Cyclometer recommendations anyone?

Are they all pretty much the same?


cjs

I have a Cateye Velo 2, a very inexpensive $20 computer that measures:
speed
avg. speed
trip distance
total distance (odo)
trip time
time of day

It has one big button that's easy to find and push. It's small and
lightweight, with simple connections. The battery will be cheap to
replace and easy to find, unlike the batteries in wireless computers.

It's been rained on three times without a problem. Nothing else I've
found combines the ease-of-use, features, SIZE, and great user's
manual. Plus, it's always on sale and has been quietly flying under the
radar for years.

Sorry, you wanted to know if they were all the same...

I think anything beyond the basic functions is unecessary. It's nice to
have more trip functions for training, I guess.

Wireless is unnecessary. It's like having a remote control for your car
stereo. Wires are easy to run and pretty unobtrusive. Their only
downside is looks, but they have many upsides. Wired computers are
cheaper than wireless, both now and down the road. They're more
reliable.

This anecdote sums it all up: during the Minnesota MS 150, I saw a
woman talking to the SAG mechanic about how her wireless computer
wasn't accurate. Turns out the battery in her sending unit was dying.
Did he have a spare? Nope, this size was uncommon, a photography
battery. He didn't have any in the truck, but he did have button
batteries used in most wired computers.

Get a wired one.

"jes.sandiegoca" wrote in message
news:54tte.1972$Lr4.748@fed1read03...
Are they all pretty much the same?


Similar. Decide if you want cadence or not. (your pedal speed) That'll
narrow down the field. Some models have a "cadence option" - you add a
sensor/wire if you need it.

I've owned a few computers ranging from expensive Cateye's with cadence to
cheapo-Chinese off-brands. They all seem to work pretty well. These aren't
rocket science - they have the computational horsepower of a pocket
calculator.

I wanted a wireless for my latest bike.
Two reasons: 1) aesthetics 2) my current bike folds and cables could be
damaged in the process.

I've heard batteries last *years* in a cordless and I carry spares just in
case. I wouldn't let that affect your choice. Go wireless if you like it's
advantages - carry spare batteries just in case.

http://snipurl.com/fpcx

Filzer dB4LW - *wireless for $22 Canadian* - about $18 US. That's cheaper
than most wired models and it's been working flawlessly since I got it
(about 100km ago It came with a multi-segment articulated mount far more
flexible than any I've owned (the Cateye-cadence model I had was "one
position only" - chincy)

Actually, I like the functionality of this model better than my last Cateye.
It seems to display more info and adds a few features. (clock, for one)

Oh! One way to determine if you're going to like the features: download the
instruction manual.
Here's a link to the Filzer:
http://www.filzer.com/images/dB/4LW-instructions.pdf

I'm sure Cateye and others also have PDF manuals on their websites.

Good luck and post back with any other questions!

Chris

Filzer dB4LW - *wireless for $22 Canadian* - about $18 US. That's cheaper
than most wired models and it's been working flawlessly since I got it
(about 100km ago It came with a multi-segment articulated mount far more
flexible than any I've owned (the Cateye-cadence model I had was "one
position only" - chincy)

Actually, I like the functionality of this model better than my last Cateye.
It seems to display more info and adds a few features. (clock, for one)


I just started a thread about my two computers, including dB4LW,
showing the max speed as negative numbers. Yours doesn't do that?

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 23:09:10 -0700, "jes.sandiegoca"
wrote:

Are they all pretty much the same?

I'm just starting to get into biking, so I bought a cheapie $20
computer from Target. It kept shorting out over bumpy road, so I
crammed some little pieces of paper behind the battery. Still no
good.

I then did what I should have done in the first place--went to my
local bike shop and had them install a $20 Cateye Velo 5. Same price,
much better computer (very simple with very few functions), and a
professional installation that looks a lot better than the goofy way I
installed the cheapie.

It is wired, and very basic: Odometer, time, miles for this trip,
MPH, and max MPH. I've only had it for a week or so but it's much
easier to operate and has been much more dependable than the first
one.

Lauri in WA, lurker and new biker

I like my email spamless

"jes.sandiegoca" wrote:

Are they all pretty much the same?

Well . . . no.

BUT . . . you can't go too far wrong with the Cateye Mity 8 for a
little over $20.

Here it is: http://snipurl.com/e0ro

Here's where it can be purchased:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=cateye+mity+8

Do you need the cadence feature? Some like it. If you're just out
riding your bike, it may be an easy place to cut costs (cadence is an
extra wire and some extra $$).

If you like the cadence feature, how 'bout the Cateye Astrale 8

http://snipurl.com/fphw

It can be bought (for about $35) from:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=cateye+astrale+8

Good luck!

Neil Brooks wrote:

BUT . . . you can't go too far wrong with the Cateye Mity 8 for a
little over $20.

If you like the cadence feature, how 'bout the Cateye Astrale 8

I have both of these and agree they work well. I've had the Mity 8 for
years and it's given me no trouble. However, I broke the clip that
holds the computer in the bracket last year when I tried removing it
when it was cold (it was sitting in the garage in the winter). I blame
myself and not the cateye, and I still use it, as it appears to stay in
without the clip.

We put the Astrale on the back of our tandem last year. My wife (the
stoker) has the cadence displayed almost all the time when riding, so
I'm guessing she'd say the cadence is worth it. We bought it for the
cadence feature; I was trying to encourage her to pedal faster, as per
the recomendations of this group. It's worked; we now ride at about
75-80, up from 50 or so.

Of note, the Mity allows you to "set" the odometer (or reset it to a new
value). The Astrale does not.

Rich

Neil Brooks writes:

"jes.sandiegoca" wrote:

Are they all pretty much the same?

Well . . . no.

BUT . . . you can't go too far wrong with the Cateye Mity 8 for a
little over $20.

Here it is: http://snipurl.com/e0ro

Here's where it can be purchased:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=cateye+mity+8

Do you need the cadence feature? Some like it. If you're just out
riding your bike, it may be an easy place to cut costs (cadence is an
extra wire and some extra $$).

If you like the cadence feature, how 'bout the Cateye Astrale 8

http://snipurl.com/fphw

It can be bought (for about $35) from:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=cateye+astrale+8


Just to add to the list, the Planet Bike Protege 9.0 has been
available new on ebay for at least the last year with a BIN price of
right around $20 and reasonable shipping. I have bought two of them,
I don't remember if they were from this seller or another:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=7163576 241

I have a cateye mitty 3 too, but I like the Planet Bike better for its
multi-line display, lack of buttons, and ease of resetting.
I'm not sure I believe the thermometer most of the time though.

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 23:09:10 -0700, jes.sandiegoca wrote:

Are they all pretty much the same?


cjs

As has been mentioned, it's not complex tech, so look for the features and
the styling/mount type that you think is swish.

Personally I'd just get a basic Cateye since I've been buying their stuff
since the 80s and it's always smart looking, durable, and well designed.
But I like riding without one so I can be more hyperbolic about my
speed/distance claims. YMMV.

:P