Cycling Computers Reviews » Battery Indicator

Sigma BC 2209 STS Triple Wireless + Alt Bicycle Speedometer

Cycling Computer Reviews — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:00:07 +0000

Sigma BC 2209 STS Triple Wireless + Alt Bicycle Speedometer

Triple wireless bicycle computer that doubles as hiking aide
Displays current speed, average speed, and maximum speed
Measures actual, average, and maximum heart rate
Measures current altitude, ascending/descending altitude, and max altitude
PC-compatible; temperature display; adjustable to 2 wheel sizes

Modern and multi-functional. This triple wireless computer features a large display and easy to navigate menu, perfect for hitting the hills by bike or on foot.Use the included wrist strap to transform it to a hiking computer with all the heart rate, time and altitude functionsGeneral Functions: Auto start/stop – Auto conversion between MPH & KMH – Large display with easy to read icons – 7 available languages – Integrated storage chip for data backup – Low battery indicator – 2 adjustable wheel

List Price: $ 149.99

Price: $ 103.94

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Knog Nerd 9 Function Bicycle Computer

Cycling Computer Reviews — Mon, 17 May 2010 06:34:17 +0000

Knog Nerd 9 Function Bicycle Computer Black

The Knog Nerd 9-Function Bicycle Computer offers a fun and efficient way to record your cycle stats with smart, simple functionality and painless tool/wire-free set up. Rather than hassling with connecting wires and rubber cutouts, the Nerd uses a silicon tension fit system that simply wraps around your handlebar or stem for your preferred vantage point. The wireless transmitter attaches the same way–so that you are good to go–finished with "installation" in seconds–and without a single tool. This super-speedy and easy installation also makes the Nerd a great computer to move between bikes.

After you have installed your Nerd it is time to experience the computer's functionality. The wireless Nerd will transmit information without interference from any of the cellular/electronic noise of your surroundings. With single button operation, the Nerd's face functions as one big button, allowing you to scroll between its nine functions with ease. Pressing the face allows you to either display individual functions or cycle through all available function screens in a looped sequence using scan mode. The computer allows you to view data through numeric representations as well as with visual representation bars that show your current speed versus your average speed.

With nine functions and the ability to maintain unique data between rides, the Nerd allows you to document, review, and analyze your riding data to your heart's content on and off the bike. The Nerd displays current speed and a 12/24 hour clock and computes your average speed, maximum speed, and relative speed output as a bar graph of your current versus average speed. In addition, the Nerd records trip distance and total riding time and has an odometer and low-battery indicator.

The Knog Nerd offers unequaled ease of use, ease of installation, and smart functionality for biking. The computer is also 100 percent waterproof for worry-free use in any weather conditions.

Features:

Animated rolling display
Touch screen functionality
Can be set up for use on two bikes

The Nerd 9-function bike computer comes in several striking colors.
Maintains unique data between rides
Simple tool-less attachment to handlebar or stem
No signal or function interference
100 percent waterproof
Materials: Medical grade silicon

Functions:

Current speed
12/24 hour clock
Trip distance
Average speed
Maximum speed
Relative speed gauge (output as a bar graph of current vs. average speed)
Total riding time
Odometer
Scanning (will display all functions in a looped sequence)
Low-battery indicator

Size Specifications:

Nerd Weight: 45 grams
Transmitter Weight: 39 grams
Main unit size: 53 x 51 x 40 millimeters
Transmitter size: 52 x 27 x 52 millimeters

Batteries:

1 CR2032 3V cell: N.E.R.D.
1 LR44 1.5V cell: Transmitter
Battery life: Approximately 1-2 years with normal operation

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Knog N E R D 12 Function Black Cycle Computer

Cycling Computer Reviews — Thu, 13 May 2010 07:37:16 +0000

Knog N E R D 12 Function Black Cycle Computer

Knog N.E.R.D. 12-Function Cycling Computers.

