Computer

dboden
dboden Posts: 349
edited April 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi looking to buy a computer ( I had a cheapo lidl job, but it packed up so I threw it)

Wireless or wired?... do you get much trouble with wireless.

And was looking at the basic Cateye Vectra wireless, has anybody out there got one?
Has it been ok?

Thanks

Comments

  • Mount Pleasant
    Mount Pleasant Posts: 34
    The Cateye you suggest should be fine. I have the Strada Wireless, which is a bit more compact and has a useful pacer function for training...costs around £15 more though! Set up was done for me as part of the purchase of a new bike at the LBS but I have had no trouble with it at all.

    The Strada version also gets a good review in both C+ and MBUK to boot. There is a snapshot of these reviews on the Wiggle website here. Hope this helps.
  • weeve
    weeve Posts: 393
    strada wireless....agree...been a perfect computer for me. Cheapest today only (sale ends) is at Ribble at 32 quid
  • dboden
    dboden Posts: 349
    Brilliant thanks for that. I have decided to go for the "Strada" after the comments.

    After having a look around.

    http://www.geoffsmithcycles.co.uk

    Are doing it for £29.95 - free delivery.

    Thanks
  • Winterhill
    Winterhill Posts: 7
    A word of warning, I have just purchased the Cateye Strada Wireless and am having problems with both the time travelled and trip distance functions resetting themselves to zero whilst I am cycling. As you can imagine this is very irritating as correct reliable data is what you expect from a computer. I returned my computer to Wiggle and got a replacement, unfortunately this is also exhibiting the same problem. Therefore, either I am very unlucky and have received two faulty computers or I have not set the computer up correctly. However, I have been using cylcle computers for years and have never had a problem setting them up in the past.
    The reviews for this computer are very good thats why I purchased it. If you do decide to purchase this computer I hope you have better luck than I have.
  • scapaslow
    scapaslow Posts: 305
    I've had problems with the wired version. After several months it began to switch itself off indiscriminately while out on a ride. At first this was occasional then it became more and more frequent.

    I've now replaced it with a Topeak Wireless which has worked fine. No cadence though - but not a problem for me.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    there have been accounts of the Strada wireless being influenced by front lights mounted nearby on the bars, especially on flashing mode (the lights, not the Strada). You might consider this winterhill.

    The wife has the wired version and it's a nice bit of kit.

    I'm tempted by the cadence version (double wireless) but Cateye have overpriced it IMO (or I'm just stingy...).
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Winterhill
    Winterhill Posts: 7
    I have decided to move the mounting from the handlebar to the stem..its a much better fit. I'll let you know if this solves the problem. As a matter of interest to those of you with the wireless Strada, where do you attach yours...stem or handlebar?
  • weeve
    weeve Posts: 393
    sounds stupid my mrs had same problem with the her strada wireless - only it was actually her catching it with her hand unknowingly - so she moved it to where she couldnt hit it..also check its not held too tight in the cage as a reset only needs a second or two holding down of the front
  • Mount Pleasant
    Mount Pleasant Posts: 34
    Winterhill wrote:
    I have decided to move the mounting from the handlebar to the stem..its a much better fit. I'll let you know if this solves the problem. As a matter of interest to those of you with the wireless Strada, where do you attach yours...stem or handlebar?

    Hi Winterhill. Mine's always been on the stem. It is still pretty close to a fairly hefty rechargable front light (re Maddog's point above) but as I said, so far so good.
  • Winterhill
    Winterhill Posts: 7
    Since my last post I have been on a couple of rides and the computer has behaved impeccably. It would seem that moving the computer from the handlebar to the stem has done the trick.

    On my bike (Dawes horizon) the diameter of the handlebar is larger than the diameter of the computer housing. This caused the housing to be pushed slightly out of shape and consequently this would be enough for the underside mode button on the computer to be inadvertently activated causing the problems.

    No such problems with the diameter of the stem...it is a perfect match for the computer.

    MORAL of this story is....attach the Strada wireless to the stem and not the handlebar!!

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