Wired Bike Computer

I've used CatEye biking computers for years on several different bikes, so I was familiar with the basic setup. But for the Velo 9 I found the mostly illustrated instructions confusing, because I wanted to specify the exact circumference of my tires to get accurate distance readings. And I didn't care to measure this manually. I might have chosen 700c but looking carefully I saw that this could give (an unspecified) difference from my own tire circumference. The solution was to choose the 205 option (which is a choice for circumference) and then increment this number the the one indicated in the table of various sizes. So following the illustrations I incremented the number (first units, then tens) to the size indicated in the table for 700-38c tires, which is 218. Pressing and holding the mode button completed the choice for size. From there everything was familiar except my installation which was different from typical, in which the magnet and sensor are mounted on a front wheel. I am using the Velo 9 on a bicycle attached to a trainer so I wanted to measure revolutions of the rear wheel. The wire from the sensor to the display is too short to reach the handlebars, but luckily my bike, a Schwinn CrissCross, has a step-through top tube that is lower than the typical male bike and the wire does reach from the rear to near the front of the top tube. One question I had about choosing the CatEye Velo 9 was what is the difference between Velo 7 and Velo 9? The answer was on the second page of the setup instructions - Velo 9 is identical except that it can calculate Calories and Carbon Offset (CO2). If I had known this I would have opted for the slightly cheaper Velo 7. I had not seen a list of differences anywhere else. I am pleased with my setup and with the displays of the Velo 9. It works well for me.

A great basic cyclo-computer! Here is what I like -- ++ Very easy to scroll thru the different functions -- time, distance, average speed, etc. One button! ++ WIRED connection. No cell phone interference, no extra battery, no clunky sensor. Install and forget. ++ Not too flashy, so less likely to draw unwanted attention or detract from the bike ++ Battery life in years (based on using several similar Cateye computers) What is not perfect -- -- The spoke mounted magnet needs a better mount. -- The handlebar mount is just a couple of ty-wraps -- but it does work for me. -- The CO2 and calorie functions are a bit silly for me. Got about 100km / 65 miles on my Velo 9, and it has been just what I expected. Friendly advice -- when you are setting yours up, choosing the KM vs. Miles setting is the first step. If you skip it, you cannot go back (at least, I could not figure out how). So make sure to check it when you start -- mine was set to KM and I missed it, so had to set up twice. Updated after a year -- very pleased with this cyclocomputer. It is easy to remember the functions, like resetting the trip odometer. The mount has held up well, even tho it gets removed a lot for security. Still on the original battery. Easy to read in either the sunshine or cloudy days. Overall, a solid little computer.

Install was straight forward but can't turn it on! Why? Because the battery came with ZERO voltage. Yup a 3 year Panasonic battery deader than dead. Checked it with my fluke 789 process meter I use for work every day. I will have to update this review after I get a chance to go out to the store and buy a new battery for a shiny new bike computer.that currently does... Nothing! ***UPDATE!! So took it on 25 mile ride today and it did great! After I had to go to a store and spend 5 bucks on a new battery. (This 2032 battery type is supposed to last 10 years on the shelf so don't know what how old it was in shelf years before I got it.) I had got this just so I could track speed, total miles, and trip miles and because the unit is small enough to go in my pack and large enough to read easily. I could see the display great even under shady trees with my polarized shades ;-) Moving thru the menu and setup was a breeze you will just need something small to hit the reset button and set button on the back. I have 29"X 2.2 Tires on my mountain bike which are not in the Auto setup selection but when you measure it out it comes to 230 CM it takes whole numbers so truncate the decimal for those who like to be exact. I had 3 other bikers on the trip out of the 9 who had different bike computers and GPS biking apps and after 25 miles we were all within a 10th of a mile. I like the wired unit because it also does the Auto on and off it "should" save the battery this time. The mount on the handle bars is a little cheap but for under 20 why should I expect something bullet proof? I am going to get some handle grip wrap and put that under the mount.⇦another reviewer idea. SO 4 out of 5 stars in my book for the handlebar mount and the battery issue.

