Bike Computers -- Wireless v Wired

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9 replies [Last post]
Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

I am going to buy a bike computer and was wondering if the groupo has any thoughts on the advantages of going with a wireless model? Do they perform better? It looks to me that getting cadence and wireless in the same computer raises the price considerably and I would like to get a sense if it is worth it.

Anonymous's picture
JP (not verified)
CYLOMETERS

Cyclometers look so much better without wires. The wireless units cost more and are sometimes subject to interference. Nevertheless, I don't want my ride looking wired. The wireless units are more elegant.

I use the now old Polar S710 – it gives me my heart rate in actual beats or %s, zones my HR and gives max and average, gives me actual, max and average speeds, altitude and ascent, temperature, calories and it’s all downloadable its memory into a calendar with daily exercises. I can bring up a single exercise and see my various HRs, speeds, climbs, distance, times , etc. The graphs are wonderful. I can do this for an entire ride, for the day, for the week or month or year. You really see what you have been doing. Of course , it’s $$ but very well worth it! And it’s all in one unit that can also be worn as a watch.

Too bad it doesn’t make expresso ;-)

Good luck,

Anonymous's picture
Alan (not verified)

Sorry for the double post

Anonymous's picture
Alan (not verified)

I have a Vetta V100 wireless with cadence on my road bike and it's been great. It has settings for two bikes, and I first got it for my mountain bike with the wired set-up. I had previously had a Sigma wireless and I couldn't get it to work -- I ultimately decided that the suspension fork interfered with the signal. But the Vetta works great in wired and wireless modes.

Anonymous's picture
Banana Guy (not verified)
Wired

Ive got an old (way old) cateye with cadence. ive got the wires glued (with clear rtv) under the farme tubes so they don't flap or show.
The only problems with the unit have been dead batteries & twisted sensors.

Anonymous's picture
bill (not verified)

Shimano flight deck integrates beautifully with their shifters. However I find the wireless version burns through batteries on the computer side with no warning of it's being low. I replace it about 3 or 4 times a year. I haven't had to change the sensor battery in over 2 years though.

Anonymous's picture
Peter Hochstein (not verified)
Go wireless!

"Even ""wireless"" computers can have wires, but fewer of them, stretching less along the frame of the bike.

Since I'm the kind of casual rider who only wants to know distance, speed, average speed, and how many miles I've got since I friend my last battery, I started out with a very simple 4-function wired computer.

Trouble was, every time I mounted my bike on an automobile trunk rack, or put it in a car, the wires snagged on something and ripped away from the bike, in one case ripping out of the computer itself.

I've gone over to wireless. Less to snag. Less is more. But then, I'm the kind of guy who prefers loafers to lace-up shoes."

Anonymous's picture
JP (not verified)
INTERFERENCE

Interference on my Polar S710 is sporadic and seems to occur near power grids. The interference is obvious. I'll have a spike showing my HR at 228 and my speed at 76.9, hahaha! Yeah, sure. On the Brooklyn Bridge!! With my unit, I can correct the errors by evening the pre and post spike readings.

Go wireless!

Anonymous's picture
Robert C. (not verified)
Not much interference

I use a Polar s720i, I very rarely get interference, and it only lasts for a few seconds when it happens. The software comes with an autocorrect feature to even out any obviously erroneous spikes. I highly recommend the unit, even though it costs a lot more than most.

Anonymous's picture
John Z (not verified)
Power Meter

If you can afford one, forget about wire vs. wireless and get a monitor with a power meter. Expensive, yes, but training with a heart rate montior is like trying to measure time with a sundial. One ride with a power meter and your entire approach to riding will change.

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