Cadence monitor

[VeloVT]

I have the Cateye double wireless computer on my road bike and I like it very much. It's pricey (but cheaper online), but in comparison to the Vetta I have on my other bike (I think it's the V100, with wireless cadence kit) it's much better.

First off, the display on the cateye has four fields -- meaning you can watch say, speed, cadence, distance and ride time all at the same time (you have to scroll for subfeatures like avg speed or max cadence or all-time ride distance). I haven't seen another computer that puts all of these on one screen. While I don't mind scrolling too much, it's nicer when you don't have to.

Second, the Vetta -- also wireless speed and cadence -- has two sensors and two magnets, one set on fork/front wheel and one set on crankarm/chainstay. The cateye manages with only one sensor, meaning less weight and less junk on your bike, but also, since the speed magnet is mounted on the rear wheel, you get all the functions if you put your bike on the trainer, while I believe the Vetta's front mounted speed magnet will not work on a trainer. (I was also dismayed to find that Vetta expected me to mount the computer head using zipties -- strictly speaking this is probably lighter, but it seemed cheesy -- and you'd better make sure you have the right size zip ties lying around if you ever need to take -- literally, cut! -- the computer off).

Last, the Cateye has been more reliable. It's a pain in the rear to do the initial setup, since the computer function "flowchart" is totally not intutive and the manual is just awful (& then poorly translated). But I've never had it blip out on me while riding, which happens **more than I'd like** with the Vetta, and I also like that it fixes on speed and cadence immediately when I start riding, while the Vetta takes 30 seconds or so to display anything. The very last point is probably not that important, but it still bugs me a little.

So I'd recommend the cateye strongly if you're willing to spend for wireless. The only downside is that the sensor (mounted on the chainstay) is biggish and could look ugly depending on the color of your bike (it happens to be the exact color silver of my bike, so it's not too noticeable. If aesthetics are a big issue for you Mavic makes a wireless speed/cadence computer where the sensor is integrated into the rear quick release. Pretty slick).

To summarize I guess I'd say, decide whether you want wired or wireless, then check where the sensors are mounted (front vs back) and how many there are, and think carefully about whether you like the layout of the display.

Hope this is helpful!

Oh -- and I have found the cadence function to be extremely helpful, I think it's really helped me as I try to become a better rider.