UPDATE 08/15/2020: To get direct readout of cadence, set wheel circumference to 166cm. Magnet(s) (I stacked two magnets on one spoke of the chainwheel. 8.6kph on the display equals 86 rpm. I found it easy to read on the Velo 9. Per a hack I found online, I use my Velo 9 as a cadence meter. I use the sensor to detect magnets that are mounted on the smallest front chainwheel on my bike. When setting up the Velo 9: - Select km/h as your speed unit - If you have a four-spoke chainring, enter 208cm as your tire circumference - If you have a five-spoke chainring, enter 167cm as your tire circumference When you are pedaling, the km/h number displayed on the Velo 9 will be 1/2 your actual cadence. (Actual cadence can’t be displayed because the biggest number that be entered for tire circumference is 299cm.) UPDATE 08/15/2020: To get direct readout of cadence, set wheel circumference to 166cm. Magnet(s) only needed on one spoke of the chainwheel. 8.6kph on the display equals 86 rpm. I found it easy to read on the Velo 9. Using a GPS speedometer app on my phone, I checked theoretical mph vs. actual mph at multiple cadences and at multiple speeds. Actual mph was always within 0.5 mph of theoretical mph. IMPORTANT: Neodymium (rare earth) magnets are not toys! Keep them away from kids! Additional Notes A Velo 7, smaller display, will also work. It uses the same programming. Ceramic magnets will work, but I used neodymium (rare earth) magnets. The neodymium are more expensive than ceramic, but also MUCH stronger. My smallest chain ring is dished and has four spokes. To get the magnets closer to the sensor, I stacked two magnets on each spoke. In over 100 miles of riding, the magnets haven’t moved at all. I may secure them with silicone glue, someday, maybe 🙂. I’m an old, fat, out-of-shape guy (71, 5’9”, 230#) who has gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Getting serious about riding the bike (My typical daily ride is 17miles at an average of 11 mph.) has gotten me back down to my pre-pandemic weight (218#). Per the cadence meter, I pedal faster than I thought I did; a good thing. My “recreational” cadence is about 60. My “exercise” cadence is 76-86. My “too fast, shift to a higher gear” cadence is anything above 90. I wanted a cadence meter that was cheaper than my bike. I wanted to avoid dealing with wireless connectivity. My Velo 9 cadence meter works well and I’m happy with the results.

It has all the basic functions most people want. I have several of the Velo7 for our family. This Velo9 I bought was the same price recently and had two more features. The carbon foot print and calories are just an automatic equation the unit computes and is likely not very accurate in real life, but who can tell. The two main attributes of this bike computer over many others (and I have had several over the years) is that it is easy to understand/read/reset and it does not lose your data easily by accident. The last bike computer I bought prior to this CatEye had a bigger display and had a night glow back light and more functions to keep me amused. But, I had trouble reading the small icon to see what function I was reading. I did not often use it in the dark and if I was in the wrong mode to resent my trip mileage I lost my YTD data. The Cateye with one long press of the one function button sets all your trip data back to zero. However, in order to erase your YTD mileage you must take the unit off its mount and press a reset button with a tooth pick to do that. Now I really appreciate the Cateye over other since I was losing my YTD data several times a season. I commute by bike all year long in the Chicago area. The computer will be covered in snow or ice at times or sitting out in the hot sun and it has not had a failure in two years. You can calibrate your unit by tire size or measure your wheel and enter that size for a more accurate speed and distance measures. It can be set for metric or English readouts. The only downside is you cannot reset individual functions. The reset button resets all ride functions at once, but that is a tradeoff for its simplicity. The only feature I would like to see is a back light for night, since I am often on the bike after dark.

Well worth the money. Gives you all the basics.

I liked the display numbers which are large enough to be seen as well as the simplicity of the display. I like to see how fast I am traveling and how far. It was easy to set that up. It would have been helpful to have some printed instructions along with the pictures for detailed setting size. For example I passed up the 3 pictures showing 205 with left half of bracket and the right half covered by the mode button picture.. I passed those pictures a couple of times before I realized the pictures were default detailed settings that could be changed. The Cat Eye replaced a Sigma which I used for 5 years with 6,000 miles. Had to replace battery a couple of times. The Sigma would still work but had to keep cleaning contact points between the computer and the base. The Cat Eye has larger contact point areas so I am thinking it will last even longer. I believe the speed and distance numbers are reasonably accurate and I am happy with the product. When it eventually fails on me I will buy another Cat Eye. I have found wired to be more accurate than wireless.

Great entry level bike computer. The spoke magnet attachment is much better than the previous version. I had my old CATEYE FOR 10+ years, so these are good quality

Ya había tenido anteriormente uno de la misma marca, el cual dejo de funcionar después de varios años de uso, por lo que decidí comprar otro de la misma marca y hasta el momento me ha funcionado sin ningún problema, fácil de configurar e instalar, si lo volvería a comprar

Much easier to install than that of newer more sophisticated wireless speedometers/odometers. Hardly any variance between my GPS watch and the wheel sensors on my front fork, provided that diameter of the wheel was adequately measured to calibrate the unit. The wires are long enough not to hamper the movement of my handlebar. Great product at a great low price... Thank you Cat Eye for this return to basics that work fine!!

Tengo 2 de estos, uno inalámbrico y otro de cable en diferentes bicicletas. He tenido varios sigma y de otras marcas con miles de funciones que no usas y que te obligan a estar pulsando botones y apartando la vista de la carretera. Estos son los más fáciles de usar y los más prácticos. Creo que la marca es japonesa y aunque la estética es discutible, les doy un 10 para su precio

Simple and effective, I love it.

Ciclocomputer con filo molto semplice e con funzioni base con in più consumo con co² e calorie che però non so quanto siano affidabili. Comprato per bici di mia figlia e mio nipote. Direi solido, facile da montare e da costo contenuto. È vero che ha il filo ma se lo si vuole wireless e affidabile occorre spendere molto, molto di più.