Sign up for our RoadNews Newsletter by sending a blank
email Written
on the road as we travel around the world on our bicycles including free
downloadable video links
MORE INFO HERE
Bicycle Computer or Cyclometer for Touring and Bike
Computers for sale.
Bike computers are obviously very useful on a touring bicycle
because they help with navigation and keeping records. Cyclocomputers
are also great for motivating cyclists to finish a long day or count down
the last ten kilometers of a day that seems twenty kilometers too long.
For various reasons, most bike tourists agree that a bicycle computer is
useful and necessary.
Bike touring requires a bicycle computer that can withstand
months of hard traveling and 24/7 exposure to rain, snow, sun, heat, and
freezing temperatures (hopefully not all on the same day). Cindie and
I have used various types and brands of cycling computers during our
travels. I have not yet found a bicycle computer I really like.
Only a few seem to be built strong enough to last longer than 12 months on
the road but somehow I think there is a lot of room for improvement and
innovation.
Any cycling computer used for travel needs to be waterproof.
The most common reason I hear of bike computers failing is rain or humidity.
Most brands claim to be waterproof but few actually are. The
Cateye line of wired and the
Cateye cordless computers we currently use
have performed well even in the continuous rain we experienced in China and
high humidity in Southeast Asia. We will continue to use our current
computers until we find and can afford new computers that have improved
features while maintaining the same waterproof and durable standards as the
ones we currently have.
I have determined that I like wireless or cordless
cyclometers. Most of the problems I have experienced with bike
computers have been with the electric wires that lead to the magnetic
pickup. Wireless bike computers are especially good
for a bike tourist who frequently pack their touring bikes in a box for
airline or (USA) bus travel. Even if a box is not required for public
transportation the wires can easily get pulled out during handling. On
the negative side, wireless computers use much more battery and occasionally
some other radio transmission or foul weather can interfere with accurately
measuring wheel rotation.
Even though our current Cateye
cordless have lasted longer than expected I know that any electronic devise
will not last forever. For our next bicycle computers I will be
looking for the additional features specific to touring cyclists, listed
below.
Count down kilometers (or miles)
Most of the time on a bicycle tour there is a known distance to ride each
day. Some of the newer models can be programmed with daily distance
goals and indicate distance left to travel.
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
I think it would be extremely useful if a bike computer could calculate the
time of day cyclists will arrive at their destination based on average
riding speed, number of rest stops, and distance.
Altimeter to Measure Elevation
Knowing elevation and the amount of climbing and descending is extremely
helpful.
Download to Laptop Computer
Currently Cindie has to enter all of our distance and elevation information
into her online journal by hand. I would like to be able to connect
our bike computer to our laptop and download the information quickly and
more accurately.
HR (Heart Rate) Monitor
Knowing how fast a bike rider's heart is beating is more important than
speed and distance.
GPS (Global Positioning System)
This seems like a logical solution but I have found that they use a lot of
batteries. It has been a few years since I have researched this option
so I will keep my eye open to advances in GPS technologies before we replace
our current bike computers.
Below is a short list of good candidates of bike computers for a touring cyclist.
Our next bicycling computer will probably come from this list. Please
let me know if I have overlooked any good models.
Cateye CC-CD300DW Cyclo-Computer with Cadence
(This is the bike computer Tim wants next.)
Double Wireless!! Cateye's exclusive coded wireless Cadence
Computer provides interference free operation. The single transmitter
(mounted on the left chain stay) not only gives wire free installation, it
simplifies battery replacement. The computer display unit shows your
performance on 4 data readouts on 3 backlit information windows,
simultaneously. Functions include; Speed, Max Speed, Average Speed, Trip
Distance, Total Distance (Odo.), Elapsed Time, Total Time, 12/24 hr Clock,
Wireless Cadence (Current Cadence, Average Cadence, Max Cadence, Cadence
Zone and Total Pedal Revolution) 50 Lap Counter with Lap Timer, Split Timer,
Lap Distance, Lap Average Speed and Lap Average Cadence. Alarm, Auto
Start/Stop, Odo. Manual Set, LED Backlight, Pace Arrow, Dual Tire Size, and
an Auto Power Saving Mode.
Calculate cycling intensity while keeping track of all your
heart rate and cycling stats with one computer. Packed full of Polar's
Innovative features that make them best in the business, Polar adds a great
combination of cycling and heart rate functions to give you the best view of
your fitness progress as well as your progress down the road. The included
wireless cadence feature makes this the ultimate training tool, and also
includes WearLink HRM transmitter.
The ultimate touring or training computer, the C4 DS is made
to provide easily visible, accurate information with multiple timing and
countdown features that help you keep everything going like clockwork.
Wireless digital transmission, so there's no crosstalk with other computers.
EMC (Easy-Menu-Controls) makes navigation simple, so you can get to your
info quickly. Includes all the speed and distance functions you need and
dual-bike compatibility.
Top of the line Planet Bike 9 function computer. The
giagundo MacroMonitor LCD displays four line display is packed with
features: Current speed, ride time, distance, dual odometer with ATB and
road tire indicators, average speed, max speed, clock, temperature and speed
comparator. Waterproof and heavy duty.
This
is the bicycle computer that has been the most durable for us and currently
use.
Click to purchase.
A very dependable wireless computer lets you keep the
clutter to a minimum. Features: Current speed (up to 65 mph), average speed,
max speed, odometer, dual trip distance, elapsed time, auto start stop, and
12 or 24 hour clock.
Cateye quality with cadence. Rear wheel speed sensor works
on the road or on your trainer. Current speed (up to 185 mph), cadence,
average speed, max speed, odometer, elapsed time, auto start stop, and 12 or
24 hour clock.
Keep track of your training with the Minoura Hyper-Brain.
Features include Speed, Odometer, Max Speed, Average Speed, Trip Distance,
Elapsed Time, 24hr Clock. Auto start/stop function and Auto power on/off.
The magnetic pick up attaches to the trainer unit, or your bike, and the
display head attaches to a remote unit on your handlebar; both can be
removed easily when you're not using your trainer. Fits any manufacturer's
indoor trainer with included adapter MN-HBA (mounts to coupling tubes 22 to
35mm in diameter)
.jpg)
