Wireless Problems

Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with their wireless computers. I have been riding some long steady hills lately. If my speed drops below 8mph, which it does on parts of the hills, the computer drops to zero and stops reading and recording. My ride last night which is about 15 miles only registered 8 some miles and 30 minutes. My ride today, on a more level faster route recorded the full mph, time and speed. The LBS boys suggested a new battery which I will get and/or ride above 8mph! But when it works one day and not the next . . . sound like more than a battery problem. I don't recall have this problem with my wired computer. Both computers I have are Cateye. Not high end model, more middle of the road models. Generally speaking, up till now, the data from them has been fairly accurate. So I'm wondering if this is a wireless problem? Brand or model problem? Or maybe I do just need to ride faster up those hills! :D
Biker-call me hill slug-Hen

Shoot, I have some hills that I ride 5 mph or less and I painfully watch my speed (and try to keep it above 5)! So heck, 8 mph uphill is smokin'! :cool:

That being said, it should read less than 8...good chance it's battery problems. I don't have a cateye, but when my shimano wireless started getting goofy I replaced the battery and !shazaam! all was well.

Even if the computer is relatively "new" who knows how long that battery has been sitting on the shelf. (This was the case with a computer that belinged to a friend of mine, and I think it was a cateye! It quit working after about 3-4 months.) I don't know how new or old yours is, but batteries are pretty cheap!

If you're getting erratic readings like this, I'd change the both batteries and not fool around with attempting to figure out which one is the problem - the battery in the computer or the one in the sensor. I think the one in the sensor is supposed to last longer, but still...

--- Denise

I have a cateye double wireless and have similar problems, though they are not limited to speeds below 8pm. The unit will register 0 or some increment of 1 mph when I am most definitely going faster. And not surprisingly, it is not counting such miles so my odometer readings are off as well. That was fun during my recent AIDS ride.

In my case, I doubt it is the batteries as I recently changed all the batteries on my unit.

As I've had good experiences w cateye service, I plan to send the unit to them in the end of September after I (hopefully) finish my last century of the season.

I've heard rumors of other such problems w Cateye wireless units (eg, on my local bike board).

It seems they have this problem frequently. I just returned one to REI that was reading 20 on a downhill and then dropping to zero. Basically, it stopped picking up at random times - not just when I was going slowly or quickly. I tried replacing both batteries. Reset the unit a few times and even changed the side of the fork the sensor was on (idea of the folks at REI). I purchased another computer (a Specialized wireless base model) from my LBS. I told them about the cateye problems, and they said that cateye had had a problem with some of their wireless units which causes this to happen. I don't know if they officially recalled or not, but apparently it's common and it's certainly frustrating....

I just purchased a Cateye double wireless and I am having the same problem with the cadence counter, i.e., it drops to lower numbers intermittantly (I'll be at 92 and it goes down to 46). Also, I can't get my distance to re-set. I did it OK the first time I re-set it, but now it doesn't re-set. Could it be ME??? I've read the manual 10 times and I hate manuals!! Maybe THATS the problem. I'm "manual-challanged".

hey Nina, at first I too had difficulty getting the mileage to reset. Be sure to press the buttons firmly. It cleared up after a while. Another cateye wireless mystery I suppose.

I also have the occasional cadence measurement problem but less frequently than the speed problem and as it doesn't affect the odometer reading (and thus cue sheet adherence), it's less problematic for me.

Very unpredictable. During yesterday's relatively flat century, it seemed to work perfectly. Maybe my bike computer likes hills less than I do??

After trying the Specialized wireless, I returned to wired. Wireless is heavier, battery life of transponder significantly shorter, and transmission not guaranteed. I want my mileage accumulator to collect every mile.

I too opted for a hard wired computer, specifically a CatEye Astrale 8....I haven't had any problems with it, and so far no transmission interference-or picking up another rider's signal. Just nylon quick-tie the sensor wire to your bike frame, attach your cadence/speed sensors and "forgetaboutit". :)

I'm with PKQ and Soggy on that - I had the Specialized wireless and the day I was standing outside Lowes and my bike was goin 75 mph, I knew I didn't want wireless anymore! wheeeeeeeee I also had problems with it holding cadence and I'm not sure the inclinometer was right. The cable actually ended up melting inside the computer and I returned it to my LBS and got the Trek 12i wired and haven't had any problems since. I lost the inclinometer part but I'm not really sure I Wanna know anymore what the grade of these frigging hills are that I keep having to climb! LOL

Mac, normally I love speed but 75 mph on my 700X20 tires would be a might too fast.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pkq

Mac, normally I love speed but 75 mph on my 700X20 tires would be a might too fast.

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and that was standing still! wanna ride my bike??!! ROFL

I, too, have a Cateye wireless. I've noticed that the sensors are very picky, so in addition to changing the batteries, I'd recommend that you check the sensor on the wheel and on the fork to make sure they are properly lined up before starting every ride. There doesn't seem to be much room for error on mine, unfortunately.