Mavic Wintech Wireless

Price Paid:  $140.00 at Wheels of Bloor

Favorite Ride:
Any w/ friends

Bike Setup:
Aguila titanium, FSA carbon pro team issue cranks, FSA k-wing bars, FSA stem and seat post, ultegra shifters, Rol Race SLs, Fitzik Aliante carbon saddle, time RXS carbon pedals (currently being serviced)

Summary:
I'm a recreational rider and like technology. I had to get a new bike to replace one that was stolen. I didn't want the stock saddle and seatpost (carbon) so they gave me the Wintech FS with cadence instead - value $140 Canadian.

Sleek looking computer and easy to read. No problem mounting the computer on the bars. The zip ties for the transmitter didn't work well on my fork so I had used a silicon caulking to secure it and have the zip ties attached in case something bumps it so I don't lose it if the silicone fails. The transmitters themselves are quite small. The cadence transmitter is the basically the same as the main transmitter. During setup you register it separtely - must be on a different frequency or something. The magnet for cadence fits inside the recess for the pedal so nothing to actually tie to the crank arm. Hard to get it straight but I don't think it could fall off - magnet is really strong. Like most wireless computers the magnet needs to pass very close to the transmitter (<4mm) or it wont work - I found this with my old cateye 2.

Instructions are not the best but not really complicated. The computer has the standard functions including multiple chronographs. Basic functions are very easy to access. The multiple chronographs are a little trickier but I'm not using that function. No signal loss like I used to have with the cateye2. Takes several seconds to start registering (<10) and also several seconds to stop (<10).

No problems yet and it looks great. I would like to try the e-bolt transmitter for my other bike and see how it functions. I would recommend it.

Strengths:
Big display. Sleek. Easy to use. Cadence magnet install is hidden. Bar mount works well. Has pretty much every function I need.

Weaknesses:
Transmitter mounting could be improved as with most zip tie mounting solutions. Not waterproof apparently as someone else mentioned.

Similar Products Used:
Cateye 2 wireless, Fitzer DB4L wireless

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Don't get. Unit leaked and Mavic will not replace for dealer saying it got "wet". Yes it got wet, it was raining.

Weaknesses:
Instructions are crap, altimeter is not accurate, no average cadence, and only way to use warranty is through dealer.

Price Paid:  $170.00 at local bike shop

Favorite Ride:
Bridge to Bridge, Grandfather Mtn

Bike Setup:
Time VRS carbon, Campy Ultra Record 10, Mavic Kysrium SSL wheels

Summary:
The Mavic Alti is my second Mavic computer. I purchased the Alti because I liked my first plain Wintech. The Alti adds lap capability along with elevation gain and % grade. The Alti has been a major disappointment, I would not repurchase it.

Strengths:
Very accurate altimeter, % grade works well

Weaknesses:
Instruction manual is terrible. Even though the atlimeter is accurate, the accumulated climb is way off (typically 20-30% low). The user interface is complicated, way too easy to erase everything just trying to reset the trip distance. The slick sender unit on the quick release of the old WinTechs has been replaced by a contraption that looks like it was carved out of homemade soap. The sender is also not adjustable, meaning you have to use extra magnets to get close enough to the transmitter, and they can get bumped off easily.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Wintech orginal, Cateye, Shimano Flight Deck

Price Paid:  $140.00 at Bicycles of Tulsa

Favorite Ride:
Anything with smooth pavement

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR C2, full ultegra

Summary:
Used this computer and cadence feature for 15K miles. I have had little to no problem with it. It is nice not having wires muck up a nice carbon frame; however, I concur with others that the ziptie attachment is less than stellar. I believe the new units have a stem/bar mount minus the zipties.

Unlike others I have not had problems with batteries. I replace the batteries maybe once a year (~4000K miles). The cadence feature does occasionally lose contact with the head unit but all it takes is 4 seconds to reset it. I have not had issues with the speed sensor or the mount rotating on me. Oh, the 10 second delay is kinda annoying.

Strengths:
No wires, consistent speed readings, durable, good looks.

Weaknesses:
Mounting system on older model is disappointing, 10 second stop delay

Similar Products Used:
Cateye

Price Paid:  $140.00 at bicycle habitat

Bike Setup:
torelli stiletto with torelli carbon fork - light and responsive

Summary:
Overall I like this unit but agree with other reviewers that it does have its problems, the most of egregious of which is the 9-10 sec delay in stopping the clock. Totally throws off your avgs which is quite annoying. Also time elapsed should be with rpm/speed. Other than that, I like the wireless and have not had a problem with the zip-ties mounts - the trick is to thread them through correctly. The magnet fits a standard spoke just fine. If you are having trouble opening the case use a large coin like a quarter instead of a screwdriver. One other big problem I had was trying to get it to consistently pair with the trainer - it never worked correctly and I constantly had to keep on referring to the manual.

Strengths:
- wireless
- slick looking
- big display

Weaknesses:
- random 9-10 sec delay in stopping the clock
- no explicit on-off
-

Similar Products Used:
echo j-12 wired