Which computer?

[Slower than you]

hi all

I think I'm up to stage of getting a cadence monitor and don't know what to get? Think I want something with a timer also. Don't want to spend a lot either at this stage and by no means that experienced.

I have been using strava by its self and understand it can do the trick. Should I get the cadence attachment. Or is there something better I should be looking at?

Thanks

 

[fossyant]

Cateye computers are very reliable, especially the wireless ones.

 

[13 rider]

+1 for cateye have them of both bikes . shows basic speed ,distance ,time ,total distance ,average speed, etc . I use mobile to record for strava and cateye for on the move info .cheap solution cateyes £25 basic Garmin £80

 

[vickster]

Why do you need a cadence monitor? What do you think it will tell you?

 

[Dan Ferris]

+1 for cateye have them of both bikes . shows basic speed ,distance ,time ,total distance ,average speed, etc . I use mobile to record for strava and cateye for on the move info .cheap solution cateyes £25 basic Garmin £80

I do this and the distances are almost identical with the same kit. I charge my phone before I go but wack in my bag a mobile battery charger as an iPhone needs no excuse to drain a battery...

 

[Custom24]

Why do you need a cadence monitor? What do you think it will tell you?

At the risk of being a smart ass... I'd guess he want it to tell him his cadence.

 

[vickster]

At the risk of being a smart ass... I'd guess he want it to tell him his cadence.

Which will tell him what other than how fast the pedals are turning. He says he is up to the stage of needing one but I've no clue what that means. Is he turning pro?

 

[Slower than you]

Thanks all for the replies. No not pro, in anyway. Rather would prefer to keep an average speed the same throughout, whether hills or flat and thought this would be a good help.

Vickster why do u think not a good idea? Happy for tips.

Cheers

 

[Tenacious Sloth]

As far as cadence is concerned, I feel that I am most efficient at about 90-95rpm.

Without the cadence indication, I find it difficult to judge whether I'm doing low or high 90s.

When I see the cadence creeping up into the high 90s I change up and, more often than not, comfortably hold a slightly higher speed than if I'd stayed put.

Some people will say that I should be able to 'sense' that I'm at optimum cadence but I have found that this is simply not the case.

So, to sum up, I find cadence indication useful.



Graham

P.S. For what it's worth, I use a Mio Cyclo 315 and really like it. Not what the OP needs though.

 

[Slower than you]

Anyone know one with a backlight that isn't expensive?

 

[Custom24]

Anyone know one with a backlight that isn't expensive?

Just to say that the Boardman 22 function wireless computer I use has a backlight, but it's not that bright or easy to read at night. You also have to press a fiddly button to activate the light. I would imagine having to press a button is always the case with any of them to backlight. It's about £60, or maybe cheaper from eBay. It's been reliable though.

 

[Custom24]

Anyone know one with a backlight that isn't expensive?

Once you use a cadence sensor for a while in daytime, you will get used to the cadence you want. So unless you only ever ride at night, being able to read cadence at night isn't essential.

I've given up at night with the Boardman I mention above. I need to keep my eyes on the road.

 

[Slower than you]

Is it not clear? I have found a cateye but it doesn't have a light and seem to go most nights after work so concerned won't be able to see it. What do u think?

Thinking of a Bluetooth sensor for strava

 

[Custom24]

Is it not clear? I have found a cateye but it doesn't have a light and seem to go most nights after work so concerned won't be able to see it. What do u think?

Thinking of a Bluetooth sensor for strava

The Boardman has a button to activate backlight. The button isn't particularly easy to press when you are riding, at least not for me. Then the backlight only stays on for a couple of seconds. Then the cadence readout isn't a particularly large font. So that's why I have given up on cadence reading at night. The Boardman is fine during they day, though.

I did have a look round online for you, but I couldn't see anything obvious. Best bet might be to go to a bike shop and ask them to demo the backlight to you.

Make sure also that you take into account that some computers you have to buy the sensors for separately.

 

[Custom24]

Thinking of a Bluetooth sensor for strava

Personally, I would not risk my iPhone with a handlebar mount, as it belongs to my work and not to me.

But I guess if you have a cheaper / less precious smartphone, that's a good option, since some of the higher end cycle computers are more expensive than some smartphones. Don't know how fiddly it will be to read cadence on the move. I think Strava can be set to keep the screen on all the time, and you could just dial down the screen brightness to suit.