Bike Computer

liveyoung

Does anyone have experience with bike computers for tracking distance, speed etc.

My partner currently uses his phone, but you can only check after the ride and I thought a device mounted on the handle bars would be good.

He rides for fun, so nothing too advanced. There are plenty of very cheap ones available online, but I'm looking for value rather than just 'cheap'!

brat

There are so many, he may get 20 answers from 20 people. Garmin are the market leaders in GPS devices for bikes, and the Edge 200 is their excellent entry level device. It does the basics very well. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=edge+200+garmin&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=25722152336&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18063572290773541462&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_5jje7ck60i_b

An out front mount is a very useful accessory, especially for a road bike, because it allows the device to sit in front of the handlebars which allows you an easier view of it while riding.

For your £80 you get lots of real time data including speed, average speed, distance travelled etc. It also has auto stop/start features which means it stops recording at traffic lights and junctions automatically. It doesn't have a barometric altimeter, cadence sensor or heart rate sensor that you may find in more expensive models, nor does it have any mapping facility built in, but reportedly it does what it does very well.

I'm sure others will have different ideas...

zaax

liveyoung wrote: »

Does anyone have experience with bike computers for tracking distance, speed etc.

My partner currently uses his phone, but you can only check after the ride and I thought a device mounted on the handle bars would be good.

He rides for fun, so nothing too advanced. There are plenty of very cheap ones available online, but I'm looking for value rather than just 'cheap'!

I use CardoTrainer which says the miles and speed etc. Also I have a clamp on the handlebars for the phone which has a map etc.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/best-iphone-and-android-apps-for-cycling-35227/

I know people that use mapmyride app to time them against other rides and riders doing the same routes.

Also join your local cycling club

esuhl

I have the Cateye Micro Wireless computer (the older CC-MC100W model) and it's great.

I mainly used it to measure distances so I wouldn't get lost (as much) as I didn't have a GPS or smartphone. And it's handy knowing exactly how far I've cycled in a day.

I also check my "average speed" out of curiosity, to get some idea of how hard I was riding.

I have a smartphone mount too now. At least I can see my route on a map... for about an hour before the battery drains... and assuming the GPS feels like working. But I don't fancy using the phone as a computer/speedo. Presumably the battery would run out really quickly, and/or the screen would have to be off most of the ride.

liveyoung

Thank you!

Yes the options are vast, so any information in the right direction is a great help.

I should say that he uses the app on his phone, but leaves it in his rucksac - it's a work phone and I'm not sure how keen he would be on mounting it on the bike, a dedicated system seems to be the best solution.

StuC75

Look at the rflkt type ones , you keep the phone safely out of the way, and connect with Bluetooth to the phone\device so that it can update with a simple display..

this is easier to notice than sneaking a look at the phone display, which may not always be safe to do..

I use strava, and often have one earphone in so can hear segment stats when on local cycleways..

Tobster86

It might help to come up with a list of specific functions you want it to do.

My basic requirements (speed and a clock) are met by a frustratingly over-complicated and over-specced device I purchased on ebay for under £10. This replaced a £5, four year old device from Wilkinsons that fell down a gap in my sister in law's decking and wasn't worth retrieving.

AndyBSG

If it's just for basic info such as speed, distance, time, etc then the Strada Cateye wireless is the way to go at about 30 quid.

If he wants things like GPS and route mapping then you're talking over 100 quid and need to be looking at Garmin's offerings

armyknife

I bought a sub-10 quid Raleigh branded wired one that does the job.

I have a nicer VDO one on another bike and that's worked faultlessly, enough options for time, max speed, average speed etc. Don't need to spend a lot to get those basic details.

brat

Garmin have just brought out a couple of mini devices, the Edge 20 and 25.

They are small (25g) which some might find more useful if space or weight is a premium consideration. My forerunner 910XT head weighs 58g.

Retail prices are £110 and £140. Both offer decent battery life (for the device size) and lots of live data. They both offer a basic mapping option - a breadcrumb trail that you can download and follow. The 25 also offers the options of adding a heart rate monitor and cadence sensor as well as a link to your mobile phone.

Both download to Strava (other apps are available - but why would you?) where you can monitor your route and inwardly digest lots of nerdy data.