Bike Computer suggestion needed for mt bike with a Lefty

[sueper]

I have a full suspension Cannondale with a Lefty fork (is that thing still called a fork when it only has on thingie?). It seems I can't mount a sensor and magnet on that front end... and I don't even know if one should mount a computer on any suspension fork, for that matter (doesn't it bob in and out of range?).

Moreover, if mounted on the rear wheel, the distance is apparently too far for a wireless reading... for at least one such computer (Vectra). Do any of you all have suggestions for a specific brand or know of a wireless system that will work well?

Thanks

[tsunayoshi]

and I don't even know if one should mount a computer on any suspension fork, for that matter (doesn't it bob in and out of range?).

Moreover, if mounted on the rear wheel, the distance is apparently too far for a wireless reading... for at least one such computer (Vectra). Do any of you all have suggestions for a specific brand or know of a wireless system that will work well?

Thanks

Myself and a number of others have computers with the sensors on the front fork...the part of the fork the sensor attaches to is static in relation to the wheel. I have had zero problems with computers like this before, except one time a rock/branch must have hit my magnet, because the computer stopped reading, and when I looked the magnet was turned 90 degress from where it should have been.

I also wanted to mount mine on the rear wheel but:
1- I couldn't find a spot on any of the stays that put the sensor within the required 5mm of the magnet.
2- Same wireless distance problem as you, even on the front the sensor is almost too far away from the unit on the stem.

[tsteele999]

I have one of the Garmin GPS (305) bike computers. It doesn't need a wheel sensor, in fact I leave it in my pack and look at the stats when I'm done.

[sueper]

[QUOTE=tsunayoshi;106037]Myself and a number of others have computers with the sensors on the front fork...the part of the fork the sensor attaches to is static in relation to the wheel. I have had zero problems with computers like this before, except one time a rock/branch must have hit my magnet, because the computer stopped reading, and when I looked the magnet was turned 90 degress from where it should have been.

Do you have a Lefty Fork? It is impossible for me to mount the computer sensor and magnet on the part of the fork that is static and have it functional. The spokes are too far away from any possible sensor location to be within range....in addition to that, it appears as if the disk brakes are in the way.

[sueper]

I have one of the Garmin GPS (305) bike computers. It doesn't need a wheel sensor, in fact I leave it in my pack and look at the stats when I'm done.

Sounds nice, but not exactly the option I was hoping for at this time ;-)

[Jackson]

Do you have a Lefty Fork? It is impossible for me to mount the computer sensor and magnet on the part of the fork that is static and have it functional. The spokes are too far away from any possible sensor location to be within range....in addition to that, it appears as if the disk brakes are in the way.

He does not have a lefty fork... I sold Mike my Fuel.

I'd back up Tsteele's suggestion. I have the Garmin 305, and it works well. It comes with a heart rate monitor. You can install a cadence sensor and a wheel sensor, but I don't use either on my mountain bike.

[blacknell]

Good thread (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=87683) on MTBR about this.

~

And hey, when are you people going to start buying the 705s, so I can lowball you on your 305s?

[jabberwocky]

The Edge 205 (http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=23) is available for under 200 dollars. Its basically the same thing as the 305 minus the cadence and heart rate stuff. It works using GPS and records rides. I have a 305 and its definitely a slick little piece of hardware (and it easily swaps between bikes, since no magnets are required).

It looks like the Lefty is an inverted fork, so it would be pretty difficult to mount a sensor to it. You need a computer with either an extra long wire or something that works wirelessly with enough range to reliably work off the rear wheel.

I would personally buy a regular wired computer and lengthen the wire myself. It shouldn't be hard with a soldering iron and some shrink wrap. Figure out a way to mount the sensor on the chainstay (with enough play for the rear suspension to work without snapping it) and mount the magnet on the rear wheel and you are golden.

[jabberwocky]

And hey, when are you people going to start buying the 705s, so I can lowball you on your 305s?Dirt just got a 705. Its pretty cool, although a fair bit larger than the 305.

[philvw]

There is a mount that cannondale makes so that you can mount the pickup on a lefty fork. It's plastic and kinda funky looking, but it works just fine. Heidi had one on hers, and if you look around at all he lefties on the trail, I bet about 3/4 of them have them.

[ChrisJ]

I have been reading up on Cdales on MTBR. I just snatched a Scapel frame off Ebay for a decent price. Anyways a few of them have actually mounted a magnet on the brake rotor and ziptie the sensor to the fork. Not sure how that thing works but seems alright aside from the broken on.

[philvw]

Here is the part you need: (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=9026) But everywhere seems to out of stock. Just have to look around more. I was googling on cannondale lefty computer mount.

[ChrisJ]

May want to check with Washington Bike Center in Fairoaks. They are a Cannondale dealer. 703-968-2404

[RubberSideDown]

Yeah, any Cdale dealer should be able to get you one. I have one mounted on mine and it works great. You can PM me with an email and I could send you some pics of the set up if you want.

Bike Doctor Linthicum is where I got mine from.

[sueper]

Thanks everyone! I will call around to see who might have the special fork mount part tomorrow.

-S

[tsunayoshi]

Do you have a Lefty Fork?

Sorry, I did make it seem like I said a bunch of us had Leftys...yeah, I have a regular 2 post fork.

[drevil]

Sue,

Following up on Jab's suggestion, Cateye computers that have cadence have the sensor mount on the rear. There is a wireless model (http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/251) and a wired model (http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/253).

[jvanbrecht]

If you do not need all the functions of the 605/705 (ie you do not care about mapping on the unit), you can pickup the Forerunner 405 (in June/July unfortunately since they got delayed again) which is normal watch sized (much much smaller then the 305 currently out) and supports all the functions that the larger brothers have, including using existing accessories (cadance and heart rate sensor, as well as a few newer ones).

Otherwise, While the 205 looks similair to the 305, I believe (I would have to check) that one uses triangulation for elevetaion changes, while the 305 has a barometric sensor to monitor elevation changes.