Fat bike compatible computer

[bighit]

I want to get a computer for my moonlander so I got an inexpensive wireless one. Well with the fork being giant and the 135mm spacing I can't get the magnet to come anywhere close to working.

What are you guys running that fits?

[Volsung]

There's been a few threads on this, but what I did was make some big spacers by folding over electrical tape then zip tying them to the fork. Made my planet bike computer work.

[cycle alaska]

I, too, have a new Moonlander and am considering the Garmin Oregon 450. The current sale price is making the GPS option more feasible.

[bighit]

My fitness guru suggested the Strava system with a garmin 200. They Also have an iPhone app for free. He said the problem with the app is that it sucks battery power. I downloaded the app, registered and now I just login and go or a ride. After the ride I can login to the main site and see all my info.

We will see how it works tomorrow.

Anyone ever use this?

[bob_ostrom]

Get some strong magnets:
Master Magnetics 7045 Super Neodymium Magnet Discs - 10-Pack: Tools : Walmart.com for example. Rare earth magnets are also available on amazon and other places. The are so strong that my pickup is about 3/4" from the magnet and works just fine. Be careful with these magnets, some of the bigger ones are dangerous to handle, they will pinch you and leave a blood blister or worse if you get between them. They will erase credit cards from a good distance and could ruin an old fashioned tube type TV if you want to play with them a little.

Test them first to make sure the polarity and strength work with your computer. Just stick them on with some tape and spin the wheel a few times to make sure the sensor sees the magnets.

Glue the magnets to the rim with shoe goo right at the bead facing outward.

Use two magnets. I like to glue one near the valve stem and one across the rim near the weld or joint in the rim. Whatever calibration number you come up with divide by two because you have two magnets now. It will help keep the accuracy up when riding (or pushing) at low speeds. Make sure the computer you buy will allow you to set a calibration number that low. I've seen several that don't go very low. In other words they aren't made to work with a small tire.

I've had really good luck with the enduro from cateye. It works well even down to -40F so far, although it's not rated to work that low.

When I get a few minutes I'll take some photos and write up some descriptions. I'll post back here when I get that done.

[drofluf]

My fitness guru suggested the Strava system with a garmin 200. They Also have an iPhone app for free. He said the problem with the app is that it sucks battery power. I downloaded the app, registered and now I just login and go or a ride. After the ride I can login to the main site and see all my info.

We will see how it works tomorrow.

Anyone ever use this?

I use Strava on the iPhone and it's great for recording rides and seeing where you've been when you get home. But unless you want to buy the mount and risk your phone to the environment you can't see how far you've been, how fast you are going etc.. Plus, as my iPhone is part of my emergency kit I wouldn't use it on longer rides because of battery concerns.

I've also got an eTrex which I put on the bars for the how fast/how far and for navigation (which is more important on longer rides, on my shorter ones I'm usually on a familiar loop or at least somewhere local). I don't know if the Strava app does navigation either.

The other benefit of this approach as opposed to a bike computer is that I can easily move it if [whisper] I want to ride a different bike[/whisper]

[bighit]

Bob great idea with the magnets, but I am going a different route.

Dro, thanks for confirming my suspicions about the phone. They are an integral part of your survival gear now and I don't want to run it down or risk smashing it. I think the garmin is my best bet with the garmin connect program. In addition to the basics I want to see my route and calories burned. I have a 10 bike fleet so interchangeability is key here.

Now which garmin?

[Johnsgotapugsley]

I've been using the Wahoo Fitness case and extend battery for about year.
Wahoo Fitness iPhone Running and iPhone Cycling Bluetooth Smart Products
I have couple of all day rides and still had battery lift. The bad thing is it is heavy and needs to be padded to keep it from from bouncing off the bar.
The best is it will work with a lot of apps.

[Hugor]

I have the garmin speed cadence sensor mounted to my moonlander fork. I have it near the axle where the spokes come close to it. Works fine with the standard magnet.

[47flattie]

The Cateye micro wireless works fine on my Muk, you can angle the sensor close to the magnet, and then swivel it out of the way when removing the wheel.

[vmaxx4]

Timex - Cycle trainer 2.0

[Drevil]

Bob great idea with the magnets, but I am going a different route.

Dro, thanks for confirming my suspicions about the phone. They are an integral part of your survival gear now and I don't want to run it down or risk smashing it. I think the garmin is my best bet with the garmin connect program. In addition to the basics I want to see my route and calories burned. I have a 10 bike fleet so interchangeability is key here.

Now which garmin?

I have owned an Edge 205 for years. It's ok, but after seeing an edge 800, I got serious GPS envy

A couple of years ago, i got the Garmin Edge 500. It's fine if you don't care about not being able to see a map while riding. I just upload the data when I get home to Strava and Garmin Connect. I got it primarily because of the HRM and quick swappabilty to other bikes.

[bdundee]

Garmin Dakota, can find it for a pretty good price, no speed sensor needed, and can get you un-lost

[bighit]

I used the Strava app today for the Iphone. I put it in my top pocket and it got good reception. It only used a bit of power in an hour. The app will do until I can swing the more expensive garmin 500.

Defiantly worth trying. I loved the route map it gave me after, but seeing it in real time would be better.

[Mplsfatty]

I just use a garmin edge 500 and it works for all my bikes. best option, although quite spendy.

[bighit]

Hmmm gopro or garmin 500 under the tree which will it be.

[Mplsfatty]

well it really depends on what's more important to you i guess. i'm car free and riding is my life so i like to be able to record all the miles on my various bikes with ease. that being said, i'm craving a gopro to record my fat rides.

[gcappy]

well it really depends on what's more important to you i guess. i'm car free and riding is my life so i like to be able to record all the miles on my various bikes with ease. that being said, i'm craving a gopro to record my fat rides.

I use a Garmin 500 also. I love that I can just move to whatever bike I am going to ride.

Yesterday I recorded my first fat video on my new GoPro. I will have it edited and post it soon.

[bighit]

No use having footage of me lost so I might as well he the garmin first.

[Chromehorn]

The Cateye micro wireless works fine on my Muk, you can angle the sensor close to the magnet, and then swivel it out of the way when removing the wheel.

Ditto for my Cateye Commuter wireless. A little extra angle on the sensor (mounted right at the very bottom of the fork) and it works great. No problems in nearly 1000 miles on my Muk2.

[thesilversurfer]

GPS is the way to go. I run an Edge 800 and the GPS is very accurate and trouble free. No sensors or magnets needed.

[patineto]

What about gluing the magnet directly to the rim, thta you can located really close to the fork leg..

[Velobike]

I use an Garmin Edge 200 - no hassle, magnets or wire.

[bighit]

I am going out for about 2 hrs today. I will track how much battry the app takes from my iPhone.

[triathletejack]

The trick is to make a magnet extender for the spokes. I used a old fender bracket and wrapped it around the spokes. With an extended magnet, it works fine.