recumbent computer recommendations

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Date: 09 Aug 2007 13:03:03
From: Carl Ranford
Subject: recumbent computer recommendations

I am riding an EZ-! Super Cruzer. It's a CLWB, and I am looking for
bike computer recommendations for units that have long enough
harnesses and will let you select the smaller wheel sizes, etc. Cheap
and available at nashbar is also good. Thank you very much.

Date: 15 Aug 2007 19:21:13
From: Dart70ca
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

I never find those charts to be very accurate. On a smooth floor,
I set my wheel with the valve stem at the bottom, mark a spot on the
floor, roll the bike until the stem comes around again. Make another
mark. Distance between the marks is your wheel circumference.

Keith

On Aug 15, 9:25 am, "Jon" <jonm...@none.non > wrote:
> "Mike Fox" <mike...@Junoo.com> wrote
>
> > However, the GPS is marvelous for calibrating a bike computer. Over a
> > 30 mile ride, the difference between my GPS and computer is a couple
> > of hundreths consistently.
>
> Under many circumstances, I find this to be true, too.
>
> But there are a number of factors that make the GPS "odometer"
> inherently less reliably accurate, e.g.:
> - absolute position fix accurcy (+/- feet under best case)
> - position sampling frequency
> - inherent position "wandering" vs. "stopped time"
>
> On the other hand, cyclometers simply count wheel rotations.
> Get the calibration correct for your wheel and tire, and they are
> quite reliably accurate. Plug in the numbers for your wheel size from
> the table in cyclometer instruction book and 95% accurracy
> may be doing good! %^)
>
> [ Anyone else notice that those tables seem to invariably overstate
> the wheel circumference thus making the displayed speed higher
> than actual? ]
>
> In my experience, the best way to check cyclometer calibration is to
> ride a known accurately surveyed distance several times and average
> the odometer readings. Some people use a running track. In
> someplaces state highway departments have special surveyed
> "speedometer check" mile posts.
>
> >Within the rest of the group, everybody's
> > readout is a couple of tenths different from everyone else's.
>
> Only a 1% difference may be better than par for the course! %^)
>
> Jon

Date: 12 Aug 2007 11:18:02
From: Arnold Ligtvoet
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

Carl Ranford wrote:
> I am riding an EZ-! Super Cruzer. It's a CLWB, and I am looking for
> bike computer recommendations for units that have long enough
> harnesses and will let you select the smaller wheel sizes, etc. Cheap
> and available at nashbar is also good. Thank you very much.

I recently started using a Garmin Edge 205. Does not fit the category
cheap, though they can be purchased at Ebay for reasonable prices. The
nice thing is that this is a GPS computer. No more hassle with magnets,
cables and wheel sizes. Just fix the computer to the bike a go. You can
even ride different bikes with the same computer...

Arnold.

Date: 13 Aug 2007 06:11:51
From: Jon
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

"Arnold Ligtvoet" <news@ligtvoet.org > wrote
>
> I recently started using a Garmin Edge 205. Does not fit the category
> cheap, though they can be purchased at Ebay for reasonable prices. The
> nice thing is that this is a GPS computer. No more hassle with magnets,
> cables and wheel sizes. Just fix the computer to the bike a go. You can
> even ride different bikes with the same computer...

For instantaneous speed read-out, the GPS is quite good. But, if it
matters, the odometer of a well-calibrated cyclometer is implicitly
much more accurate and less subject to error than a GPS.

I sometimes carry my mapping GPS with me while biking, particularly
when touring or riding someplace new where the maps can help show
route options. When moving, the GPS generally shows speed and
distance quite close to the cyclometer. But when stopped, even with
good satellite fixes, the error in location can add up. When I download
the saved tracks to a computer, I can definitely see where I stopped.

After installing and calibrating, I haven't found most cyclometers
to present much hassle factor... Cyclometer batteries last for years,
unlike the batteries in my GPS which last for hours (days at most)
before they must be changed/recharged. For me, the GPS serves
a different purpose than the cyclometer even if they overlap in function
somewhat.

Jon

Date: 15 Aug 2007 05:25:25
From: Mike Fox
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

However, the GPS is marvelous for calibrating a bike computer. Over a
30 mile ride, the difference between my GPS and computer is a couple
of hundreths consistently. Within the rest of the group, everybody's
readout is a couple of tenths different from everyone else's.
Mike

>I sometimes carry my mapping GPS with me while biking, particularly
>when touring or riding someplace new where the maps can help show
>route options. When moving, the GPS generally shows speed and
>distance quite close to the cyclometer. But when stopped, even with
>good satellite fixes, the error in location can add up. When I download
>the saved tracks to a computer, I can definitely see where I stopped.
>
>After installing and calibrating, I haven't found most cyclometers
>to present much hassle factor... Cyclometer batteries last for years,
>unlike the batteries in my GPS which last for hours (days at most)
>before they must be changed/recharged. For me, the GPS serves
>a different purpose than the cyclometer even if they overlap in function
>somewhat.
>
>Jon
>
>

Date: 20 Aug 2007 08:25:58
From: Keats
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

"Mike Fox" <mikefox@Junoo.com > wrote in message
news:msk5c39csqaehkvud30rrvb5clbf4vbmj2@4ax.com...
> However, the GPS is marvelous for calibrating a bike computer. Over a
> 30 mile ride, the difference between my GPS and computer is a couple
> of hundreths consistently. Within the rest of the group, everybody's
> readout is a couple of tenths different from everyone else's.
> Mike
>

I'm wondering why anyone cares about "a couple of hundredths" on their bike
mileage. Consider the joy of just riding the bike and not being anal about
numbers unless you are into serious bicycle racing.

