Cycle computers

[Tryn2Cruz]

I've read everything I could find in the forum about this subject. Most is a little dated considering tech moves at the speed of light nowadays.
The last odometer I bought was over 5 decades ago and had mechanical parts. Needless to say I could use some advice on this subject. I only really need to track my total mileage , trip, and speed. Which brand, and wire or wireless?

 

[Al E Kaatz]

I like my Strava app. I use the free version, not the subscription. It works great on my iPhone.

 

[vmi1056]

Hi Chuck, like @Al E Kaatz said, the Strava app will do what you are looking for with the free version. That might be the easiest way to start since you can just download the Strava app on your smart phone and off you go. There are so many options out there it can be tough to figure out the best option. That being said, if you already have a smart phone using the free app will be a nice way to get started with what you will be using it for. You get into tracking heart rate, cadence, power, etc, then dropping a few bucks on a head unit would probably be required.

 

[Boreen bimbler]

I still have an old garmin 500 that I bought second hand 10 years ago. I did get a wahoo bolt since but still used the garmin as a back up for Everestings. The bolt let me down a few times (it crashes after 15,000m elevation amongst other things) but the reliable old garmin saved me a few times and still works perfectly every time I switch it on. So if you want something on your bars but not a bulky phone you could look for an old second hand garmin as they seem very reliable in my experience. Just make sure it comes with the charging lead. Also "cateye" do a lot of non gps computers still. You could still record it on the phone too. I'm just far too vain to have a phone on my bars....lol.

 

[MNBentRider]

I still have an old garmin 500 that I bought second hand 10 years ago. I did get a wahoo bolt since but still used the garmin as a back up for Everestings. The bolt let me down a few times (it crashes after 15,000m elevation amongst other things) but the reliable old garmin saved me a few times and still works perfectly every time I switch it on. So if you want something on your bars but not a bulky phone you could look for an old second hand garmin as they seem very reliable in my experience. Just make sure it comes with the charging lead. Also "cateye" do a lot of non gps computers still. You could still record it on the phone too. I'm just far too vain to have a phone on my bars....lol.

For a contrarian view...I also have a Wahoo Bolt v2, and I've been very happy with mine. It has never once failed me in over 17,000 miles in the last 4 years. (But I'll admit I never come close to that elevation!) For me, I prefer it to using a smart phone, as I don't want to deal with connecting my phone to the bike and worrying about it getting damaged. Also, I occasionally will map a route that I'm less familiar with, and am able to send it to the Bolt so that it can give me turn by turn directions, which has come in handy (especially if the route involves trails where "turn right at Main street" directions don't work as well. I also record my rides with my Apple Watch. I started out just using the watch, but I didn't like needing to constantly look at my wrist all the time.

 

[Doccus]

If only looking for total mileage, trip mileage, and speed…..a wireless Cateye like the Padrone will take care of your needs.
They are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and simple to use.

 

[castlerobber]

I have a Garmin Edge 130 Plus on the S30, and a Garmin Edge 130 (not Plus) on the Q45, both wireless. Both can connect with the Garmin speed (hub) and cadence (crankarm) sensors. The screen isn't much bigger than the old Cateye wireless computers I used to use. You can customize what fields you see on the main screen. Rides can be uploaded through the phone app, or by connecting to a computer with a USB cable and using Garmin Express.

 

[Tuloose]

I'm still so old school that I haven't switched to a handlebar mounted GPS unit. The fact that I know where I'm going most of the time has kept me from switching plus the fact that a GPS unit is bulkier, thus less aerodynamic than my old, reliable Planet Bike Protege computer. The computer shows the all the basic ride stats plus temperature and can be switched between 2 bikes with different wheel sizes so I use it on my Vendetta and my S40.
In the rare instance when I need route directions I download the route onto my phone via the Ride with GPS app, tuck the phone in my bike bag and receive the directions via my bluetooth hearing aids or another BT headset.

 

[Boreen bimbler]

For a contrarian view...I also have a Wahoo Bolt v2, and I've been very happy with mine. It has never once failed me in over 17,000 miles in the last 4 years. (But I'll admit I never come close to that elevation!) For me, I prefer it to using a smart phone, as I don't want to deal with connecting my phone to the bike and worrying about it getting damaged. Also, I occasionally will map a route that I'm less familiar with, and am able to send it to the Bolt so that it can give me turn by turn directions, which has come in handy (especially if the route involves trails where "turn right at Main street" directions don't work as well. I also record my rides with my Apple Watch. I started out just using the watch, but I didn't like needing to constantly look at my wrist all the time.

Yes the bolt seems fine for "normal" riding. Saying that, I had to factory reset mine a couple of weeks ago because it was playing up and a lot of audax riders I know had problems over 300km a while back but I think that got sorted.
I went through a few brytons. First one lasted a while and gave up while still just under warranty, next 2 never really worked so I got a refund. Wouldn't recommend them tbh.

 

[Tryn2Cruz]

This is all great info. Thank you everyone! It was my understanding
( reading past posts,) that the wireless didn't connect well because of the distance. That post was from several years ago though. Maybe that problem was addressed.
Now I guess it's time to check out all these options.

 

[Frito Bandito]

I use the Lezyne Mega XL for a few reasons, the main of which are a 48 hour battery life, no touch screen, and it can be used in portrait or landscape mode. In the rain touch screen is useless so I can access all of the 10 or so customizable data pages with the push of buttons. In landscape mode it is mostly out of the wind. It uses Glonass as well so even if there is no cell coverage it is fine. I haven't used maps yet because I always ride in the same place, but maps can be downloaded. It connects to my power meter and phone, showing their battery levels, as well as my Signal notifications and messages appearing on the screen which means I can read them without fishing for my phone. It is IPX6, and when needed I can connect it to my computer to pull the GPX file. Finally, and this is a kind of big one for me that I still haven't needed yet I can buy a battery online and replace it myself with a Philips screwdriver for something silly like $30 instead of having to spend much more to be completely replaced.
Here is just 1 of the customizable data pages showing only a portion of data you can customize via the phone app.

 

[Ramnob42]

This is all great info. Thank you everyone! It was my understanding
( reading past posts,) that the wireless didn't connect well because of the distance. That post was from several years ago though. Maybe that problem was addressed.
Now I guess it's time to check out all these options.

If you're just looking the bare basic the Cateye can be gotten in a wired unit or wireless for around $35(Amazon).

 

[Doccus]

I use the Cateye Padrone on S40. It is wireless. There is not a problem with the distance from sensor on fork to display at center of handlebar. My aging eyes also appreciate the larger display. It is just the basic data though….no map, no other sensors besides speed.

 

[Ramnob42]

I have the wired Padrone on a Q45, like the fact I can put a new battery in it in the spring and be good to go for a year.

 

[McWheels]

I discovered that a Cateye wireless of some poverty-spec (I got rid years ago), only worked when the dislay was mounted so it was pointing upwards. Clearly the wireless antenna in it didn't get enough signal when it was horizintally facing me as the rider. Mutter mutter gain pattern nulls and zeros etc.

 

[Tryn2Cruz]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I believe the Padrone will do everything I'll ever need in the near future. The wired version.