Cycle Computers Some Advice?

[MacB]

I currently have two, a Halfords/Bikehut 8 function and a Sigma 1106, both of these are wired and both mount to the handlebars, one via ziptie and one via o-ring. I would like another computer for the new build and have a few, limited, requirements, but I'm finding it hard to decipher all the blurb online. I went to Halfords today but they had little stock and no-one free to advise. Was hoping to get some recommends for what I'm looking for:-

Stem Mount - I know I can do this with my existing two but it places the screen sideways, so not ideal, also would prefer o-rings to zipties but not that bothered

Wired/Wireless - as I've moved to a dynamo hub on the new bike, and will probably do so on others, I get the impression that it needs to be wired unless you spend a lot to avoid interference?

Cost - my last one was £7.99, so you get my ideal price point but that depends on what it can cover off for me.

No of bikes - would love one that could cover 3, or more, bikes, but they all seem to go up to a 2 bike function. If that's so I could still work around this using 2xBike1 mounts or 2xBike 2 mounts, as I'm likely to always have the same size tyres on two of the bikes, and they're all 700c anyway. I keep my overall stats on a spreadsheet so am not concerned about whether the bike totals, averages. etc are accurate.

Functions - I don't wear a watch so use it to tell the time, would also expect trip distance, trip time, average speed, top speed and usual current speed, not fussed about anything fancier than that.

Backlight - could be handy but not too bothered

I suppose what I'd ideally like would be a wireless computer, proof against dynamo interference, mounts to the stem, has a backlight, can contain details of 3 bikes and can be purchased with mounts for Bike1/Bike2/Bike3 - I'd spend a bit more to get all of that

What I'd settle for - wired, stem mount, 2 bikes and can be purchased with mounts for Bike1/Bike2 and an extra mount for either Bike1 or Bike 2 - I'd spend less for this

 

[potsy]

How about a Garmin? New one mind,the £400+ one

 

[iAmiAdam]

I prefer not having all this cadence and data logging stuff. I prefer speed/trip/odo distance. That way, I can tell myself to stop being an idiot and increase my speed, so my trip distance increases quicker, and I get closer to my year target. I cba with all this other gubbins, else you spend the whole ride looking at your computer.

 

[HLaB]

Advice ! Don't go to Helfrauds for Advice !
There's so many choices out there though at so many prices; I'd take a look at onlines shops like wiggle or chainreactioncycles and compare what bang you are getting for your buck (so as to speak). I know my cateye micro wireless (£31 iirc) does stem mounting, can be mounted to 2 bikes (extra mounts are available) and it got a backlight but I never use it, its wireless though but there'll be others computers out there.

 

[MacB]

Cheers folks, have mused on the idea of just one GPS unit instead but it's overkill for what I want. I've had a look at CRC, Wiggle and several others, plus the Cateye and Sigman manufacturers websites. A lot of functionality I have no interest in, hence my desire to avoid the GPS option, but it seems clear that two bikes are the limit, I just want to avoid multiple computers if I can.

If I stay with wired then I'll just buy two Bike2 fittings for my existing Sigma and live with the computer being sideways on, on the stem.

If I go with wireless then I'll get that plus 2xBike2 fittings for that also, and make sure I get one with stem mount and digital signal

I'll keep looking around, if anyone's done anything similar that would be handy to hear about

 

[bobones]

Cheers folks, have mused on the idea of just one GPS unit instead but it's overkill for what I want. I've had a look at CRC, Wiggle and several others, plus the Cateye and Sigman manufacturers websites. A lot of functionality I have no interest in, hence my desire to avoid the GPS option, but it seems clear that two bikes are the limit, I just want to avoid multiple computers if I can.

If I stay with wired then I'll just buy two Bike2 fittings for my existing Sigma and live with the computer being sideways on, on the stem.

If I go with wireless then I'll get that plus 2xBike2 fittings for that also, and make sure I get one with stem mount and digital signal

I'll keep looking around, if anyone's done anything similar that would be handy to hear about

I'm confused about you saying the computer is sideways on the stem. If the mount is anything like that on my Sigma 1609 STS then you can unscrew the centre of the mount and rotate it. Look at this video around the 52 second mark http://www.youtube.c...h?v=J83LVR6viJU

 

[MacB]

I'm confused about you saying the computer is sideways on the stem. If the mount is anything like that on my Sigma 1609 STS then you can unscrew the centre of the mount and rotate it. Look at this video around the 52 second mark http://www.youtube.c...h?v=J83LVR6viJU

I love it when I'm particularly stupid, you are quire correct and have just altered the fitting for my Sigma, very straight forward...so that solves that bit.

