Bike computers

[L7]

I have a new road bike and am looking for a new computer for it. I will either cheap out and go basic or will go all in for the features I want if I can find it.

Factors that are important.... reliable, battery friendly, easy to use interface, easy to read screen.

features I would 'like', heart rate monitor.

features that would be 'cool', altimeter, wireless


Ant+ compatible so I could use current heart straps and sync with other electronics.

I've been going through a ton of units but some make info hard to find, some have horrible reviews and some are very pricey.

Specialized speedplay looked good but reviews sucked, the website didn't seem to mesh up with retail availability, features are unclear and they tend to fly off the mounts according to reviews.

VDO z2 is a thought but doesn't have an altimeter and the screen seems a bit cluttered. It wins in all other regards.

Bontrager Node 2 is another thought if I can find it at a decent price. (Sensors are an add on cost and seem designed to go into prefit forks.)

Any personal experience or other ideas.

Ant+ product directory is here http://www.thisisant.com/modules/mod...y.php?t=search

[krp8128]

Not sure how the high end wireless units function, but my $40 cheepy used to go on the fritz anytime I was near high voltage lines (like within 5 miles).

[L7]

Yipes..... did your nuts tingle too? I read one review where the guys high powered light setup screwed up his computer but I think it was wireless. Ant+ is supposed to eliminate that sort of interference AND walk your dog AND stroke your wiener.

[mntlion]

no idea if they are Ant friendly (or any bugs) but the sigma sport customer service is AMAZING. If they have anything that works with that, I'd vote for them

[willmtbike4food]

It's a bit more than the ones you mentioned, but the Garmin Edge 500 is an awesome computer. It has an simple screen, but does TONS of information. Garmin's website lets you interact with your data and compare previous rides, GPS lets you see where you went (especially cool if you like to go wandering out on gravel/b roads). ANT+ compatible.

Bontrager's Node 2 comes with a HR strap, and costs $140. Their Node 1 ($75) does everything the 2 does except backlight and altimeter/slope meter, and includes an ANT+ HR strap. It sounds like you already have an ANT+ HR strap - if so, is altimeter/slope meter worth $65 to you? You don't have to have a speed trap/duo trap compatible frame or fork in order to use the Bontrager computers - there are separate speed & cadence sensors available. It will also work with any ANT+ sensor, including Garmin's speed/cadence ($60, compared to a combined $70 for Bontrager's speed & cadence sensors).

[L7]

no idea if they are Ant friendly (or any bugs) but the sigma sport customer service is AMAZING. If they have anything that works with that, I'd vote for them

Been looking at some sigmas if I can find retailers. They don't seem to do ant but good to know about the service.

[L7]

It's a bit more than the ones you mentioned, but the Garmin Edge 500 is an awesome computer. It has an simple screen, but does TONS of information. Garmin's website lets you interact with your data and compare previous rides, GPS lets you see where you went (especially cool if you like to go wandering out on gravel/b roads). ANT+ compatible.

Bontrager's Node 2 comes with a HR strap, and costs $140. Their Node 1 ($75) does everything the 2 does except backlight and altimeter/slope meter, and includes an ANT+ HR strap. It sounds like you already have an ANT+ HR strap - if so, is altimeter/slope meter worth $65 to you? You don't have to have a speed trap/duo trap compatible frame or fork in order to use the Bontrager computers - there are separate speed & cadence sensors available. It will also work with any ANT+ sensor, including Garmin's speed/cadence ($60, compared to a combined $70 for Bontrager's speed & cadence sensors).

I have a garmin edge (305?) and it sucks battery fierce. I'm guessing the 500 as well. Talking to those satellites has to have a cost.
The node sensor's I saw seemed to be prefit. I hadn't thought of a different ant sensor, that's a good call. The altimeter probably isn't worth the extra $ so I'll look further at the node 1. Hell I have a suunto watch with altimeter and ant but maybe not ant+.

As of today the new bike has a compatibility problem with the ultegra cranks and the sram bb that was installed. It's now out of the picture for a wee bit. The crank came right off the bike while I climbed out of the saddle and flopped around on my shoe like a dead horse dick.

[dumpy]

For basic,cheapy wired computers, I've had the best luck with Sigma, hands down the best I've used in that category.

Good display, battery lasts ~1.5 seasons, manuals w/ programming codes can be found everywhere, units with basic features can be found for ~10 if you hunt around.

[jm2e]

Do any of them have temperature on them? That's the one thing I'm always curious about when I ride right now. It's so farking hot in the southeast.

[givethepigeye]

I have a garmin edge (305?) and it sucks battery fierce. I'm guessing the 500 as well. Talking to those satellites has to have a cost.

