Why wireless?

[thidwick]

I've had a number of bikes over the years (good, bad, & ugly) and still have three. When electronic cycle computers became available, I upgraded from the mechanical wheel revolution mileage counters (really!) and my current bikes each have a Cateye Mity 8 or similar which is a wired computer with fairly straightforward functions.
I've just ordered a new bike from the local bike shop, and will be buying a new cycle computer for it.
The bike shop recommended that I get a wireless computer - but couldn't really say why.
Why wireless?
It isn't as if the sensor and the computer bit change their relative positions - and there are some good bits of metal to conveniently run the wires between the two bits.
Wireless must surely need a battery in each bit? And maybe there is a chance of interference? How long do the batteries last? If the sensor has a battery as well as a magnet, then is it heavier than a wired one?
I also heard that wireless ones need to be told to start measuring - whereas my wired ones start counting miles (and calories- why?) just as soon as the front wheel rotates.

So given that I'm finally buying my dream bike: should I go wireless..... and if so, why?

Thidwick (old and cranky)

[Si]

Welcome to the forum Thidwick - good question - I've often wondered this myself, especially as wireless seems to weigh more and cost more both to buy and in batteries, plus the one that I had was less reliable too. Perhaps I'm just a Luddite?

[andrew_s]

Advantages of wireless:
The main advantage is that wireless looks neater. Wires can occasionally snag on something and break. It's awkward to clean under the wires, and you can get paint rub from dirt under the wires.

Disadvantages of wireless:
They are heavier (if you care). They require a second battery (usually of a different type) in the sensor unit, which will inevitably run out at a different time to that in the head. They are subject to interference from things such as traffic detector loops in the road, LED bike lights, power cables etc, giving false speed readings. If it's roadside interference, it's usually just the max speed that's wrong, but interference from a bike light can badly affect figures for the whole ride.

[Mark1978]

I use a wireless cateye. The batteries last for a year or more. I've never had problems with interference. To wake up the unit you push it down once and it comes on; hardly a chore.

[TrevA]

If you really want to be "up to date", get a GPS enabled computer. I've just bought a Garmin 200 and it's transformed my cycling. I can download all my rides, see where I've been, how much climbing I've done, what the ride profile was, compare times for the same ride with other days and compare with other people. It even records how long your café stop was or how long you took to mend a puncture!

The battery only lasts for 14 hours but you only need to recharge once or twice a week and it only takes an hour. No wires, no sensors, no magnets required. And the distance recorded is accurate (which I found it never is on a traditional cycle computer - wired or wireless).

[easyroller]

Get a Garmin! (or similar GPS of your brand or choice)

[thidwick]

OK, so now I'm thinking...... I could, as is suggested, get really modern and buy a GPS. I've been reading the "What GPS?" topic.
Tempting.
Whoda thunk it.

[TrevA]

A Garmin 200 doesn't have mapping, so if you want that you'll need something better and more expensive like an 800 or a Garmin Touring. But if you just want to display speed, distance, ave speed etc and record your rides, then a 200 will do all that. RRP is £99 but you can get them cheaper. Comes with 2 fitting kits so easy to swap to another bike if you have one.

[Ayesha]

If you get a Garmin, register on YACF ( Yet Another Cycle Forum ) cus they will be able to sort out the problems you'll have.

[thidwick]

So, wireless computer: say £20
Garmin 200 is ~£90 - but no maps. (and suitable maps seem complicated, or expensive)
eTrex 20 is £135 : but I think that has maps. (I think.... )
Wired computer on e-bay: about £5

I'm stuck.

[LollyKat]

Etrex 20 at £135 doesn't come with a usable map. Either pay a lot extra for Garmin's own maps or do what I do and get one of the very good free maps such as Open Street Map from TalkyToaster or OpenFietsmap which is my own favourite.

[Mark1978]

Garmins are great, but it also depends on if you own a smartphone, as then you can use that to do your GPS tracking; and just have a simple wireless unit on the stem. Ok; it's not as neat a solution as a Garmin but it's a cheaper one.

[fastpedaller]

got a wireless from our favourite auction site a few weeks ago- Buy it now, less than a fiver... from UK (must have been as it got here next day) Ideal. At that price if you're unsure It's hardly a big investment.

[Si]

So far, the only reason for wireless seems to be that it looks neater (surely subjective) and the wire is less likely to get caught on something (reasonable...but I've never had it happen). My wire is just wound around the brake cable, thus it's not going to catch (unless the brake cable does and then I've got much more to worry about), and you probably wouldn't notice it was there unless you were really close.

[Ontherivet77]

So far, the only reason for wireless seems to be that it looks neater (surely subjective) and the wire is less likely to get caught on something (reasonable...but I've never had it happen). My wire is just wound around the brake cable, thus it's not going to catch (unless the brake cable does and then I've got much more to worry about), and you probably wouldn't notice it was there unless you were really close.

That is in effect the only reason to get one.
I have a VDO wireless and it was cheaper than some brands with wires. It does go through batteries quicker and my other bikes have all had wired computers, there is very little between them apart from aesthetics.