Bike Computers - HELP!
bustlungs1970
Posts: 33
in General Chat
Thanks to everyone who has answered all my queries to date....very helpful indeed.
One further question: I am in need of a bike computer, nothing too expensive but one which can be used on a turbo trainer as well as outdoors, to monitor cadence, etc etc. There seems to be such a choice out there and I believe there are only certain types which can be used while on a turbo? Thanks in advance for any advice
One further question: I am in need of a bike computer, nothing too expensive but one which can be used on a turbo trainer as well as outdoors, to monitor cadence, etc etc. There seems to be such a choice out there and I believe there are only certain types which can be used while on a turbo? Thanks in advance for any advice
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I haven't actually fitted it yet so I hope the leads are long enough!! Don't have any other recommendations but as this one states it is good for use on turbos and cat eye are reputable then that is good enough for me!!!
Back to the 'proper' kind of computer... if all you are after, bustlungs, is the basics - and by this I mean current & average speed, current & average cadence, some timing functions and an overall distance reading then you have many choices. There's a test of 10 different computers in 220 this month, and to be honest I'd avoid them all if you're just looking for an intro into using a computer. The cheapest is £50 (though it was the winner) and you can get one that does the job for less than half that - though watch out for quality issues.
Look out for any models that have particularly long wires for the speed sensor so you can stick the magnet/sensor combo on your back wheel instead of your front. Then you can use it on the turbo trainer. Or you could stump up the extra and go wireless - again, check the speed sensor has sufficient transmitter power to work from the back wheel.
I spent about £20 on a Topeak 'puter in Halfords (yeah, I know) and after some reliability issues - like when they say the magnets can be miles away from the sensor don't trust them, put them within millimetres of each other - then it seems OK. I have the speed sensor on the front wheel, but I think the wire would be long enough to get to the rear... sorry, can't be bothered to check the wire length now since that would require me leaving the study, going down the hall, through two doors and tripping over all my kit in the garage before I even get to my bike... I'm having a rest night.
I use a Boardman computer, got it from halfords £39 I think. It has shedloads of features, cadence, average cadence at the end of a ride, speed, ave speed, temp, etc.............. Great thing is its wireless so less clutter. The sensor sits on your chainstay and the usual magnets on the spokes and crankarm, and your away. Another plus is that you can mount it in your stem, so if you use aerobars youir not stuffed for a mounting point!! I use my garmin 305 for HR and usualy take that along aswell on long rides for a bit more info at end.
Quick question, do I interpret correctly that the wireless strada transmits speed data wirelessly from the back wheel/chainstay so can be used on the turbo for both speed and cadence? Just wanna check cos I might get one for my lasses bike. Got a wired strada for turbo but discovered her computer has five functions and one of these isn't ride time!!! - useless!