Which Cycle Computer

m00nd0g

Which computer should I buy?

When on the bike I like to see the following information.

Current speed
Average speed
Current HRM
Average HRM
Time ridden that day.

I dont really see the need for GPS.
I currently have wireless but am yet to be put off a wired computer.
Is cadence really worth having ???

Nairnster

I am not sure how useful cadence will be to most people, but see it mentioned as a valuable addition to training so figured why not.

I have just ordered a Cateye Strada Double Wireless. It has a combined unit with speed and caddence sensors which fits to the chainstay.

Doesnt have HR, but as i already have a HRM thats not a major issue for me.

I imagine most computers that have a HRM feature, probably have cadence anyway?

davenice

I don't have an exact answer, but...

I had a cateye double wireless which had a couple of downsides - you had to press a button on it to wake it up and get it to start registering after it had gone into sleep mode (e.g. overnight). Obviously, I rarely remember to press the button and therefore missed recording quite a few miles. Also the display was quite limited - could only have current speed + 1 other metric on display.

My next (and current) computer is a Topeak panoram v10c. It has a wired speed sensor (which is a bit unsightly but reliable!) and wireless cadence. It wakes up automatically and displays cadence, current distance, current speed + one other (I generally have time set on). If you press the button, the display switches to show average speed for a few seconds before pinging back to current speed (you still get the arrows to show whether you're above or below your average on the main screen). The only downside of the topeak is that the mount for the head unit is fairly unsightly.

So I reckon that if I was trying to get a computer with HRM and cadence, and didn't want to fork out for a garmin, I'd be looking at something like this to get most of the data on one screen (£120):
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sigma-sport-bc1 ... eart-rate/

or this looks pretty awesome, adding in incline and altitude data (and quite a bit of extra cost - £180):
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sigma-sport-rox ... eart-rate/

I don't think you'll get generally get a unit that shows current and averages on one screen, from what I've found so far.

If you're not worried about the cadence option, could go for a Garmin 305 watch (£90 from amazon) and pick up a bike mount for a tenner or so. This is especially good if you want to do running too. I know you said you're not worried about GPS, but cycle computers with HRM seem ridiculously expensive...

Dave

Nairnster

I have read reviews of some of the latest sigma offeringd not working that well when the temperature decreases. apparently the displays on screen can lose sections ( do only part of a number is displayed) and the speed doesnt seem to register correctly at lower speeds (uphill) giving inaccurate average speed ratings.

Dont know this from my own experience, but have read it mentioned a few times.

m00nd0g

Thanks
This is harder than I thought to choose a unit
Think im goin for the watch

rolf_f

davenice wrote:

or this looks pretty awesome, adding in incline and altitude data (and quite a bit of extra cost - £180):
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sigma-sport-rox ... eart-rate/
Dave

Yowser! That stinks in vfm terms. If you want to download anything, you need a docking station for another £38 so it works out more expensive than a GPS!

For £100 there is somewhere advertising Garmin 500s and you can get a similar Bryton 35 for £120 irrc. Those allow complete customisation of the screen so you can have current, average, maximums - anything you like on the same screen. Basically, you can put exactly what was suggested in the first post on one screen - you can even configure the screen to show five fields (or more or less!).

Watches are OK if you need a GPS watch but if you aren't running, are probably a poor compromise compared to the bike specific ones - the screens are small and you'll only be able to see one thing at a time and you'll be stuck with cycling through screens if you want anything else..