My experience with five different computers

amirm said:

With the latest acquisition of a Sigma BC1200, now I have five cyclo-
computers running on five different bikes. Each one of these has its own
pluses and minuses. I would be glad to provide a feed back on any one of
them if it's of any use to anyone here. The computers are the following:
1. Flightdeck SC-6501 (Shimano)
2. CicloMaster CM212 Cadence (Ciclosport)
3. Echo F2 (Echowell)
4. Enduro 2 (Cateye)
5. Sigma BC1200 (Sigmasport)

I've always loved my Sigma, but a lot of people I know don't like the
at all. Whats YOUR opinion

(I have the BC 1400 Cadence, btw on one bike and the Sigma Targa o
another.) :

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Etxy said:

I've always loved my Sigma, but a lot of people I know don't like them
at all. Whats YOUR opinion?
(I have the BC 1400 Cadence, btw on one bike and the Sigma Targa on
another.) 🙂

Many people seem to complain about the durability/reliability of Sigmas. My BC1200 is very new so I cannot comment. In terms of looks and price:value, it won my vote this time as a basic computer, and that's why I bought one. However, I don't know how the rubber bands are going to hold under UV or in cold weather. The only complain I have about the BC1200 is its buttons that are super sensitive. By the time I want to push them to click (as how they are supposed to function), I have to be VERY quick or else few functions are toggled already!

For $50 basic computer, I think I'll be happy with BC1200. I like the
fact that any single component of the trip meter can be reset
independently. It's amazing that every manufacturer includes only one or
two clever feature(s) in their line of products. So the quest for the
perfect computer goes on 🙂

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amirm said:

Etxy said:

I've always loved my Sigma, but a lot of people I know don't like them
at all. Whats YOUR opinion?
(I have the BC 1400 Cadence, btw on one bike and the Sigma Targa on
another.) 🙂

Quoted message said:

Many people seem to complain about the durability/reliability of Sigmas. My BC1200 is very new so I cannot comment. In terms of looks and price:value, it won my vote this time as a basic computer, and that's why I bought one. However, I don't know how the rubber bands are going to hold under UV or in cold weather. The only complain I have about the BC1200 is its buttons that are super sensitive. By the time I want to push them to click (as how they are supposed to function), I have to be VERY quick or else few functions are toggled already!

Quoted message said:

For $50 basic computer, I think I'll be happy with BC1200. I like the
fact that any single component of the trip meter can be reset
independently. It's amazing that every manufacturer includes only one or
two clever feature(s) in their line of products. So the quest for the
perfect computer goes on 🙂

Until now I've always had Sigmas. I'm one of two people I know of whose
Sigmas have suddenly started chewing through batteries at the rate of
one oevery few months so I'm now using Echo computers.

Aside from that battery issue the Sigmas were always reliable and I never
had anytrouble with the rubber bands.

--
Nick

amirm said:

With the latest acquisition of a Sigma BC1200, now I have five cyclo-
computers running on five different bikes. Each one of these has its own
pluses and minuses. I would be glad to provide a feed back on any one of
them if it's of any use to anyone here. The computers are the following:
1. Flightdeck SC-6501 (Shimano)
2. CicloMaster CM212 Cadence (Ciclosport)
3. Echo F2 (Echowell)
4. Enduro 2 (Cateye)
5. Sigma BC1200 (Sigmasport)

amirm - I currently have a Cateye Astrale, about 6 years old, which I
use on my two road bikes. It doesn't have HRM but does have cadence in
addition to the usual bike functions. It is wired to 2 rear sensors, one
for speed and the other for cadence. This has been a great computer,
very easy to use & very reliable.

However several times in the last few weeks the speed signal has become
faulty, showing much lower speeds than it should - as if is was missing
1 or 2 out of three pulses. Disengaging the computer then slipping it
straight back in seems to have fixed it each time. I've read that
moisture or sweat can cause loss of signal, so I've cleaned the contacts
and surrounds but it still is playing up. Maybe the electronics are
starting to fail?

