Cheap cycle computer

[McPete]

Now, I know may people here like their big-name gear, but I'm on a budget that barely exists. My bike is a freebie. I got it fixed in exchange for cleaning the mechanic's car. And now, I have a cyclometer.

I'd wanted one for quite a while, having no real idea how fast I was going at any given moment, but I had a minimal budget of $20. Apon paying a visit to that boutique of all things unspecialised that we know as Kmart, I noticed in the cycle section, a little Cyclops brand "5 FUNCTION CYCLE COMPUTER", with noted features of "Wide Screen" and "4 Digits LCD dislay". The computer offers a Speedo up to 99.9km/h, an Odometer, a trip distance Odometer a 24 hour clock and something called "Auto Scan". All this for a mere $20?

The set up was strictly conventional, if with one small flaw.... they say the magnet reader goes onto the right fork-blade. This is true when looking at thr front of the fork, so just to clarify. Now, only having one button makes the setting process a bit interesting, but the instructions are clear enough, just follow them through and you'll get it. What is excellent is that they provide a table of wheel circumferences, which for the 700C x 1 1/4 is dead on my measurements. However, you can set it to any wheel size between 1000 and 3000mm.

On the road, the speed update lags a little, but it's quite adequate. The button is a little firm for my liking, although my thumb is a bit bruised, so it shouldn't be a problem. The computer doesn't jiggle over rough surfaces but comes off very easily when it's time to dismount.

All in all, if you want to buy your child a simple speedo, or want a no-frills computer for your MBT or commuter, this little unit is excellent vaule for money. Avalible from Kmart.

[europa]

My son had a huffy on his bike - Big W at about the same price. Worked beautifully for two years ... then stopped for no apparent reason but at that price, who cares.

Richard

[McPete]

Behold, the glory of pictures!

[timbo]

A friend has just bought a basic cycle computer from Aldi for $10, and I know another person who bought a cordless cycle computer with heart rate monitor for $40 on ebay. I'll give an update on how they perform, but so far they seem happy. My whiz-bang Cateye was useless after being caught in a downpour (I've since heard Cateyes don't like water) so you can pay heaps and still have it fail.

[europa]

My Polar seems to have survived the drowning everythng got on saturday - 50km in heavy rain.

Richard

[tuco]

A friend has just bought a basic cycle computer from Aldi for $10, and I know another person who bought a cordless cycle computer with heart rate monitor for $40 on ebay. I'll give an update on how they perform, but so far they seem happy. My whiz-bang Cateye was useless after being caught in a downpour (I've since heard Cateyes don't like water) so you can pay heaps and still have it fail.

Everyone knows cats don't like water

Looks like even bike computers are going wide screen.

[commi]

I just bought a Cateye computer yesterday. I'm certainly not going to leave it on the bike if it starts raining like it did last saturday (riding along beach rd)...

I haven't looked at the leaflet properly, but those things aren't even splash proof, are they? A light drizzle you could get away with.

[Mulger bill]

It wasn't rain that killed my Cateye Tomo, it was a rock during another one of those farm purchases

[tinstaafl]

It wasn't rain that killed my Cateye Tomo, it was a rock during another one of those farm purchases

If you don't buy it now and then you're not really having a go.

Robert

[Mulger bill]

I must be getting old...
Don't mind the ride, don't mind the odd roll in the dust.
Can't stand the extended recovery time after a hurt.
Oh for the body of a 19 year old again

[tinstaafl]

You're not wrong.
I'm 19 in the saddle and right up to the point of impact then I call for the missus to look after me.
The extending recovery time sucks.

Robert

[tuco]

You're not wrong.
I'm 19 in the saddle and right up to the point of impact then I call for the missus to look after me.
The extending recovery time sucks.

Robert

Well don't hurt your back. I'm still getting over a back injury from 2000 (not a bike accident.) After every ride I get off with pain in my back and need to stretch to stand up straight.
I still do exercises a couple of times a day to help it.

I dread falling because I know the first thing that'll be hurt is my back.

If I wasn't 19 in my head then I'd probably do the right thing and not ride but I enjoy it too much.

[tinstaafl]

Well don't hurt your back. I'm still getting over a back injury from 2000 (not a bike accident.) After every ride I get off with pain in my back and need to stretch to stand up straight.

That's the only reason that I bought a soft tail bike.
I had a hard tail and it was dreadful. I thought that I just had to put up with three hours of pain after every ride from a back problem aquired in 92.
The soft tail has made all the difference.
I have to kick myself in the bum once with a hard tail to trigger my back . The soft tail is like riding on a water bed.
The missus was in the process of banning me from riding and we are finding that the bike is kind of paying for itself with reduced visits to the bone crackers.

