I can't imagine riding without a computer. My current computers are very basic and don't include cadence. What is important to me is distance, speed, and average speed. If I'm riding where I am not familiar with the area and I have directions that tell me to turn after a specified distance - it's very helpful to know when I hit that mileage (or kilometer).

I added a computer to my bike so long ago that I can't remember which year it was. But I got the computer after I caught myself going for a ride and then jumping in my car to drive the same route so I could figure out how far I had cycled. I figured that driving my riding route for that purpose was a pretty big waste of time!

--- Denise