So I'm starting to think about a replacement. My newest bike (Giant
TCR Composite) runs Shimano, so I'm interested in your comments on
the Flightdeck. Being able to toss the rear wiring harness would tidy
up my bike.

How does it compare to your Cateye in terms of function & reliability?

branded

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branded said:

amirm - I currently have a Cateye Astrale, about 6 years old, which I
use on my two road bikes. It doesn't have HRM but does have cadence in
addition to the usual bike functions. It is wired to 2 rear sensors, one
for speed and the other for cadence. This has been a great computer,
very easy to use & very reliable.
However several times in the last few weeks the speed signal has become
faulty, showing much lower speeds than it should - as if is was missing
1 or 2 out of three pulses. Disengaging the computer then slipping it
straight back in seems to have fixed it each time. I've read that
moisture or sweat can cause loss of signal, so I've cleaned the contacts
and surrounds but it still is playing up. Maybe the electronics are
starting to fail?
So I'm starting to think about a replacement. My newest bike (Giant
TCR Composite) runs Shimano, so I'm interested in your comments on
the Flightdeck. Being able to toss the rear wiring harness would tidy
up my bike.
How does it compare to your Cateye in terms of function & reliability?
branded

Hey branded:

My Cateye does not have cadence function, but the CicloMaster an
Echowell both have cadence with hardwired sensors (not virtual). S
here we go

The Flightdeck has a virtual cadence. That's calculated from your spee
and gear ratio. One benefit, as you mentioned, is a cleaner set up
especially that the sensor goes to the front fork. The other benefit i
that after steep downhills when you have not pedalled for a while, th
cadence can be used to decide when to resume pedalling. The drawback i
that it is a calculated value so you cannot get values like maximum o
average cadence (as Echo F2 does)

In terms of reliability, the wiring seems sturdy. The fit and finish i
top notch. It is easy on batteries, and so is my Cateye. I have use
both of them since 2001, and no need for a new battery yet. Flightdec
has some unique features (compared to more basic computers) such as la
counter and display of gears. It is useful on roadies because MTBs hav
visual display on their shifters. Flightdeck can be used on up to
bikes (of course with 4 wiring kits, not cheap), but still gives one od
for all of them (bad). One annoying thing about the Flightdeck is th
lack of option for auto start/stop. While this is useful for purists
one needs to remember to turn it on and off time after time. If it had
backlit display, it would be better. I like the fact that it integrate
to your shifters, and can be operated from their buttons (on roadies)
very safe and handy. One more downside of the Flightdeck is its price

While I love my Flightdeck, it won't be on top of my shopping list nex
time (given that I already have one). I highly recommend th
CicloMaster computer. CM212 is, unfortunately, not available anymore
Two functions in it that are absolutely loveable are backlit displa
and two computers in one

When I was in market to buy my last computer (Sigma) I almost bough
CicloMaster CM434. I backed off because it was available only in th
wireless version 🙁 Then I opted for a very basic computer and save
$230 (well, missing on some exciting features such as altitude an
temperature measurements)

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hi amirm, thanks for your reply - apologies for the delay but I didn'
have a chance to view this forum for more than a week. Then couldn'
find this reply until now as I hadn't realised there was a filter at th
bottom of the page that would reveal older messages. What a goose

Anyway - good feedback on the Fightdeck. The virtual cadence look
useful as I often get caught starting to pedal early in too low a gea
at the bottom of a slope. In any case I don't care about monitorin
actual average/max cadence

Interesting also that you've had no problems with the wiring. I inquire
at my LBS & they said this was a big problem with Flightdecks - tha
sweating & the weather caused the wiring to be unreliable. Could the
have been pushing another brand?

