Looking for a simple but long lasting bike computer

[SafetyThird]

What I'm looking for is a computer I can fit that will record distance over a long period, several years. All I really want from it is to log distance but be able to do that over several years and keep that reading even when batteries are changed. I have a Garmin setup for heart rate, cadence etc, but I'd like something to log distance on my new-to-me bike over the years to come.

Any suggestions?

 

[vickster]

Free subscription to Strava, upload through the Garmin?
Strava tells me I’ve logged near 21,000 miles over the years across various bikes. You just tell it what bikes you have and for each ride what bike you were riding

 

[Globalti]

I'll stick with my Cateye wired computers. Simple, reliable and the batteries last for years.

 

[NorthernDave]

I have a Halfords wireless bike computer in my hybrid that's over 5 years old and which has only wanted a battery in all that time.
It sounds like that might be what you're looking for?

Just checked their website and it looks like they don't do that !ideal anymore, but they have this one at a tenner:

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/cy...-10-function-wired-cycle-computer-668187.html

 

[Darius_Jedburgh]

This will do the job.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RETRO-CY...0?pageci=f32fa34e-dcf0-49a7-903a-c3b6a1a9dc90

 

[a.twiddler]

This will do the job.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RETRO-CY...0?pageci=f32fa34e-dcf0-49a7-903a-c3b6a1a9dc90

You beat me to it! No batteries to change, just note the mileage at the start and finish. The mesmeric Dink Dink Dink as you roll along, the change in rhythm tells you about any subtle increase or drop in speed before it even registers on your cycle computer. The background sound to my 70s and early 80s trips. Pedestrians can hear you coming, and it needs no maintenance, apart from a little care when putting the front wheel back on.

Of course the sound will drive some riders nuts, and if you habitually ride down long fast hills, the striker is prone to get out of step with the little star wheel, causing a loud bang and either bending the mounting arm outwards (just bend it back) or firing the computer like a missile into the shrubbery, never to be seen again. Not often a problem for a slow-ish rider such as myself. Happy days!

 

[SafetyThird]

Thanks for the replies. I already have strava but not every ride necessarily gets logged, hence wanting something that doesn't reply on an app.

I'll look at Cateye and that Halfords one, thanks.

 

[numbnuts]

Sigma BC 16.12 total distance 85,753 miles

 

[SafetyThird]

Sigma BC 16.12 total distance 85,753 miles

Well that's definitely a worthwhile recommendation. Is yours the wired or wireless?

 

[numbnuts]

Well that's definitely a worthwhile recommendation. Is yours the wired or wireless?

wired.... keep it simply

 

[Milkfloat]

If you already have Strava and a Garmin, but cannot be bothered to attach your device for every ride then how about the latest Garmin Speed sensor? Bear with me here, the speed sensor wraps around your hub and keeps track of your mileage and speed and automatically uploads to Garmin Connect and hence Strava. I use one on my commuter as I cannot be bothered to connect and turn on a device twice a day. It just sits in the background doing its thing. The best thing about it is that is caches everything, so no need for you to have your phone with you or another Garmin device. It will just sync when your phone is in range and the sensor is awake. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/04...with-ant-bluetooth-smart-in-depth-review.html
This way you are not relying on an old school computer that can very easily lose all your data.

 

[SafetyThird]

my Garmin is a forerunner rather than a cycling gps unit, it's very handy for logging my data but I don't have one I use for navigation, I use Komoot on the phone if I need that. The new Garmin sensors look very handy and, were I in the market to spend that on sensors, I'd buy them. However, I already have the older model Garmin sensors on both bikes so I'll pass on those. A £10 wired computer which will last several years on a battery is all I need for this purpose.

 

[IanSmithCSE]

Morning,

Look very carefully at how it mounts, I usually get only a few months out of one before they get nicked, rain soaked and stop working or fall off and stop working. :-(

This my latest, it is quite pretty but not very useful.

Bye

Ian

 

[DCBassman]

Another vote for Cateye wired.

 

[DaveReading]

Decathlon £7.99

Bought as a replacement for my Sigma which fell off halfway during a ride and was never seen again ...