Bike Computer Recommendation

hiDEhi

Hi guys. Can some of you recommend a decent bike computer. The budget is up to €100 or so. I'm looking for the usual speed, distance, time & cadence is important too. Should I be looking for a model that does heart rate too? Thanks..

triggermortis

If you could stretch your budget a bit, I'd go for a Garmin Edge 500. I have one and it's brilliant. Quite a few on here have them too and I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about them, apart from the price (but there can be deals to be had).

hiDEhi

Thanks for that triggermortis. I don't think I'd stretch that far just yet. If I could get one to keep me going this year then maybe next year I'd save up for the garmin.

Dubba

Edge 500 FTW £142.68:

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/2336/garmin-edge-500

Definitely worth saving up for if funds are a bit short after Christmas.

Crow92

hiDEhi wrote: »

Thanks for that triggermortis. I don't think I'd stretch that far just yet. If I could get one to keep me going this year then maybe next year I'd save up for the garmin.

You could go the halfords and get the boardman computer, about 62 euro (you can get a 15% discount if you or you bring up someone with AXA insureance, so it'll be around 52.7 euro)

It can be used for 2 bikes (You need to get another mounting unit and sensors).

Measures:
Current,max and average speed.
Current, max and average cadence.
Ride distance and time.
Total distance travelled on each bike and altogether.
Altitude.
Etc.

I have it myself, done about 1200km on it, like it very much but it's my first computer so can't compare to others.

hiDEhi

Thanks Crow, I might just go with something like that for now. I could be very good and save like heck for a garmin. I know it'd be the best in the long term so I might just do that.

C3PO

If you can't hang on for the Garmin 500 (but I would if I were you!) then you could consider the 200! Personally I would miss the HR function but it's a good option none the less!

hiDEhi

I wouldn't spend big money on a computer that didn't have the heart rate function so I won't be getting the 200. I'll probably just pick up a cheap one to get me by for now and save up for the 500.

2 Wheels Good

Cateye Strada €92 from Wiggle
Wireless cadence, and the rest. Comp I had before I got the Garmin 500.

2 Wheels Good

2 Wheels Good wrote: »

Cateye Strada €92 from Wiggle
Wireless cadence, and the rest. Comp I had before I got the Garmin 500.

Actually, sorry, you'd get it for closer to €70 off Ribble.

doozerie

If you expect the computer to be a stopgap then it may be worth considering a Specialized Speed Zone Elite cadence for £14.99. It's wired and both sensors sit on the chain stay so you have to run the wire to the back of the bike. It's ugly (doesn't bother me but likely an issue for some), the head unit is a bit larger than I'd like, and it's fiddly to fit, but it's very cheap and works. Plus it has a thermometer built in which I have found slightly addictive.

I bought one for one of my commute bikes to replace an ancient but faithful computer that took a header one night on the way home from work (sniff!). When I unpacked it the relatively large size of the display was a bit of a surprise (about 40mm x 60mm), plus I swore at it quite a bit when fitting it to the bike (the wire is thick, which is good for robustness but a pain for keeping it tidy), but I've been very happy with it in use. So much so that I bought a second one for my other commute bike to replace an annoying Sigma BC606 (4 buttons is at least 2 too many for me I've decided!). I think it was the lack of a thermometer that spelt the end for the Sigma - I'd never have believed that watching temperature readings can be so ridiculously appealing. ...I must admit that I haven't got round to fitting the new one yet though, I need a forklift to empty the swear box first from the previous time!

C3PO

hiDEhi wrote: »

I wouldn't spend big money on a computer that didn't have the heart rate function so I won't be getting the 200. I'll probably just pick up a cheap one to get me by for now and save up for the 500.

Yep, fair enough! From a training point of view I really like the possibilities that GPS offers (particularly Strava!) and I think I would give up HR rather than that!

Paul Kiernan

You won't do any better than this one for £26 with free delivery from Amazon. It comes complete with Polar-compatible HR strap which would cost that sort of money on it's own. It has three programmable HR zones so after your ride you can see not only your average HR but also how much time spent in anaerobic zone, development zone or just noodling. Also the extra bike brackets and the cadence sensor can be picked up fairly cheaply online.

brayblue24

I'm selling this at the minute. €99 in Ribble (where I bought it 12 months ago):

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056497084

I did exactly as you seem to be doing now and I've just upgraded to the Garmin. I have an offer on it so obviously they have 1st choice but if that falls through it might be of interest to you? Just reduced the price from €70 to €55 but accepted €50

hiDEhi

Thanks for all the replies. I was kind of looking at the Cateye Double Wireless so I might just go ahead with it for now. €70 isn't bad for it.

rurs

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

You won't do any better than this one for £26 with free delivery from Amazon. It comes complete with Polar-compatible HR strap which would cost that sort of money on it's own. It has three programmable HR zones so after your ride you can see not only your average HR but also how much time spent in anaerobic zone, development zone or just noodling. Also the extra bike brackets and the cadence sensor can be picked up fairly cheaply online.

Ordered one myself, had been eyeing up the 4.4 version with altimeter etc on rosebikes, but couldn't stretch to €80. It sounds like you have experience with these ciclosports? The HRM part sounds good from what you say.

I've had a look through the manual, but one thing I can't figure out is if you can do a countdown on distance. I've got quite used to this with my current computer. Can you put in, say, 42km, and have it count down to zero?

I suppose I'll find out soon enough, just been dispatched by Amazon.

To the OP, that Cateye looks good, though the reviews on Amazon suggest it can be problematic with HRMs.

martyc5674

What about the edge 305. Better spec than the 500 and can be picked up on eBay for your budget.

I had intended upgrading as I thought to the 500 but on close inspection the 305 wad better equipped marginally. Think it has a better altitude sensor but I forget exactly the detail.
The 500 is just better looking

Raymzor

http://www.fitnessdigital.ie/polar-cs200cad-heart-rate-monitor-10000750-p.html?ct=114

I have the above polar which i find very good. only downside is pc connectivity failed to work.