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msommers
03-28-2012, 08:33 PM
Looking at getting the Cateye CC-RD300W Strada Wireless Bicycle Computer. Curious if anyone has used it before - seems well reviewed.

EDIT: Oops just noticed it doesn't measure cadence. The RD400 does though. Looking for something small, wireless preferably and measure cadenace, speed and distance accurately.

swak
03-28-2012, 11:48 PM
Polar CS600 is where i'd start if i were you.
... Upgradable, can upload on your computer your rides stats, etc...
And HR Monitor.

Cateye, good cad. and speed computer though, don't get me wrong (as stated the cateye is about 1/3 the price of a good polar computer setup)

Or a Garmin 500 is gonna run you staring about $500 and that'll be a sick computer, w/ GPS speed accuracy! where Polar is around $300 (IMO, Polar has the best Computer software for data available - with J. Friel standing behind it!)

HHURICANE1
03-29-2012, 08:39 AM
Cateye Strada Wireless w/Cadence is pretty good. I have one and it does the job nicely.

98type_r
03-29-2012, 09:40 AM
Garmin Edge 500, it's $225 at MEC but you'll need to buy the cadence sensor for an additional $50. You get a bigger display with more info than the Cateye, definitely worth the money IMO. I used to run strictly cateye computers until I went gps based, been using my old Edge 305 for a good 3/4 years now and no complaints.

EDIT: Bow Cycle is having an hourly special on Saturday from 11:00-noon on computers, GPS and HR monitors
http://www.bowcycle.com/bc12/blue-light-sale/

CLiVE
03-29-2012, 10:48 AM
I run a garmin 405 with the handlebar mount, and speed/cadence sensor. No complaints - other than the small screen.

msommers
03-29-2012, 11:04 AM
Originally posted by 98type_r
Garmin Edge 500, it's $225 at MEC but you'll need to buy the cadence sensor for an additional $50. You get a bigger display with more info than the Cateye, definitely worth the money IMO. I used to run strictly cateye computers until I went gps based, been using my old Edge 305 for a good 3/4 years now and no complaints.

EDIT: Bow Cycle is having an hourly special on Saturday from 11:00-noon on computers, GPS and HR monitors
http://www.bowcycle.com/bc12/blue-light-sale/

Would you say that the Garmin is more accurate than the Cateye you were using before? ~300 w/ tax is more than I was hoping to spend. The worst part is I'm taking a diving course this weekend and won't be able to make it down to Bowcycle for their sales :(

I can get the RD400 (http://www.amazon.com/Cateye-CC-RD400DW-Wireless-Cycling-Computer/dp/B002HHQNL4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333040538&sr=8-1) from Amazon shipped for ~90 and comes with the cadence sensor.

Just curious what makes the Garmin basically 3x better. If it's worthwhile then I don't mind (relucantly) but from the specs I'm not so sure what separates them so vastly on price.

swak
03-29-2012, 12:41 PM
Cateye is very accurate (I wouldn't say garmin is noticably better - but their margin of error is definitely lower.. Not a huge deal tho, I don't think I'd notice a big difference.

But gps is always more accurate than a magnet reading.

HHURICANE1
03-29-2012, 01:26 PM
Accuracy is all in how well you set it up. They all allow you to input the wheel diameter to get the best accuracy for your tire size and weight. If you want a setup that takes no fiddling then a GPS computer is what you want. I've used both (I have a Garmin 800 right now) and don't think they are a whole lot different accuracy wise. The 800 is nice because of the mapping features and some of the more advanced stuff it does. But it comes at a cost.

msommers
03-29-2012, 02:24 PM
Sounds like the Garmin might be the way to go then. Is anyone heading down to Bow this weekend they could pick one up for me? I could email you money ahead of time if need-be.

swak
03-29-2012, 02:35 PM
Originally posted by msommers
Sounds like the Garmin might be the way to go then. Is anyone heading down to Bow this weekend they could pick one up for me? I could email you money ahead of time if need-be.

I'll most likely be there :angel:

But couldn't pick one up for you...
Im contemplating going from my Garmin800 to a 500 though, so i could sell you my 800 w/ everything for the cost of a 500 if you want though...
Just gotta think about that a little more before i stand behind that deal.

msommers
03-29-2012, 02:38 PM
Damn I was hoing you might be able to haha. Nah I think this is the one I'm after and definitely the max I want to be spending on a computer. There are other things that need to have my money thrown at them on this bike :rofl:

98type_r
03-29-2012, 03:47 PM
I'll be there with the wife, was going to pick one up for her bike. As long as they don't sell out (11:30 is the earliest we can make it there) I'll be able to pick one up for you.

msommers
03-29-2012, 03:52 PM
Oh man that would be amazing! Thank you!!

msommers
04-01-2012, 06:36 PM
Just a heads up for folks wanting the same Garmin unit....get the cadence sensor on Amazon.CA. It's 35 bucks compared to the 50 at MEC and 80 at Bow. Cool little unit, just playing around with it so far.

HHURICANE1
04-01-2012, 09:44 PM
Don't forget the heart rate monitor while you're at it.

msommers
04-03-2012, 06:46 PM
Do you find those are accurate or particularly useful for you? I was thinking about it but wasn't sure I'd get much use out of it :dunno:

HHURICANE1
04-03-2012, 07:06 PM
I find it useful. Most decent H/R monitors are pretty accurate these days. Helps to know how hard you are working. A power meter is a more accurate way of recording work but are WAY more expensive. ($1000+). That's next on the list of must have toys. :D

Khyron
04-03-2012, 09:12 PM
I use a 310XT with quickrelease to switch from wrist to bike. Have the HR and the cad sensor, and a powertap which I think is worth it. If you never run and the unit will stay on the bike then the Edge is pretty nice.

HHURICANE1
04-04-2012, 08:54 AM
I'm waiting until the Garmin Vector pedals come out.

swak
04-05-2012, 04:43 PM
Originally posted by HHURICANE1
I'm waiting until the Garmin Vector pedals come out.

x2!!
Probably won't be out til late season unfortunately though...
Keeps getting delayed. "Garmin's gotta figure out how to make em work first" :bigpimp:

They're gonna be ~$2000 though :thumbsdow

HHURICANE1
04-05-2012, 07:32 PM
I've seen ~$1500, but ya, you gotta pay to play. :D Velonews is saying summer now. Who knows? Powertap can be a bit cheaper but then you are stuck with one wheel all the time. SRM Is $3000+ and Quark isn't much better and hard to move bike to bike.

Khyron
04-05-2012, 08:59 PM
Originally posted by HHURICANE1
then you are stuck with one wheel all the time.

I only ride one bike at a time and wheel moves nicely. :D

swak
04-05-2012, 09:06 PM
Well you can swap a wheel pretty easily (faster to change wheels than tires!, but from CDN retailers you won't be seeing anything at the 1500 price point.

... But you know what I do, we can prolly come close.. And fromn the CDN distro's summer is prolly not gonna happen to be honest

HHURICANE1
04-05-2012, 09:55 PM
Originally posted by swak
And from the CDN distro's summer is prolly not gonna happen to be honest

Probably not. I likely won't be doing anything this year anyway. Would rather have a new bike first!

phreezee
04-11-2012, 10:27 AM
Vapor-ware: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/garmin-vector-power-meter-release-date-pushed-back-33677/?CPN=RSS&SOURCE=BRGENHOME