Dumb Computer Question

[kaybee]

If a wired cycling computer has a rear wheel speed sensor, does that mean that the wire has to run from the rear fork all the way to the handlebars?

KB

[mimitabby]

yes. My son wired mine up that way so i can use it in the basement in the wintertime

[kaybee]

Thanks Mimi! That sounded logical, but I just wanted to make sure before I ordered it.

KB

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And my dumb computer question is: are there bike mileage-measuring computers that don't need a wire that has to run back to the rear wheel?

[kaybee]

Lisa, yes, there are wireless computers, although they are usually a little more expensive.

KB

[Pedal Wench]

And my dumb computer question is: are there bike mileage-measuring computers that don't need a wire that has to run back to the rear wheel?

Actually, most wired computers use the front wheel, so you only need a cable running down the front fork. Only if you want cadence, or the ability to record speed on a trainer do you need to run the cables to the rear of the bike.

[Bruno28]

And my dumb computer question is: are there bike mileage-measuring computers that don't need a wire that has to run back to the rear wheel?

I didn't know there were ones with wires. When I looked in the shop they only had wireless ones. Easy to fit and seems pretty accurate. They varied in price depending on what else you want to measure. I wish I'd got one that measures cadence... but I didn't know what cadence was when I bought it.

Mine's fits to the front wheel.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

tHANKS FOR THE ANSWERS!
I don't think I'd want some wire running to my back wheel.

So now my question is...
Of the WIRELESS computers, is there a good one that measures miles and speed (but not cadence)? Any recommendations? (-I do realize the wireless ones would be more expensive.)

[Bruno28]

is there a good one that measures miles and speed (but not cadence)? Any recommendations? (-I do realize the wireless ones would be more expensive.)

Mine wasn't that expensive but it's an 'own brand' from a UK car parts store which is cashing in on the bike market. Bad bikes, bad service but cheap accessories.

Not much help, I realise, so I'll just slink off now.....

[wavedancer]

Nashbar has some computers on sale Nashbar

[uforgot]

I just won a Jamis Quest on ebay...(Yippee) that is flightdeck (shimano) compatible. Anyone have one of these or know anything about them? (Or can point me in the right direction...)

[melissam]

What do you want to know about the Flightdeck?

Mine is wired (they also had a wireless one), but I think at the time I bought my bike, they weren't going to have the wireless in stock by the time I picked it up.

Anyway, I've been pretty happy with my Flightdeck. I just wished they offered one with an Altimeter.

Let's see, the cool thing about the Flightdeck is that you activate it by pushing the little buttons on your brake hoods, so you don't have to move your hands to the computer to change what you're looking at. It has the typical readings: speed, time, distance, stopwatch, average speed, maximum speed, virtual cadence, odometer, clock. It also has a graphic that shows which gear you're in -- which chainring and which gear on the rear cassette.

The time shows the time you've been pedaling. So if you stop at a stoplight, that's not included in the time stat. If you want to keep track of the total time of the ride, you can use the stopwatch feature.

Mine has been troublefree, and I've had it for 2+ years.

If you're interested in anything else about the Flightdeck, please let me know, and I'll do my best to answer it.

-- Melissa

[melissam]

tHANKS FOR THE ANSWERS!
I don't think I'd want some wire running to my back wheel.

So now my question is...
Of the WIRELESS computers, is there a good one that measures miles and speed (but not cadence)? Any recommendations? (-I do realize the wireless ones would be more expensive.)

Lisa,

I bought a cheap (~$25) wireless computer without cadence for my mountain bike from Performance. It's the dB4LW. Easy to set up, and it's been working great.

It has two separate screens. One shows current speed, average speed, distance, and time. The other screen shows your current speed, maximum speed, clock, and odometer.

It also works well with my Polar F6 Heartrate Monitor. I thought there might be interference issues, but thankfully that hasn't been the case.

BTW, I know you don't want a wire running to your back wheel, but they do offer the dB4LW-C for ~$30 at Performance. Worth checking out in case you decide having a wire there isn't so bad after all.

-- Melissa

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for the good info, Melissa.
ONe of our forum buddies has sold me her wireless Cateye computer that she has never used, so I am looking forward to trying that one out when it arrives.
I'm not interested in knowing my cadence, just mileage and speed, so it should probably serve me well.

[annie]

I just won a Jamis Quest on ebay...(Yippee) that is flightdeck (shimano) compatible. Anyone have one of these or know anything about them? (Or can point me in the right direction...)

I have the flightdeck on my sweet litle road bike. I LOVE it. It's the only computer I've ever had that has given me no problems. It's a little complicated to set up, but if you take your time and follow the booklet directions, not too bad. It spoils you, by giving you the gearing info right in front of you. Not an inexpensive option, but worth the cost, IMO.

annie