with the weather getting warmer, I've been finding a lot more time lately to ride my bicycle for cardio. Most of the time I stick to riding in between the Cary greenway trail outside my house and in circling around in the subdivisions until it either gets dark or I get bored. Because of where I'm riding, I don't have a good idea of how far I'm going or if I'm making improvements in my cycling speed.

I was wondering if anyone makes some sort of odometer you can put on your bike that can track distance and/or speed. If so, where would I be able to purchase one?

3/2/2007 7:28:16 PM

These things are pretty common. You can find them at Walmart/Target.

3/2/2007 7:46:42 PM

rei has them and if they don't fit your bike you can always return them.

3/2/2007 7:52:16 PM

They are universal, ie fit all bikes.

3/2/2007 7:56:46 PM

get a wireless one. get it online, they are pretty overpriced at REI unless you find an open-box one.

They do odometer and speedometer, all kinds of splits and avg stuff, and range in price from about 60 to about 500 bucks. Just get an el-cheapo wireless one, should be able to find em looking for "bike computer"

3/2/2007 8:39:26 PM

thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to run out to walmart and target to see what I can come up with. once I started searching for bike computers, I got several hits on google that showed things exactly like I was hoping to find.

3/2/2007 10:59:07 PM

you can get wireless ones from $25. go to Performance Bike in Cary. theyre the walmart of bike stuff

3/2/2007 11:05:43 PM

where are they located? I've been wanting to get a road bike at some point this spring/summer, but most of the places like REI and Flythe just seem too overpriced.

3/2/2007 11:08:39 PM

the most popular brand is Cateye, but I prefer Sigma. Between myself and my wife (a professional cyclist), we've gone through a dozen or more speedometers in the past several years. I only discovered Sigma's last year, and they are by far the best, as far as design, usability and functionality.
http://www.sigmasport.com/en/produkte/bikecomputer/

i use the 1606L+Cadence but the BC 1106 is the entry level wireless one. I would definitely spend extra to go wireless
- it's really just so much easier to install, is less error prone and maintenance free.
http://www.sigmasport.com/en/produkte/bikecomputer/topline_wireless/bc1106dts/

can find them cheap - $25
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=sigma%20bc%201106

3/3/2007 12:34:44 AM

Quote :

"they are pretty overpriced at REI "

MSRP=overpriced?

3/3/2007 8:27:56 AM

Um, yes, typically the MSRP on anything is overpriced.

I have to Cateye Micro Wireless ones on both my road bike and mtb bike and they do a fine job of average speed, distance, and time, and max speed. And the speedometer readout is in big letters, so if I am flying down a hill I can peak at how fast I am going if I want to scare myself rather than wait until after the hill to see what max speed I hit.

Here is a pic, let me show you it

http://tinyurl.com/2qm8yd

3/3/2007 10:12:30 AM

do they make models that you can somehow download the data to your computer so that you can track your records? I've gotten in a habit of tracking everything workout related because my memory sucks.

3/3/2007 11:07:55 AM

Sure, but I'm guessing it's gonna be over a 100 bones for a feature like that. I suppose some cheaper models might let you do it, but I'll be surprised if that is the case.

3/3/2007 11:18:47 AM

I guess I ought to just buy the model you showed me or one that agentlion recommended and see if it helps me out. I can make the decision to get a nicer one in a year or two if I find that I still want it.

thanks for the advice everyone.

3/3/2007 11:25:39 AM

You can get a good computer for $20 and up. Most of them will do you current speed, your total distance and a trip meter - say you wanted to ride from you house to the park - it would measure the distance. They also have features like average speed and trip timmer. We have had some trouble with the wireless. They tend to pick up signals from other places. A good wired computer installed right is the way to go. We have them here at Flythe Cyclery in downtown Raleigh 919-832-5097

3/3/2007 2:23:11 PM

yea i have a 60 dollar sigma.

one that does data recording to the PC is going to be 100-200+

3/3/2007 2:29:18 PM

I went out and got a cheap wireless unit from walmart for $15. This should give me a good idea on whether or not I'll use it the way I think I will. Once I get a roadbike, I'll look into getting a nicer one to put on that bike if I like the way this thing works.

3/3/2007 3:29:57 PM

they are especially nice if you are going to be riding on busier roads and will have to deal with traffic

3/3/2007 4:31:18 PM

after I realize that I'm riding around half the time at 25 mph or better, does my dumbass go out and buy a helmet? No, I go out and buy a road bike. brilliant.

Performance Bicycle in cary is having a sale on accessories this Wednesday for anyone that needs to pick something up. I plan to get a helmet and some biking shoes during the sale.

3/4/2007 8:17:38 PM

riding over or under 25mph, your dumb-ass should be wearing a helmet all the time

3/4/2007 9:52:32 PM

Riding a road bike without a helmet? That's just like asking your front wheel to find a pothole and you finding yourself flying head first over your handlebars toward the pavement.

3/4/2007 10:03:51 PM

I'm going to be working out of town most of this week. I won't have time to ride a bike until after I buy a helmet anyway.

3/5/2007 10:49:14 AM

well don't ride your bike till you get a helmet. Speed+blount force trama-Helmet= Vegtable.

3/5/2007 10:52:10 AM

Quote :

"places like REI and Flythe just seem too overpriced"

Flythe does give you 10% off if your'e a state student

3/5/2007 12:15:29 PM

I haven't been in school in nearly 4 years.

3/5/2007 12:34:22 PM

i'm not a student either, but i thought some people here would like to know it

3/5/2007 1:48:42 PM