Reddit reviews CAT EYE, Velo 7 Wired Bike Computer with Odometer and Speedometer

I've created a short list of everything I have, linked items are the ones that I recommend.

Things for the road

Frame/ Mini pump

Saddle Bag

Patch Kit

Tire Boot (You can make your own for cheap, but these are still good)

Tire levers (See Multi-Tool, Levers Included)

Multi Tool (Super-Recommend)

Bike Lights

Spare Tubes (Optional for the road)

Bottles of choice

Sunglasses of choice

Gloves of choice (Important! For preventing impossible-to-heal palm scrapes)

Cycling compter

U Lock (no cable locks! they're garbage) <<I Have 3 of these, but then again, I live in Oakland.

Things for home

Floor pump

Tools (Pretty much covered by Multi-Tool, but there's things you may need like cassette tool, chain whip, etc)

Wet and Dry chain lube

Clothing (Optional, I only have the shoes and windbreaker)

Hi-Vis Jacket

Clipless shoes, I recommend SPD for easier walking

Jersey

Padded Shorts, or Bib shorts

Windbreaker

Leg Warmers

Most importantly, you need knowledge of cycling. Look up videos on youtube about safe riding on the road, traffic laws, hand signals, how to repair your bike on the road and at home, how to take a fall, and as much theory that you can)

EDIT: Do not let me trick you into thinking that a multi-tool is a replacement for the big-boy tools that are available on the market. Some of those tools are actually worth the investment. However, be that as it may, do your research first, because there's some overpriced crap out there ^^^Park ^^^Tools.

>Show RPM, Show which gear I'm in, Show the speed (calculated from the previous two)

You cannot calculate road speed from RPM + Gear. You can only get your transmission output speed. You also need your wheel diameter, and you know all your gear ratios (which I'm sure you do, being a project bike) and chain ratio.

This also wouldn't account for your clutch, and there really isn't any way you can do that.

You are overthinking it. You don't want to use the engine RPM and transmission ratios to calculate speed, because that gets all muddled by the clutch.

You want to know every time your wheel spins. That is how most modern accurate speedometers work on cars, because the ABS system has this information.

Calculate speed from wheel turns, wheel diameter. You'll have to adjust for tread depth and PSI over time but this is the most accurate way you can do it. If you want to get even more accurate an accelerometer may be able to assist to detect things like loss of traction.

**

Edit:

>Are their jumper wires that can be semi-permanent? My ones with my sparkfun kit seem a tad loose and the bike might vibrate them a little. Does anyone have advice, examples, suggestions and links that might be helpful? Thanks in advance!

Jumper wires are not intended to be permanent, they are just useful for prototyping. I especially wouldn't trust them on a vibrating motorcycle. Solder wires for this, especially if you want it to last.

I also realize I didn't really give you a good way to do this.

The traditional bicycle setup is called a Cyclocomputer*. Here is a commercial version.

What you are looking to do for a custom, arduino solution, is a [hall effect sensor**](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8882) and a strong permanent magnet.

At that price, you don't get GPS, but you may be able to get wireless. I have a strong preference for Cateye from years of reliable service. Wireless is easier to deal with when installing or doing maintenance on the bike, but the wired computers are silly cheap.

EDIT: Stupid cheap: https://www.amazon.com/CAT-EYE-Computer-Odometer-Speedometer/dp/B007YV1GM4/
Cheap wireless: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DS4AJEG/

You're very much welcome. That's of course just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions and assholes.

Ah, mud. That brings us to tires. From a lot of reading, and a bit of experience, I can confidently say that dual sport tires do poorly both on-road and off-road. If you're talking about a 10 minute ride to the trailhead, do yourself a favor and put some proper offroad tires on. Just be careful on pavement, especially in the rain and especially while leaned over.

I don't remember where I read it (Motorcyclist, perhaps?) but the WR250R (not WR250F) was described as being a trail-ready bike made street legal, rather than a street-legal bike that can go on trails. It's supposedly one of the more trail-oriented dualsports out there.

That being said, for fuck's sake check the maintenance schedule and costs prior to purchase! I refuse to own a modern 4-stroke motocross bike for exactly this reason. On the KDX, for example, annual maintenance is changing the coolant, and throwing a head gasket and jug base gasket at it. Put a new piston/rings in if you're feeling spendy. Total cost: <$200 and a few hours of your time.

Another option, depending on Louisiana law--at least in Michigan it's relatively simple to plate an off-road bike. That way, you could purchase a bike that's more trail-oriented and just put on minimal stuff to get the plate. You may even be able to get away with skipping turn signals, as hand signals are legal in many states. Horn? Try this guy. Speedo? Here you go. Again, check your state and local laws.

http://amzn.com/B007YV1GM4

Honestly, for under $50, I'd go with a smart phone mount and Strava on your phone UNLESS you don't have a waterproof phone and may ride in the rain.

You're going to compromise a lot at that price point. If you just want a dedicated cycling computer for cheap, you can go with something like
https://www.amazon.com/CAT-EYE-Computer-Odometer-Speedometer/dp/B007YV1GM4/ref=sr_1_10

And then save up for a better computer if you find it doesn't meet your needs.

Is there some functionality you're looking for specifically?

I use this computer when I'm on my roller then I just put what I got on there on Strava to keep track of all my mileage and etc.

I just use electrical tape to put the computer on when I'm on the roller and peal it off when I go ride outside since it doesn't record elevation. So far works like a charm.