrie said:

any recommendations for a cycle computer .... only just starting out and managed my first 5 mile
ride tonight any any help appreciated ... ive not cycled for years and not current with well,
any of it

would like current speeed, odometer, trip, average speed

Cateye Mity 3 is a very good quality one that includes all that, with a clear display and
nice buttons.

Quoted message said:

(do they/should they take traffic stops into account or not?)

Most basic ones don't. Just as well, I think - pretend the stops didn't happen! :-) It's optional
with the Mity 3.

Quoted message said:

max speed would be nice to see for the odd downhill i guess

Most have that.

Quoted message said:

also auto start would be nice too in case of forgetting to set it ... do they start as soon as you
move the wheels or do they take into account some real movement?

All decent modern ones are auto-start & stop. Computer starts up when wheel magnet passes the fork
sensor and goes one revolution - but will also stop as soon as wheel stops. So they do take into
account very low speed cycling.

Quoted message said:

taking a quick peek at halfords they sell several upto about £20 or is it worth looking at ones
with heart rate functions, etc (i quite like pacing myself on the gym exercise bikes using the
heart rate monitors but no idea if actually helpful or just another gadget!)

That's a whole subject in itself. I'm sure they can be useful but computers with them included tend
to be very expensive. Could get a HRM sparately in the form of a watch.

Quoted message said:

seeing the problems some seem to be having with the wireless variety is it best to stick with
standard wired or are the wireless problems rare?

Wired models are cheaper and the only real hassle with the wire comes when removing forks to
service the headset. Wireless ones have more potential problems, use more batteries, cost more and
weigh more.

~PB

doobrie said:

reviews of that model seem 50/50 especially for wet weather ... do any others with cadence come
recommended?

I've had an Astrale for a couple of years now and have been very pleased with it. I've only ever had
one problem with wet weather and that was when I'd ridden my good bike to work, left it locked out
in the rain all day and then ridden home again when it was absolutely pi**ing down. My readings went
on the blink but were fine again next time and ever since. I'd recommend the Astrale to anyone.
Cadence is a great measure of how your cycling is improving.

I have a Mity 3 on another bike which many people like but I haven't been too impressed with. I
think the design and positioning of the buttons is a little clumsy when trying to operate some of
its features on the move. Cateye seem recently to have revamped some of their range however so I
couldn't say how well the current crop perform.

Bob
--
Mail address is spam trapped To reply by email remove the beverage

doobrie said:

any recommendations for a cycle computer .... only just starting out and managed my first 5 mile
ride tonight any any help appreciated ... ive not cycled for years and not current with well,
any of it

would like current speeed, odometer, trip, average speed (do they/should they take traffic stops
into account or not?) max speed would be nice to see for the odd downhill i guess

also auto start would be nice too in case of forgetting to set it ... do they start as soon as you
move the wheels or do they take into account some real movement?

taking a quick peek at halfords they sell several upto about £20 or is it worth looking at ones
with heart rate functions, etc (i quite like pacing myself on the gym exercise bikes using the
heart rate monitors but no idea if actually helpful or just another gadget!)

seeing the problems some seem to be having with the wireless variety is it best to stick with
standard wired or are the wireless problems rare?

I've had a Sigma Sport for around 10 years (BC700 - no longer a current model) and it's never gone
wrong. I sent an email on saturday asking the company if they had a manual I could download and I
got a reply first thing monday saying they'd send one in the post. I was impressed with that. When I
get a new one I'll almost certainly get another Sigma Sport one.

Pete

In message <[email hidden]>, Danny Colyer <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

doobrie said:

would like current speeed, odometer, trip, average speed (do they/should they take traffic stops
into account or not?) max speed would be nice to see for the odd downhill i guess

Cadence is a function I wouldn't be without. I have no hesitation in recommending the Cateye
Astrale, which Gearshift currently have for under 20 quid. gearshift.co.ukgearshift.co.ukOpen ↗

--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( juggler.netdannyOpen ↗ ) Recumbent cycle page:
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukrecumbentsOpen ↗ "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

I'd second that. Astrale's rear wheel mounting means you can use it on a trainer too, if you're
interested.
--
Michael MacClancy

"Michael MacClancy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'd second that. Astrale's rear wheel mounting means you can use it on a trainer too, if you're
interested.

And the cable is long enough to mount on a Proper Bike(TM) :-)

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
chapmancentral.comchapmancentral.comOpen ↗

I use the BC 800 and am upgrading it to a 1200/1600 this weekend hopefully.

