wilkinson bike parts

[alf tupper]

Hi all, looking for a cheapish computer for my old road bike, saw 2 types in wilkinsons, £7.00 and £15, anyone had one of these and how do you rate them ?

Thanks Alf

[MattyDeez]

Work really well for a cheap computer, perfect to use on the MTB where you dont care if it gets smashed or caked in mud.

Had one i had to send back though, just didnt turn on at all. But none the less, its what you pay for.

[reohn2]

I've been using Sigma computers(the same two) for about 8years without issue.I bought three more (two for the solos and one spare)about five years ago.
The all work faultlessly,no matter what the weather,I just change the batteries occasionally.
These are the latest models and AFAIK they're the same as mine but with a slighlty different casing,Ribble aren't the cheapest place either:-
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... igmcomp101

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... 0000000000

[Moodyman1]

No experience with the Wilkinson ones but I used £6 Tesco wired one for three years with no problems.

Wilkinson bike parts are not bad. I use their gear/brake cables/oil on the kids bikes as well as my commuter.

[PH]

I've been using Sigma computers(the same two) for about 8years without issue.I bought three more (two for the solos and one spare)about five years ago.
The all work faultlessly,no matter what the weather,I just change the batteries occasionally.
These are the latest models and AFAIK they're the same as mine but with a slighlty different casing,Ribble aren't the cheapest place either:-
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... igmcomp101

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... 0000000000

I'm also a fan of Sigma computers, not least because they've kept the same mounting system for years, so I can swap between bikes with ease. The one on my work bike has been left out in all weather for three years without problem, for the price they're good value.
The first one in your link lacks average speed, something I thought all computers had, I bought one not realising.

[reohn2]

I'm also a fan of Sigma computers, not least because they've kept the same mounting system for years, so I can swap between bikes with ease. The one on my work bike has been left out in all weather for three years without problem, for the price they're good value.

A bonus is that Aldi "Bikemate" comuters also have the same fitting kit too,the head has too many functions for it's own good but for £3.95 the fitting kits are great

The first one in your link lacks average speed, something I thought all computers had, I bought one not realising.

Never found a need for an average speed feature.If I think I need to find out,just divide ride time by distance.

[mrjemm]

Never found a need for an average speed feature.If I think I need to find out,just divide ride time by distance.

I kind of like these. What your calc won't do is account for stop periods, unless you calculate it for every moving period as you go. A computer should allow for these. Which is where my GPS (etrex 30) falls down; it doesn't seem to allow for this. Perhaps because it measures all the time, and the position will move a little through errors etc.

[reohn2]

Never found a need for an average speed feature.If I think I need to find out,just divide ride time by distance.

I kind of like these. What your calc won't do is account for stop periods, unless you calculate it for every moving period as you go. A computer should allow for these. Which is where my GPS (etrex 30) falls down; it doesn't seem to allow for this. Perhaps because it measures all the time, and the position will move a little through errors etc.

TBH I'm not usually that fussed,mileage,current speed,clock and ride time is all I really require

[thirdcrank]

... What your calc won't do is account for stop periods, unless you calculate it for every moving period as you go. ...

R2's equation gives average speed for the journey. A computer that stops the clock when you do, calculates the average speed for a number of aggregated journeys. It may make the rider feel better, because their apparent average speed will be better than using the traditional method but they risk deceiving themselves.

[gentlegreen]

I use one I paid £4 in Aldi.

Seems to do the job.

Not sure why I bother with it most of the time, because I go with the flow and am not going to make any vast improvements at my age - even when I'm trying.

The fact that my homeward commutes average almost the same (11mph) at this time of year probably should make me slow down on the local railway path.

Not sure about Wilko cables. They do seem to stretch a bit initially, but I don't know if good cables are much better...

[mrjemm]

... What your calc won't do is account for stop periods, unless you calculate it for every moving period as you go. ...

R2's equation gives average speed for the journey. A computer that stops the clock when you do, calculates the average speed for a number of aggregated journeys. It may make the rider feel better, because their apparent average speed will be better than using the traditional method but they risk deceiving themselves.

True. But then I'm a chubber who largely rides for an excuse to eat, drink and tinker.

...Which makes me think, a £7 computer is one ride- a cake, a coffee and a post ride pint. Can't be bad.

[alf tupper]

Thanks all, i'll get one from wilko's after christmas, go for the £7.00 model, give it a try, never used one before in 50 yrs of cycling,
Alf

[The Mechanic]

Never found a need for an average speed feature.If I think I need to find out,just divide ride time by distance.

I kind of like these. What your calc won't do is account for stop periods, unless you calculate it for every moving period as you go. A computer should allow for these. Which is where my GPS (etrex 30) falls down; it doesn't seem to allow for this. Perhaps because it measures all the time, and the position will move a little through errors etc.

Are you sure. My Etrex Vista HCx will give overall average and moving average. I would have thought a newer model wold have at least the same capabilities, rather than less.

[thirdcrank]

I was in Wilko's again this morning, so I took a butcher's at the the cycling stuff. It's easy to get snobbish about a shop of this type, but they are open long hours and would be an excellent port in a storm for anybody with some of cycling's smaller emergencies: eg caught out without lights? they stock some respectable looking LED lamps; batteries on the blink? Plenty in stock; puncture? they have two different repair outfits, strips of patches and a reasonable selection of inner tubes; tyre damage a bit worse? they have reasonable looking tyres including 27 x 1¼; broken cable? they have a selection of universal brake and gear cables; need the tools to fix it? as well as some basic bike tools such as tyre levers, multitools and the like, the DIY section has hex keys, spanners, screwdrivers, pliers etc; Hunger knock? grab a Mars Bar or the like; and last but not least, if you really are caught in a storm they stock PVC cycle capes: just the job for anybody called on to be a turn marshal at short notice.

The best bike shop in the world is useless in an emergency if it's shut or they only do mail order.

Cycling boy scouts may never need this sort of facility but it's there for the rest of us.

(No connection other than as a customer.)

[reohn2]

...........
(No connection other than as a customer.)

Come off it TC,you've got a part time sales job with Wilko's methinks