FlightDeck on a Track Bike?

<< Might be that it will be cheaper to just buy <<another computer...

Yup...and easier..and, if wireless, like the new Mavic unit or the Cateye, a tad smaller and a bit
neater, too.

PH

"Aliis si licet, tibi non licet." - Terence On 22 Nov 2003 20:02:06 GMT, [email hidden] (Pete

Hausner) said:

<< Might be that it will be cheaper to just buy <<another computer...

Yup...and easier..and, if wireless, like the new Mavic unit or the Cateye, a tad smaller and a bit
neater, too.

The most unique feature of Mavic's new computer (speed sensor integrated into the skewer) will be
nullified by the rule of track racing that precludes the use of quick releases.

-------------------------------
John Dacey Business Cycles, Miami, Florida businesscycles.combusinesscycles.comOpen ↗ Now in our twenty-first
year. Our catalog of track equipment: eighth year online
-------------------------------

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

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to put a FlightDeck on a track bike?

Obviously, no shifter or brake hoods to connect to... but isn't there a MTB bracket or something
that would allow the function buttons to be placed on the bars?

Might be that it will be cheaper to just buy another computer...

you must have a flightdeck you dont know what to do with. AFAIK the neatness and $$ of the
flightdeck was its features, many of which rely on knowing what gear you are in from the shifters.
given that you wont have shifters, nor need much of the info the flightdeck was built to provide, i
would suggest a nine dollar computer from the internet for more functionality, less headache. but
then maybe im missing something?

anthony

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

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to put a FlightDeck on a track bike?

Obviously, no shifter or brake hoods to connect to... but isn't there a MTB bracket or something
that would allow the function buttons to be placed on the bars?

Might be that it will be cheaper to just buy another computer...

Yes, I think the Shimano part you're looking for is the 6500MX harness. Two buttons on the handlebar
cycle through the functions of the Flight Deck...you get all except Cadence, Gear Display, and Gear
Inch Display.

Regards,
Bill

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

Quoted message said:

"Willim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to put a FlightDeck on a track bike?

Obviously, no shifter or brake hoods to connect to... but isn't there a MTB bracket or something
that would allow the function buttons to be placed on the bars?

Might be that it will be cheaper to just buy another computer...

you must have a flightdeck you dont know what to do with. AFAIK the neatness and $$ of the
flightdeck was its features, many of which rely on knowing what gear you are in from the shifters.
given that you wont have shifters, nor need much of the info the flightdeck was built to provide,
i would suggest a nine dollar computer from the internet for more functionality, less headache.
but then maybe im missing something?

I have a FD, and that's pretty much what it's all about -- a gear indicator. If you have only one
gear there's no reason to have it. Also, it's too easy to accidently press the buttons on the
brake hoods.

If you have a FD you don't know what to do with, sell it on eBay, and buy different model that makes
more sense for a fixed gear.

Matt O.

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

Quoted message said:

you must have a flightdeck you dont know what to do with. AFAIK the neatness and $$ of the
flightdeck was its features, many of which rely on knowing what gear you are in from the shifters.
given that you wont have shifters, nor need much of the info the flightdeck was built to provide,
i would suggest a nine dollar computer from the internet for more functionality, less headache.
but then maybe im missing something?

One of the features of the FlightDeck is its ability to hold configurations for 4 different bikes,
so you just clip it to the bracket on the bike you're using, and call up the config...

Works fine on my road bike, would like speed/cadence/distance/etc... on the track as well. The $40
Catseye would probably be fine, but it has wires going to the pedal and wheel sensors, not quite as
neat as the wireless FlightDeck.

If it's possible at all, will probably take some hacking of the bracket...

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

Quoted message said:

Yes, I think the Shimano part you're looking for is the 6500MX harness. Two buttons on the
handlebar cycle through the functions of the Flight Deck...you get all except Cadence, Gear
Display, and Gear Inch Display.

Thanks, that will probably do it.

Looks like there's also: SM-6500MS, "For use on any bicycle, not integrated with the shifters"

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

Quoted message said:

"Aliis si licet, tibi non licet." - Terence On 22 Nov 2003 20:02:06 GMT, [email hidden]

(Pete Hausner) said:

<< Might be that it will be cheaper to just buy <<another computer...

Yup...and easier..and, if wireless, like the new Mavic unit or the

Cateye, a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

tad smaller and a bit neater, too.

The most unique feature of Mavic's new computer (speed sensor integrated into the skewer) will be
nullified by the rule of track racing that precludes the use of quick releases.

Unless you've got anal retentive officials... I've seen lots of guys with QRs taped over. The Mavic
should fly everywhere but the big races.

That said, WTF do you need a computer on a track bike for? You doing Kilos or TTs?

Mike

Quoted message said:

-------------------------------
John Dacey Business Cycles, Miami, Florida businesscycles.combusinesscycles.comOpen ↗ Now in our twenty-first
year. Our catalog of track equipment: eighth year online
-------------------------------

Quoted message said:

That said, WTF do you need a computer on a track bike for? You doing Kilos or TTs?

