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review

Velomann V1.16 bike computer

7
£41.50

VERDICT:

7
10
Good quality computer that's simple to use
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.chickencyclekit.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Velomann 16 is a well-made unit with plenty of useful functions, and it's fairly simple to set up. It's easy to use and doesn't disappoint in terms of performance, although it didn't really stand out from the crowd.

Fitting the computer was straightforward enough, though oddly the supplied zip ties were too wide for the holes in the computer mount. Once I retrieved some thinner ones from the shed, it attached easily to the stem; you can also mount it on the bars. The magnet was a fiddle to fit: it's in three pieces, and was difficult to tighten. Once it was positioned though there were no initial problems, and the sensor seemed fairly tolerant of the distance to the magnet: you don't need to have them almost touching to get a signal which is a definite plus.

On our first test computer the signal pickup of the unit was intermittent at best. Some rides were fine, on others the computer dropped the signal so many times that I was forced to turn the head unit round to face the ground just so I didn't get so angry that I threw it into a hedge. This seems to have been an issue with the sample we had though, rather than the computer itself: we've received another one and there's been no problems this time around.

The Velomann gives you readouts of current speed, average speed, speed comparison, maximum speed, trip time, trip distance, odometers for two bikes, clock, lap times up to 20 laps, distance per lap, average speed per lap, stop watch and temperature. There's a cadence version too for an extra £14 if cadence is your bag. There's plenty of options for this kind of money, computer-wise: the Velomann is a very decent computer and worthy of the spend, but if you don't need the lap functions – and you don't care too much about the temperature – you could save yourself £12 and get the V1.10

Verdict

Good quality computer that's simple to use

road.cc test report

Make and model: Velomann V1.16 bike computer

Size tested: n/a

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, if this was the mix of functions the wanted, for something more basic I'd point them at the V10

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 190cm  Weight: 98kg

I usually ride: whatever I\'m testing...  My best bike is: Trek 1.5 with Ultegra 6700

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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