| Bike Computer / Altimeter |
On our journey through Latin America and Africa both the
van and Rich struggled with the thinner air of altitude and
the steep hills in the mountains. While there was little we
could do to change terrain, we became more aware of how
high we had traveled and the elevation of the route ahead.
Traveling by bikes makes this information even more critical.
Even though it is not perfect, the device does tell us how
many feet or meters we have climbed, how far we have
ridden, the temperature, time and a few other less useful
features.
van and Rich struggled with the thinner air of altitude and
the steep hills in the mountains. While there was little we
could do to change terrain, we became more aware of how
high we had traveled and the elevation of the route ahead.
Traveling by bikes makes this information even more critical.
Even though it is not perfect, the device does tell us how
many feet or meters we have climbed, how far we have
ridden, the temperature, time and a few other less useful
features.
UPDATE: We like it! Maps often print the highest
point of a mountain pass and Rich often counts along
with the altimeter as we climb. While it is not
perfectly accurate, it's not bad.
point of a mountain pass and Rich often counts along
with the altimeter as we climb. While it is not
perfectly accurate, it's not bad.
A bike computers with a built
in altimeter seemed like a
logical feature. In the real
world the function does not
work as well as we hoped.
The measure depends on
barometric pressure.
Distortion is caused when the
weather (pressure) changes.
in altimeter seemed like a
logical feature. In the real
world the function does not
work as well as we hoped.
The measure depends on
barometric pressure.
Distortion is caused when the
weather (pressure) changes.
| We have not been sponsored by any company. If a product stinks, we'll tell you. |
UPDATE 2: While talking with other cycle travelers
we have discovered that the bike computer is the
thing that fails often. The most common problem is
the cable or mounting bracket getting damaged.
Rich has had to repair his twice in the first month. It
may be wise to carry a spare one. Cateye sells a
heavy duty version.
we have discovered that the bike computer is the
thing that fails often. The most common problem is
the cable or mounting bracket getting damaged.
Rich has had to repair his twice in the first month. It
may be wise to carry a spare one. Cateye sells a
heavy duty version.
UPDATE 3 IT FAILED!. The wiring harness it too
fragile. The wire is covered with a thin, rubbery
coating that allows the cable to crimp easily. Rich's
got crimped in three different places over five
months. Each time he would peel off the coating,
repair the wire and cover it with more durable tape.
Finally, one of the plastic button pulled off. Cateye
should be ashamed.
fragile. The wire is covered with a thin, rubbery
coating that allows the cable to crimp easily. Rich's
got crimped in three different places over five
months. Each time he would peel off the coating,
repair the wire and cover it with more durable tape.
Finally, one of the plastic button pulled off. Cateye
should be ashamed.
| We purchased much of our gear second-hand through ebay |