OK, I admit it, I'm becoming obsessed with this cycling thing after a lifetime of casual and commuter riding. I have a kick-ass bike that I love. Now I'm looking for a computer to tell me all those nifty stats I'm missing out on. I'm willing to spend what I need to spend for quality but don't want to waste money on needless frippery. Curious about combo heart rate monitors as well.
Let the opinions fly!
Sarah
cycling computer recommendations?
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 7:53am
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 6:51pm
#1
I have no idea how well it works or how reliable it is, but that's a great price for many USEFUL features... & it's all wireless! I just ordered one.
http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=22854&lsubcat_id=1512&lcat_i...
Mon, 08/16/2004 - 11:56am
#2
thumbs up for Sigma
A big part of my training as an interactive media consultant has been human-computer interface analysis and design, so I take this stuff pretty seriously.
I tend to find it hard to understand electronic gadgets with too many functions. Cycling computers need to have 2 or 3 buttons to allow access to all of the features; I have problems with my TV remote, which has a separate button for each function. That said, I find in nearly impossible to use more than a few functions in any meaningful way. I also prefer separate HRM and cyclocomputer units, since they will have more dedicated buttons and I can divide functions between each handlebar side.
I used Avocet excusively for years, because they were small, simple units with a refined appearance and large displays, but they can fail if really drenched (causing them to loose their data). I've been using Sigma for a few years now; they work well and are easy to set up. My new bike has a Sigma BC1600, and scrolling through functions makes complete sense to me; I'm rarely searching for function I need. for a whopping $8 more, I splurged for the cadence function (but that meant I couldn't go wireless).
BTW--for a really neat cadence sensor look, get some clear PVC tape at the hardware store (it looks like electrician's tape) and attach the cable on the very bottom of your bike's down tube with one long strip; then use some zip ties to attach the cable to one of the shifter cable housings.
Mon, 08/16/2004 - 4:35pm
#3
another vote for bc1600
"it has a ""trip up"" counter that is great for following cue sheets that list distance between turns: at each turn, press a button and the trip up counter returns to 0.00. total trip mileage is preserved in another counter.
also has a stopwatch. use this and trip up to time & measure a section of your trip.
not very expensive. will mount on bar or stem with a simple system using rubber o-rings.
i had trouble finding it locally but performance and colorado cyclist both stock it:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16441
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17162
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PR...
also i find it easy to read.
i have the manual in pdf format if you'd like to look at it. (most other manufacturers post their manuals on their web sites. good way to get a feel for how their products mount & work.)"
Tue, 08/17/2004 - 2:10pm
#4
user interface...
"...polar dropped the ball in the past few years. not only do polar watches lack the ""feel"" when you press the buttons, the navigation system is convoluted. i still like my s150 but the little things really turn me (and many others) off. for instance, if you stop to pee during a ride/run, you only have five minutes to ""start"" again...if you stop for more than five minutes or if you forget to hit the ""start"" button again (and the button you have to hit to ""start"" again is NOT the standard red button), you lose your workout...bam!
boy do i miss my accurex2. made in finland, the buttons felt right (no need to check to see if it responded to your button push) and the interface just made sense.
too many gadgets getting too complex to make them useful for anyone but the techno-weenies. it's sad.
don"
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 8:39am
#7
The Top 2 Computers….
"1.) USPS HAC 4, HAC 4 & HAC 4 Plushttp://www.ciclosportusa.com/
2.) Polar S720i
http://www.polarusa.com/Products/consumer/s720.asp"
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 9:26am
#8
Hac4
Here are a few negatives re. the Hac4 (I own one):
-if you're serious about measuring power, this computer is not for you. read the fine print on the watch description. it only measures virtual power. that is, it makes a calculation based on your weight, speed, gradient, etc. however, there is no way for the computer to know if, for example, you are riding into a 20 mph headwind. so your power measurements will be way off in some cases. with the polar, power is calculated based on chain tension so you will presumably get a more accurate reading.
