Computers: What meets my requirements?

edeverett
edeverett Posts: 224
edited July 2009 in Road buying advice
So I've narrowed down my requirements for my perfect bike computer but I'm struggling to find something that matches. Any help would be much appreciated.

Must have features:
* Speed, Average speed, Distance, Time etc. (Just the basics)
* Cadence - very important.
* Robust - I seem to break computers by looking at them.
* Very waterproof - whenever I go on a long ride there is torrential rain for 5 hours.
* Stem mounting.

I think it needs to be wired as it will be used alongside a (basic) GPS unit and high power LED headlights. Do modern wireless computers cope with this? The ones I've tried don't.

Things that would be nice but I can live without:
* Heart rate,
* Lap times
* Backlight

I'll consider anything up to £100 but that would be really pushing it. I've thought about a posher GPS unit with maps and the like but I need something with a long battery time (and I have a basic Etrex for navigation)




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Comments

  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    Have a look at a Polar CS200CAD

    Does everything you want, is wireless (inc the cadence sensor) and is under £100.

    And it's bomb proof - my heart rate belt accidentally went in the washing machine. It still works and smells lovely.
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

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  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    Cateye do a wired cadence Strada

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=28224

    they also do a wireless version, which is more cash but obviously does away with the cadence wire, which is a tad tricky to hide/integrate
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • edeverett
    edeverett Posts: 224
    Thanks for the replies.

    I'd love a polar, but they have a poor reputation for reliability (especially as they are priced as a premium product) and the fact that they are wireless counts them out as I need a computer to work next to a GPS unit and LED lights without interferance.

    The cateye does look like it would fit the bill, I'd somehow overlooked that they had a wired version. However I've managed to break the wires on a Cateye before and I've sworn never to buy any more of their lights as they have a strong urge to jump off the bike and smash themselves to peices on the tarmac.

    I might be tempted to give Cateye another go, but would be interested if there's recommendations for products from other brands. I guess I'm just getting a bit jaded with the reliability of electronic bike accessories...

    Does anyone have a brand of bike computers that they would expect to last (almost) forever?

    Cheers,

    Ed.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    I've had a Cateye Enduro with the burly wires for years but no cadence.

    Just a note: I recently bought a Strada wireless (non cadence) and that's just packed up and been sent back.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer