Wireless computer on touring bike

[ozroller]

I am looking for computer for new touring bike.....i like wireless, but will the panniers  be in the way and cause bad signal transmission??    Is wired computer preferred, in this case??     Mark

[John Nelson]

You can use either. The panniers will not interfere with the wireless signal. Some people complain that wireless is more subject to interference, but this is a small problem. I use a wired computer for touring, just because it's one less battery to worry about. But that's a very small issue too. I use a wireless computer on my daily bike. Flip a coin.

[staehpj1]

You can use either. The panniers will not interfere with the wireless signal. Some people complain that wireless is more subject to interference, but this is a small problem. I use a wired computer for touring, just because it's one less battery to worry about. But that's a very small issue too. I use a wireless computer on my daily bike. Flip a coin.

I agree on all of that except interference being a very small issue.  My two companions on the TA found their wireless ones quite annoying.  The biggest culprit was interference from neon signs when parked in front of stores or diners.  The wireless computers would often register miles while the bikes were parked.  The other issue was that like many other wireless models they needed to be turned on before they started working.  Forgetting to turn them on until down the road a ways offset the mileage registered while sitting still

They also got crazy readings sometimes when near power lines, electric fences, and broadcast towers.  They might look down and see a 700 mph reading once in a while.

I gave up on wireless long before I started touring so I have never toured with wireless, but I had the same problems with several different brand name models before giving up on wireless ones.

The total miles traveled were not off by much on the Trans America, but my companions were pretty annoyed by the little differences that made it difficult to keep track of things like how far the next turn was.

One of my TA companions, went into Performance after the Trans America and when the sales guy asked how her tour went and how the gear he sold her worked out, she said "Great except this P.O.S wireless computer you sold me".  His response was "I could have told you that, all the wireless ones have those kind of problems".  He then gave her a refund that was used to purchase a wired model.

My recommendation is that if you use the computer to keep track of your turns throughout the day base on mileage from the start, stick with a wired model.  If you are worried about breaking the wire some of the MTB models have a heavier duty wire.

[Patco]

I have not had a problem with interference with the wireless I purchased four years ago. It is in sleep mode until I begin riding, then as soon as the wheels begin turning it is on and providing information.

[RonK]

I've used wireless on three tours, and never has interference, but some cheaper computers may not use coded digital signaling.
I'm using a Sigma Rox 9, but I like the look of the new Rox 6 for a little cheaper option.

[DaveB]

In the past many wireless devices, including cyclometers and heart rate monitors, had serious problems with interference from outside sources of RF like power stations, overhead high voltage wires, radio transmitters, etc..  Sometimes they would even read the signal from a similar cyclometer or HRM on the bike  next to them.

Newer, better models have coded transmitters/receivers that do a pretty good job of ignoring these outside sources so the problems have been minimized.  Despite that, wired models have no issues with any outside signal and have only one battery to worry about and can be less expensive.  As noted, some models (Cat Eye Enduro for one) have heavy gauge, strong wiring harnesses so they are well protected from damage. 

[staehpj1]

I've used wireless on three tours, and never has interference, but some cheaper computers may not use coded digital signaling.
I'm using a Sigma Rox 9, but I like the look of the new Rox 6 for a little cheaper option.

Ones that I used that had lots of interference problems include a Sigma and another was a Cateye, but I do not recall the models.  I have only used much cheaper models than you mention though.  For me a cyclocomputer is mostly an odometer with current speed being a nice feature, so even the cheaper one you mention is way more than I personally can see spending, at about 4-6 times what I typically spend for a cyclocomputer.  I have been using the Planet Bike Protege models lately at something like $25-35.  Heck they even have current temperature which is surprisingly accurate as long as you are either moving or in the shade.