Wireless Computers on Recumbents?

[Elisa Francesca Roselli]

As some may recall, I had a horrible time with a Polar HRM Cycling
computer setup about a year ago. It was expensive high-end equipment,
but absolutely refused to work on my beloved Flyzipper, because of his
non-standard, 20" wheel architecture and extra long reach. In short,
there was no way the HRM, cadence meter, speed meter and receiver could
be positioned in such a way as to be in range to exchange data with
eachother.

So I sold it on Ebay and was lucky: it fetched almost as much as I paid
for it.

But now with the new Scorpion on the horizon, I'm thinking, do wireless
systems work on _that_ architecture? Has anyone tried? If everything
works to plan and he and I fall in love and go on long tours all over
the world together, perhaps I might buy him another Polar or even a
Garmin. But he's a _lot_ stranger than Flyzipper.

EFR
Ile de France

 

[Roger Zoul]

Elisa Francesca Roselli wrote:
::
:: So I sold it on Ebay and was lucky: it fetched almost as much as I
:: paid for it.
::
:: But now with the new Scorpion on the horizon, I'm thinking, do
:: wireless systems work on _that_ architecture? Has anyone tried? If
:: everything works to plan and he and I fall in love and go on long
:: tours all over the world together, perhaps I might buy him another
:: Polar or even a Garmin. But he's a _lot_ stranger than Flyzipper.

Wireless systems always seem to have problems, IME. I have a bike computer
(wired) and a Garmin that I use on my recumbent.

 

[Dart70ca]

On Sep 1, 9:10 am, "Roger Zoul" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Elisa Francesca Roselli wrote:
>
> ::
> :: So I sold it on Ebay and was lucky: it fetched almost as much as I
> :: paid for it.
> ::
> :: But now with the new Scorpion on the horizon, I'm thinking, do
> :: wireless systems work on _that_ architecture? Has anyone tried? If
> :: everything works to plan and he and I fall in love and go on long
> :: tours all over the world together, perhaps I might buy him another
> :: Polar or even a Garmin. But he's a _lot_ stranger than Flyzipper.
>
> Wireless systems always seem to have problems, IME. I have a bike computer
> (wired) and a Garmin that I use on my recumbent.

I was looking into the wireless systems for my LWB a few months
back and a couple stores I talked to said they wouldn't work there due
to the long distances involved. The transmit range is only about 24".
Couldn't be much more than that or else you'd be picking up signals
from the guy beside you...


Keith

 

[Mike Jacoubowsky]

> As some may recall, I had a horrible time with a Polar HRM Cycling
> computer setup about a year ago. It was expensive high-end equipment,
> but absolutely refused to work on my beloved Flyzipper, because of his
> non-standard, 20" wheel architecture and extra long reach. In short,
> there was no way the HRM, cadence meter, speed meter and receiver could
> be positioned in such a way as to be in range to exchange data with
> eachother.
>
> So I sold it on Ebay and was lucky: it fetched almost as much as I paid
> for it.
>
> But now with the new Scorpion on the horizon, I'm thinking, do wireless
> systems work on _that_ architecture? Has anyone tried? If everything
> works to plan and he and I fall in love and go on long tours all over
> the world together, perhaps I might buy him another Polar or even a
> Garmin. But he's a _lot_ stranger than Flyzipper.


The latest generation of wireless computers use bluetooth technology and
might do the trick. Much more reliable over distance, because they're not
just sending an electronic "blip" that gets confused with other sources of
noise. The model we sell with those features is the Trek ACH Digital, which
includes heart rate, cadence, altimeter etc. All the cool stuff. No download
capabilities though. In the US, they run about $180.

I've been meaning to ask you something unrelated to cycling. Are you native
French? You write as though your native language is English. Just curious...

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

 

[Artemisia]

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

> I've been meaning to ask you something unrelated to cycling. Are you native
> French? You write as though your native language is English. Just curious...

My native language is English. I was born of Italian parents in New York
City and lived there until I was 15, then finished my education in
Geneva, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. I lived in the UK for 13 years
before moving to France in 1991. I hold US and Italian nationality and
am bi-lingual in French, although I can also manage in Italian, German,
and Russian in a pinch.

Cheers,

EFR
Ile de France

 

[LeftCoast_Dave]

On Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:02:35 -0700, Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

