Cycling Computers Reviews

SIGMA BC1606L CADENCE DTS Double Wireless Bicycle Speedometer

Sigma’s top model…the BC 1606L DTS wireless provides a better overview of the essential information during a ride by hiding the total accumulated functions and cadence if not installed. The backlight gives optimal readability of this information even in the dark. An integrated storage chip prevents the loss of set values during battery change as features such trip section counter, timer, and second wheel size are programmable. The complete set is equipped with a digital radio sensor and wireless cadence set. The receiver is integrated into the bike computer. Low battery indicator – on-time battery change reminder. Integrated storage chip – pre-settings and total values are retained during battery change. Active mode without total values – total values faded while riding to enable better focusing on the necessary functions. Bike 2 Sensor – total values faded while riding to enable better focusing on the necessary functions. Backlight – optimal readability even after nightfall. Water resistant.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Problems getting started! Save $ and aggro and go with a Cat Eye
I purchased this computer despite the negative reviews and got bit. Installation is relatively simple for anyone who can change a battery, but the instructions are horrific, diagrams only and very unorganized. Installed the cadence transmitter, speed / spoke magnet and computer in a few minutes, but I had difficulty getting the speed sensor to align on my Cinelli’s ovalized fork and the magnet to stay secure on my bladed spokes. It just never appeared to sit well on the fork, so I used double sided foam tape and heavier zip ties than those provided and epoxyed the magnet to the spoke.

I experienced the same “battery” issues (2 DOA) and installed 4 fresh batteries so I wouldn’t have to mess with it later. I also had a real problem with a defective speed sensor, which necessitated a return. The customer service rep was friendly, helpful, recognized that the manual s&%$ed and sent anew sensor and revised(?) manual diagram for the speed sensor install within 2 days. I guess you get what you pay for! Thoma59

1 Star Great Design, But Performance is Challenging
I bought this based upon bike store recommendation after having 3 Cateye’s fail in the past 3 years. Installation was very easy once I figured it out (the manual is only marginally helpful). I really like the display – very easy to read for those of us over 40. The O’rings do not hold the speed and cadence sensors very secure – they tend to move out of alignment while going over bumps. I trashed the cadence sensor when it slipped into the spokes after going over a bump during a ride. The speed sensor periodically cuts out, then restarts after a minute or 2. Overall, I am dissapointed.

4 Stars roduct is super
This product has a clean display, works very well. Only gripe is that the rotating magnet(that is fixed to the spokes) has to be very close to the sensor that is attached to the front fork. It cant be more than 5 mm at the most. the specified 20 mm is imaginary. wont work.

But otherwise, the product is a great buy. no regrets.

1 Star Invest in something better – this doesn’t last!
I was looking for a wireless computer with cadence, an easy to read display and easy to use while riding. This did pretty well at first. I got “blank outs” on speed and distance every few miles, but they didn’t last more than a minute or so. The computer then “guesses” at the distance missed and your distance suddenly increases. This adds up over time to an inaccurate reading on a long ride. I was slightly irritated with this quality, but lived with it. Now 7 months after I got it, it’s got a mind of it’s own. It works perfectly for a while, and then can’t find the speed or distance (but can do cadence!) So on a 20 mile ride I’ll come home with it reading 4.8 miles. (Yes, I’ve replaced the batteries, no change.) The odometer reads 35,182 (that happened after I passed the 1,000 mile mark). It’s so irritating and frustrating now, that I just use it as a clock and will be looking for a longer lasting replacement. You get what you pay for. Invest wisely.

1 Star The bad reviews are true
Well, you get what you pay for.

After reading the reviews and seeing how this is supposed to be mounted I made extra sure to get an industrial strength double sided tape and mounted the unit.

It lasted 3 rides, then I hit a bump and the unit flew of my bike, after it hit my spokes.

Do not purchase this product.

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Sigma BC1106DTS Wireless Computer

The BC 1106 DTS with its diversity of functions is the right choice for the athletically ambitious biker. DTS stands for digital transmission system, which provides zero cross talk with other computers. The integrated storage chip prevents loss of pre-settings and total values during battery change, which is announced in due time by the low battery indicator. Two wheel size settings are possible, which can be recognized automatically with an optional “BIKE 2 transmitter”. With the wireless receiver integrated into the bike computer, it can be mounted on your stem or bars.

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SIGMA BC1606L 16 Function Topline Wired Bicycle Speedometer

The BC 1606L provides a better overview of the essential information during a ride by hiding the total accumulated functions and cadence if not installed. The backlight gives optimal readability of this information even in the dark. An integrated storage chip prevents the loss of set values during battery change as features such trip section counter, timer, and second wheel size are programmable. Dot Matrix display – clearer display through full text indication between values. Active mode without total values – total values faded while riding to enable better focusing on the necessary functions. Backlight – optimal readability even after nightfall.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great computer for the money
I couldn’t be happier with this computer. The install was very simple. The hardest part of the install was snapping the rubber bands into place. The back light was the main reason I got this computer and I can’t complain.

Amazon is the best place for this because of the free shipping. No where on the description does it mention the cadence kit, but it is INCLUDED with the computer.

1 Star Piece of crap…
I bought this product recently, and tried to install it today but it just broke shortly after I thought I got it to work… this really is a piece of junk.

5 Stars Super value!
I am not an avid MB rider but I do like to keep track of my weekly riding distances and times. This device was perfect. I like the ability to simply twist it off the base when I leave the bike in public. Its very accurate, I checked it against my car odometer. I considered buying a high end model with the HR monitor, but I was unsure about the quality of the manufacturer. Im convinced that I shouldve bought the highest end model based on how nice this one is. Dont hesitate get one!

