Performance Inc. Axiom 8.0 W

Price Paid:  $19.00 at Performance Bikes

Favorite Ride:
W&OD

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR2, with Velomax wheels

Summary:
I bought the Axiom 8.0W about 2 years ago and it performed flawlessly the entire time. It was easy to install and has all the functions that I need and no more.
The sad end to the story is that I was out riding the other day and got caught in a short but hard rainstorm. I assumed that it was waterproof if not at least water resistant. The next time I went for a ride the display was messed up. It only displayed 1/2 of the numbers in the display, ie the bottom of the 0, making it look like a u. I was hoping that it was a battery issue but no dice. I was happy enough with the Axiom that I ended up replacing it with the new Axiom wireless model, which has a new look. It spared me the trouble of replacing the sensor or magnet.
This is a very good reliable unit and recommended. Just don't assume that it can withstand a soaking.

Strengths:
Reasonably priced, trouble-free operation, simple to use, good feature set.

Weaknesses:
Not so water-resistant

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $30.00 at Performance

Bike Setup:
Bianchi road bike, Trek mtb set-up for commuting.

Summary:
This is for the new A10W, wireless computer. This computer looks good and is easy to use and mount. Magnet and sensor alignment is important so be sure the magnet passes the sensor at the embosed line near the top of the sensor. I got a great deal on this by purchasing during Performace introductory sale. I like it well enough that I have gotten an extra mount for my commuting/trail bike.

Strengths:
Dual wheel size, easy to set up and use. I have checked against "radar" and it is accurate, as well.

Weaknesses:
None in 7 months of use on my road bike.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $35.00 at Performancebike.com

Bike Setup:
Trek 5200; Seven Sola hardtail

Summary:
Last week I bought 2 Axiom 8.0Ws for myself and my wife. After .2 miles hers stopped working completely. After 5 miles mine stopped working completely. Replaced both batteries and now they work only sporadially (it would be nice if Performance shipped them with new batteries!). I tried moving magnet, receiver and sensor, but I only get spotty readouts. Performance customer service is excellent; they are sending me a new sensor via 2-day air. I will update the review when it arrives. But so far, so bad with Performance.

Strengths:
Easy set-up. Easy to change modes.

Weaknesses:
Unreliable. Spotty sensor. BEWARE: The chincy magnet will only attach to round spokes. If you have bladed spokes, you will have to screw it to the round top or bottom part of a spoke, which makes it difficult to line up the magnet, sensor and receiver.

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Performance

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Eros
Performance M505

Summary:
Basically satisfied with the product until today when I dropped it about 3 feet to the pavement. The unit did not survive the crash. Of note, the unit developed an internal rattle within the last 3 months. I wonder if this had something to do with it? I'll take it back to Performance and update this review if necessary.

Strengths:
Reliable (well up until the drop).
Hasn't been effected by temperature or vibration.
Transmitter signal seems strong, though the unit is a little chunky.
Haven't had to replace the transmitter or unit battery.

Weaknesses:
NOT shock resistant.
Unit will get effected by electromagnetic signal in the general vicinity. I had it next to my Palm Pilot and it started to change the display.
Switching between wheel sizes is NOT easy.

Similar Products Used:
CATEYE MITY 3 (Great product, but there is that wire.

Price Paid:  $46.00 at on-line at Performan

Favorite Ride:
I ride paved roads, not trails

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Tuscany, Campy Chorus 10, Look Profile carbon fork, blah blah blah.

Summary:
I let my buddies talk me into getting a cycle computer. Hadn't used one in years, but wanted to keep a steady pace when it was my turn to pull the line, so I looked around a lot and bought the Axiom because it had such great reviews on this website.

Glad I bought it. I thought the price was reasonable (I got the 8.0 wireless). Set up was easy, and it works like a charm! Gives me the info I like to have, and not a bunch of stuff I don't need. Haven't ridden in wet weather yet, so I don't know how it will perform in the rain. Only have 330 miles on it so far, but I'm very, very pleased.

Strengths:
Large display, easy to use buttons (even while riding), simple set-up, auto on/off.

Weaknesses:
The stop-watch function is tied into all the others except the total accumulated mileage. So if you time something during the ride (like a personal time-trial) and clear it, it will clear all of the other functions (trip distance, average speed, max speed, total elapsed time). Performance needs to get this stop-watch function to be completely independent of the others. And it'd be nice to have multiple stop-watch recording ability, so that if you wanted to time several different segments of a ride, you could.

Also, be aware that outside electrical sources can interfere with this computer. When I was logging data from a ride into my laptop, I was holding the computer nearby and it showed I was doing 187 mph! When I moved it out of range of the computer, then all the recordings from the ride reappeared unchanged.

Similar Products Used:
Avocet wired. Axiom is much better.