Date:
From:
Subject:

Date: 15 Aug 2007 11:25:38
From: Jon
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

"Mike Fox" <mikefox@Junoo.com > wrote
> However, the GPS is marvelous for calibrating a bike computer. Over a
> 30 mile ride, the difference between my GPS and computer is a couple
> of hundreths consistently.

Under many circumstances, I find this to be true, too.

But there are a number of factors that make the GPS "odometer"
inherently less reliably accurate, e.g.:
- absolute position fix accurcy (+/- feet under best case)
- position sampling frequency
- inherent position "wandering" vs. "stopped time"

On the other hand, cyclometers simply count wheel rotations.
Get the calibration correct for your wheel and tire, and they are
quite reliably accurate. Plug in the numbers for your wheel size from
the table in cyclometer instruction book and 95% accurracy
may be doing good! %^)

[ Anyone else notice that those tables seem to invariably overstate
the wheel circumference thus making the displayed speed higher
than actual? ]

In my experience, the best way to check cyclometer calibration is to
ride a known accurately surveyed distance several times and average
the odometer readings. Some people use a running track. In
someplaces state highway departments have special surveyed
"speedometer check" mile posts.

>Within the rest of the group, everybody's
> readout is a couple of tenths different from everyone else's.

Only a 1% difference may be better than par for the course! %^)

Jon

Date: 10 Aug 2007 12:36:39
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

Carl Ranford wrote:
:: I am riding an EZ-! Super Cruzer. It's a CLWB, and I am looking for
:: bike computer recommendations for units that have long enough
:: harnesses and will let you select the smaller wheel sizes, etc.
:: Cheap and available at nashbar is also good. Thank you very much.

I use a Cateye Astrale 8 on my Rans Stratus XP. It's a monster 'bent with
long handlebars. The speed sensor and cadance sensor had plenty of reach
without any need for rear mount or extra kits. It is inexpensive and has a
good display.

Date: 10 Aug 2007 10:58:42
From: Jon
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

"Carl Ranford" <Craniac@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1186689783.654744.20100@j4g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I am riding an EZ-! Super Cruzer. It's a CLWB, and I am looking for
> bike computer recommendations for units that have long enough
> harnesses and will let you select the smaller wheel sizes, etc. Cheap
> and available at nashbar is also good. Thank you very much.
>

For the EZ1, if you plan to mount the cyclometer at the bottom
"U" of the handlebars, probably any cyclometer wire will be long
to reach with standard wiring kit. On my Tour Easy, I'm using a
Topeak Panorama purchased at W*lM*rt. The wire that came
with the Topeak is long enough to reach the bottom of the handlebar
on the TE and the wire run for the EZ1 looks to be similar length.

NOTE: Almost any cyclometer wire can be spliced to insert an
"extension". Some may be easier than others, due to size and type
of wires used on the original harness. Only basic tools ane skills
are required. Heat shrink tubing can make the result prettier.

Jon Meinecke

Date: 09 Aug 2007 19:31:06
From: Dart70ca
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

I have Sun EZ Sport and I got a Nextech cheapo from Circuit City
that fits on there. Didn't need the long wire for that one.
Recently tried mounting a Sigma on my mother's Sun EZTad trike and
for that you can order a long harness. It's not listed in their
recumbent accessories section on the website, though. You have to go
to the 'joggers and strollers' section to get the kit with 5 ft. wire.
Biggest problem I have is finding extender brackets so that you can
get the pickup close to the wheel when mounting on the rear wheel. The
trike has a massive triangulated rear dropout assembly in which the
wheel is not closer than 2 in. away at any point. Anyone have a fix
for that?
Sigma was really great to deal with and their stuff is cheap. I
don't think the computer and extender kit broke $30.

Keith

Date: 09 Aug 2007 20:37:11
From: Just A User
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

Date: 09 Aug 2007 17:37:28
From: Tom \Johnny Sunset\ Sherman
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

Carl Ranford wrote:
> I am riding an EZ-! Super Cruzer. It's a CLWB, and I am looking for
> bike computer recommendations for units that have long enough
> harnesses and will let you select the smaller wheel sizes, etc. Cheap
> and available at nashbar is also good. Thank you very much.

Any cyclometer that is listed as having a "rear wheel" sensor kit should
work on your EZ-1 SC. I have used CatEye computers with their rear wheel
kits on a RANS Rocket and Tailwind, and the cyclometer "head" unit could
be mounted in the center of the handlebars and the sensor on the front
wheel.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Date: 09 Aug 2007 22:25:30
From: Zebee Johnstone
Subject: Re: recumbent computer recommendations

In alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:03:03 -0700
Carl Ranford <Craniac@gmail.com > wrote:
> I am riding an EZ-! Super Cruzer. It's a CLWB, and I am looking for
> bike computer recommendations for units that have long enough
> harnesses and will let you select the smaller wheel sizes, etc. Cheap
> and available at nashbar is also good. Thank you very much.

Sigma do a "rear wheel kit" which will fit any of their speedos.
SHould be plenty long enough to fit your bike. Then you just pick the
speedo you want. They do a couple of cheapies.

No idea if nashbar has Sigma gear, if they do and the kit isn't listed
email them - I bought mine from Phantom who didn't advertise it on the
site but had no problem getting it for me.

Zebee