Recommend me a Speedo/Cycle Computer

Beanhead Bucko
Beanhead Bucko Posts: 98
edited August 2010 in MTB buying advice
My old rubbish ugly Halfords speedo finally broke the other day so i need a new one :D

I don't want anything too fancy so no GPS but it must be wireless, have stem attachment, look good, cost under £40 and have at least speed (actual, top and average) distance and time. All pretty standard i suppose.

I like the look of the Cateye computers but no idea which one is any good?

Sigma seem to be highly recommended?

I do mainly XC, canal paths, commuting and the odd trail ride but nothing hardcore.

Cheers,

Bucko
2011 Lapierre Zesty 314

Comments

  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    The Cateye Strada wireless is good, it is very small but has large digits, the contrast is also better than some of the older Cateye models. It does all you want and is simple and neat. The negative is the brackets can wear if used frequently and the tiny catch that locks it can come off. My Strada went under a car as a result :cry:

    But if you are aware of it and don't keep using it when it is loose, that won't happen. Saving for a new one now.
  • Mccraque
    Mccraque Posts: 819
    +1 for Strada....have one and it's great. No faffing with buttons as the screen is one big button!
  • alfablue wrote:
    The Cateye Strada wireless is good, it is very small but has large digits, the contrast is also better than some of the older Cateye models. It does all you want and is simple and neat. The negative is the brackets can wear if used frequently and the tiny catch that locks it can come off. My Strada went under a car as a result :cry:

    But if you are aware of it and don't keep using it when it is loose, that won't happen. Saving for a new one now.

    Mine never comes off the bike, stays attached to the bars permanently so the bracket wear shouldn't be a problem for me. Is that what you mean?
    2011 Lapierre Zesty 314
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Yes, its a little tab about 2mm wide that goes soft and the Strada no longer clicks - I was sharing it across 3 bikes so it had plenty of wear :cry: - wouldn't put me off but it is the weak link.
  • alfablue wrote:
    Yes, its a little tab about 2mm wide that goes soft and the Strada no longer clicks - I was sharing it across 3 bikes so it had plenty of wear :cry: - wouldn't put me off but it is the weak link.

    Cool i think i'll be fine then, I could probably superglue mine on if i was worried about it falling off.

    Anymore suggestions before i buy a Cateye Strada for £35 from Discountcyclesdirect?
    2011 Lapierre Zesty 314
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    no, it is the best
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    My wife has been using a Strada for 2 years after her Sigma died prematurely and resisted all attempts of CPR.

    The Cat Eye has given faultless performance.

    Recommended.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • steveqpr
    steveqpr Posts: 27
    Yet another vote for the Strada wireless - great piece of kit.

    There's an offer at Wiggle on their Tour de France range at the moment - £34.99
  • phal44
    phal44 Posts: 240
    I got myself one of these because most of the other computers all looked the same and were rather uninspiring.

    http://www.knog.com.au/gear-cycle-compu ... rd-12.phps

    So far so good after a few months :) the rubbery latex fixings are awesome I think (my rear light is also knog with the same style rubbery strap)

    The screen itself can be orientated horizontally or vertically depending if you want to mount it on your stem or handle bar.

    Also, both the screen and sensor units can be removed/installed in seconds :)
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    I like the look of the Nerd. I bought a Boardman for my road bike with a view to getting the second fitting kit and swapping to my Mtb. This hasn't been a perfect success as whilst the boardman unit is excellent (gives cadence and altitude/vert) it doesn't work with the glasses I paid shed loads for.

    Halfords have mailed me as they think my unit might be faulty so will report back if it was a screen defect.

    If on a fitness drive and recording vert and cadence against distance and time then at £10 more than your budget I would look at the Boardman. It's part number 200100 and is their new one.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • handful
    handful Posts: 920
    Another option is the Topeak 150, on offer at the moment here. http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-Comp-150-Wireless-Computer_4942.htm

    I have had mine for nearly a year and it hasn't missed a beat. :wink:
    Vaaru Titanium Sram Red eTap
    Moda Chord with drop bars and Rival shifters - winter/do it all bike
    Orbea Rise
  • Thanks guys but I've decided on the Cateye Strada, it should arrive tomorrow.

    I'm also sorry to say but that Top Peak is uglier than the Halfords thing I just got rid of
    2011 Lapierre Zesty 314
  • phal44
    phal44 Posts: 240
    The other reason the Knog Nerd is pretty handy is because the sensor and display are so easy to remove then you can use this for two different bikes without too much bother. The only hassle might be the sensor magnet but those cant be hard to source :)
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Bar Shaker wrote:
    I like the look of the Nerd. I bought a Boardman for my road bike with a view to getting the second fitting kit and swapping to my Mtb. This hasn't been a perfect success as whilst the boardman unit is excellent (gives cadence and altitude/vert) it doesn't work with the glasses I paid shed loads for.

    Halfords have mailed me as they think my unit might be faulty so will report back if it was a screen defect.
    If you bought polarising lenses then they will at certain angles make an LCD screen appear dark, this is because of the way they work by allowing light through in only one plane.
    Some drivers discover that polarized lenses can cause distortions in liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Onboard clocks and other instrument displays may be temporarily unreadable.
    http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-polarized-lenses.htm

    I get this with my Strada, I just have to move my head a bit.
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    That's interesting as my wife's Strada isn't affected by polaroids.

    The Boardman screen is cloudy, rather than light or dark, depending on orientation. Hopefully I have a faulty unit. I will know tomorrow.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro