What sort of bike computer?

[thecaptn]

Hi All,

I want to know how far I'm riding to keep a more acurate account of my training and am thinking about purchasing a computer of some sort. I've never had one before and would like something uncomplicated and easy to use, I only want to know how far I ride but realise that all of the divices on the market will be multi-functional.

Can anyone please provide me with some opinions on what may be available? Price is not as important a consideration as usability and quality.

Thanks Pete

[thecaptn]

I notice that PBK have a Garmin 500 for $187 is that good?

[macca33]

Yep, that is where I bought mine. There are a couple of options - 500 bare, 500 with HRM & Cadence.

IMO HRM & Cadence are the way to go.

cheers

[jemima]

I recently purchased a Cateye Strada wireless from Wiggle.
If distance is the main thing your looking for, I think this is a very good unit.
Around $60 by memory.

[DavidS]

I recently purchased a Cateye Strada wireless from Wiggle.
If distance is the main thing your looking for, I think this is a very good unit.
Around $60 by memory.

How is that. I have a Strada wired and it has been unreliable, dropping out and the like. I am pretty certain it is the connection between the computer and the mount on the handlebar with its very small electrical connection which is at fault. As such, I figure the wireless would be fine as there is no electrical connection there (it is worse in the wet and does get going again when I wiggle it around). It is a great computer apart from the reliability, odo goes beyond 10,000, tells me whether I'm going faster or slower than my current average, easy to read etc. If the wireless is reliable I'll get one.

DS

[rheicel]

I recently purchased a Cateye Strada wireless from Wiggle.
If distance is the main thing your looking for, I think this is a very good unit.
Around $60 by memory.

How is that. I have a Strada wired and it has been unreliable, dropping out and the like. I am pretty certain it is the connection between the computer and the mount on the handlebar with its very small electrical connection which is at fault. As such, I figure the wireless would be fine as there is no electrical connection there (it is worse in the wet and does get going again when I wiggle it around). It is a great computer apart from the reliability, odo goes beyond 10,000, tells me whether I'm going faster or slower than my current average, easy to read etc. If the wireless is reliable I'll get one.

DS

I have Strada Wireless on all my bikes, they seems to work fine for me. The only thing I noticed is when you come across a bicycle with the same strada wireless, they seem to interfere with each other. But this only happens like once in a while, if I am cruising along Sydney Harbour Bridge. They are cheap nowadays as most dedicated cyclist buys computer with GPS.

[thecaptn]

PBK have a Cateye Strada Wireless for $32. They've also got a Garmin Edge 200 for $125, what are these like?

[macca33]

From friends of mine who have the Garmin 200 - Stay away!

cheers

[Lukeyboy]

The Garmin 200 isn't that bad but not being able to sync to a HRM/Cad is annoying. The GPS signal sync is however very annoying at the time it takes. Sometimes within 10 seconds and othertimes a couple minutes compared to the Garmin 800 where its instant. But with the 510/810 coming out I'd say chip out the few extra bucks for a 500 as it should now be in a similar price range as the 200 to clear stock.

[jemima]

... If the wireless is reliable I'll get one.
DS

When I first set it up, I wasn't aware that it wasn't clipped fully in the mount.
It came off my bike when flying downhill, and the head unit when bouncing along the road. Oh no!

Worked fine when connected again properly...silly me... and 2 weeks later still going great.

[gpz1100]

i purchased a wired echowell u9 5 months ago,easy to set up and hasnt missed a beat.cost $40 but i have seen it online for $25 or maybe less.

[Hergest]

If all you want is to keep a track of your speed and distance then this from Sigma is perfect. I've got one on my commuter and one on my roadie.

http://www.this link is broken/sigma-sport-bc1 ... -computer/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Easy to fit, easy to use and you're not bombarded with information that you don't want.

[Jimbobtwoshoes]

Just for the sake of posting if all you want to do is track distance and you have a smart phone there tons if free and paid apps out there, I bought one awhile ago called walkmeter for tracking my walking and it has options for cycling, running and training program's in the menu. They have a few apps out there that are the same just with different names runmeter, walkmeter, cyclemeter and they all do the sane thing.