Decent beginners cycling computer?

brucester22
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:17 am

Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby brucester22 » Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:44 pm

Hi,

I am after a decent quality entry level computer. Nothing fancy with unneccasary features, just the basics like speed, distance and cadence.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

User avatar
Mulger bill
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 29060
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
Location: Sunbury Vic

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby Mulger bill » Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:51 pm

Wired or wireless? Budget?
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011

User avatar
BandedRail
Posts: 548
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:31 am
Location: Bayswater, Perth WA

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby BandedRail » Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:54 pm

For wired I'd go for a Cateye Velo 8. SImple, reliable, cheap (well, online anyway).

User avatar
il padrone
Posts: 22931
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
Location: Heading for home.

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby il padrone » Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:02 am

Cadence makes it a bit more than 'basic' IMO. You need a second sensor, extra wiring if wired unit, extra battery to keep fresh if wireless.

I had a Vetta unit for a long time. Just basic functions, something like this one (probably the updated model). Speed, distance (2 measures), max speed, average speed, time, clock.... no cadence. One very good feature about it was that it was tricky to remove from the handlebar bracket - most people could not work it out - great for theft protection, I never removed it when I locked the bike.

Image
Mandatory helmet law?
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."

brucester22
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:17 am

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby brucester22 » Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:02 am

Thanks guys.

Didnt realize cadence was an advanced feature.

What are the pros and cons of wired vs wireless?

I'm guessing wired is cheaper and requires less batteries but looks ugly and wire gets in the way?

User avatar
BandedRail
Posts: 548
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:31 am
Location: Bayswater, Perth WA

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby BandedRail » Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:23 am

brucester22 wrote:Thanks guys.

Didnt realize cadence was an advanced feature.

What are the pros and cons of wired vs wireless?

I'm guessing wired is cheaper and requires less batteries but looks ugly and wire gets in the way?
Your front light (depending on the light) can seriously make a mess of the signal from the sensor - but if you only cycle during daylight hours then that wouldn't be a problem.

User avatar
Mulger bill
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 29060
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
Location: Sunbury Vic

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby Mulger bill » Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:09 am

If you don't want cadence, wired can be done very neatly with a bit of thought.
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011

User avatar
singlespeedscott
Posts: 5510
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:35 pm
Location: Elimbah, Queensland

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby singlespeedscott » Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:27 am

From my experience just buy yourself a Cateye micro wireless. Cateye is easily the most reliable brand. The battery seems to last forever as we'll. wires are a pain and always seem to break for me.

You don't need a cadence sensor etc. All that stuff is available for Garmins or mobile phones were the info will be downloadable and easily analyzed. All I use my Cateye computer for is checking my speed and the time.
Image

brucester22
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:17 am

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby brucester22 » Sat Feb 16, 2013 1:22 pm

Cheers guys.

One last question.

What is the best online shop for buying cateyes?

Thanks again :)

User avatar
mattwilkinson
Posts: 357
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: Victoria

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby mattwilkinson » Sat Feb 16, 2013 8:55 pm

whatevers the cheapest :P

Google Shopping>Search>Sort by: Price, Low to High

:D

http://www.probikeshop.com/cateye-micro ... /1855.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
skull
Posts: 2087
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:48 pm

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby skull » Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:06 pm

I would suggest just going for a Garmin Edge 500. It is a bit more than a beginner one but it will stop the upgradeitis coming on to early

User avatar
singlespeedscott
Posts: 5510
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:35 pm
Location: Elimbah, Queensland

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby singlespeedscott » Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:32 pm

mattwilkinson wrote:whatevers the cheapest :P

Google Shopping>Search>Sort by: Price, Low to High

:D

http://www.probikeshop.com/cateye-micro ... /1855.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ribble is actually cheaper.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... atecomp503" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Image

User avatar
Red Rider
Posts: 1024
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:44 pm
Location: Perth

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby Red Rider » Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:38 pm

skull wrote:I would suggest just going for a Garmin Edge 500. It is a bit more than a beginner one but it will stop the upgradeitis coming on to early
Why stop there, may as well get a Garmin Edge 810 bundle, and don't forget to get a Quarq to make the most of all those features.

brucester22
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:17 am

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby brucester22 » Sun Feb 17, 2013 12:25 am

Cheers all.