The 305 did have a huge battery issue - easily addressed by sending it back to Garmin. Mine wouldnt hold a charge, would randomly turn off/on, etc. Sent it back - it was fixed. Maybe call them. My 500 works like a charm - no issues, good battery life, very easy to customize screens to what you want to see, its ANT+ and has wireless cadence and HR. Pretty easy to fine cheap - its a really good solution IMHO, if you dont need map capability.

[XXX-er]

http://www.sigmasport.com/en/produkt...1606l/?flash=0

I got this one, i like a bike computer that gives cadence

I found the sigma easy to instal, it just uses rubber o-rings, works pretty well ... no complaints

[L7]

The 305 did have a huge battery issue - easily addressed by sending it back to Garmin. Mine wouldnt hold a charge, would randomly turn off/on, etc. Sent it back - it was fixed. Maybe call them. My 500 works like a charm - no issues, good battery life, very easy to customize screens to what you want to see, its ANT+ and has wireless cadence and HR. Pretty easy to fine cheap - its a really good solution IMHO, if you dont need map capability.

The 305 was a gift from a Garmin (Ant+ division) employee here in town. Maybe she can send it in..... although it is a few years old now. I thought the 500 had mapping. I thought they ran $400 or so. I might be able to get one cheaper though. Last I checked some specialty shops and costco sold them as cheap as staff deals on them.

[wanker]

Another vote for the Garmin 500.

I have had my Garmin 500 for close to 2 years. I think the battery life is great. I rode B2B and it had 44% battery left at the end of 8.5 hours including hr data. I paid for the nicer hr strap and think it was worth it.

Comes with 2 mounts that are easy to install with 2 of the numerous rubber bands that are provided. One on my road bike, one on my mountain bike. No magnets and sensors to install or calibration to do between bikes. It holds the gps signal well and haven't had a problem with a lost signal while mountain biking.

The customizable screens are awesome. If you're a data nut, you can have up to 8 different items being displayed on a single screen. There are also 3 screens you can quickly cycle through, so it is possible to have 24 measurements readily available. I have one screen for training needs, another for recreation riding. The gps can be turned off if you're indoors on the trainer.

[Nobody Famous]

Take a look at the Vetta V100 series. This will not be the cheapest option out there. It's dependable, and it includes altimeter, cadence, heartrate and speed. Speed can be wired or wireless, depends on the handlebar mounting bracket, not the display unit itself. Cadence and heartrate are wireless.

I looked around a lot a few years ago, and this was the only non-GPS unit I found that had an altimeter function, and could be used on multiple bikes. So you can buy a second mount and wheel sensor and program the unit for Bike #2, I think it handles a bike #3 also.

They make a full selection of spare parts, handlebar mounts and speend sensors, and REI used to carry the unit and the spare parts.

[RShea]

Do any of them have temperature on them? That's the one thing I'm always curious about when I ride right now. It's so farking hot in the southeast.

Some of the Trek Incite series have temperature on them. I know I have seen this on one or 2 other brand models also, but not as popular as I would think either. Sigma has a BC2209 that may want to check out.

[Eluder]

The 305 was a gift from a Garmin (Ant+ division) employee here in town. Maybe she can send it in..... although it is a few years old now. I thought the 500 had mapping. I thought they ran $400 or so. I might be able to get one cheaper though. Last I checked some specialty shops and costco sold them as cheap as staff deals on them.

We don't even stock them because of this. Actually we have one just incase someone is desperate. Just to easy to get them cheap... like cheaper than we can buy them for. Great setup from what I have heard.

[willmtbike4food]

The 305 was a gift from a Garmin (Ant+ division) employee here in town. Maybe she can send it in..... although it is a few years old now. I thought the 500 had mapping. I thought they ran $400 or so. I might be able to get one cheaper though. Last I checked some specialty shops and costco sold them as cheap as staff deals on them.

The 500 allows you to pull up maps of where you rode, after the fact, on your computer. On the screen itself there is no map. They retail starting at $260.

I've ridden with a friends' 305 - I'm not surprised you had a bad experience with one. I've also spent a bit of time riding with the 500, which has been a great experience. Yes, it does need charging - it's not a computer that you can put a battery in, then ride for two years, then switch it when the screen starts going dim. But you'll probably find yourself wanting to take it inside and connect to the computer to see more ride info at the end of the ride anyway. Maybe see if a local shop has one available as a demo. If they do and you enjoy it, be sure to support them rather than turning around and buying it online. They'll be the ones that can send it back to Garmin if you do run into issues down the road - Amazon isn't going to stand behind anything.

[L7]

Like I said we have Garmin here in town where they developed Ant(+) so I'll probably see if anyone there has one I can try and go from there.