rickny
new member
Reged: 02/05/04
Posts: 9
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I'm looking to replace my cyclocomputer and would like to hear from any of you who have strong recommendations. I'm not looking for anything excessively fancy--but I do want a cadence feature.
Enjoy the spring riding. 
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rick in ny
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Jas0n
journeyman
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 62
Loc: Westchester, New York
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i have had only the best experiences with echo computers. they may not be the easiest to find, but in the hundreds (literally around 700)we have sold, there has yet to be a warranty or failure. they are fully sealed; you can throw your computer in the pool and it will continue to function. also, the display is easy to read and shows only what is appropriate. they may not have alitude, or some of the feautures other more expensive comps. have, but they work and they work extremely well. i ride the wireless version, which lacks cadence, but they do have a cadence mode. also, one of the more interesting features that i have yet to see on other computer is a current speed readout to the tenth of a mile (i.e. 21.7 mph). try them out, you'll be satisified. as for neg. experinces, avoid sigma at all costs; i have personally gone through 4 in as many months. others i would avoid include the flighdeck (doesn't have actual cadence, just a cadence which is computed from gearing/speed). hope that helps.
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eat to live, live to ride
if it ain't rainin, it ain't trainin
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rickny
new member
Reged: 02/05/04
Posts: 9
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The F-2 echo, which has cadence, doesn't have current speed in tenths of a mile per hour. Is there another echo which has both?
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rick in ny
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Jas0n
journeyman
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 62
Loc: Westchester, New York
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not sure about that, i know my wireless does.
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eat to live, live to ride
if it ain't rainin, it ain't trainin
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I have 3 Flight Decks so you know I like them. I checked the virtual cadence out when I first got it since my other computer had cadence. It was fine. Although it is virtual cadence it is just mathematics that makes it work. I sure prefer that to a wire going down my downtube with zip ties and then the magnet on the crank and another sensor for than. No thank you. Give me my Flight Deck with all my controls in on my hoods and a nice clean look. Virtual cadence works fine. I've checked it. Cateye is bringing out a wireless cadence but I'm not a big fan of wireless computers plus it is $150. They are not always as accurate due to interference. Plus when you wire the front wrapped carefully around your cables and put your sensor at the top of the fork hardly anything shows anyhow. The wireless sensors are so large I don't really see the advantage outside of ease of set-up.
Of course if you are Campy this is moot although they have their version. It does not have virtual cadence however their version is wired.
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Jas0n
journeyman
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 62
Loc: Westchester, New York
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virtual cadence is not accurate; check your cadence the next time your coasting downhill. it will likely read 100+ rpm even if your not pedalling. for people who are geniunely interested in thier cadence, virtual cadence is not a good indication of cadence, esp. when you consider average cadence. assuming your are going downhill for a sustained period of time in a gear combo more suited for climbing rather than descending (i know this isn't likely, but for the sake of arg.), average cadence is going to be influenced by these outlying numbers. average or mean cadence is an unresistant measure, which means it is easily influence by large or small numbers; the situation described would fall into this category of outliers. also, virtual cadence relies upon the computers recoginition of grearing; sometimes a gear shift is not registered by the computer. personally, i do not even bother wiht cadence as i feel i have a "feel" for my cadence naturally, but for those who do, i recommend a wired comp. plus, the flight decks are such a pain to install. you must remove bar tape, install the senors underneath the hoods; its more hassle than its worth imho, but everyone is entitled to their views. keep riding what makes you happy. see you on the road.
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eat to live, live to ride
if it ain't rainin, it ain't trainin
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rickny
new member
Reged: 02/05/04
Posts: 9
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Thanks for all your thoughts. For now, I've decided to try a Ciclomaster and will post my experience with it in a month or so.
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rick in ny
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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JasOn
I know what it does downhill it shows what the cadence would be in that gear and speed if you were peddling. That is all part of the math.
HOWEVER it has a huge advantage. By watching it you know exactly when you can start to hammer the pedals again. For example when it is 140 no way, when it hits 110 or 100 or whatever RPM you pick then you can start hammering. 
I did not know some computers kept your average cadence for a ride. I have enough to obsess about so I'll pass on that feature. What computers have this average cadence? 
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Jas0n
journeyman
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 62
Loc: Westchester, New York
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i thought it was a pretty common feature on comps. with cadence. i know the echo's do, i thought that the higher end sigma's did as well but am not certain about that. as for the advantage you were talking about, ill give you that slight adv., but i think most riders who have been riding for any period of time intuitively know when to start pedalling; i was trying to stress situations when your in the wrong gear, in which case you would shift before begin pedalling again. but once again, its all relative. if you like, ride it, and have fun. im fine with wireless comp with speed/dist and the basic stuff.
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eat to live, live to ride
if it ain't rainin, it ain't trainin
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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I am satisfied with my Campy ErgoBrain.
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MAX
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 321
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Does anyone know of cyclometer that has two trip odometers and/or two timers that are independently re-settable? ...preferably wireless. If I must choose, I'd rather have two timers than two trip odometers.
I would like to measure time and distance on any particular stretch of road (usually climbs) during a ride without resetting my cyclometer's primary clock and trip odometer.
Currently, for me to measure a separate time, I use the stopwatch on either my HRM or my Avocet altimeter which is usually kept in my pocket. I don't always carry either one.
Thanks!
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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Kevan
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 70
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being a bit of a renegade here...
But at some point in your cycling career, remove all bric-a-brac involving your bike's computer and just ride for ride sake. You will be amazed at just how much more you take in on your rides than staring down at the numbers being reported from your handlebar.
I certainly appreciate the computer's importance in training and navigation, but with many of us tweekies it's just getting out that counts.
I still do my spirited club rides and rely on others to feed me the ride stats, but for now I enjoy being less encumbered.
I suppose either later this year or next I will breakdown and get a new computer (My previous computer was savagely crushed in a hit and run automobile accident when it popped off my bike after I had hit a pothole.), but for now I'm enjoying the freedom.
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SpinDoc
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Columbus,Ohio
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We have Cateye Australe's on all of our bikes. Rear mount Comps with cadence. Great value.
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skagwayroadie
contributor
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 141
Loc: Alaska
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I'll chime in...interesting point.
I am with Kevin on this cuz I ride without on and have done so for a few years now. Sooner or later one developes a "feel" for cadence, heart rate, speed and the computer is really not needed. Sometimes it is cool to see if you hit a certain speed flying down a hill, or if your average is getting better over your fave course but otherwise, who cares? I suppose those that train for races etc might feel otherwise and I would agree, but since I ride to ride and for no other reason, no computer is perfect for me.
I do religously use my heart monitor though, as I like to graph this stuff on my 'puter. I confess, I have been eye-balling a Powertap hub so I can see what kind of power my engine puts out...but it is just a cool toy, with no real purpose other than amusement.
To each his own...as always!
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RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 243
Loc: Kansas
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Kevan,
I concur with you....I used a cyclocomputer for a brief period when I started cycling but have not used one since. Even though I like high tech, carbon, etc. I do not desire digital feedback when riding. Freedom is an apt adjective.
However, there is the problem of constantly looking down while on the road at the beautiful finish of my Tetra 
-R
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It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
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[Re: 
A Vote for Flight Deck
Virtual Cadence