Ended up going for the cateye velo 9 wired from ebay for $35 delivered.

Thanks :)

User avatar
singlespeedscott
Posts: 5510
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:35 pm
Location: Elimbah, Queensland

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby singlespeedscott » Sun Feb 17, 2013 9:01 am

Should of ponied up the extra $10. The wires are a pain in the long run.
Image

User avatar
Kenzo
Posts: 1680
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:13 am
Location: Daisy Hill / Brisbane, Southside FTW
Contact:

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby Kenzo » Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:02 am

singlespeedscott wrote:Should of ponied up the extra $10. The wires are a pain in the long run.
By the same token... I have Sigma 1609 computers on my bikes. Some Wired and the others with wireless versions. The wireless are asking for more batteries... and I ride those bikes less than I ride the wired (road) bike.

User avatar
singlespeedscott
Posts: 5510
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:35 pm
Location: Elimbah, Queensland

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby singlespeedscott » Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:27 am

All the Sigma's I have used have been rubbish. Poor battery life particularly.
Image

User avatar
RonK
Posts: 11508
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:08 pm
Location: If you need to know, ask me
Contact:

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby RonK » Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:57 am

singlespeedscott wrote:All the Sigma's I have used have been rubbish. Poor battery life particularly.
I replaced a Garmin with a Sigma, and it works just fine for me, no issues with battery life at all. On the other hand I'll never buy another Garmin product of any kind.
Cycle touring blog and tour journals: whispering wheels...

User avatar
Mulger bill
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 29060
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
Location: Sunbury Vic

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby Mulger bill » Sun Feb 17, 2013 12:34 pm

I've been running Sigma 1606 STS's on all my bikes for years (and recently a 1609 STS on the commuter) with nary a problem. Can't say battery life is a significant issue in my world.
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011

brucester22
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:17 am

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby brucester22 » Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:31 pm

I figured whats one more wire when you already have the brake and gear cables running the same paths.

Wireless has a handful of good reviews, most are negative.

I like to keep things simple and low tek :P

User avatar
skull
Posts: 2087
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:48 pm

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby skull » Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:45 pm

Red Rider wrote: Why stop there, may as well get a Garmin Edge 810 bundle, and don't forget to get a Quarq to make the most of all those features.
hehe

sure but I don't like the 810. Screen's to big. 500 is a better sleek unit IMO

User avatar
Red Rider
Posts: 1024
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:44 pm
Location: Perth

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby Red Rider » Sun Feb 17, 2013 4:13 pm

brucester22 wrote:I figured whats one more wire when you already have the brake and gear cables running the same paths.

Wireless has a handful of good reviews, most are negative.

I like to keep things simple and low tek :P
My old wireless unit didn't like my new light, the signal was getting interfered with. Wired will never let you down that way, and one less battery to worry about! I had a wired Sigma (9701 or something like that) and it never missed a beat even in the pouring rain.

User avatar
Xplora
Posts: 8272
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2010 12:33 am
Location: TL;DR

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby Xplora » Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:32 pm

Rd200 from cateye gets cadence into picture real cheap. If you want your bike to look pretty, you could have spent extra for internal cables and carbon frame. Oh wait, it's external wires and Alu frame? Get the damn cateye with wires. You will appreciate the garmin later. Or just use a phone with strava :)

dampier
Posts: 119
Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:35 am

Re: Decent beginners cycling computer?

Postby dampier » Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:09 pm

The only problem I had with the wired cateye, was that when it rained, the water corroded the contact points enough to disrupt the signal. Easy to fix, just wipe the contact points. It took a day to figure out, after adjusting all the magnets and realigning the detectors.
Apart from that it is a good unit.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Aussie Bruce