I've got one on my track bike. It's a Vetta with cadence, average cadence, and max cadence besides
the other more common functions. I ride that bike on the road 99.9% of the time, but those functions
would still be nice if I rode it on tracks more often.

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

That said, WTF do you need a computer on a track bike for? You doing

Kilos

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

or TTs?

I've got one on my track bike. It's a Vetta with cadence, average cadence, and max cadence besides
the other more common functions. I ride that bike on the road 99.9% of the time, but those
functions would still be nice if I rode it on tracks more often.

Nope. There's no need to have a computer on your bike on the track unless you're training for TT
stuff then cadence is a good thing.

Since you know the distance around the track, all ya gotta do is figure out what times you have to
hit. A watch works great for that.

I can see it now: "hey guys, can you slow down? I went past my maximum cadence." or "wow! We just
hit XXmph! Whoops! Bang!"

Mike

Mike S. said:

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

That said, WTF do you need a computer on a track bike for? You doing

Kilos or TTs?

Quoted message said:

I've got one on my track bike. It's a Vetta with cadence, average cadence, and max cadence besides
the other more common functions. I ride that bike on the road 99.9% of the time, but those
functions would still be nice if I rode it on tracks more often.

Nope. There's no need to have a computer on your bike on the track unless you're training for TT
stuff then cadence is a good thing.

Or unless I feel like riding around a track with a bike computer, for all the information it will
give me. Will you also tell me how to use my car?

Quoted message said:

Since you know the distance around the track,

Maybe, maybe not.

Quoted message said:

all ya gotta do

Sounds like all _you_ have to do. If you want to limit your use of a track, fine, but you don't know
why or where or when I'm riding on a track.

Quoted message said:

is figure out what times you have to hit.

What times I have to hit? Where did this come from? Are you a member of the third Marcabian
invasion force?

If I can find a track and ride around it, for whatever reason, I'll do so. I might pick my nose
while I'm doing that.

Quoted message said:

A watch works great for that.

For what?

Quoted message said:

I can see it now: "hey guys, can you slow down? I went past my maximum cadence." or "wow! We just
hit XXmph! Whoops! Bang!"

You're in a self-centered hallucination.

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message news:YDcwb.6891$9O5.277@fed1read06...

Quoted message said:

Nope. There's no need to have a computer on your bike on the track unless you're training for TT
stuff then cadence is a good thing.

On a road trip, you have a starting point, and ending point; a definite goal of distance and time.
On the track, riding around in circles (well, ovals...) a computer displaying speed/distance/average
provides the goals and comparisons to previous efforts.

Quoted message said:

Since you know the distance around the track, all ya gotta do is figure

out

Quoted message said:

what times you have to hit. A watch works great for that.

...for some of us, an hour glass works just as well...

Actually, I find it kind of difficult lifting my left arm up so that I can read the watch display
while using my right hand to program the crono functions on the watch, and still maintain my line
around the track.

I'm thinking it might be possible to place the FlightDeck buttons where they can be actuated while
you're in the drops. Timing your own flying 200 for example, should be possible...

Quoted message said:

I can see it now: "hey guys, can you slow down? I went past my maximum cadence." or "wow! We just
hit XXmph! Whoops! Bang!"

Well, as a matter of fact... a pace line is supposed to maintain a constant cadence. Sometimes we
get a rider that thinks he should sprint at the head of the line, or slows way down when the line
turns into the wind. You get a kind of accordion effect that ripples through the line... and Yes, we
have riders yelling "Maintain the pace!" "Close the gaps!"

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message news:<YDcwb.6891$9O5.277@fed1read06>...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

That said, WTF do you need a computer on a track bike for? You doing

Kilos

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

or TTs?

I've got one on my track bike. It's a Vetta with cadence, average cadence, and max cadence
besides the other more common functions. I ride that bike on the road 99.9% of the time, but
those functions would still be nice if I rode it on tracks more often.

Nope. There's no need to have a computer on your bike on the track unless you're training for TT
stuff then cadence is a good thing.

Since you know the distance around the track, all ya gotta do is figure out what times you have to
hit. A watch works great for that.

I can see it now: "hey guys, can you slow down? I went past my maximum cadence." or "wow! We just
hit XXmph! Whoops! Bang!"

Mike

Dear Mike,

I secretly long for a heads-up virtual display on my glasses, the sort of thing that advanced
fighter planes offer, projecting my elapsed time, current speed, distance from the second crack in
my driveway, minutes until sundown (adjusted for those huge heaps of dirt to the west in Colorado),
and a few other details.

Apparent wind speed would be really nice, too, particularly if it required a small but tasteful
propellor on top of my helmet. A pitot tube lacks dash.

If anyone is thinking about providing such intrumentation, I'd be willing to pay $20. Hell, $25.

Carl Fogel

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

Quoted message said:

Mike S. said:

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

Quoted message said:

>That said, WTF do you need a computer on a track bike for? You doing

Kilos or TTs?

Quoted message said:

I've got one on my track bike. It's a Vetta with cadence, average cadence, and max cadence
besides the other more common functions. I ride that bike on the road 99.9% of the time, but
those functions would still be nice if I rode it on tracks more often.