Robert

[Mulger bill]

Well don't hurt your back.

I've hurt mine a few times, on and off the bike. Thats why I like a 2.1 inch tyre under my bum, and learned to run or roll out of stacks.

If I wasn't 19 in my head then I'd probably do the right thing and not ride but I enjoy it too much.

Which is why we all ride

[uMP2k]

A friend has just bought a basic cycle computer from Aldi for $10, and I know another person who bought a cordless cycle computer with heart rate monitor for $40 on ebay. I'll give an update on how they perform, but so far they seem happy. My whiz-bang Cateye was useless after being caught in a downpour (I've since heard Cateyes don't like water) so you can pay heaps and still have it fail.

Any update on how this performed?

I have been looking at getting a new computer and really do not want to spend much so have been tempted by the ebay offerings.

[Aushiker]

G'day

Rather than start a new thread I thought I would ask here.

Torpedo7 have a SUN Cycle Computer going for $6.99. It has the basoc features I want.

I am just a bit concerned about quality/reliability of the information provided etc but then it is only $7.00 + postage.

Anyone have any experience with this brand?

Regards
Andrew

[europa]

I don't know it mate, but I do have a Union XR (rats, where's the barfing smilie - seriously, it serves on the Sow's Ear, and has inspired the following comments).

Mate, forget the cheap stuff. Work out how nerdy you REALLY are, and spend the money to buy a good quality, big name brand that provides all that. The hassle of messing around with cheap stuff is not worth it, and if your inner geek wants to know heaps of meaningless numbers, feed them to him rather than hiding from him. There is something really satisfying about entering a lot of numbers into a spreadsheet ... and one day, it might even be useful (for other than scaring you lot ).

Seriously, buy good. A basic Polar or Sigma will cost you around $30 in the shops. That's NOTHING, and it'll install easily, will work reliably and keep doing so for donkey's years. Buying cheap (or under optioned) with bike computers is just guaranteeing that you'll buy a better one later on.

Richard

[Aushiker]

Buying cheap (or under optioned) with bike computers is just guaranteeing that you'll buy a better one later on.

Yep which is why I am looking for a new one. My Cateye Velo 5 is too basic.

Thanks for the comments. I adopt the YGWYPF motto with my bushwalking gear, should do the same for the bike!

Andrew

[europa]

Thanks for the comments. I adopt the YGWYPF motto with my bushwalking gear, should do the same for the bike!

Andrew

Sadly, it seems to be the best way to go, 'sadly' because I really can't afford it and have to put it down to 'retail therapy' ... and then lie to my Dad about how much I spend (I tell the truth to my gf but she's worse than me )

Richard

[tallywhacker]

I just bought a Cateye computer yesterday. I'm certainly not going to leave it on the bike if it starts raining like it did last saturday (riding along beach rd)...

I haven't looked at the leaflet properly, but those things aren't even splash proof, are they? A light drizzle you could get away with.

I have found the problem with the Cateyes is when you get water between the head and the cradle is short out (it works after it dries out). all you need to do is wrap a bit of electrical tape around where they join and no water gets in. Havn't had a problem since.

[mikesbytes]

Personally I'd go for one that has cadience.

At the price for the T7 sun one, I'd consider it a temporarily one until you know which one you want permanently, which ain't such a bad thing.

[Aushiker]

Personally I'd go for one that has cadience.

Okay. Found the other thread on computers and discussion on cadence. The learning continues.

So besides cadence and the wireless versus wired debate (I am probably going to go wired as a I ride near a electric railway) are there other features considered must have or models to seriously consider?

Suggestions so far seem to be:

Shimano Flightdeck
Polar CS200cad
Veta RT77
Sigma BC1606L

Regards
Andrew

[Aushiker]

Work out how nerdy you REALLY are, and spend the money to buy a good quality, big name brand that provides all that. The hassle of messing around with cheap stuff is not worth it, and if your inner geek wants to know heaps of meaningless numbers, feed them to him rather than hiding from him. There is something really satisfying about entering a lot of numbers into a spreadsheet ... and one day, it might even be useful (for other than scaring you lot ).

Reckon this one might feed the urge for all that nerdy data.

Andrew

[sogood]

Reckon this one might feed the urge for all that nerdy data.

For that kind of investment, might as well go a tiny bit more and get a Garmin Edge 305 GPS cycling computer.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=160&pID=331

[mikesbytes]

We seem to of gone from $10something to real $$$

I think that geoffs has one of those garmin ones.