Now, that Sigma is on the bike with 32mm tyres, I could just buy two more fitting kits and use them on the other two bikes as they both run 35mm tyres. Or I could buy the wireless Sigma and the 2 extra fitting kits.

Option 1 - £16.54 from Petra cycles

Option 2 - new wireless comp with a bike 2 kit already is £29 plus another bike 2 kit, so another £10ish - £40 total

I think option 1 has to be it...cheers for the help folks

 

[Davidc]

I use VDU C1 and C2 wired ones - they cater for 2 bikes but I forget to change over so have 1 per bike.

The long wire mount is still available, which is designed for stem mount and allows the magnet to be on the back wheel if required.

The C1 is still around, last one I bought (after dropping one down a drain as I took it off) was from ebay at £10. It's fairly basic but does speed, ODO, trip distance, and has a clock. That's all I want so not paying more for what isn't needed. the C2 I was sent in error has more functions but apart from max speed being interesting I don't use them. No backlight, whih is the one extra thing I'd like.

I did have wireless with a Shimano dynamo hub and it worked fine with lights on or off. That was a cateye computer, also broken taking it off when parking the bike.

 

[MacB]

Thanks David, I've actually ordered just one Bike 2 front, wired, mount for the Sigma BC1106 that I have, having recently put a new battery in the Sigma I was loathe to ditch it, plus it's now stem mounted . The new mount will go on the Pompetamine and the existing will remain on the Giant. Have decided to just leave the Halfords one on the Surly, I also have two spare batteries for this so might as well use it until it goes wrong.

I decided that £40 to £50 for a new wireless one with two extra mounts was too much compared to the £10 I'm spending. Half the time I forget to put a computer on when I go out anyway.

 

[Wobblers]

For me the simplest solution is simply to have a basic Aldi/Lidl computer on each of my bikes. That way, I don't need to faff around swapping computers from one bike to another. It also means I know what mileage each bike has done which is helpful in gauging wear / when I should be thinking of replacing the chain.

As a bonus, they're also dead cheap! Lidl were selling bike computers a couple of weeks ago: it might be worthwhile seeing if there's any left in your local one.

 

[MacB]

For me the simplest solution is simply to have a basic Aldi/Lidl computer on each of my bikes. That way, I don't need to faff around swapping computers from one bike to another. It also means I know what mileage each bike has done which is helpful in gauging wear / when I should be thinking of replacing the chain.

As a bonus, they're also dead cheap! Lidl were selling bike computers a couple of weeks ago: it might be worthwhile seeing if there's any left in your local one.

I know, I was following that route originally, but I have two different comps already, so one more base unit makes sense to me, rather than a whole new computer. this way I avoid having to keep yet another type of battery as a spare. I always remove the comp anyway and I keep all my riding stats in a big spreasheet, this includes changes to kit etc. So I know how many miles every bit of each bike has done etc.

If I'm really honest I can see me snipping the wires and ditching the sensors at some point and just using the comp as a clock.

 

[krushavik]

I got my last computer from Tesco about £7 and at the moment its 3 for 2 on cycle accessories. So you can buy 2 and have a spare one plus anything else.

 

[Paul Walters]

For what its worth....

I have wired and unwired computers. The wired is more reliable, does the same as the unwired one, and was a fraction of the cost.

The wireless one mounts to the stem, cost nearly £100 and is disappointing. The reason I got it was because it mounted to the stem... I wanted that on my touring bike as the bars were cluttered with other stuff - like lights and bar bag mounts. It has two bike capacity, which is more of a hindrance, as I never remember which setting goes with which bike. It also fails if the mounting moves slightly. On a long ride, it is not uncommon to find that it has missed a section somewhere due to the vibration interfering with the signal......

If I was to do this again, I'd buy a wired computer for each bike, and if necessary buy a separate mounting bar that goes in front of the handlebars. That would still be cheaper than the wireless one... oh and BTW, my wireless one needs two batteries... one on the sender and one on the receiver.

 

[potsy]

I got my last computer from Tesco about £7 and at the moment its 3 for 2 on cycle accessories. So you can buy 2 and have a spare one plus anything else.

Just been and got myself a Tesco wired computer,which will go on the hybrid ready for winter commuting.
Also got a little rear light for my helmet and a pair of Hi-Viz armbands/cycle clips.
3 for 2 so cost me just over £11 for the 3

 

[tyred]

I have to admit to never owning one a wireless computer, but I see absolutely no advantage to spending extra money for something which needs extra batteries, is open to interference and has no obvious (to me) advantages. I suppose wrapping a wire around the brake cable like I do could be considered messy and cluttered ( I have wires for the dynamo lights anyway) but beyond that, what is the advantage?