Functions include Current Speed; 12/24 hour clock; Trip Distance; Average Speed; Maximum Speed; Relative Speed Gauge (output as a bar graph of current vs average speed); Total Ride Time; Odometer; Scanning (displays all functions in a looped sequence); Low Battery Indicator; Multi-Bike Selection (accumulated speed and distance data for 2 different bikes can be stored); Distance Per Day; Display Backlight
All N.E.R.D. computers are wireless and coded to prevent interference and crosstalk
Animated rolling display with touch screen funtionality
Silicon tool-less attachment for transmitter and main unit
Main unit head will attach to handlebar or stem with reorientation of N.E.R.D. unit
100% waterproof
Displays in either metric or english units
Transmitter uses one LR44 1.5V battery, head uses one CR2032 battery
Transmitter weighs 39 grams, N.E.R.D. head weighs 45 grams

Item Specifications
Color	Black
Wireless	Yes
Heart Rate	No
GPS-Enabled	No
Cadence	No

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Sigma BC1106DTS Wireless Computer

Cycling Computer Reviews — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:44:57 +0000

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 BC1106 11 Function Topline Wired Bicycle Speedometer

Cycling Computer Reviews — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:42:52 +0000

SIGMA BC1106 11 function Topline Wired Bicycle Speedometer

General Functions:

7 language settings, Dot matrix LCD readout, watertight design
Low battery indicator
Backup function/through saving chip
Two wheel sizes adjustable
Clock and model name in standby

Bike Functions:

Actual speed
Average speed
Comparison of actual and average speed
Maximum speed
Trip distance
Total distance bikes 1+2

Time Functions:

Clock
Riding time
Total riding time bikes 1+2

What’s in the Box?
BC 1106 bicycle computer, two-piece spoke magnet set, bike sensor/receiver/mount with wire, 3-volt CR2032 lithium battery, 42mm O-ring, 32mm O-ring.

Manufacturer’s Warranty
Five-year warranty on defective parts or products.

About Sigma Sport
Sigma Sport represents German technology at its highest level, combining innovative design with precision engineering. Sigma tests all their products in their in-house laboratories to withstand the harshest conditions, ensuring quality continually throughout production. All Sigma Sport standard lights conform to the stringent German traffic standard, and all Sigma Sport products are CE-approved.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Sigma Sport BC1106 Wired Cycle
Hi All,

I did not receive the 2nd bike kit as noted in the product info. I had forgoten about it when I received the Sigma BC1106 till it was mentioned in the survey. The Sigme 1106 works great, does what I wanted and appears accurate. I would expect the company will acknowledge this omission.

art

5 Stars Does everything it is supposed to…..
That’s it, you need to read the fairly straightforward manual and install it correctly, but the bang for the buck here is teriffic. The wire is unobtrusive and I guess that the “unwired” version would have two batteries; one in the sending unit that seems to me would take more power and maybe go out quicker. My guess only.

If you have a bike path with mileage markers you can tweak the unit to your bike by changing the wheel size that you input in it, making it very accurate.

I find its more fun to know your speed, distance, average speed, etc., it gives you something to shoot for on your next ride. Plus it weighs about nothing; you could wear thinner socks and make up for it.

Have fun.

5 Stars several useful enhancements for a computer with basic functions
I recently bought one of these and now plan to buy another.

One thing I did not realize when I bought this computer is that it requires no tools to install, which is a nice feature. (Only if you want to mount it on the stem instead of the handlebar do you need a small Phillips.)

The real reason I bought it was my perpetual annoyance with every other computer I ever owned that changing the battery loses ALL data, e.g., mileage totals, wheel circumference, etc. This one promises to save all of that upon battery change, and I hope it does.

The wheel circumference chart in the little manual was quite accurate for me. On my first ride it showed 22.6 miles. I then plotted the route on Google Maps and got 22.3, so all I have to do is tweak it down a tiny bit.

Display is large with good contrast, and I had no problem reading it with my polarizing sunglasses, an issue I had with other computers. Beyond that, the basic functions are the basic functions.

5 Stars Great!!! make sure you know your whell size
This is a very good product and I have found it very usefull and accurate. This is what I think of it:

1. It was very easy to install and adjust. (Note you do not have to

place the reciever any were special on the fork, since it counts the

time it takes the wheel to rotate a revolution.)

2. The features are relevant and intuitive making it easy and simple to

check different things on it while riding.

3. It looks great and on my black and gray bike, you can hardly see

it!!!

Their is on I would like to explain on this though. After reading through the instructions carefully, (it wasn’t that hard) I realized that the wheel size that you had to put in it was the circumference of the outermost part of the wheel in centimeters (it is made in Germany). Meaning that for my fat mountain tire the size was 2,073, unlike my friend who had his at 2,600 (for a 26″ tire) meaning that he was going 25% faster than he actually was. So make sure measure correctly measure it.

5 Stars Cool little bike computer, Installation can be tricky.
This was my first bike computer and I’m happy with my choice. It does everything it’s designed to do quite well. There is a little bit of a learning curve as far as navigating through its options/functions but once you get it there no issue at all.

