bicycle speedometer computer

[tractorman]

I would be interested to gain current views on a digital speedometer/ odometer suitable for a Classic bike. Decent size, back light when needed, waterproof. I jumped in the deep end, so to say and bought one for £5, fine to 50 mph and then it records half speed. It may record half distance as well above 50, I only just fitted it, and done a overall slow run.
Its more the odometer I find useful on Vintage club runs, with route sheet giving, precise mileage’s. My chronometric clock is not bad, but not accurate enough and I don't think I am up to re-calibrating it. I also like to keep the chronometric odometer as a "fuel gauge

[Rex]

Some seem to like 'em for thier accuracy etc, but to my mind nothing looks more incongruous than some digital pushbike thingy on a classic.
I don't need an accurate speedo, and the petrol tank has a reserve tap...

[33d6]

I ride lightweights. Either vintage that never had a speedo or later stuff fitted with that cheap & nasty D shape speedo that isn't particularly accurate. In my part of the world politicians love speed cameras and they are a favoured revenue raiser. Nowadays an accurate speedo is a must, even on a lightweight if you want to avoid getting caught by them.
The bicycle digital speedo fits the requirement perfectly. Recently I saw one neatly mounted inside a replica speedo shell so it looked standard to the casual eye but gave all the digital speedo benefits and was totally weather proof. I spoke at length to the owner who took me over it and pointed out what particular type of digital speedo was best suited to the job, how he arranged to operate it within the shell and whilst wearing gloves plus any other question I had.
There is no doubt this is the way I'm going from now on. Its a simple answer, its cheap and is accurate . Its not an answer for the 'originality' nutters but its a very practical riders answer.
From my point of view the major thing was caution in purchasing the digital speedo, there seems to be dozens of varieties and not all suit. Think it all through before you put out the cash.
Cheers,

[johnnyboy-wonder57]

Hi,
I'm sure a Bike/Motorcycle magazine ran a test on suitable units for  retro-fitting on a Classic/Vintage motorcycles, Rex, bless him, probably calculates his speed by exhaust note frequency, but I agree you need modern equipment to combat modern over-zealous politically driven nonsense!
Do a web-search, I will also see if I can find a reference, the VMCC might be a good place to start!

Cheers

JBW

[Rex]

Been riding a driving for a long time now so the common speed of 30 should really be second nature. No speed cameras either as the so-called "revenue raisers" (clearly a misnomer if ever there was) were all turned off to save money.

[ole56]

Sigma makes high quality "bicycle"computers for motorbike use; I have used them on my modern bikes for many years now; some of them can show speeds up to 300 km/h, if you would want to give the old bike a try on the Bonneville Salt Flats!

Ole

[33d6]

Its not the quality that I have problems with. For motorcycle use, its the ability to operate it whilst riding.  I have one 'Cateye' brand model and I found the buttons were too small to push when I had my gloves on. The one I mentioned mounted in the imitation speedo shell was a Cobra and had one big button that was easy to manipulate. This was what I meant by thinking it through before you buy.

I presume there are different bike speedos for different types of activity. Being a motorcyclist starting from scratch to research bicycle stuff I don't even know what questions to ask and shop assistants look at me strangely when I say it is for a motorcycle. I'm slowly getting there.
Cheers,

[Tun up]

Iv'e read an article too on pushbike speedos on motorcycles; sometimeback now though; but the issues were the same as here.
Interesting point about the 30mph limit. Where I live in Middlesbrough the poweres that be have started to lower the speed limit to 20mph on housing estate roads.
 Plod were not able to enforce the 20mph limit because it was not on statute, obviously that has changed ; anyone know when?