Nope. There's no need to have a computer on your bike on the track

unless

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you're training for TT stuff then cadence is a good thing.

Or unless I feel like riding around a track with a bike computer, for all the information it will
give me. Will you also tell me how to use my car?

Quoted message said:

Since you know the distance around the track,

Maybe, maybe not.

How do you NOT know the distance around the track?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

all ya gotta do

Sounds like all _you_ have to do. If you want to limit your use of a track, fine, but you don't
know why or where or when I'm riding on a

track.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

is figure out what times you have to hit.

What times I have to hit? Where did this come from? Are you a member of the third Marcabian
invasion force?

If I can find a track and ride around it, for whatever reason, I'll do so. I might pick my nose
while I'm doing that.

There's where you're inserting a factor that wasn't in your OP. If you had said in the begining that
you weren't riding on a track, this conversation would've gone a completely different way... Because
WTF do you need a computer on the track for? Useless as [censored] on a boar hog.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A watch works great for that.

For what?

Quoted message said:

I can see it now: "hey guys, can you slow down? I went past my maximum cadence." or "wow! We
just hit XXmph! Whoops! Bang!"

You're in a self-centered hallucination.

If you don't give us all the info, how do you expect to get back decent answers? One can argue that
usenet is by definition a group of self-centered egotistical [censored] that know more than you do by
virtue of our vast knowledge of all things. Bow! Worm!

Geez, next he'll want to know gear ratios too.

Mike

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Well, as a matter of fact... a pace line is supposed to maintain a

constant

Quoted message said:

cadence. Sometimes we get a rider that thinks he should sprint at the head of the line, or slows
way down when the line turns into the wind. You get a kind of accordion effect that ripples
through the line... and Yes, we have riders yelling "Maintain the pace!" "Close the gaps!"

Consistent speed maybe, but constant cadence? Dunno about that one...

Yeah, we get that in San Diego. There's usually a nasty headwind coming down the back straight into
turn 3 that slows everyone down... Biiiiiiggggg accordion.

Mike

Mike S.' mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet said:

How do you NOT know the distance around the track?

Distance where? At the blue boards? The pole line? The sprinter's line? The stayer's line? At the
top of the track?

Quoted message said:

There's where you're inserting a factor that wasn't in your OP. If you had said in the begining
that you weren't riding on a track, this conversation would've gone a completely different way...
Because WTF do you need a computer on the track for? Useless as [censored] on a boar hog.

I always had a computer on my track bike, just because I liked to know exaclty how far I rode in an
evening's worth of racing, what my maximum speed was, what my average speed was, etc. I liked having
that information. Simple as that. If you don't think that you need a computer on *your* track bike,
then DON'T USE ONE!

<snip>

Quoted message said:

I secretly long for a heads-up virtual display on my glasses, the sort of thing that advanced
fighter planes offer, projecting my elapsed time, current speed, distance from the second crack in
my driveway, minutes until sundown (adjusted for those huge heaps of dirt to the west in
Colorado), and a few other details.

I can see having a heads up on the bike. That'd be cool. No more looking down at the bars right
about the time you run over something...

Quoted message said:

Apparent wind speed would be really nice, too, particularly if it required a small but tasteful
propellor on top of my helmet. A pitot tube lacks dash.

If anyone is thinking about providing such intrumentation, I'd be willing to pay $20. Hell, $25.

Carl Fogel

Maybe the Air Force has some surplus?

Mike

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message news:Zxwwb.7237$9O5.5787@fed1read06...

Quoted message said:

Consistent speed maybe, but constant cadence? Dunno about that one...

Well, your feet are attached to the pedals, the pedals connect to the chain, the chain
connects to the wheel... if you move your feet in a constant cadence, the bike should move at
a constant speed...

Quoted message said:

Yeah, we get that in San Diego. There's usually a nasty headwind coming down the back straight
into turn 3 that slows everyone down...

Biiiiiiggggg

Quoted message said:

accordion.

Same thing at the Encino Velodrome. Sure be nice when the Dominguez 'drome in Carson opens next
year: Indoors! No wind!

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

Quoted message said:

Mike S.' mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet said:

How do you NOT know the distance around the track?

Distance where? At the blue boards? The pole line? The sprinter's line? The stayer's line? At the
top of the track?

Quoted message said:

There's where you're inserting a factor that wasn't in your OP. If you had said in the begining
that you weren't riding on a track, this conversation would've gone a completely different
way... Because WTF do you need a computer on the track for? Useless as [censored] on a boar hog.

I always had a computer on my track bike, just because I liked to know exaclty how far I rode in
an evening's worth of racing, what my maximum speed was, what my average speed was, etc. I liked
having that information. Simple as that. If you don't think that you need a computer on *your*
track bike, then DON'T USE ONE!

As evidenced by my post, I don't have a computer on my track bike.

Just out of curiosity, what do you get out of knowing what max, avg, etc. speeds are on the track?
Well, max I can almost understand, but the rest? If you're doing intervals avg speed is inaccurate.
If you're JRA on the track, why are you riding there in the first place?

You wanna put one on, great, but I'm going to keep scratching my head and wondering.

Mike