Installation was a little more involved then I thought it would be and I am very mechanically inclined. Nothing your average DIY’r can’t handle just some interesting things to deal with like placement of the magnet and dealing with, for my install anyway, an overly long sensor wire. You have to get a little creative to keep the wire secured and out of the way of moving parts.

The first mount/sensor wire assembly that I received with the computer was faulty. After much remounting and head scratching I called the US contact for Sigma. He was very helpful and told me that while every computer is tested for operation the mount and wire assembly are not. He sent out a replacement mount/wire (at no cost) and once I swapped it out the computer worked perfectly. I don’t I think I broke the wire on the first one as I was extremely careful with the installation but just in case, be careful as it is a small wire and you have to make several turns and twists to get installed.

The manual is one of those international mutli-language picture books. I hate them but if you spend some time deciphering it before you start you can get it done. As one of the other reviewers stated, getting you tire size right is critical to the accuracy of the computer. So spend a few extra minutes here and actually measure the circumference. Using the chart in the manual will get you close but not exact.

Once installed the combination of the double sided tape and rubber ring used to mount the computer to the stem or handlebars is actually quite secure. I have no fear of it coming off in normal use. A rubber ring is also used to mount the wheel magnet sensor to the fork. No tape is used here, probably to allow easier adjusting but doesn’t feel quite as secure because of this. I’ve had no problem but now that I have it positioned properly I may add some d/s tape or a wire tie to lock it in place. The spoke magnet locks on very securely but follow the instructions closely on this part.

I really like this product and the customer service was excellent. If it was stolen or lost I would by another immediately. Have fun with it.

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SIGMA BC1706HR DTS Wireless Bicycle Speedometer With Heart Rate Monitor

Cycling Computer Reviews — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:27:51 +0000

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

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!

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

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Sigma BC1106 DTS Wireless Cycling Computer 11 Function

Cycling Computer Reviews — Sat, 09 May 2009 03:12:18 +0000

Sigma BC1106 DTS Wireless Cycling Computer 11 Function

Sigma Cycling Computer BC 1106 DTS Wireless

General functions

Wireless transmission
7 languages
Low battery indicator
Backup memory
Two wheel size programmable

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

Cycling Computer Reviews — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:47:48 +0000

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

The digitally coded, the BC 2006 MHR DTS 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.

Digital Transmission explained.

The top model for heart rate measurement.

Digital Transmission System (DTS) Explained
With 2-channel radio transmission (km/h and pedal frequency) and 100% digital encoding without data loss, the DTS system guarantees 100% data security of current speed and pedal frequency values during wireless reception. It does this by calculating all relevant data, encoding it and transmitting it in data packets to the integrated receiver in the bike computer. Disturbances such as power lines or mobile phones are no longer a problem as transmission is carried out over the so-called low frequency. A double security system also ensures that only the data packets from your own transmitter are evaluated by the receiver. This means that group rides are no problem.

A further security measure is redundant data transmission so that no data can be lost. The size and quality of the receiver has also been optimized by a specially developed Sigma chip (ASIC) and integrated into the bike computer which also saves on battery life.

General Functions:

7 language settings, Dot matrix LCD readout, watertight design
LCD backlight
Low battery indicator
Backup function/through saving chip
Two wheel sizes adjustable
Clock and model name in standby

Heart rate functions:

Current heart rate
Average heart rate
Maximum heart rate

Bike Functions:

Current speed
Average speed
Comparison of actual and average speed
Maximum speed
Trip distance
Programmable trip section counter
Total distance bike 1*
Total distance bike 2*
Total distance bikes 1+2*

Time Functions:

Clock
Stop watch
Riding time
Total riding time bike 1*
Total riding time bike 2*
Total riding time bikes 1+2*
Programmable countdown timer forward/back

Altitude Measurement Functions:

Current altitude
Total altitude per day uphill/downhill
Total altitude uphill bike 1*
Total altitude uphill bike 2*
Total altitude uphill bike 1+2*
Current temperature

Walking functions:

Walking time
Current altitude
Total altitude per day uphill/downhill
Current temperature
Heart rate functions (like 1706 HR)
Timer
Clock

Manufacturer’s Warranty
Five-year warranty on defective parts or products.

User Ratings and Reviews

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?

