Proper explanation of "Virtual Cadence"

I did a search on this subject after reading about the features of the Shimano Flight deck computer. I am still confused as to the true meaning of virtual cadence.

Virtual cadence is a value computed by the Flight Deck based on the speed the bike is moving and the gear that bike is currently in. In other words it has nothing to do with how fast or if the pedals turning.

If you are going downhill and coasting, the Flight Deck will show a cadence based on your speed and current gear selection.

None of this is a problem when you are actually powering the bike by pedaling, but at anytime that the pedals are fully engaged, the cadence value is not real -- it is virtual (a computer value).

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My LBS is trying to talk me out of installing the Flight Deck. The manager said that it is extremely difficult to program, install and maintain. In addition he said it is over kill in terms of technology for the average rider's needs. He recommended several computers that cost around $50 that give you cadence (not virtual) instead.

The other aspect of the Flight Deck that I really liked was the gear indicator. I have Shimano 105's which are compatible with the Flight Deck. Does anyone else besides Shimano manufacturer a computer compatible with their equipment that offers you the gear indicator display?

As a person getting back into road bikes after almost 10 years off, I would appreciate the opinions of the board members on this issue.

I think your LBS is way off base on this one! The only downside to the Flight Deck is cost and possibly virtual cadence (depending on how important those are to you), the advantages are good integration with gear readouts, and even more important, the mode switching buttons are built into the brake hoods. As far as technology overkill, that is pure BS, it has the same features as most of the others.

Installation is not a problem either. I have installed several and except for the fact that you have to remove and reinstall part of the handlebar tape, it's a piece of cake. Likewise programming the unit is no more difficult than any of the others and I have found the instruction manual to be quite clear.

I'm not sure why you LBS is trying to talk you out of the Flight Deck, but the justification they gave you, IMHO, is suspect at best.

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In your opinion, should I go the wired or wireless approach if I do proceed with the Flight Deck? The LBS also pointed out that there have been maintainance issues with the wiring on bikes installed with Flight Deck.

Also, I am still curious if there any other brand that is Shimano compatable that has the gear indicator display?

I have never used anything but the wireless model and have had no problems whatsoever. I don't see the need for a wired model unless you plan to ride in close proximity to other Flight Deck users where wireless interference might be a problem.

And, to my knowledge, there are no other computers that provide the gear indicators offered on the Flight Deck.

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I went back into my LBS tonight and spoke to one of the salesmen as the manager was off today. He told me that when Flight Deck was first introduced they sold a good number of them. They had too many customers returning because of problems that had to do mostly with the wiring. He said that the wires were too thin and either breaking or wearing out. Is it possible that when Shimano brought the first model to the marketplace there were indeed some kinks that needed to be worked out?

When did they come out? I have a 2001 wireless. It works perfectly. I'm not a big fan of the virtual cadence, but the pace arrow is nice, and I like seeing what gear I am in. Only thing I'd say to watch out for, the hole where the screws are in the actual shifter. Mine either came striped, or striped when i was installing it. If thats the case then its really weak, I was going super slow because I was nervous of that very thing happening. Now, the left one doesnt conect all the time and wont show gear changes. :-/ Other than that, their really nice, go wireless.

That sounds to me to be exactly what my LBS was saying about wiring problems and their customers constantly returning to fix them. Are you really happy with the fact that your left control doesn't function properly? I would think considering the price of this bike computer that it should have been manufactured with better quality control than that. Would you be satisfied with a new computer at home that constantly had operating problems?

It's not the fault of the Computer, its the fault of the shifter. The wireing is fine on the comp, it just doesnt connect to the left shifter because the screw hole on the shifter is striped, and it doesnt hold the little button thing onto the little electronic strip. The comp is perfect, the Shimano Ultegra shifter is the busted thing. And no, I'm not happy with Shimano busting on me, I had to replace that left shifter twice within two months of purchase, and then the screw striped on me. I said screw it, and upgraded to Record. Now my Ultegra sits with about 300 miles on it on my backup Trek.

If you were choosing a new computer today would you still select the Flight Deck considering the issues that you had encountered?

If I was running Shimano, Yes. It really is neat to see the gear your in right there with the gear ratio's. I'll tell you my favorite part about it. Because you can see the gear your in, you get to know the gears very well by feel, and eventually you wont need to comp to know your in a 53-15. It took me about 2 months of riding to achieve that point. Since I've switched over, I ride a bunch, and I still dont have the gears down by feel, its something I truely miss.

It will be interesting to see what Shimano will introduce at the Las Vegas show this coming week. Also as the Flight Deck is intergrated into the STI shifters, they would have to license out their patent if any other computer manufacturers wanted to market such an item. It seems that up to now Shimano has been reluctant to do so.

While virtual cadence is an interesting concept to monitor, I would love to see other makers have gear indicators that are Shimano compatable added to their displays. The gear indicator function may not involve a royalty to Shimano if the controls for the computer aren't built into the STI shifters.

Save your money. I'm running a $25 Sigma Sport BC1600 w/cadence kit - it's super easy to program and the the display is easy to read. If you really want a grear selection indicator Shimano makes a very cool little mechanical device that mounts in line with th cable housing. It's a clear graduated tube with an orange indicator - very trick!

Good luck

Actually I was looking for this type of in line gear indicator on their website and also did a Google search and came up empty. Do you have a URL link to this product?