Bontrager Node

sods_law

Hi all,

Am in the market for a computer for my new bike. Whilst it was quite nice riding without one yesterday, its not the most helpful for training and recording distances etc.

I have a Ciclosport CM4.2 on my other bike, which has been fine, but I would like something a little smarter for the 'nice' bike.

Someone said to check out the Node from Bontrager, does anyone have any experience with these? You can get the Node 2 with Sensor for around £100. Is it worth it? I am leaning towards the mindset that I may aswell get something decent, than go cheap and wish I had got something better later on. I currently use a separate HR monitor, but it would be quite nice not having to strap my watch to my bike (is only a Tesco £10 jobby), and the Altimeter sounds like an interesting thing to have.

I appreciate the Node 2 may not be the cheapest in this category, but if its decent quality and worth it, I am tempted

Any comments?

Thanks

sods_law

bump

bmerikson

I have had a Node 2 for a couple of weeks now. I replaced a wireless CatEye V3 computer that had a button freeze on it making it difficult to use. My original interest in the CatEye was that I wanted to see multiple functions at the same time, but didn't want to spend more than $200. I like the Cateye even though riders at my LBS advised against it stating they had had multiple problems with them.

When my button locked CatEye and my LBS told me warranty would cover it, but they wanted to repair my computer instead of replace it- leaving me without a computer at the start of riding season. My LBS offered to replace the defective with a computer and that's when I was talked into the Node 2.

I like the functions of the Node 2 so far. There's a weird issue with the cadence number readout- sensors are all fine. But the number of cadence is out of whack- reading 180-254. My average cadence is 90-100 and my max might be 120. I believe this is something I've done inadvertently.

The speed is displayed and is huge. I find it to be bigger than need be. Some of my friends complained about the small display of my CatEye, but I never had trouble reading it. The Node 2 has a really big display so that shouldn't be an issue for anyone. The buttons are huge and are very responsive. This is very important to me. I absolutely hated the buttons on the CatEye. They are simply terrible. Really small and difficult to press them down. Poor design on CatEye's part.

Heart Rate works great. I like the CatEye heart strap a lot and love the Node 2 as well. It reads well and is accurate.

There's a clock and thermometer both are straightforward.

There's an altimeter that seems to be good. I don't use it much other than to glance at it, but there are better ones if that's the information you want. I hear it uses barometric pressure to determine changes.

There's a programmable function to see two different types of info simultaneously with clock, thermometer and speed and this was the other thing I felt to be really a plus. In addition you can also have a second bike on the computer. That seems cool, but I only have one bike.

I haven't had it enough to know much more than that as I am still getting use to it. It seems pretty straightforward and is easy to see, read and use. I recommend it.