1 Star Sigma wireless speedometer with Heart Rate Monitor
I thought this product was a good fit for my needs – an inexpensive wireless heartrate/speedometer. As it turns out, the directions for setting the unit were very difficult to follow and then the heart rate monitor stopped working within one week. now the battery is running low after about a month. I would have been much better off spending a few extra dollars up front to avoid the frustration and battery costs, not to mention that i now have a unit that doesn’t function as a heartrate monitor. very disappointing. the upside is you get to learn from my mistake rather than making it for yourself.

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).

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SIGMA BC1106 DTS Wireless Bicycle Speedometer

Cycling Computer Reviews — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:40:20 +0000

SIGMA BC1106 DTS Wireless Bicycle Speedometer

The BC 1106 with its diversity of functions is the right choice for the athletically ambitious biker. 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”. The set is equipped with a digital radio sensor. 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

2 Stars Not weatherproof
At the begining this product was working perfectly, to my surprise because this computures usually give you a hard time. This was until I went to to a trial with losts of water and lots of rain, and some water must have gotten into the trasnmiter, because it wont work anymore. The display turns on fine, but wont receive any signal. I believe, these wireless computers are not worth it, for this reason. It worked fine about 3 or 4 times. Lost my money.

5 Stars Great Computer
Easy set up and directions and great functionality. No problems what-so-ever picking up the wireless signal.

2 Stars Not very good, Blackburn is better
This one actually made me truly appreciate my Blackburn Delphi 4.0, even for all its own issues, it was so much better than this one. This one takes forever to sync after going to sleep and sometimes never does, almost always have to hit a button to wake it up. I’ve tried adjusting the sensor distance and gap, that’s not the issue. What is really awful is the accuracy and slow pace of updates. This reads ONLY IN .5 MPH INCREMENTS! That means accuracy is +/- .5 mph or AS MUCH AS A FULL 1 MPH! Furthermore, updates seem to be infrequent, as is obvious when braking. I’ll be at a dead stop for 3-4 seconds before it reads 0 mph. If you are a cyclist who seriously uses a cyclometer for feedback, this one is useless. There is no good way to tell if the gear change or extra effort you just put in are getting you any acceleration… things that are almost intuitive with the Blackburn, which reads to .1 mph and seems to update real-time. Oh, and those godawful rubber bands for mounting… Sure they are easy… until you screw up and one goes flying never to be seen again… And when you are done, the head unit swivels around the handlebars requiring adjustment constantly. This is really only a good cyclometer for casual users and kids. I would never recommend it to anyone who has a serious need for real-time and accurate performance feedback. I will be buying a Blackburn Delphi again soon. Even if it dies again after a year (note, a year for me is 8000-10000 miles, so expect yours to last longer), it’s a better deal because it does the job I need. This one is just a waste of handlebar space.

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SIGMA BC1606L DTS Wireless Bicycle Speedometer

Cycling Computer Reviews — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:14:03 +0000

SIGMA BC1606L DTS 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. Equipped with a digital radio sensor. 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

1 Star difficult
almost impossible to attach the front fork sensor, I would not reccommend this otherwise excellent product for the new carbon road bikes.

4 Stars Good enough but not the best
The first Sigma I got from Amazon seemed like refurbished. Its buttons were not ok, the counters were not in zero, the protection film was not in the correct place. Amazon replaced it promptly with another one that seems like new.

Installation was a breeze. Very easy and quick. Menu buttons are easy to use too. I bought the cadence kit and it works great with this computer. There are a few things that could be improved:

1) On some occasions the computer shows 0 speed though you are moving (and fast) and then it resumes showing the correct speed. I checked the distance between the magnets and also with the computer and things are correct. I adjusted distances and now the problem seldom occurs but it still happens.

2) Watch out! This product does not include the cadence kit. I must have misread the product descriptions since I missed that and ended up buying it separately. Still with Amazon’s best price I ended up paying a very good deal.

3) Speed is always displayed at the top and you can only change what is displayed at the bottom. This is not of a big deal to me but it could be to you.

Bottom line: I recommend this product considering its price, features and quality.

3 Stars Not Bad….. Using it for a Motorcycle Speedo…………..
I decided to purchase one of these for an alterative to my stardard MPH and milage guage for my motorcycle. I finally got the space and connections correct and it seems to work. A front motorcycle tire is a bit odd, compaired to a bicycle tire – size and travel. The speed has been off about 5-9 MPH slow and I will need to mess around with the tire size setup to dial it in. Should not be a problem………

But…… for milege, trip odometer, clock, light and other calculations, this unit should work close enough for what I’m looking for. I’m glad they sell replacment parts (sensors, etc) here for this bike computer !!