>> As some may recall, I had a horrible time with a Polar HRM Cycling
>> computer setup about a year ago. It was expensive high-end equipment,
>> but absolutely refused to work on my beloved Flyzipper, because of his
>> non-standard, 20" wheel architecture and extra long reach. In short,
>> there was no way the HRM, cadence meter, speed meter and receiver could
>> be positioned in such a way as to be in range to exchange data with
>> eachother.
>>
>> So I sold it on Ebay and was lucky: it fetched almost as much as I paid
>> for it.
>>
>> But now with the new Scorpion on the horizon, I'm thinking, do wireless
>> systems work on _that_ architecture? Has anyone tried? If everything
>> works to plan and he and I fall in love and go on long tours all over
>> the world together, perhaps I might buy him another Polar or even a
>> Garmin. But he's a _lot_ stranger than Flyzipper.
>
>
> The latest generation of wireless computers use bluetooth technology and
> might do the trick. Much more reliable over distance, because they're
> not just sending an electronic "blip" that gets confused with other
> sources of noise. The model we sell with those features is the Trek ACH
> Digital, which includes heart rate, cadence, altimeter etc. All the cool
> stuff. No download capabilities though. In the US, they run about $180.
>
> I've been meaning to ask you something unrelated to cycling. Are you
> native French? You write as though your native language is English. Just
> curious...
>
> --Mike Jacoubowsky
> Chain Reaction Bicycles
> www.ChainReaction.com
> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

Mike -
I just ran across this and am impressed, though not surprised, that you
responded. The (San Francisco) Bay Area is not exactly friendly, IMO,
towards 'bent cyclists (EasyRacers is, after all, in Watsonville <g>)
Your shop is the only non-specialty one I know of in the area that
doesn't freak when I roll in with my 'bent. (I consider Terry Shaw's shop
to be more specialized, and he, natch', seems to love working with /any/
bike). You probably know most of the employees at other bike shops in the
area, so you likely wouldn't encounter that look of disdain, or utter
confusion, that I get from Palo Alto Bikes, Mike's Bikes, and all but one
of the employees at Mountain View's Performance Bikes (actually, he just
left to start his own gig). Holdover attitude from the "Wheelsmith
brothers"? Dunno. Doesn't matter, either. But I DO hope you guys keep up
the same spirit you have had to date. Plz consider stocking (Presta)
tubes and tires for 406mm wheels.

Regards,
Dave

 

[LeftCoast_Dave]

On Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:02:35 -0700, Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

>> As some may recall, I had a horrible time with a Polar HRM Cycling
>> computer setup about a year ago. It was expensive high-end equipment,
>> but absolutely refused to work on my beloved Flyzipper, because of his
>> non-standard, 20" wheel architecture and extra long reach. In short,
>> there was no way the HRM, cadence meter, speed meter and receiver could
>> be positioned in such a way as to be in range to exchange data with
>> eachother.
>>
>> So I sold it on Ebay and was lucky: it fetched almost as much as I paid
>> for it.
>>
>> But now with the new Scorpion on the horizon, I'm thinking, do wireless
>> systems work on _that_ architecture? Has anyone tried? If everything
>> works to plan and he and I fall in love and go on long tours all over
>> the world together, perhaps I might buy him another Polar or even a
>> Garmin. But he's a _lot_ stranger than Flyzipper.
>
>
> The latest generation of wireless computers use bluetooth technology and
> might do the trick. Much more reliable over distance, because they're
> not just sending an electronic "blip" that gets confused with other
> sources of noise. The model we sell with those features is the Trek ACH
> Digital, which includes heart rate, cadence, altimeter etc. All the cool
> stuff. No download capabilities though. In the US, they run about $180.
>
> I've been meaning to ask you something unrelated to cycling. Are you
> native French? You write as though your native language is English. Just
> curious...
>
> --Mike Jacoubowsky
> Chain Reaction Bicycles
> www.ChainReaction.com
> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

Mike -
I just ran across this and am impressed, though not surprised, that you
responded. The (San Francisco) Bay Area is not exactly friendly, IMO,
towards 'bent cyclists (EasyRacers is, after all, in Watsonville <g>)
Your shop is the only non-specialty one I know of in the area that
doesn't freak when I roll in with my 'bent. (I consider Terry Shaw's shop
to be more specialized, and he, natch', seems to love working with /any/
bike). You probably know most of the employees at other bike shops in the
area, so you likely wouldn't encounter that look of disdain, or utter
confusion, that I get from Palo Alto Bikes, Mike's Bikes, and all but one
of the employees at Mountain View's Performance Bikes (actually, he just
left to start his own gig). Holdover attitude from the "Wheelsmith
brothers"? Dunno. Doesn't matter, either. But I DO hope you guys keep up
the same spirit you have had to date. Plz consider stocking (Presta)
tubes and tires for 406mm wheels.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Tom Sherman]