-don't buy the HAC4 if you like the idea of wearing it as a watch. it is huge and bulky. moreover the dominant display is either heart rate or temperature (two stats that are not very interesting to most people while going about their daily activities). the time of day is displayed in much smaller characters.
-the instructions that come with the hac4 are generally poor. that being said, i've gotten everything to work with a little trial and error.
-i don't think that the hac4 uses a coded signal, meaning that if you are close enough to another hac4 user you could get some interference. in contrast, the newer polar watches have unique coding.
-i got an amazing deal on a new hac4 using Ebay. there's a guy that periodically sells large numbers of these units at deep discount prices. For $225 I got a complete new set-up- the watch, heart rate strap, bike mount, cadence, computer attachments, etc. however, if I did it over again i'd have to consider the polar. if for no other reason that it would be more comfortable for me to wear during the day. there's a new model- the 725- it's basically like the 720 that Anthony mentioned except it looks a little nicer, you can download data to a cell phone, and the heart rate monitor strap is supposed to be a little more comfortable.
Good luck, Ben
Tue, 08/17/2004 - 3:47pm
#9
HAC4 is somewhat disappointing
I second Ben's qualified praise of the HAC4. In shopping for a new ciclocomputer, I was intent to buy something that integrated a HR function and had a PC-link so I could track my training a bit better. At the time, only the Polar and HAC4 qualified.
Word of mouth reviews of last years' Polar HR/ciclometers was dicey at best: more than few folks complained of difficulty with getting the wireless cadence device to work, signal interference, and so on. I concluded that Polar had the engineering skills to do HR monitors well, but a ciclocomputer is a harder feat. So, based on some solid reviews and the fact that the US Postal squad uses it, I figured the HAC4 must offer better ciclometer engineering and adequate HR functions.
That all proved to be true: the HAC4 is well built and physically well engineered, rugged (hence the huge size) and performs its HR functions and ciclometer functions well. The downside? German (in fact, European writ large) software engineering is generally sub par. The HAC4's PC interface is clunky, I had tons of problems with the USB connection, and the support from Germany is very spotty.
In conclusion: for $200-250 (per Ben's ebay reference), the HAC4 is a good buy, but has problems. I'm betting Polar will get it ciclometer functions better with time, though, so it would be worth it to check out the 725.
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 9:47am
#10
a LOT less information ... (edited)
... Ciclosport CM434. Pedal cadence (optional), hill gradient, temperature, virtual power, but without the heartrate monitor or computer download capability. Works for me.
Less than that? The Cateye Astrale (NOT the Astrale-8) is a screaming deal right now (27 bucks at Performance, eg). Pedal cadence is the main attraction, right after that is how simple it is to use.
IMO, pedal cadence is a good thing, in case you haven't already figured that out.
(I have a CM434 on one bike, an Astrale on another. The third bike has [gasp!] a naked handlebar;)
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 10:03am
#11
Less than that
Nashbar sells a number of Sigma Sport models for less than $20, the BC 400 for as little as $10. No frills, but you get Current Speed, Odometer, Trip Distance and Clock at minimum.
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 9:09pm
#12
can't beat a bare bones cyclometer for the essentials. i use a polar s150 heart rate monitor + cyclometer ($120). i just need the basics for cycling (speed, distance, average, etc.) and running (max heart rate, average overall, average per lap and lap times). i guess it's easy to get carried away with all the cool devices out there.
hmmm...come to think of it, i have the same opinion about some of the gadgets i've seen some geeks bring into the poolroom. i've seen everything from 2400 and higher wet-sand for smoothing shafts (what suckers), so-called resonance cancelling rubber cue bumpers (yeah, right), laser aiming devices (hey, if cycling geeks can have power meters, pool geeks can have laser aiming devices). the sad fact is that aside from interesting (and somtimes long and winded) conversation, these clowns can't pocket three balls in a row.
;)
don
Sun, 08/15/2004 - 5:40am
#13
None = Fun
I got an Avocet 20 back in '87, and thought it was the coolest thing ever. I wouldn't leave home without it!