4 Stars Strange engineering – but effective
I have to admit to smiling at some of the comments about mounting the sensors on this computer. The O-ring mounting system is a bit odd. I think wire-ties would be more effective, but I mounted a Trek wireless for my gf and it had it’s problems too, so I’m not sure I’ve seen a really well done mounting system yet. I would like to see a system where the mount and the sensor are separate, like my ToPeak seat bag or my tail light. Then lots of sticky, gooey, rubber stuff and zip ties to squeeze the gooey rubber stuff into the EXACT shape of the fork & chain-stay. I like the cadence zip-tie mount better than the speed sensor O-ring mount, but if you mount the speed sensor on a road bike on the left side it works perfectly. (always mount a sensor on the down-side of the wheel spin so if your wheel ingests a stick it will not pull your sensor into the wheel, ruin it and send you flying over the handle bars)

I have a mountain bike and I think this could be mounted successfully on a shocked fork, just drive down the the auto parts store and shell out $2 for an assortment of O-rings. Destroying the device because you can’t think outside the box enough to see the mounting gear wasn’t intended for the gargantuan forks of a mountain bike is pretty sorry. You could also just take the 2 O-rings supplied, put one on each side of the sensor and zip-tie them together on the back side. If you can’t think your way through a simple problem like this please stay away from carbon bikes which have torque specs all over the place that are at very close tolerances. (use Krytox pure Teflon grease to prevent spalling on things like seat-post clamps and seat adjustment screws – or your torque feel will be waaaaay off)

My only beef with this computer is I wish the buttons were marked as I tend to forget which buttons I need to push to reset everything from my last trip and end up trying to read the display in Polish or inadvertently turn off the cadence sensor. There are 4 buttons, M1, M2, S, R… wouldn’t kill them to mark the face or offer an optional flange that is marked. I’d like to see them ditch the button names and just use button colors instead. Simple, effective, no-brainer. Oh, the sensors are very attractive, and have very large (and long-lasting?) batteries, but especially the cadence sensor is HUGE!

I bought the computer and speed sensor for $60 and tax at REI, and spent $16 here and shipping to get the cadence sensor, so this is a great price.(REI sells the cadence capable 1606L, but doesn’t sell the cadence sensor – stupid and annoying!) All in, it cost me about $85 and took a week to get the whole system together, but I needed the speed part bad enough I paid the price. Ouch!!! (When your riding partner is also a bike mechanic you have to go along with his RX once and awhile or find another riding partner! ) Relative to the Trek sensors, Sigma’s magnets are waaaaaay better. All in all it is a very well made system, I just think the mounting could be done better.

UPDATE: 5/2/2008

I am remounting the cadence sensor using O-rings. The rubber O-rings grip the frame a lot better than any hard plastic zip-tie, and thereby hold the sensors in place much more effectively.

UPDATE II: 5/19/2008

I have now ridden 2 centuries with this and done a few dozen training rides and am developing a love-hate relationship with it. When it works, it’s awesome, but, on the first century when I was trying to pace myself to catch up to my riding partner, the speed stopped displaying. On the century this weekend the cadence sensor stopped displaying (synch problem I assume)after a rest stop. Tired, and bucking strong headwinds is exactly when I need a cadence count. This kind of flaky performance is NOT, NOT, NOT acceptable and must be fixed.

On the other hand, it’s very accurate, it survived a training ride crash with flying colors, and familiar now with the controls and operation I appreciate a lot of the small things – like the lower right button being used to step through the kind of data needed during a ride. When mounted on the right side of the handlebar stem this means you can still grip the handlebar firmly with your right hand and step through the data displays with just your thumb pressing forward. Aside from a fix for the infuriating lack of reliability, a nice feature that could be easily added would be crank rotations per ride calculated as average cadence times number of minutes, or the actual count of cadence triggers. This would be exactly analogous to steps on a pedometer. I have not used this device at night – yet. Can this device’s firmware be updated? If not, why not?

Finally, I remounted the cadence sensor with the O-ring AND a single zip tie. I worry about twisting out of my pedals and knocking the sensor off with my heel. I also worry about it growing legs and walking off when I’m not looking. It’s requires a bit of finesse to use both mounting systems together, but didn’t budge in a 20mph crash.

