Specialized 03 Speed Zone Pro Classic Computer

Price Paid:  $149.00 at Bikes West

Bike Setup:
1998 LeMond

Summary:
Bought it for the features of altitute, gradient and temperature. Wireless does (did) not work well. I have a high handlebar (stem extension). Had to make a special stem mount to lower it so that it would work at all. The 20 second time between calculations is too long. Response is too slow. But the major disappointment was that it resets at 100 miles, making it worthless for recording longer trips. I do trips over 200 miles frequently. Had to mount a 2nd different brand computer to get readings for longer trips. The manual is very unclear on this. I would not have purchased it if I had known of this design defect. While they might exist, I have never seen another computer that resets at only 100 miles. It has now failed - will not "turn on". Batteries and contacts replaced and checked. Display is solid and clear, but speed sensing is inoperative. I will not be replacing it with another Specialized unit. I did not connect the cadence. The manual is a joke due to physical size and font size.

Strengths:
Altitude, gradient and temperature.

Weaknesses:
Slow to respond, Weak pulse signal makes it difficult to mount. 100 mile reset is absurd for a computer at this price. Manual is almost unusable due to size.

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Solano Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Sonora Pass

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Siena, Dura-Ace 9-speed, FSA carbon compact crankset.

Summary:
Generally does a good job. Has the functions I need and doesn't have ones I don't.

Strengths:
Rate of climb/descent tracks pretty well with GPS data. Altimeter does about as well as you can expect a barometric altimeter to do. Price is (was) right.

Weaknesses:
Drop it and it resets to all zeros. This is a common problem with this product series.
Highly sensitive to interference from neon signs, electric train motors (BART - Bay Area Rapid Transit) trains make it read ridiculous speeds.

Similar Products Used:
The other cadence-equipped main brands.

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
Specialized Epic Comp Road Bike

Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Comp circa 1992, Shimano Ultetra 9 speed.

Summary:
This was a great computer for nearly two years. Loved the incline feature as well as the feet climbed. Never hooked up the wired cadence. Recently however the mode change button broke rendering the computer useless.

Strengths:
Elevation and incline display. Reliable and accurate until the button broke

Weaknesses:
20 seconde sampling causes delay in showing what the true incline is. Apparent limited button life. I change modes a lot to record splits and I apparently wore it out. Customer support doesn't exist. I bought it 300 miles away and they just say take it back etc. No support from Specialized at all.

Similar Products Used:
Cateye Astrale, various vetta's, Ciclosport HAC4

Price Paid:  $70.00 at eBay.com

Favorite Ride:
Giant Compact Road Bike

Bike Setup:
1999 Giant Team Once aluminum frame with carbon fork. Full Ultegra with Dura ace STIs, SLR saddle, Cheap/heavy 32 spoke clinchers, Shimano spd pedals.

Summary:
Has cadence, backlight, 24 hour clock, altimeter, inclinometer, temperature, etc.(10 functions). Wireless speed sensor.

Strengths:
Backlight, cadence, altimeter, inclinometer, wireless speed sensor. Came in a cool metal 'lunchbox' if that impresses you.

Weaknesses:
Computer resets when dropped, which I have done a half-dozen times or so. My Cateye has never done this. Current cadence only; no max or average. Temperature seems highly in accurate. Backlight only worked for a week; though I haven't tried changing the battery. Computer becomes inaccurate when the ambient temp drops, does this even before reaching 4 degrees celcius as manual states. Haven't tried setting the altimeter because I don't know the exact altitude where I live. I think it would be better if you could just enter the barometric pressure. Cadence is not wireless.

Similar Products Used:
Cateye HB-100

Price Paid:  $100.00 at Hutch's Eugene Orego

Favorite Ride:
1992 Specialized Epic Comp carbon

Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Comp circa 1992 Carbon Frame. Mavic Open 4 CD rims, Full Utegra 9 speed STI other than Dura Ace Crankset. 39/53 Rings in front 12-25 in back.

Summary:
I was mainly looking for something wireless that had an altimeter to replace my old Avocet Altimeter watch.
Look no further. This computer has worked flawlessly since I got it Summer of 2003. I like the ease of cycling through the functions.
While this computer may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, it does what it does quite well and is painless to use. Obviously if you need heart rate functions, or downloadable data, this won't do and you'd be best to look elsewhere as this won't suffice.
I recently purchased a CicloSport HAC4 for the heart rate and recording functions, but the Specialized will remain on my bike as it is much easer to switch to see what you want. The HAC4 will primarily be a recording device set to pretty much show only Heart rate/cadence. While the Specialized will be there to show speed/distance/time etc or whatever else I want on the fly.

Strengths:
Totally wireless (as long as you don't use cadence accessory)
Altimeter functions work well.
Stores two wheel circumferences, so you could easily use on both road and mountain bike by getting a 2nd mount.
The transmitter also works with the Ciclosport HAC4 unit.
This watch in 2 years has never even so much as hiccuped.

Weaknesses:
20 seconds sampling rate for altimeter doesn't always capture the quick rollers too well, would be better to do every 5-10 seconds.
Cadence feature is wired/not wireless, and I never bought the accessory
Nothing is downloadable, but what do you expect for $100.

Similar Products Used:
Various Cateye computers/Older Specialized/CicloSport HAC4. Avocet Altimeter Watch from mid 90's