My 800 is wireless and I have not had any problems with it and it has all the functions you required
and a cadence kit is also an option.

TJ

"Ningi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

doobrie said:

any recommendations for a cycle computer .... only just starting out and managed my first 5 mile
ride tonight any any help appreciated ... ive not cycled for years and not current with well,
any of it

would like current speeed, odometer, trip, average speed (do they/should they take traffic stops
into account or not?) max speed would be nice to see for the odd downhill i guess

also auto start would be nice too in case of forgetting to set it ... do they start as soon as
you move the wheels or do they take into account some real movement?

taking a quick peek at halfords they sell several upto about £20 or is it worth looking at ones
with heart rate functions, etc (i quite like pacing myself on the gym exercise bikes using the
heart rate monitors but no idea if actually helpful or just another gadget!)

seeing the problems some seem to be having with the wireless variety is it best to stick with
standard wired or are the wireless problems rare?

I've had a Sigma Sport for around 10 years (BC700 - no longer a current model) and it's never gone
wrong. I sent an email on saturday asking the company if they had a manual I could download and I
got a reply first thing monday saying they'd send one in the post. I was impressed with that. When
I get a new one I'll almost certainly get another Sigma Sport one.

Pete

doobrie said:

reviews of that model seem 50/50 especially for wet weather ... do any others with cadence come
recommended? although to be fair im unlikely to be out riding in the wet if i have a choice so
might just give that one a try ....

I've got three of the old Astrales and one new Astrale 8, and so far no problems with any of them -
wet or -dry. Admittedly I only fitted the Astrale 8 yesterday and have not so far ridden the bike in
question with it fitted, but stull... You can upgrade some (all?) Sigma computers with cadence as
well, but I think they're a bit more expensive.

Note that the Astrale 8 has the speed sensor on the front wheel chiz - obviously a ploy to get turbo
trainer addicts and Darksiders to shell out for a long wire kit in addition.

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

doobrie wrote of the Astrale:

Quoted message said:

reviews of that model seem 50/50 especially for wet weather ... do any others with cadence come
recommended? although to be fair im unlikely to be out riding in the wet if i have a choice so
might just give that one a try ....

Hmm. I've been using one for 2 1/2 years all year round in all weathers with no problems due
to the wet.

I've managed to snap the cable a couple of times, but that could happen with any computer and is
usually easily soldered.

--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( juggler.netdannyOpen ↗ ) Recumbent cycle page:
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukrecumbentsOpen ↗ "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

Michael MacClancy said:

Quoted message said:

Astrale's rear wheel mounting means you can use it on a trainer too, if you're interested.

Prompting Guy to respond:

Quoted message said:

And the cable is long enough to mount on a Proper Bike(TM) :-)

Not with rear wheel mounting though, especially when the computer itself is mounted to the
derailleur tube: speedy5.freeserve.co.uk03061408helga.jpgOpen ↗
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukhelgacomputer01.jpOpen ↗ g

--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( juggler.netdannyOpen ↗ ) Recumbent cycle page:
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukrecumbentsOpen ↗ "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

doobrie said:

any recommendations for a cycle computer .... only just starting out and managed my first 5 mile
ride tonight any any help appreciated

...

Quoted message said:

ive not cycled for years and not current with well, any of it

Depends on features - most have basic max/av speed, tripmeter, odo, clock.

Next feature (and price) levels up have cadence, or wireless sensor, or both.

Dual calibrations can be useful if you change wheels/tyres. Pre-set calibrations are useful if you
change wheels/tyres/pressures a lot, can't be bothered measuring it out properly every time, and are
happy if it's set close enough for jazz.

Quoted message said:

also auto start would be nice too in case of forgetting to set it

...

Quoted message said:

do they start as soon as you move the wheels or do they take into account some real movement?

They all seem to do auto-start (and stop), so your av speed is based on the actual time
spent moving.

Quoted message said:

taking a quick peek at halfords they sell several upto about £20 or

is

Quoted message said:

it worth looking at ones with heart rate functions, etc (i quite

like

Quoted message said:

pacing myself on the gym exercise bikes using the heart rate

monitors

Quoted message said:

but no idea if actually helpful or just another gadget!)

Heart rate ones cost loads. Probably cheaper to buy a separate basic HRM. Cadence is worth having
on-road where you can keep a constant pace, not so useful on technical sections off-road, so it
depends what you do.

Quoted message said:

seeing the problems some seem to be having with the wireless variety is it best to stick with
standard wired or are the wireless problems rare?