UPDATE III: 6/9/2008

I changed the battery in the main unit and all of the flaky errors seem to have disappeared. These batteries are pretty cheap so I wish Sigma would just ship the computer without the batteries and cut the price $5. I had a problem with the speed sensor getting out of position relative to its trigger. I don’t know if the sensor slipped down the fork on a sheen of Carnuba wax or if my mechanic moved the trigger on the spoke when he trued the wheels. In either case, if the speed indicator is acting up, keep this simple check in mind.

I’d really like way-points on my computer so I can record the time and distance to significant points on my training rides – like how far to the next water and bathroom. Right now I have about 20 way-points I build rides out of by mixing and matching. It would be a lot easier to do this if I could press a button and say “record all my ride stats at this point”. Temp would be nice too, but I have that function in a cheap Casio watch, so not really missing that much.

UPDATE IV: 8/3/2008

Quite unexpectedly, I’ve now found a use for MINIMUM speed. I built a gear chart in Excel that gives gear ratios and speed based on average cadence. (another great use of the average cadence number this computer provides – in addition to torque * cadence to compute power output) So what low gears do I need for the kind of climbs I’ve started doing? Ummm, I don’t know exactly because I don’t have minimum speed or cadence. If I had minimum speed I could use a target cadence and compute the required gearing. As a general rule, if it CAN be calculated, then please do so. Somebody is going to find a good use for it.

UPDATE V: 9/9/2008

Down-shifting early, and spinning out the approach to a short hill, I glanced at the computer and got a cadence of 102 after having slowed down a bit. What was my max cadence for the ride? Who knows. One more thing this could easily accumulate and display (oh for the lack of a few 16 bit registers…sigh). Cadence, both max and min, matter a lot when working to optimize your gearing and shifting. This would be at least as useful as the up and down arrow display to indicate whether you are above or below average speed – which is only meaningful if you are riding on flat terrain. Such an arrow would be a lot more useful for cadence, which should be fairly constant no matter the terrain, or wind.

1 Star Not for mountain bikes with front shocks
I bought this product in a real store which is entirely independent of Amazon. I decided to write this review just to save others the trouble I had.

This is obviously designed for road bikes without consideration for mountain bikes. Maybe I should have known, but the package didn’t say I *couldn’t* use it for my mountain bike.

The first problem I had was rotating part of the computer mount 90 degrees by unscrewing very small screws with no tool included for doing so. Luckily I had a screwdriver that was small enough (they’re about the size of glasses screws.)

The second problem, and the deciding factor by far, was installation of the sensor. The sensor is to be held on by a thick O-ring which the installer must first fit into one part of the sensor, then pull around the fork and hook into the other end of the sensor. The first problem with this was that I had to pull back a piece of padding on the sensor to even access the slot to put the ring into. When pulling it back, the padding tore off entirely because it was only hot-glued on and there was no real bond to the case. It fit back on and the pressure of the case against the fork was enough to hold it in place, so I proceeded. Next, the O-ring was entirely too thick for the slot provided. I had to stretch it so much that I thought it was going to snap, and even then I had to poke it into the slot with a screwdriver. Not easy to do when one hand is holding the case and part of the ring and the other is stretching the hell out of the ring. That went in finally, and I put the dislocated padding back on.

Upon trying to wrap the O-ring around the fork, I found that it took considerable force to stretch it. So much so that I couldn’t mount the sensor facing the right direction because I couldn’t get enough leverage if I did. At some point I was impressed at how strong the sensor was since it looked so cheap. That didn’t last long. I heard a little bit of cracking, but I had to rotate the case about 180 degrees so that it was oriented correctly. I heard a lot more cracking as I rotated it. I finally took the sensor off and tried to mount it facing the right way so that I wouldn’t have to rotate it. By now the ring was very stretched out, but just as I got it attached to the second slot (which required a finger to put the top part in and a hex wrench to pry the other end in) the entire case split in half. By “split in half” I mean that I was looking right at the *back* of the battery on one half and the bottom of the PC board on the other half. I thought about super gluing it back together for half a second, but then thought that doing so would prevent me from getting my money back.

I’m sure this is a great computer, but you’re probably better off with a wired sensor that requires bolting on. I say this even if you have a road bike with thin forks because the case + installation system has a major flaw which causes the two poorly-bonded sides of the sensor case to be pulled directly apart. In fact, if I *wanted* to break the case open for some reason, I would choose the two points where the O-ring attaches and would pry it apart. The O-ring does essentially that, so it’s only a matter of time before the sensor splits on *any* bike.

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SIGMA BC1606L DTS Wireless Bicycle Speedometer is a post from: Cycling Computers Reviews

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