LeftCoast_Dave wrote:
> On Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:02:35 -0700, Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>
>>> As some may recall, I had a horrible time with a Polar HRM Cycling
>>> computer setup about a year ago. It was expensive high-end equipment,
>>> but absolutely refused to work on my beloved Flyzipper, because of his
>>> non-standard, 20" wheel architecture and extra long reach. In short,
>>> there was no way the HRM, cadence meter, speed meter and receiver could
>>> be positioned in such a way as to be in range to exchange data with
>>> eachother.
>>>
>>> So I sold it on Ebay and was lucky: it fetched almost as much as I paid
>>> for it.
>>>
>>> But now with the new Scorpion on the horizon, I'm thinking, do wireless
>>> systems work on _that_ architecture? Has anyone tried? If everything
>>> works to plan and he and I fall in love and go on long tours all over
>>> the world together, perhaps I might buy him another Polar or even a
>>> Garmin. But he's a _lot_ stranger than Flyzipper.
>>
>> The latest generation of wireless computers use bluetooth technology and
>> might do the trick. Much more reliable over distance, because they're
>> not just sending an electronic "blip" that gets confused with other
>> sources of noise. The model we sell with those features is the Trek ACH
>> Digital, which includes heart rate, cadence, altimeter etc. All the cool
>> stuff. No download capabilities though. In the US, they run about $180.
>>
>> I've been meaning to ask you something unrelated to cycling. Are you
>> native French? You write as though your native language is English. Just
>> curious...
>>
>> --Mike Jacoubowsky
>> Chain Reaction Bicycles
>> www.ChainReaction.com
>> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
>
> Mike -
> I just ran across this and am impressed, though not surprised, that you
> responded. The (San Francisco) Bay Area is not exactly friendly, IMO,
> towards 'bent cyclists (EasyRacers is, after all, in Watsonville <g>)
> Your shop is the only non-specialty one I know of in the area that
> doesn't freak when I roll in with my 'bent. (I consider Terry Shaw's shop
> to be more specialized, and he, natch', seems to love working with /any/
> bike). You probably know most of the employees at other bike shops in the
> area, so you likely wouldn't encounter that look of disdain, or utter
> confusion, that I get from Palo Alto Bikes, Mike's Bikes, and all but one
> of the employees at Mountain View's Performance Bikes (actually, he just
> left to start his own gig). Holdover attitude from the "Wheelsmith
> brothers"? Dunno. Doesn't matter, either.

Maybe they have learned the "Wisdom of Recumbency" from Jobst Brandt:
<http://yarchive.net/bike/recumbent.html>?

> But I DO hope you guys keep up the same spirit you have had to date....

Mike was one of the few Trek dealers that did not reject the R200 out of
hand because it was a recumbent, and gave it a fair evaluation.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
Tradition is the worst rational for action.

 

[Tom Sherman]

LeftCoast_Dave wrote:
> On Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:02:35 -0700, Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>
>>> As some may recall, I had a horrible time with a Polar HRM Cycling
>>> computer setup about a year ago. It was expensive high-end equipment,
>>> but absolutely refused to work on my beloved Flyzipper, because of his
>>> non-standard, 20" wheel architecture and extra long reach. In short,
>>> there was no way the HRM, cadence meter, speed meter and receiver could
>>> be positioned in such a way as to be in range to exchange data with
>>> eachother.
>>>
>>> So I sold it on Ebay and was lucky: it fetched almost as much as I paid
>>> for it.
>>>
>>> But now with the new Scorpion on the horizon, I'm thinking, do wireless
>>> systems work on _that_ architecture? Has anyone tried? If everything
>>> works to plan and he and I fall in love and go on long tours all over
>>> the world together, perhaps I might buy him another Polar or even a
>>> Garmin. But he's a _lot_ stranger than Flyzipper.
>>
>> The latest generation of wireless computers use bluetooth technology and
>> might do the trick. Much more reliable over distance, because they're
>> not just sending an electronic "blip" that gets confused with other
>> sources of noise. The model we sell with those features is the Trek ACH
>> Digital, which includes heart rate, cadence, altimeter etc. All the cool
>> stuff. No download capabilities though. In the US, they run about $180.
>>
>> I've been meaning to ask you something unrelated to cycling. Are you
>> native French? You write as though your native language is English. Just
>> curious...
>>
>> --Mike Jacoubowsky
>> Chain Reaction Bicycles
>> www.ChainReaction.com
>> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
>
> Mike -
> I just ran across this and am impressed, though not surprised, that you
> responded. The (San Francisco) Bay Area is not exactly friendly, IMO,
> towards 'bent cyclists (EasyRacers is, after all, in Watsonville <g>)
> Your shop is the only non-specialty one I know of in the area that
> doesn't freak when I roll in with my 'bent. (I consider Terry Shaw's shop
> to be more specialized, and he, natch', seems to love working with /any/
> bike). You probably know most of the employees at other bike shops in the
> area, so you likely wouldn't encounter that look of disdain, or utter
> confusion, that I get from Palo Alto Bikes, Mike's Bikes, and all but one
> of the employees at Mountain View's Performance Bikes (actually, he just
> left to start his own gig). Holdover attitude from the "Wheelsmith
> brothers"? Dunno. Doesn't matter, either.

Maybe they have learned the "Wisdom of Recumbency" from Jobst Brandt:
<http://yarchive.net/bike/recumbent.html>?

> But I DO hope you guys keep up the same spirit you have had to date....

Mike was one of the few Trek dealers that did not reject the R200 out of
hand because it was a recumbent, and gave it a fair evaluation.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
Tradition is the worst rational for action.