Decent beginners cycling computer?

[brucester22]

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

[Mulger bill]

Wired or wireless? Budget?

[BandedRail]

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

[il padrone]

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.

[brucester22]

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?

[BandedRail]

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.

[Mulger bill]

If you don't want cadence, wired can be done very neatly with a bit of thought.

[singlespeedscott]

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.

[brucester22]

Cheers guys.

One last question.

What is the best online shop for buying cateyes?

Thanks again

[mattwilkinson]

whatevers the cheapest

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



http://www.probikeshop.com/cateye-micro ... /1855.html

[skull]

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

[singlespeedscott]

whatevers the cheapest

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



http://www.probikeshop.com/cateye-micro ... /1855.html

Ribble is actually cheaper.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... atecomp503

[Red Rider]

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]

Cheers all.

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

Thanks

[singlespeedscott]

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

[Kenzo]

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.

[singlespeedscott]

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

[RonK]

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.

[Mulger bill]

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.

[brucester22]

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

[skull]

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

[Red Rider]

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

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.

[Xplora]

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]

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.