Wireless cycle computer on rear wheel

Ghost Rider

Is there a good reason why my wireless cycle computer won't work when the transmitter and magnet are mounted on my rear fork/wheel? If it's a range issue, you'd expect it to work when I hold the "head" (i.e. receiver & display) part of the computer close to the transmitter, right? But it doesn't.

That said, even when I have the magnet/transmitter on the front wheel/fork the head doesn't seem to receive a signal when I remove it from the bar mount on the front, either. It seems there's something I don't understand about the way the mount works. Can't think what, though, as it seems to be there purely to hold the head in place...

Confused,
Kilmainham.

kenmc

is the sensor close enough to the magnet?

Gavin

Dear Confused in Kilmainham,
That's a tricky one ! Perhaps the antennae in the wireless transmitter is only oriented in a particular plane. This might require a very accurate placing of the receiver, in order to detect the signal. Maybe try some new positions! Experiment, and remember, communication is the key!

Sincerely,
Agony (the local bicycle) Aunt

Ghost Rider

I suspect you're right as it turns out it's very hard to get the magnet face and the transmitter "face" (it's curved) facing each other on the rear wheel in precisely the same way as they do when the thing is mounted on the front wheel/fork.

And to answer the other question, yes, the maget is mere millimetres from the sensor - in fact, I've tried it even closer than it usually is on the front.

Dumbfounded,
Dublin 8.

Gavin wrote: »

Dear Confused in Kilmainham,
That's a tricky one ! Perhaps the antennae in the wireless transmitter is only oriented in a particular plane. This might require a very accurate placing of the receiver, in order to detect the signal. Maybe try some new positions! Experiment, and remember, communication is the key!

Sincerely,
Agony (the local bicycle) Aunt

blorg

Bear in mind you can use any magnet, doesn't have to be the one that came with the sensor.

niceonetom

Some computers won't receive any signal unless they are in their mount - my old bikehut computer had a small silver button on the back face that was held down when in the mount and this would cause it to 'listen' for signal.

Have you tried removing the mount from the handlebars and putting the head unit in it then moving it around to see if you can pick up anything from the rear mounted sensor?

Range and direction can be issues. My polar c200 jobbie doesn't have the range to be mounted on the rear (though I've read the older generation sensors could be opened and a jumper switch flipped to extend the range, not on mine, alas). At one stage I had it on the turbo and could use use the sensor/magnet on the rear wheel but had to mount the head unit half way along the top-tube for it to receive. Fine for the turbo, not so much on the road.