But the most surprising issue is the lack of auto stop/start. My Catey
has this & I can't imagine using a computer without it. I guess i
wouldn't matter too much if it totalled the time spent stopped at th
lights - but on weekend rides the occasional stop to let the straggler
catch up, and the mandatory coffee stop, would make the end resul
useless. Given that I would forget to manually turn it on or off at th
right time (& that is a given). Let's face it, if I just want to kno
the total ride time including stops I can use my watch. No compute
necessary

Will check out the CicloMaster range but like you I don't want to shel
out a fortune. Might just have to get a replacement Astrale and accep
the messy wiring for another few years

brande

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branded said:

hi amirm, thanks for your reply - apologies for the delay but I didn't
have a chance to view this forum for more than a week. Then couldn't
find this reply until now as I hadn't realised there was a filter at the
bottom of the page that would reveal older messages. What a goose!
Anyway - good feedback on the Fightdeck. The virtual cadence looks
useful as I often get caught starting to pedal early in too low a gear
at the bottom of a slope. In any case I don't care about monitoring
actual average/max cadence.
Interesting also that you've had no problems with the wiring. I inquired
at my LBS & they said this was a big problem with Flightdecks - that
sweating & the weather caused the wiring to be unreliable. Could they
have been pushing another brand??
But the most surprising issue is the lack of auto stop/start. My Cateye
has this & I can't imagine using a computer without it. I guess it
wouldn't matter too much if it totalled the time spent stopped at the
lights - but on weekend rides the occasional stop to let the stragglers
catch up, and the mandatory coffee stop, would make the end result
useless. Given that I would forget to manually turn it on or off at the
right time (& that is a given). Let's face it, if I just want to know
the total ride time including stops I can use my watch. No computer
necessary.
Will check out the CicloMaster range but like you I don't want to shell
out a fortune. Might just have to get a replacement Astrale and accept
the messy wiring for another few years.
branded

Hi Branded:

No worries

I have used my Flightdeck in good weather only, so can't comment o
the wiring. Also my sweat tends not to go towards the computer'
direction :

Yeah, maybe you give it a miss. Why spend so much on it if you don'
like it that much, or it doesn't do the job you want

However, my 2 cents is to keep the cadence function. Cateye Astrale
seems to have the basic functions you need, has a good build quality an
looks nice. Make an enquiry on the CicloMaster CM213. Have a look at th
functions and the price. See if it's worth your while

Good Luck! Amir

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[Hi

I use flightdeck and have an autostart feature which works great. I hav
mine wired into the shifters. To switch between autostart and manual
press the top button while the monitor shows Ave or Max

Have not had a single issue with sweat or poor weather and I have ridde
through some unbelievably bad weather this year. Good luck

Cranepe

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cranepet said:

[Hi,
I use flightdeck and have an autostart feature which works great. I have
mine wired into the shifters. To switch between autostart and manual,
press the top button while the monitor shows Ave or Max.
Have not had a single issue with sweat or poor weather and I have ridden
through some unbelievably bad weather this year. Good luck,
Cranepet

That's interesting. My manual doesn't have any note on this. Maybe an
Easter Egg? 😉

So when you said the top botton, which one did you mean? There are two
bottons on top underneath the main unit. It would be great if I can get
the auto start/stop to work.

Cheers, Amir.

--

Hi

My Flight Deck is wired into the shifters so the buttons I use are jus
on the inside of the shifters. To shift between auto and manual I jus
push the button slightly towards the front of the bike. It is a ver
simple operation

Interestingly, I tried tonight to do the same sort of thing using th
buttons under the front of the unit..... No luck!! :

Maybe you can only shift between autostart and manual when the uni
is wired to the shifters. Seems very odd but maybe it is just th
way it is

Anyone else have any experience

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cranepet said:

Hi,
My Flight Deck is wired into the shifters so the buttons I use are just
on the inside of the shifters. To shift between auto and manual I just
push the button slightly towards the front of the bike. It is a very
simple operation.
Interestingly, I tried tonight to do the same sort of thing using the
buttons under the front of the unit..... No luck!! 🙁
Maybe you can only shift between autostart and manual when the unit
is wired to the shifters. Seems very odd but maybe it is just the
way it is.
Anyone else have any experience?

Do you have both buttons on one shifter (older set up), or you have th
mode button on the right shifter and the start/stop button on the left
Don't know if this has any effect at all. If I remember, I will pla
with it tonight to see if it works

Cheers

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