5 Stars Great Unit!!!!!!!
I not only use this on my bicycle but adapted it to my motorcycle! Yep- it works great for that too! Easy to use, reliable, easy to read, easy to install. I would recommend it to anyone.

5 Stars Sigma BC1606L
Have had the opportunity to use this a few times since purchase. NO complaints. The nightlight option is ideal–stays off unless you hit a button and can turn option off completely to conserve battery. I’ve not spent much money on computers in the past, but I know what I wanted and got it all for a great price. I bought 3 and am putting it on 3 of my bikes.

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SIGMA BC1706HR DTS Wireless Bicycle Speedometer with Heart Rate Monitor

The BC 1706 HR with DTS is the perfect solution for all fitness-oriented cyclists. In addition to the trusted BC 1606L DTS bike and time functions the BC 1706 HR also measures heart rate. The current, maximum and average heart rate are measured as precisely as an ECG for precise training control. Both the speed and heart rate are coded and transferred to the BC by radio waves (digital and coded). All bike, time and heart rate values are easily and clearly read from the 3-line display. Low battery indicator – on-time battery change reminder. Integrated storage chip – pre-settings and total values are retained during battery change. Active mode without total values – total values faded while riding to enable better focusing on the necessary functions. Bike 2 Sensor – total values faded while riding to enable better focusing on the necessary functions. Backlight – optimal readability even after nightfall. Water resistant.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Wasted money
This thing simply does not work. I wish I had gone ahead and spent more money and gotten something useful.

5 Stars very good product
This is the best HR monitor for my bike riding I have ever had. I have owned three or four over the years of a different brand.

Thank you

5 Stars Nice little device for a novice user.
This is the first bike computer I ever bought or used. The instructions are not the best. There are a lot of illustrations (pictures), but no worded instructions on the physical installation. It lacked specific details, but the pictures were pretty much self explanatory, so it wasn’t too bad. Then I followed the setup instructions, which were much better (worded instructions w/pictures). I noticed the display was acting a little “whacky”, and the backlight didn’t work. The characters would be jumbled up when switching modes. After a while of this, I found it to be a weak battery. I changed the battery and everything worked like a charm! It has a lot of functions, and so far they all seem very accurate. Nice little device!

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SIGMA BC2006MHR DTS Wireless Bicycle Speedometer with Heart Rate Monitor and Altimeter

Measures altitude, heart rate, speed and temperature – all in one. The digitally coded BC 2006 MHR combines the classic features of a wireless bike computer with the most important altitude, heart rate and temperature functions. With the easy to operate 4-button navigation, mountain specialists and touring cyclists have fast access to all the important information on their ride. You can read 4 current values (altitude, heart rate, speed and another optional function) in one clear screen. All the functions on the computer can also be used off the bike using the special hiking mode. Integrated storage chip – pre-settings and total values are retained during battery change. Walking mode – additional benefits from use as a hiking computer. Includes hiking fastener. Other features include: 2 Wheel sizes, Low battery indicator, backup function, LCD backlight, 7 language selection

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star locks up and stops registering
If you stop to talk to friends this bike computer will lock up and get in a state that no longer registers speed. The only way to reset it is to take it out of the mount and put it back in, not very safe when you’re trying to ride along. The rubber band mounts did not fill me with confidence and I came back to my garage one day to find the sensor on the ground. good job that didn’t happen on a ride. The provided bands are not big enough to go around mtb suspension forks. Try a VDO MC1.0 Wired Cycle Computer instead it’s much better (but no Heart Rate Monitor).

3 Stars Filling in the blanks from prior reviews
I’ve had this unit for 6 months. It pretty much works as advertised, but-battery life and magnet strength in Xmitter is questionable. The sender has to be about 1-2 mm from the battery. That’s a pretty tight fit, esp with carbon front forks. As the battery on the sender weakens, there’s no real communication from it to tell what the problem is (I got a “Too Many Signals” error). On the computer unit, Temperature gauge isn’t accurate, reads way too high, and there doesn’t seem to be any way to calibrate it. The manual is thorough and detailed, but somehow confusing (What can I say? It’s written by English speakers, not English thinkers)

On the positive side, The readout is very clear; you can do individual parameter resets, the rubber bands (o-rings really) are pretty tough, I haven’t broken one yet, and it has a dual mount, stem or handlebar, which was very important for me, as I put safety brakes on my handle bar, which ate up real estate. At 120 bucks, it’s pricey, but at 83? IMO that’s getting into bargain territory for the feature set.

1 Star The sigma bicycle computer is a REAL PICE OF JUNK
I used this imitation of bicycle computer for a little more than a month with terrible results it just never work, I really do not have words to describe this nusty mistake I made buying it. I finally replace it with a real computer that cost me about $25.00 dollars a cateye by the way this nusty product (the sigma) cost me $120.00 dollars sorry I do no give it not even a star. it end at trash can.

1 Star JUNK!
The other reviews are pretty much true, one obviously works for Sigma. This ‘Computer’ is junk. Just to add, I’ve used this for 3 months. I wanted it for its heart rate monitor and altimeter readings. The HRM that you strap on has the battery compartment opening against the skin, so when you sweat it stops working and has to be dried out- so half way through my ride I get no heart readout. The altimeter just gives you the current altitude, it doesn’t tell you what your degree of climb is! Why not- it has the information in the ‘computer’ but can’t calculate the degree of the hill I’m on? Don’t waste your money, I won’t get burned by Sigma again.

Now I’m using my Nokia E66 handy with GPS, at least I can upload my ride and review my stats online.

1 Star waste of time and money
terrible instructions and a bad install setup – do you really want to be driving a set screw into your spoke? then i never could get the transmitter and head unit to sync. the main brands are so much easier to get working why bother?

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