Using/no longer bike odometer? Restart?

[shootingstar]

summer, I didn't bother to put a computer on it. I felt nekkid without it. It's now on a trainer in our sunroom....with a computer installed.

I feel more naked if I'm somewhere cycling (a bike that doesn't belong to me) and I'm not wearing cycling shoes or forgot to wear my bike helmet...of which both are very rare.

I already "measure" myself against peers in my job field...I needed to liberate myself from constantly benchmarking myself..for things I loved to do outside of my job. So for cycling, I gradually "forgot" the odometer for the time being.

But I live with someone who is a mileage junkie..he tracks on Excel and bar graphs. I half-joke to my partner that he is a used car...since he's done over 100,000 kms. in past 14 years.

We don't have a (real) car.

[Eden]

Interestingly enough it was after I started racing that I stopped paying any attention to my odometer - half the time its on the wrong bike.... but my training is all done by time these days so I don't need to worry about distance.

[Melalvai]

I use my odometer to know when I need to get a new chain. Every ~1500 miles.

I could probably get by ok without. I clean my bike frequently, and check chain stretch periodically.

[Resumer]

Seeking any and all advice about bike computers -- I can and have been searching on the web (ebay, reviews, etc) to try and get a handle on what's worth buying, what to avoid and I trust the info provided here more than anywhere else!

Brands to avoid? Things to look for in choosing a model of computer? I'm never going to race, I'll be training to ride the ALC in June. I'm eager to get something so I can begin to track, and know, my progress.

Ok all you gear junkies, weigh in, I'm all eyes! And thanks, in advance...

[KathiCville]

Hi Resumer......First, if you haven't already done a search here on the TE forums for the term cyclocomputer, give it a whirl. You'll find several threads devoted to the pros and cons of various models.

I started out with a Cateye 8 last year when I got back into cycling. Good, basic model, worked just fine. But then I decided about six weeks ago that I wanted to work on improving my cadence (spin rate), so I switched to a Cateye Strada Cadence on my road bike. (Kept the Cateye 8 for my MTB)............I'm very happy with the Strada-------changes from screen to screen with minimal effort. Just a little bit of light finger pressure at the bottom "clicks" through the various screen options..........

For what it's worth, my BF tells me that the Cateye 8 is being phased out.

Both of my cyclocomputers are "wired" models. There are wireless versions---more expensive, and I *think* a bit more finicky in terms of getting the pieces positioned *just right* to send and receive info. If you're interested, do a search here for the term wireless and you'll find a few discussions.

Have fun!

[Zen]

I have the basic wired Cateye and I'm quite pleased with it.

It's small yet still easy to see and use. Very aesthetically pleasing and quite affordable.

[IFjane]

I have the basic wired Cateye and I'm quite pleased with it.

It's small yet still easy to see and use. Very aesthetically pleasing and quite affordable.

Is that a Zen thing?