My experience with five different computers

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by amirm
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 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 🙂

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Etxy
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 post said:

Originally posted by amirm
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

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

Hey branded:

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

The Flightdeck has a virtual cadence. That's calculated from your speed 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 is that after steep downhills when you have not pedalled for a while, the cadence can be used to decide when to resume pedalling. The drawback is that it is a calculated value so you cannot get values like maximum or average cadence (as Echo F2 does).

In terms of reliability, the wiring seems sturdy. The fit and finish is top notch. It is easy on batteries, and so is my Cateye. I have used both of them since 2001, and no need for a new battery yet. Flightdeck has some unique features (compared to more basic computers) such as lap counter and display of gears. It is useful on roadies because MTBs have visual display on their shifters. Flightdeck can be used on up to 4 bikes (of course with 4 wiring kits, not cheap), but still gives one odo for all of them (bad). One annoying thing about the Flightdeck is the 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 a backlit display, it would be better. I like the fact that it integrates 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 next time (given that I already have one). I highly recommend the CicloMaster computer. CM212 is, unfortunately, not available anymore. Two functions in it that are absolutely loveable are backlit display and two computers in one.

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

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by branded
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

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 on the wiring. Also my sweat tends not to go towards the computer's direction 🙂

Yeah, maybe you give it a miss. Why spend so much on it if you don't 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 8 seems to have the basic functions you need, has a good build quality and looks nice. Make an enquiry on the CicloMaster CM213. Have a look at the functions and the price. See if it's worth your while.

Good Luck!
Amir.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by branded
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,

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.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by cranepet
[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

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 the 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 play with it tonight to see if it works.

Cheers.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by cranepet
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?