Speed Sensor - going Wire and Magnet Less
- Thread starter Cruzbiker
- Start date
1happyreader
zen/child method
You should be able to find a gps unit under $100 usd.
If you already have a smart phone there are many apps that fit the bill.
Endomondo, ridewith gps, and map my ride are all free at the basic level.
later,, bye
If you already have a smart phone there are many apps that fit the bill.
Endomondo, ridewith gps, and map my ride are all free at the basic level.
later,, bye
1happyreader
zen/child method
The Cateye CC-GL10 Stealth Cycling GPS Compter has been renamed so the old model is discounted.
Cruzbiker
Active Member
When I use GPS on my cell phones, both Android and IOS, the battery drains too fast. And I do not like that bulky handlebar support for cell phones, besides they are not waterproof.
This Cateye is indeed a good option, but again battery doesn't last long - kind of 6 hours.
I know that hub sensors batteries last more than a year and can be found in the $30-$50 range. Have to find a simple cycling computer with a long battery life to match them.
This Cateye is indeed a good option, but again battery doesn't last long - kind of 6 hours.
I know that hub sensors batteries last more than a year and can be found in the $30-$50 range. Have to find a simple cycling computer with a long battery life to match them.
MrSteve
Zen MBB Master
Why specify no magnet?
If your streets are mostly smooth, you shouldn't need to worry.
If you're biking off-road over boulders and bears, then I can see that having no magnet
on the wheel would be a plus....
The bare-bones wired Cateye bike computer on the Sofrider is on its third battery, since 2006.
The magnet on the spoke has had to be readjusted NO times.
The wired Cateye bike computer, with cadence, mounted on the V last year is doing fine:
No further adjustments and I expect to change out the stock battery sometime next year.
The magnets on both the flattened flat-black spoke and crank arm have required exactly NO maintenance.
When dad died, he wasn't getting much use out of his Garmin GPS anymore... because being dead
kind of puts a damper on things. So, I made an adapter and put his GPS on my Sofrider.
Dad did not mind... I guess.
The Garmin worked fine for a few months, eating batteries like I could not believe.
Then, it died, under warranty.
The replacement worked for a few days and then it too died: Throwing it in the trash was fun!
I'm sure that GPS devices have improved over the last decade ... but the magic
acronym, "GPS" does nothing for me; it doesn't trump the utility of these cheap, reliable
little bike computers.
So what do you have against magnets anyway?
If your streets are mostly smooth, you shouldn't need to worry.
If you're biking off-road over boulders and bears, then I can see that having no magnet
on the wheel would be a plus....
The bare-bones wired Cateye bike computer on the Sofrider is on its third battery, since 2006.
The magnet on the spoke has had to be readjusted NO times.
The wired Cateye bike computer, with cadence, mounted on the V last year is doing fine:
No further adjustments and I expect to change out the stock battery sometime next year.
The magnets on both the flattened flat-black spoke and crank arm have required exactly NO maintenance.
When dad died, he wasn't getting much use out of his Garmin GPS anymore... because being dead
kind of puts a damper on things. So, I made an adapter and put his GPS on my Sofrider.
Dad did not mind... I guess.
The Garmin worked fine for a few months, eating batteries like I could not believe.
Then, it died, under warranty.
The replacement worked for a few days and then it too died: Throwing it in the trash was fun!
I'm sure that GPS devices have improved over the last decade ... but the magic
acronym, "GPS" does nothing for me; it doesn't trump the utility of these cheap, reliable
little bike computers.
So what do you have against magnets anyway?
John Dorlon
Guru
Hey Steve -
I used to have magnet sensors. You're right, they work great and are pretty much maintenance free. But I think the wires and zip ties are ugly. So last year I bought a Garmin 200 (the smallest and cheapest one they have). It sits right smack in the center of my handlebars, out of the wind. And I've got a mount on both of my bikes so I can quickly switch it between the two.
I do have to remember to turn it off after I ride and charge it once a week or so. But it's so nice to not have wires and zip ties!
I also use CycleMeter on my iPhone (for me, the battery will last all day!), but I don't mount it on my handlebars. I just tuck in in a pouch. I like to look at the data after I ride - and statistics for the week, month, year, etc.
-John
I used to have magnet sensors. You're right, they work great and are pretty much maintenance free. But I think the wires and zip ties are ugly. So last year I bought a Garmin 200 (the smallest and cheapest one they have). It sits right smack in the center of my handlebars, out of the wind. And I've got a mount on both of my bikes so I can quickly switch it between the two.
I do have to remember to turn it off after I ride and charge it once a week or so. But it's so nice to not have wires and zip ties!
I also use CycleMeter on my iPhone (for me, the battery will last all day!), but I don't mount it on my handlebars. I just tuck in in a pouch. I like to look at the data after I ride - and statistics for the week, month, year, etc.
-John
1happyreader
zen/child method
I gotta agree with you MrSteve,
The GPS would provide speed info without the added cost of sensors, but for me all it does is store redundant mapping data and provide ride data upload to websites ( redundant with my phone).
