Bicycle speedometer/odometer

i want to get one of those speedometer/odometer thingies for my bike so i can monitor how far i've been cycling etc... but i've no idea what features to look out for/avoid, what kind of price to pay and so on.

does anyone on here use one? any recommendations?

It's been a while now but I always got good reliable service from Cateye stuff:
Cateye - Cycle Computers

Last one I got was cordless which worked well and was a neat installation. For serious road riding I used to like one with cadence - measures your pedal revs.

I agree with Ricks - you can't go far wrong with Cateye stuff. They do everything from basic £15 jobbies up to £90 wireless stuff and probably more. I had (some yoofs stole my poor bike with all the mounting stuff ) a wireless one which did the job well whenever I went for a proper ride.

If you are just after the basics and don't care about wireless then even the cheapest will do what you are after and then you could always splash out on something a bit more exciting if you get into it.

Have a look here Al, plenty of choice & good prices, check specs and see what suits you

Computers - Ribble Cycles

You can also get GPS systems for bikes....so you don't get lost...ie, end up at Holden arms instead of Blundell arms

Evans Cycles | GPS Systems & Digital Mapping | GPS Systems | Online Bike Shop

Depends on how seriously you want to take it, but I've just bought a new Trek cycle computer from Pedalon a week or so ago that I'd recommend. Its got current/average speed, distance, time etc plus the bonus of an extra sensor for cadence (pedal rpm) and even temperature (just in case you wonder why you're sweating so much!!

You can find it here:

Trek Incite 11i Cadence Computer Only £22.99 from Pedal On

Let us know what you get, then we'll all say, with a sharp intake of breath "Ooooh, I wouldn't have got that one......"

I would add Sigmasport to the mix just to confuse matters! Very good computers too.

Get one with current speed, max speed, average speed, trip distance and trip time (most good ones will have all these anyway). Cadence is useful if you're inexperienced and can stop you labouring in the wrong gear for example. A good cadence to have is generally between 70-90 rpm. If you want to get really technical you could get one with a heart rate monitor.

Enjoy!

I can second that for Sigmasport, have used a couple, and they seemed to outlast Cateye. I used them on a turbo trainer, with the cadence option, and I found the Sigma models stood up to the constant barrage of sweat pretty well (UGHHHHHH!).

Haha - I know what you mean... I thought it was just me being yukky on the trainer. Was considering a big ass fan to try to get a bit of airflow - what you think?

Originally Posted by VO2Max

I would add Sigmasport to the mix just to confuse matters! Very good computers too.

Get one with current speed, max speed, average speed, trip distance and trip time (most good ones will have all these anyway). Cadence is useful if you're inexperienced and can stop you labouring in the wrong gear for example. A good cadence to have is generally between 70-90 rpm. If you want to get really technical you could get one with a heart rate monitor.

Enjoy!

Second that, go wireless, much neater

Originally Posted by ACAPULCO AL

i want to get one of those speedometer/odometer thingies for my bike so i can monitor how far i've been cycling etc... but i've no idea what features to look out for/avoid, what kind of price to pay and so on.

does anyone on here use one? any recommendations?

Can't help you, but I once hit 22mph on mine when I was about 12

Re: the wireless ones, they are neat and work well, but there are batteries to change on the sensors and if you have cadence too, that's batteries for the headunit and 2 sensors.

It's possible to make a very neat job of the wires with cable ties and just a little patience, I can post up piccies if you wish.

Originally Posted by VO2Max

Re: the wireless ones, they are neat and work well, but there are batteries to change on the sensors and if you have cadence too, that's batteries for the headunit and 2 sensors.

It's possible to make a very neat job of the wires with cable ties and just a little patience, I can post up piccies if you wish.

Batteries last ages though, and changing them isn't exactly a challenge. I'd say go for a simple Cat Eye cordless job. Even at the bottom end it'll have more than enough for you unless you're seriously into cycling.

I must have broken 100's of these. Only one that's lasted is the Shimano Flight Deck on my road bike, though it did cost about £90. If I'd bought one in the first place I'd probably have saved a lot of money. It has loads of functions includiing cadence which is calculated from gear ratios and road speed without a sensor by the cranks. I find it useful when freewheeling downhill as it will tell you what speed you need to pedal to keep the bike at its current speed. This means that when the road goes up again you can get it in the right gear to maintain momentum and pedal at the right speed.

I got a sat nav with a handlebar mount (Navman). It's got a GPS speedo on it to.

Riding through London to see the Tour of Britain start in Crystal Palace last year, I mounted my phone (with Tom Tom loaded) on my 'bars - you should have seen the looks I got from passers by with Ozzy Osbourne blaring out of it at every junction: 'turn left now, you f-f-f-fookin' c*nt'