Do any of the budget computers work ???

[jefmcg]

I've got a really old cateye wireless (Cordless 2) that I must have bought in '99 or '00. I used it a few years, then it sat in a shed. Recently put it on my bike, and it's working fine. My lights don't interfere with it, though it's very sensitive to distance between sensor and magnet - though I suspect that's true of all units.

The screen was very faint when I revived it. I replaced the battery, and then found out that I should have checked the mileage on it first, and removing the battery wiped it. Sad, because I'd have loved to find out how much riding I did back then.

Anyway, the unit still works after all these years, and it's still supported! Cateye keeps the instruction PDF on it's website. So I'd vouch for the brand. And they start under £10, and £24 for wireless http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/cycle-computers/?ea=4294789830

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Had a cheap lidl one a few years back, would record over 40mph.

 

[Dirk]

The three ALDI computers I bought 3 years ago are all still going strong.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Had a cheap lidl one a few years back, would record over 40mph.

Edit, sorry it wouldn't record over 40, it still works, if I can find just doesn't/didn't record as I said over 40mph.

 

[snorri]

Just read you're post andyfraser..and has put me off wireless

I've had the same wireless computer for 10 years and it has only given a false reading once in that time. The problem only lasted while I was stationary alongside some street furniture on a foreign tour and did not affect stored information.,
Problems with wired computers due to dampness affecting the contacts are not uncommon.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I've had the same wireless computer for 10 years and it has only given a false reading once in that time. The problem only lasted while I was stationary alongside some street furniture on a foreign tour and did not affect stored information.,
Problems with wired computers due to dampness affecting the contacts are not uncommon.

Wireless have other issues, my GSC10 sensor has stopped picking up the speed magnet, I suspect an internal contact as it transmits cad data, but only to my 705 not to my R20 which is no purely in gps mode, likewise the 705 for speed.

 

[Sham69]

I only buy cheap. Two wired models (one from Lidl) packed up within 1 to 2 years so I tried Halford's cheapest wireless. It's survived two winters so far and is operating perfectly. I do a fair bit of night cycling and use powerful LED lights (a dual Cree XM-L U2 light and an old single SCC P7 based Magicshine) and never noticed any interference.

It seemed to me that both wired devices failed due to water ingress into the detector at the wire entry point. The wireless transmitter seems nicely sealed against water ingress.

 

[John the Monkey]

This might be of interest;

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/153405-best-cheap-cycle-computers

 

[Falco Frank]

I still have a Cateye cordless on my MTB must be 12 years old at least. Clamp for the sender had to cut down as i remeber so I dont know how to shift it to another bike?

Recent trys, chinese tat branded as Topeak, im sure it isnt, curved top looked great, cabled but only works in Km!

Bell tat tried from Asda for a laugh, cordless, wasnt bad for what it was but no autostart. At least Asda usually give instant refunds.

I need a nice BIG display for my aging eyes these days so I think a Strada wireless is on the cards, using my smartphone at the moment

 

[peter_liver]

I fitted this on Wednesday (£15 from decathlon) . I've used it twice and simultaneously with "map my ride" and the millage was the same. I will post some pic's over the weekend

Thanks for all the advice

 

[summerdays]

I used a Sigma BC1606C (wired) for years. It was excellent.

Only a terrible sense of direction (and so a desire for turn by turn mapping) led me to a Garmin.

I think that's the one I use or perhaps there is an L at the end. I find they don't last ages so I end up buying another every two or more years... Maybe they last longer than that I have more than one bike so it's hard to remember, and the batteries in them last about 18 months with me.

Recently I've started logging my actual rides using my phone but I don't look at it during the ride so it just stays in my pannier.

At some point it might be worth switching to a proper GPS rather than replacing the computers every now and again. I've got a growing collection of non working ones. But it's simple and can be left on the bike so I don't have to think about it, it's just there, ready and waiting for the next ride.

 

[John the Monkey]

At some point it might be worth switching to a proper GPS rather than replacing the computers every now and again. I've got a growing collection of non working ones. But it's simple and can be left on the bike so I don't have to think about it, it's just there, ready and waiting for the next ride.

I can't remember how long I've had this BC1606, but I only replaced its predecessor when a car ran over it

Their weak point is the wires (especially cadence wires, if you use that feature). Any time they're held in place, they eventually split, ime - wrapping them around the frame/fork tubes worked best for me. Taping the wires down, or securing them with cable ties is a recipe for about a years worth of use before they fray.

As for GPS, I think it has its own simplicities (no sensors to calibrate, just mount, hit start and ride). The ability that the ones with maps on give you to plan a route on the fly is great, as is the turn by turn navigation when you have to cut a ride short in unfamiliar territory, or are knackered and just want to focus on riding for a bit. The fact that a simple unit (speed, distance) is now around the price that a conventional wireless computer was not too many years ago is good news too.

 

[jonny jeez]

Nope, they are all rubbish. Take the plunge to a cheap garmin, they do so much more and are rock solid.

I gave away my last computer, whilst it was ok it just didn't compare to a garmin, plus it didn't light up so couldn't be read in the dark. As soon as you get into backlit computer costs, you are no longer in the "budget" bracket and are already into garmin price territory.

 

[John the Monkey]

Nope, they are all rubbish. Take the plunge to a cheap garmin, they do so much more and are rock solid.

I gave away my last computer, whilst it was ok it just didn't compare to a garmin, plus it didn't light up so couldn't be read in the dark. As soon as you get into backlit computer costs, you are no longer in the "budget" bracket and are already into garmin price territory.

The Sigma summerdays & I were discussing comes in at around £20, it seems.

It does have a backlight.

 

[jonny jeez]

The Sigma summerdays & I were discussing comes in at around £20, it seems.

It does have a backlight.

Ah, now there are back lights and there are back lights. Do you need to find a tiny button, in the dark, with gloves on to make the backlight...light.

Or like a garmin, is it a constant glowing companion, sending a warm fuzzy glow across your face as you spin along dark country lanes.

As you can tell, I'm a bit of a garmin fanboy...