Trip computer, what features are important to you ?

[Rat]

I'm about to buy a new trip computer, I was just going to buy a basic $30 one. But then I thought I would post this question and see what and how people use them.

There are soooo many different features, I dunno if I really need one with the works.

[chips_with_everything]

Even if you can remove it I think you need one that can handle rain and splat.

If you don't already have a heart rate monitor then a combo model might be a good idea.

[Mahoney_007]

I use mine for dog walk distance, and amount of time Ive been out and about for. But its also cool to see how fast you just clocked coming down a steep hill.
Thats all I really care for, average speed doesnt mean shit to me cause I'm usually faffing around something.

[scratchy]

Here is my 2 cents.

In a perfect world to "build" the perfect Mountain Biker, first you would get the pedalling perfect. Unfortunately for that scenario we all do MTB because we enjoy it, so we aren't going to go and spend time on a road bike perfecting our pedalling (which is a shame because it would benefit 99.9% of us!).

A cycle computer is a good way to monitor your pedalling. If you monitor your pedalling and compare results you will get faster. So what to look for?

The cheapies have no brain ie they can only tell you static stuff.
Next level up they actually do calculations (ie to get Average Speed it needs to divide distance by ride time)

So in order of importance?

1. Cadence. Cadence measures how many pedal revolutions you do. You'll have to spend around $50+ but the reality is most people who mountain bike bike "stomp" the pedals (around 60 rpms) back in the 80's they figured out that there was a window of efficiency vs power output at around 90 rpm. You'll be amazed how fast this is (with a stopwatch going you can do the same, aim for 15 revolutions in 10 seconds). Lance Armstrong retrained himself to actually spin a bit higher 100rpm from memory. When riding you should keep your cadence at 90rpm and just change the gears so you can hold this cadence (sounds easy, it ain't!). Do this for a while and you'll get blindingly fast.

2. Average Cadence this tells no lies and shows your average pedalling over the whole ride. Some computers may have a cadence function, but not the average cadence, which is a bit shit.

3. Average Speed over a set distance average speed doesn't lie. If you use your bike as a comute, this is a great feature to compare distances.

4. Current Speed all computers have this but it is in my opinion the 3rd most important. More important on road when you are slip streaming and you pull out...

Ride Time, Odometer, Clock are all standard and not really that important.
I like having a Max. speed as it stops me looking down at the handlebars when I am going warp speed (a very dangerous habit), fun to compare with your mates.

Some computers have if your current speed is above or below average. A good idea, but the icon is alway too small for me to read.

The one my missus has got I'm dead impressed by. Echo F2 with a long lead, so the sensor is mounted on the rear wheel (shocks and wires are a drag), mounting it on the rear wheel is also good if you ever decide to stick it on a trainer. $67. Waterproof, simple one button design, average cadence, maximum cadence, deducts 2 seconds of your time when you come to a stop (good for traffic lights!). Oh and fits 3 different numbers on an easy to read screen.

I'm sure there are others that do just as good a job, but not at this price.

Phew!
(oh once you get a Heart Rate monitor the cadence becomes less important to watch).

[SKT]

The model I got was the Cateye Velo 8 HD. It has a thicker wire and an excellent mounting setup for any diameter fork, seems to be quite durable.


I use mine for DH so I really only require MAX SPEED & TIME.
Mine just starts when I start rolling and stops when I stop rolling.
It has time and calories and odometer but thats not all that interesting most the time.

I think you can spend alot of $$$ on something that you really dont need. Be sure to check E-bay before you blow ya dough mate.

[timmo]

I have one on my roadish mountain bike (commuter).

The features I like (and would like) are:
1.Top speed - good for the WOOHOOOO!! factor.

2. Trip time - only measures time spent pedalling, good for racing the clock on my way home.

3. Elapsed time - (don't have it) but would be good for measuring the actual time to get home including stops at intersections etc.

4. Current speed - good as a feedback mechanism (i.e. should I go harder?). Mine also shows if current speed is slower/faster than avg speed which I like.

Otherwise, I don't use much else.

By the sounds of it, it might depend on how scientific you want to be about getting faster, or if you care about getting faster at all, or just like statistics etc.

I was quite stoked to have my computer yesterday, when running late to get home I broke my PB for the ride home!! Not quick by most standards at 26:15 for 10.6 kms, but my best so far.

[fat_tyre_nick]

well, the least important mode i think we can agree on is the speed....lol
na but seriously the only important features i need is speed, trip and total km

[SKT]

well, the least important mode i think we can agree on is the speed....lol
na but seriously the only important features i need is speed, trip and total km

Unless............

.......You really wanna know if you broke the 74km/h you hit last time riding the Mt. Stanley fireroad :D

These computers aren't just for weight weenies and lycra loonies.
Even downhillers can read ;)

As stated by before, current speed can be used to see if you are slacking.
I comute everyday for just over 20 mins to work and 20 mins home, and know that if I had a trip computer on that bike I could keep a much more consistant pace.

[fat_tyre_nick]

Unless............

.......You really wanna know if you broke the 74km/h you hit last time riding the Mt. Stanley fireroad :D

These computers aren't just for weight weenies and lycra loonies.
Even downhillers can read ;)

As stated by before, current speed can be used to see if you are slacking.
I comute everyday for just over 20 mins to work and 20 mins home, and know that if I had a trip computer on that bike I could keep a much more consistant pace.
i dont think you understand what i am saying. The first sentence was scarcasm and i also said that current speed was in my 3 most important.

[ghop0man]

How about a GPS - the Garmin Foretrex sits on your handle bars, tells you the time, speed and how to get home if you've forgotten

[Bjern Fita]

I've got a Sigma 1600 which I love, mainly because it actually stores the wheel size for 2 different bikes meaning at a touch of a button, I can swap the computer between my roadie and mountain/commuter bike. (You do however need two mounting brackets).

I got this bad-boy for an absolute steal from bikepro which included a cadence reader for free. I never would have considered one of these if I had to shell out for it but, to reiterate an above post, I think it is one of the best things/tools you can use to improve your technique/efficiency. Spinning really is easier/less draining/faster than mashing.

Like I said mine was really cheap ($30) but personally I think you'd be best served shelling out that couple of bucks extra for a few more features.

[Rat]

Thanks for the feedback people :)

I had a look on eBay and there are a few, but not much of a range, I will compare them to my LBS today.

[scratchy]

Check some online shops as well (not mine though).
www.cecilwalker.com.au

computers are vital for roadies and tri's so your normal online shops specialising in MTB gear may not be the best place to look...

Oh and the Topeak Panaroma has always looked the biz. Everything on the screen at once!