Can't see much benefit to the wireless ones. The wired ones are not obtrusive and there's less
to go wrong.

Some models have a thicker wire, so are supposed to be more rugged and are aimed at MTB use. Mine is
normal thickness, sits on an MTB, and is still in one piece.

Cateye seemed to have altered their range recently, so the old models are available cheap if you
trawl the internet shops.

If you go off-road, it's not difficult to lose them - mine popped off the mounting and vanished into
the undergrowth after going flying misjudging a dip at the base of a hill off-road. I had a spare
one, as I bought two of the same one when they were reduced in price, as it was a cheap way to get a
second mounting kit for another bike. If you park up, a scroat will probably have it away if you
forget to take it with you so I would get the cheapest that does what you need.

And some of the Sigma ones seem to work up to around 140mph, if the one on my motorbike is anything
to go by. That max speed function has its uses.

--

Regards,

Mark Davies

"doobrie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Cadence is a function I wouldn't be without. I have no hesitation in recommending the Cateye
Astrale, which Gearshift currently have for under 20 quid.

Quoted message said:

reviews of that model seem 50/50 especially for wet weather ... do any others with cadence come
recommended? although to be fair im unlikely to be out riding in the wet if i have a choice so
might just give that one a try ....

I've used an Astrale for several years in all weathers with no problems at all. Can definitely
recommend it. tony R.

In message <[email hidden]>, Mark D
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

doobrie said:

any recommendations for a cycle computer

Quoted message said:

also auto start would be nice too in case of forgetting to set it

...

Quoted message said:

do they start as soon as you move the wheels or do they take into account some real movement?

They all seem to do auto-start (and stop), so your av speed is based on the actual time
spent moving.

This is the norm for most computers, but one of the reason I bought my Cataeye Mity 3 was that you
can switch it from auto start stop to manual
- so the average is then based on the dunning time of the computer.

I like to use the latter mode when I am out touring, because I'm for ever stopping for short periods
to look at something, take a photo, have a breather, a drink, a munch of some chocolate etc. I'm
more interested in my 'travelling time' than my on the road speed as it helps me judge if I am
travelling to slow say to get to a certain point by a certain time etc.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

seeing the problems some seem to be having with the wireless variety is it best to stick with
standard wired or are the wireless problems rare?

Can't see much benefit to the wireless ones. The wired ones are not obtrusive and there's less to
go wrong.

You can interference between wireless computers and HRM as well. I had a wireless one for a bit but
I didn't like the way the batteries run out much quicker than a standard one.

Quoted message said:

Cateye seemed to have altered their range recently, so the old models are available cheap if you
trawl the internet shops.

Spa Cycles, in Harrogate have them for a good price normally as well. (Very good mail order service)

Another feature I like on my Mity 3 is the ability to enter a number of the Odometer, if say you
have to replace a battery.
--
Chris French, Leeds

Chris French said:

Another feature I like on my Mity 3 is the ability to enter a number of the Odometer, if say you
have to replace a battery.

Other models of Cateye - including the Astrale - don't forget the settings, odometer reading, etc.
if you whip the old battery out and the new one in within about 20 seconds. This works even if the
display is blanker than the mind of Laurent Jalabert's pet gendarme.

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

"Mark D" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Some models have a thicker wire, so are supposed to be more rugged and are aimed at MTB use. Mine
is normal thickness, sits on an MTB, and is still in one piece.

For example, the Cateye Enduro 2 is identical with the Mity 3 except for the heavy-duty cable. Which
you can buy as an extra anyway, should you so desire.
--
Mark South: Citizen of the World, Denizen of the Net "I wonder why so many Finnish traditions are
related with booze?"
- Juha Sakkinen

"chris French" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

You can interference between wireless computers and HRM as well. I had

a

Quoted message said:

wireless one for a bit but I didn't like the way the batteries run out much quicker than a
standard one.

Beware HRM users. I almost died the first time my new HRM suddenly started reading 217 bpm while I
was out on a club ride. (If the reading had been true I would have already died.)

The culprit turned out to be a Cateye Cordless on someone's bike. I had to perform a full reset on
my Cardiosport before it would give me a more sensible (and survivable) reading again.
--
Mark South: Citizen of the World, Denizen of the Net "I wonder why so many Finnish traditions are
related with booze?"
- Juha Sakkinen

Mark South said:

I almost died the first time my new HRM suddenly started reading 217 bpm while I was out on a club
ride. (If the reading had been true I would have already died.)

Not necessarily. I have registered a genuine 230 during circuit training and lived to tell the tale.

Guy
===
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