Now the only gadgets on my handlebars are the brake levers. Who needs stats? I know where I'm going and how long it's gonna take to get there.
Save the buttons and numbers for Work, enjoy the ride!
Sun, 08/15/2004 - 12:48pm
#14
astrale-8
what is wrong with the astrale-8? i was thinking of getting it...
Mon, 08/16/2004 - 8:56am
#15
Nothing wrong that I'm aware of ...
... tho' I can't speak from personal experience.
I was referring only to the price and noting that there were two different Astrales.
Since then I've discovered the Astrale-8 at the same price - 27 bucks at www.biketiresdirect.com.
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 12:03pm
#16
Vetta
I think I am in a minority, but I have a Vetta 100 that I like a lot. USPS used to use it, but they changed computer sponsors last year. I have two bikes -- one wired, the other wireless; gives trip odometer, total mileage, current speed, average speed, max speed, distance and cadence, along with various timing functions. I also have a new V100A (with altitude and gradient measures) but haven't set it up to use it yet.
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 12:03pm
#17
Vetta
I think I am in a minority, but I have a Vetta 100 that I like a lot. USPS used to use it, but they changed computer sponsors last year. I have two bikes -- one wired, the other wireless; gives trip odometer, total mileage, current speed, average speed, max speed, distance and cadence, along with various timing functions. I also have a new V100A (with altitude and gradient measures) but haven't set it up to use it yet.
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 12:03pm
#18
Vetta
I think I am in a minority, but I have a Vetta 100 that I like a lot. USPS used to use it, but they changed computer sponsors last year. I have two bikes -- one wired, the other wireless; gives trip odometer, total mileage, current speed, average speed, max speed, distance and cadence, along with various timing functions. I also have a new V100A (with altitude and gradient measures) but haven't set it up to use it yet.
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 12:03pm
#19
Vetta
I think I am in a minority, but I have a Vetta 100 that I like a lot. USPS used to use it, but they changed computer sponsors last year. I have two bikes -- one wired, the other wireless; gives trip odometer, total mileage, current speed, average speed, max speed, distance and cadence, along with various timing functions. I also have a new V100A (with altitude and gradient measures) but haven't set it up to use it yet.
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 12:03pm
#20
Vetta
I think I am in a minority, but I have a Vetta 100 that I like a lot. USPS used to use it, but they changed computer sponsors last year. I have two bikes -- one wired, the other wireless; gives trip odometer, total mileage, current speed, average speed, max speed, distance and cadence, along with various timing functions. I also have a new V100A (with altitude and gradient measures) but haven't set it up to use it yet.
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 12:03pm
#21
Vetta
I think I am in a minority, but I have a Vetta 100 that I like a lot. USPS used to use it, but they changed computer sponsors last year. I have two bikes -- one wired, the other wireless; gives trip odometer, total mileage, current speed, average speed, max speed, distance and cadence, along with various timing functions. I also have a new V100A (with altitude and gradient measures) but haven't set it up to use it yet.
Sun, 08/15/2004 - 4:26pm
#22
Alan - with all those posts I believe you're now in the majority ;-)
Fri, 08/13/2004 - 12:04pm
#23
Sorry for the multiple posts -- I was getting error messages
Sat, 08/14/2004 - 4:14am
#24
Computers
"I own a ""Flight Deck"" and not only does it have a cadence feature (although virtual) it shows you what gear you're in. Both the chain ring AND the cassette even with a granny gear. I have found this to be invaluable on the road especially on rolling terrain. How many times have you started pedaling when you were either in too low or two high a gear? It wont happen with this..a quick visual glance and you gear up or down ""before"" you engage."
Sat, 08/14/2004 - 12:11pm
#25
ergo brain
you did not indicate whether your bike was set up with either campy or shimano gruppo, but if the former, the ergo brain has more features than you could possibly want. that said, it too has the ability to depict which gear combination you're using, has computer link-up capability and can provide every bit of data you could desire but for altitude-related info. i, for one, like the ergo brain and it one of the most intelligently mounted computers i have seen...i only regret that i did not buy another one for my second bike!
