Cycle computers, what do you actually need ?

Garmin 800 all the way.You will wonder how you managed without it simple as

My Garmin 800 gives me the freedom to go as far as I can within my ability. I actually ride further and faster knowing exactly how long I have left to get home.

very pleased with the garmin 500, it has a myriad of readout options and although I have a few screens configured for different scenarios but they mainly just use speed, avg speed, lap speed, distance, clock time, elapsed time and HR zone.

I wouldn't say I'm a slave to it or that I spend a lot of time analysing the data but I do like GPS recording and the fact that it's self contained and wireless, just from a practicality point of view. Previously I had various cateye computers but they always seemed to give up the ghost eventually or leave the handlebars suddenly and unnoticed. So far the garmin has stayed put.

Wired is likely to be more reliable. I have read plenty of stories of signal drop. I had issues with a VDO C1DS, took it back to the shop, a replacement was the same.

The wired model I bought instead has always worked perfectly.

Wireless requires you to replace the battery in the transmitter periodically; not a hassle until you forget and it goes dead. Wireless can often be run off the rear wheel, which is useful for turbo sessions.

Wired is better than wireless, IMHO, too. Does anyone else feel the same?

Never had a cadence computer, I think that's more info than I need.

Currently ride without any pooter at all. I would prefer to see the total distance and riding time when I finish a ride, but only because I like the info, no real purpose. I don't want to follow a GPS while on my bike or use Strava.

For time trials I have one on the stem mainly so I don't miss my start time (I don't wear a watch). During the race I set it to show average speed as I find that helps with motivation.

I like my VDO C08C - a very basic cycle computer, but one with a "C", for cadence. Knowing what 90, 100, 110 rpm feels like is really useful.

Did try riding with a heart rate monitor, but it never suited me - it turns out the quick bursts of max effort that i like to do, put me over the pre-defined "max hr" - so it beeps at me!

I too am one of the old school romantics who likes to ride on 'feel'. And then look at the gps when I get home. Agree with others, maps on the 800 - wow, what did I do before them? That's right, stop at every junction to look at a map! Best investment ever.

When I get home it's nice to average cadence, HR, speed and a little part of me (insert joke here) likes to look at the temperature so I can reassure myself how hard I've been in the middle winter.

My Cateye Mity 2 lasted until last year! Amazing for electronic put through horrid vibrations, temp swings, feet of rain and hail...but really just used it for route finding in guidebooks. I am the proud owner of a stack of MTB guidebooks about 20" high that I rode before settling down! Not wise to get lost (or have mech. problem) while out alone with a near freezing night coming! Altimeter nice but only to supplement navigation, not bragging rights.

I use a stopwatch to time my rides and fingers to calculate" the hourage

I'd like to see a little ambulance pop up on the screen if you go over your max heart rate

I'd love a garmin but they're still quite pricey, even the old 800.

In the meantime my Cateye velo wireless suits me really well, all basic functions,.easy installation,.reliable, £25.

some people like to have lots of stats, some ride happier without any. go for what suits you. there is no right or wrong answer, really. personally i like to keep a track of my rides with a GPS unit and on a big ride i find it helpful to have a route loaded - less faffing at junctions means more riding.

I use the 800. It's nice to put the ride into Strava etc. But the main thing for me is that I don't have to stop every two miles to check that I'm on the right route. It opens up a lot for me.

Knowing my top speed, HR, average speed are all good things. And in fact using the biketoaster I can see the gradient/hill top finish on it and so I know how deep I should dig.

Also 'Miles to destination' can be useful if you've pressed stop and haven't restarted the gizmo.

No computer, no gears, no Strava.

Just ride the thing and enjoy the feeling!

If you need a computer to enjoy a ride there's something very wrong, but I get lost easily so I like to have my Garmin 800 with a route programmed into it. A map would do the same job.