Dumb Computer Question

[SadieKate]

Just because the questions segued from rear wheel sensors and to wireless, I'm just going to post a little factoid that you may or may not know.

Wireless sensors/computers only work when the two are within a fairly short and limited distance from each other. You may be able to put a wireless sensor on the rear chain stay but only if the bike is very small. Check the distance in the directions before making the assumption that you can put it on a rear wheel. This works for my Polar for the bike I use in the trainer if I set the sensor to the highest power setting. This only works on the tandem if I don't move my hand around a lot (I can see the wrist unit on the tandem bars) even though I am the stoker.

[ridethewind]

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.

So, Lisa, how do you like the wireless Cateye? I've been thinking about getting one myself and I'd be interested to know how it's worked for you.

Jean

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I just LOVE it! It's working GREAT for me. Tells me just what I want to know but nothing I don't care about. Plus you can easily take the main part off it's strap and take it with you when you don't want to leave it on the bike somewhere- it snaps on and off. Light rain hasn't bothered it either. The only down side is the instructions can take a while to figure out how to get it programmed for set up with your particular size tires. Once you deceifer that part, the daily settings are not so difficult. I spent a while playing with it and the instructions before I could input my, but maybe you are smarter than I!
As with any computer, a good first rolling measure of tire rotations with your bike with you on it gets you in the ballpark. And later you can ride a regular route with your car and check your car odometer against your Cateye setting to make fine tune adjustments. If you put different size tires you have to recalculate and reset until it matches your car odometer again. I used a 12 mile trip to set against that I ride regularly.

[aicabsolut]

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.)

Several wireless computers that measure speed have their speed sensor be a combo speed/cadence sensor. I just got a Garmin Edge 305, and the same unit measures both. But you don't have to put the cadence magnet on the crank arm. A separate spoke magnet does the speed part.

The much cheaper 205, on the other hand, only measures speed, not cadence. It's also wireless.

I think the Polar 200 computer can be bought more cheaply without the cadence sensor too.

One of CatEye double wireless models is speed/HR while another is speed/CAD

[aicabsolut]

Just because the questions segued from rear wheel sensors and to wireless, I'm just going to post a little factoid that you may or may not know.

Wireless sensors/computers only work when the two are within a fairly short and limited distance from each other. You may be able to put a wireless sensor on the rear chain stay but only if the bike is very small. Check the distance in the directions before making the assumption that you can put it on a rear wheel. This works for my Polar for the bike I use in the trainer if I set the sensor to the highest power setting. This only works on the tandem if I don't move my hand around a lot (I can see the wrist unit on the tandem bars) even though I am the stoker.

I ran into this problem too. The speed part works fine (spoke magnet) with the sensor on the chainstay. But the cadence sensor on the crank arm is too far away. My model says it needs to be w/in 5mm. But they give you this piece of rubber padding that once I cut it down and put about 4 layers of it under the cadence magnet, now it's close enough to the sensor to work.

Obnoxious, but the instructions don't indicate that there's any other setup that will work.

[ClockworkOrange]

Just my comment on bike computers.

I have used a Specialized wireless computer for the last 6 years and it was secondhand then, would never go on a ride without one.

Unfortunately, it has just died on me so have ordered a new Specialized Turbo Sport 06 $25.

'Simply the easiest-to-read and easiest-to-use cycle computer ever built.

All the essentials, and all within easy reach. Triple line dot matrix readout provides clear feedback on crucial ride stats, including time, speed, max speed, avg speed, odometer, trip meter, and auto timer. Easy calibration makes installation a breeze'.

Sally

[Reesha]

BUMP!

i'm pretty frustrated that I can't get my computer to work right now. i installed it exactly as directed but the sensors aren't picking up anything! they are probably very slightly misaligned or something, but I've already strapped them on real tight. grr. i guess i'll need to cut the strappy things and get some more. they didn't give any extras.

yeah so i'm not getting cadence or speed from the two sensors. *sigh*

[maryellen]

I like my cateye double wireless but the speed sensor sometimes gives obviously wacky results (e.g., 4mph on a flat when i'm actually doing 16 mph or more) and the cadence sometimes doesn't work at all. Both of these problems started after I got a different model of a polar heart rate monitor so I think there may be some signal interference between the 2 devices.

I may get a flight deck for my road bike so I can look and see what gear I'm in.

Isn't it aggravating that they don't give you an extra plastic tie or two? I hate feeling as if I better not make a mistake!

[makbike]

Both of my bikes (DF and recumbent) have rear wheel sensors for my computer. I have a Sigma 1606L and use it on both bikes. I did have to purchase a "wheel 2" rear wheel sensor kit for my DF. I love the fact that both wheels can be programed into the computer and that the sensors recognize which bike I'm riding. I also have cadence sensors on both bikes.

[divingbiker]

Isn't it aggravating that they don't give you an extra plastic tie or two? I hate feeling as if I better not make a mistake!

You can buy a big tub of them in various sizes at Home Depot for about 5 bucks. They're in the electrical section. I use them all the time to strap my big wire basket on the back of my commuting bike when I need to take a cake in to work, to hang my Christmas lights on the fence, to secure various pieces of scuba gear. I love cable ties!

[Reesha]

If only home depot were less than an hour away!

I wonder if my local hardware store has them? I think some sensor adjustment is in order. More work!

[divingbiker]

If only home depot were less than an hour away!

I wonder if my local hardware store has them? I think some sensor adjustment is in order. More work!

I'm sure your hardware store will have them. Electricians use them all day long.

Heck, if you want to wait a few days to fix your computer you can PM me your address and I'll send you a handful in the mail on Monday!

[Reesha]

hahaha

the other option would be to just visit my lbs (one of em! i have two favorites) and have them work their handy magic. but i kind of want to have the pride of doing it all by myself. the bragging rights. you know. cause installing a bike computer is SO brag worthy!

[brok]

You can buy a big tub of them in various sizes at Home Depot for about 5 bucks. They're in the electrical section. I use them all the time to strap my big wire basket on the back of my commuting bike when I need to take a cake in to work, to hang my Christmas lights on the fence, to secure various pieces of scuba gear. I love cable ties!

Cable ties can also be purchased at most automotive stores (Autozone, etc.) or any store like Wal-mart, etc. who have an automotive section

[VeloVT]

I'm late to this discussion... But I have the Cateye double wireless computer (the cadence model) and I really like it. It's been super reliable and accurate for me. The speed/cadence sensor is designed to be mounted on the chainstay (speed magnet is rear-wheel mounted), and I have not had interference or signal-dropping problems at all.

My bf, after a month of agonizing over which computer to get (I think we looked at each and every computer at all 3 local bike shops plus all of the computers at Performance and Nashbar about 5 times... needless to say I was to the point of "it doesn't really matter that much, just make a choice) -- got the same Cateye, and has had similar good luck with it.

As for zip ties -- I keep a few sizes in my bike tool bag at all times. They're useful for all sorts of things.