I bought my computer because It had ANT+ capabilities ( had ANT+ sensors) and I wanted to both test the waters and work my way up to a power meter and Garmin head unit someday.
If I ever upgrade my frameset the old frame will get its wired speed and cadence re-installed.
I did see some bluetooth sensor compatible head units with a claimed 4 month battery life if you did not pair it to a phone.
later,,, bye
RAR
Well-Known Member
I liked this and it had good battery life {the longest I used it was 14 hrs and it still had battery left} would still have it if it didn't fall into the Intracoastal water way in my crash.
http://www.amazon.com/Bryton-Rider-100-Cycling-Computer/dp/B018WNDVK2
Rick
ratz
Wielder of the Rubber Mallet
Both the Garmin and The Wahoo hub mounted magnet-less ones work as they are ANT+
Cadence is a Wahoo RPM
SamP
Guru
DC Rainmaker's mini (for him) review of the new Garmin acceleraometer-based speed and cadence sensors
Short: they work, though they've got a bit more noise in the measurements than the magnet-based sensors.
JOSEPHWEISSERT
Zen MBB Master
I've been using the Garmin sensors this season and they work delightfully well. I had a lot of trouble with my previous wireless cadence, a different brand. I now use Garmin's HR, speed, and cadence transmitters and have had no problems at all.
quickbeam
Well-Known Member
I got a cheap wireless unit (with magnets) and it didn't have the read range to get from the handlebar to the front wheel! It only worked within about 18" of the sensor, and where I wanted to mount it was about 22" (or something like that). So I swapped it with the wired one on my son's bike, which is a standard wedgie frame, and we're both happy.
McWheels
Off the long run
I've found that wireless computer(s), CATEYE in particular, don't work when the receiver isn't facing upwards and is above the sensor. It worked just fine when installed and looking from above, but as soon as I tilted it to view from the cockpit, lost all readings. Fiver for a cheap wired one from Ebay and I'm away.
Wires aren't that much of an issue to someone running hub dynamo and standlights fore and aft.
Wires aren't that much of an issue to someone running hub dynamo and standlights fore and aft.
Cruzbiker
Active Member
Weird...
Wires are no problem at all.
I should have made my situation clear from the beginning. I have a Quest and two pairs of wheels, a 26” that I use at home and a 20” I use when travelling.
The 20” aren’t the 451; I had a pair of 406 built because I wanted balloon tires and you do not find them in 451.
So every time I change wheels I have to loose and readjust the sensor. And with the 20”wheels the balloon tire always hits the sensor when putting them on the bicycle.
Last time I swapped wheels I was so pissed I threw the wired in the garbage.
So I only had the choice to go magnet less.
If you only remove your wheels when you have a flat tire, and does not ride balloon tires, a wired one is a great choice.
Wires are no problem at all.
I should have made my situation clear from the beginning. I have a Quest and two pairs of wheels, a 26” that I use at home and a 20” I use when travelling.
The 20” aren’t the 451; I had a pair of 406 built because I wanted balloon tires and you do not find them in 451.
So every time I change wheels I have to loose and readjust the sensor. And with the 20”wheels the balloon tire always hits the sensor when putting them on the bicycle.
Last time I swapped wheels I was so pissed I threw the wired in the garbage.
So I only had the choice to go magnet less.
If you only remove your wheels when you have a flat tire, and does not ride balloon tires, a wired one is a great choice.
McWheels
Off the long run
Oh I see. Tough one. As a side note congratulations on that being the greatest problem you encounter. I'm pretty sure my disk brakes and cassette (if I used one) wouldn't align perfectly with each swap over without some very careful component selection and good engineering.
I think I'd still go wired, but use the rear wheel and try to get the magnet(s) and sensor as close to the hub as possible, therefore a common offset. Front is a bit busy for that.
I think I'd still go wired, but use the rear wheel and try to get the magnet(s) and sensor as close to the hub as possible, therefore a common offset. Front is a bit busy for that.
super slim
Zen MBB Master
I have no problems with my Quest and Softrider disc brake hubs going back squarely after a puncture repair, as long as you seat the axle hard up to the top of the slot.
$200 will buy an Garmin Edge 25 GPS unit with magnet less ANT+ speed and cadence sensors.
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Edge-25-Cadence-Bundle/dp/B010DI6MDM
And $40 for a second ANT+ speed sensor that fits around the hub of the second wheel.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=mobile&field-keywords=Garmin+speed+sensor
Cruzbiker
Active Member
Mc Wheels, you are right, it is not the only problem. The other one is exactly with the disk brakes. I guess I would not have any problems if I had the same hubs, but the ones on the 26" (Circus Monkeys) are different from the ones in the 20" (Shimanos). I had no idea this could happen or would have got the Circus Monkeys for the 20" too.
But it is no big deal. I have Avid BB7s and they are easy to set up. In less than five minutes I have both set up.
With the cassette I do not have any problem, but both are the same 9 spd SRAMs.
But it is no big deal. I have Avid BB7s and they are easy to set up. In less than five minutes I have both set up.
With the cassette I do not have any problem, but both are the same 9 spd SRAMs.
