Cheap cycle computer
- McPete
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Cheap cycle computer
Postby McPete » Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:48 pm
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
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Postby timbo » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:12 am
- tuco
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Postby tuco » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:53 am
Everyone knows cats don't like watertimbo wrote: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.
Looks like even bike computers are going wide screen.
- commi
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Postby commi » Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:55 pm
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
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Postby Mulger bill » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:01 pm
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- Mulger bill
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Postby Mulger bill » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:17 am
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
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Aging bones
Postby tinstaafl » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:06 am
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
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Re: Aging bones
Postby tuco » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:24 am
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.tinstaafl wrote: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
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.
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Re: Aging bones
Postby tinstaafl » Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:43 pm
That's the only reason that I bought a soft tail bike.tuco wrote: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 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
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Re: Aging bones
Postby Mulger bill » Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:46 am
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.tuco wrote: Well don't hurt your back.
Which is why we all ridetuco wrote: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.
- uMP2k
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Postby uMP2k » Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:25 pm
Any update on how this performed?timbo wrote: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.
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
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Postby Aushiker » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:48 am
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
Aushiker.com
- europa
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Postby europa » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:01 pm
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
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Postby Aushiker » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:03 pm
Yep which is why I am looking for a new one. My Cateye Velo 5 is too basic.europa wrote:Buying cheap (or under optioned) with bike computers is just guaranteeing that you'll buy a better one later on.
Thanks for the comments. I adopt the YGWYPF motto with my bushwalking gear, should do the same for the bike!
Andrew
Aushiker.com
- europa
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Postby europa » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:04 pm
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 )Aushiker wrote:Thanks for the comments. I adopt the YGWYPF motto with my bushwalking gear, should do the same for the bike!
Andrew
Richard
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Postby tallywhacker » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:40 pm
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.commi wrote: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.
- mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:29 pm
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
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Postby Aushiker » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:07 pm
Okay. Found the other thread on computers and discussion on cadence. The learning continues.mikesbytes wrote:Personally I'd go for one that has cadience.
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
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Postby Aushiker » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:30 pm
Reckon this one might feed the urge for all that nerdy data.europa wrote: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 ).
Andrew
Aushiker.com
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Postby sogood » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:37 pm
For that kind of investment, might as well go a tiny bit more and get a Garmin Edge 305 GPS cycling computer.Aushiker wrote:Reckon this one might feed the urge for all that nerdy data.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=160&pID=331
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Postby mikesbytes » Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:49 pm
I think that geoffs has one of those garmin ones.
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