Wireless Comps....

[popeyespal]

Any downside to wireless cyclocomputers like the CatEye Micro?

[FredHiltz]

1. Somewhat more expensive than the wired equivalent, both to purchase and to replace batteries. Not a big difference, though.

2. Occasional extra counts when other wireless devices are nearby: heart rate monitors and the wireless computer of the person riding next to you. Also not a big problem.

Fred

[John Nelson]

I've never had an interference problem, but a lot of people report them. It can apparently occur on something as simple as leaning your bike against the front of a cafe with a neon "open" sign. I use wireless for my everyday bike, but chose wired for my touring bike both to get longer battery life and to reduce the risk of interference. The wire up from the fork is no big deal, but it would be more annoying if your cadence sensor was wired.

[staehpj1]

Occasional extra counts when other wireless devices are nearby: heart rate monitors and the wireless computer of the person riding next to you. Also not a big problem.

My experience is that it is usually fairly big a problem.

Additionally at least some wireless models require that your start them when you start riding unlike wired models that just start on their own when the wheel starts turning.  I don't know about you, but I would be likely to forget to start it fairly often.

My companions on the TA racked up considerable mileage at times while parked in front of a restaurant or store due to a neon sign in the window.  It kind of averaged out with the mileage they lost when they forgot to start the computer again, but still it was a problem if you wanted an accurate mileage number.  Less of a problem, but still annoying were the momentary glitches under power lines, near electric fences, and other things like that.

Over the years I tried several different wireless bike computers and in every case I either took them back for a refund after some usage or pitched them in the trash.  On the other hand every single wired model I used was pretty trouble free.

[whittierider]

Sensors for traffic signals are another thing that can mess up your mileage.  While you're on the sensor waiting for your green light, the wireless computer may have you doing 75mph while actually motionless.  My heart rate monitor messed up a Shimano Flightdeck wireless computer too.  Just get a wired unit.

[RussSeaton]

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_134140_-1___

Cateye Mity/Enduro wired computer.  Maybe the most reliable longest lasting bike computer on the face of the earth.  It works forever and ever with rarely a hitch.  I'll admit to having one that does not pick up consistently now.  Maybe a new battery will fix it.  Wireless computers have a large transmitter down by the fork tip.  Seems huge compared to the small slim pickup on a wired unit.  The wireless has to be big enough for the extra battery.

[whittierider]

Yes, the Cateye Mity 8 and Enduro are excellent

I'll admit to having one that does not pick up consistently now.

Use some contact cleaner spray on the little metal buttons on the bottom of the computer, then push them in & out a few times with your fingernail.  (They are spring-loaded.)  I had the same problem on mine after five years.  I think I'm still on the original battery too, going on six years.

[DaveB]

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_134140_-1___

Cateye Mity/Enduro wired computer.  Maybe the most reliable longest lasting bike computer on the face of the earth.  It works forever and ever with rarely a hitch.  I'll admit to having one that does not pick up consistently now.  Maybe a new battery will fix it.  Wireless computers have a large transmitter down by the fork tip.  Seems huge compared to the small slim pickup on a wired unit.  The wireless has to be big enough for the extra battery.

+1000.  The Cat-Eye Mity/Enduro series of wired cyclometers are about as bullet proof as they come.  I have one that I used for over 50,000 miles on one bike with only one battery change in that time and it was still working fine but the reset buttons were gettin a bit "sticky" when I retired it.  They work all the time, ignore cold, rain and snow and never have a false signal or outside interference.  A dab of silicone grease on the contacts makes them completely waterproof and weather proof.   And they are CHEAP!

[knolltop]

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_134140_-1___

Cateye Mity/Enduro wired computer.  Maybe the most reliable longest lasting bike computer on the face of the earth.  It works forever and ever with rarely a hitch. 

:thumbsup: