Best computer for a noob?

[b0redom]

Hi All,
I bought a very cheap cateye computer when I originally got my bike. I'm after something a bit better which will time my journey, work out average speed etc.

I commute exactly the same journey every day (about 10.5 miles), so anything which will plot that and show if I'm improving, failing etc would be great.

Anyone care to recommend anything?

Regards...

Tom

 

[jig-sore]

i just bought the halfords 8 function computer for my hybrid, it costs little over £10 and does the job.

the cat eye velo 8 does much the same for a little more. both are good starter computers

PS: log your data on the cyclogs website

 

[Helly79]

I bought the sigma DTS 1106 cycle computer because it was wireless, cost me around £26.
It gives you the following total odo, total time, trip distance, trip time,avg speed, max speed, has a clock and also displays the speed you are going. you can also set up two bikes on this.

I also plot my data cyclogs

 

[Jim_Noir]

I use a tescos one, is good for the procs, £15 if I remember

The only fault is that I can't wear my HRM with it as it sends the speedo nuts, as does my front light on strobe, leaving it next to my mobile phone or next to a wireless mouse (the last two not an issue on the bike) so I assume that most wireless computers would have this issue.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I've got a wireless 4 function VDO from wiggle for £17 - there's an 8 function for £22.
Basic and efficiant, much like myself!

VDO comes with a Hairy Jock recommendation!!!!!!

 

[yello]

so anything which will plot that

Not quite sure what you mean by "plot", so I'll make the cheaper assumption and assume you mean 'record' as opposed to 'map'! That is, NOT a GPS plot!!

I found the Cateye Astrale 8 to be probably the best computer I've used and would recommend it.

 

[b0redom]

Yeah, I was thinking of something which will allow me to plot the speed/average etc. Basically I want to see if I'm getting slower/faster and where. I'm not bothered about GPS.

 

[HJ]

If you want to know where on your route you are getting slower/faster then you will need a GPS. If you just want to know if you are getting slower/faster over the whole route then any computer will do, just keep a record in a spreadsheet. I like VDO computers, try the C4.

 

[amnesia]

+1 for VDO - I have the Cytec C4.

Awesome bit of kit for not much cash

 

[b0redom]

There seem to be a lot of reviews saying that the VDO looses signal or starts to go a bit haywire at speed or when the weather is cold. Anyone here seen that?

Obviously people are more keen to write reviews when the product breaks on them. If there are usually no problems, then I'd plump for that one....

 

[Matt]

I bought a Sigma one from decathlon a few years ago for something like £15 and its brilliant. It does all the things you mentioned. I used to have a wireless computer before the Sigma and it was rubbish, I'm never using wireless again.

 

[Llama]

get a VDO one - this is what i've got:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7287

its on offer now i paid £18!
it does average speed, max speed, distance, stop watch etc

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

Does anybody recommend a decent computer with gps on it for tracking and downloading, may as well invest ideally one that could do running but cycling primarly

 

[HJ]

There seem to be a lot of reviews saying that the VDO looses signal or starts to go a bit haywire at speed or when the weather is cold. Anyone here seen that?

Obviously people are more keen to write reviews when the product breaks on them. If there are usually no problems, then I'd plump for that one....

I have never had that sort of problems with either of the ones I have owned...

 

[nigelnorris]

Does anybody recommend a decent computer with gps on it for tracking and downloading, may as well invest ideally one that could do running but cycling primarly

If you want [or like me, need] to do satnav on the cheap and you have a suitable phone [there's lots] then TomTom Navigator 6 is about 30 quid off eBay and a suitable bluetooth GPS receiver is another 30 quid.

Here's a link which has a list of suitable phones at the bottom. [But there are others, my N73 works fine for example, so will any smartphone I guess]

That's the way I went and it is perfect for me, exactly as reliable as a full sized TomTom unit. I never look at the screen, I keep the phone in a pocket then wear an earpiece and navigate using the spoken directions. Actually I use the phone as an mp3 player too, and the satnav cuts out the music to give directions when needed. Easy to stick in a bunch of waypoints and set off and it will guide me around whatever loop I set. Just take out the earpice when I want to explore then stick it back in for instant directions back to the route.

I'm a real evangelist for the thing, changed my cycling life it has, I can't read a map for toffee, much less when riding a bike.