Specialized 01 Speedzone Pro

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Specialized Web Site

Favorite Ride:
Adventure Cycling-Vermont

Bike Setup:
Takes about 10-15 minutes.

Summary:
Even though I ride frequently in the Galveston bay area which is basically flat,I really liked the altimeter, and inclination readings. Unfortunately, the computer was blown off the mount at 30+ mph coming down a Baytown bridge over the ship channel. There was nothing left of the computer except the front and back of the case. This probably was due to my bumping the computer before it was dislodged. It was in the mount for 4000 miles when I carried the bike on top of my car at speeds over 70 mph during a recent trip to the west coast.

Strengths:
All the functions worked well. It was easy to mount. It is my second wireless, and I would never buy another wired computer, because of harness and contact problems. I had no problems with computer readings in
heavy rain,unlike wired computers previously owned.

Weaknesses:
Temperature readings seem to be high,except that most thermometers would also read high if exposed to direct sunlight. Also, heat radiating from road surfaces effect this. The inclinometer readings sometimes appear erratic. But these I believe are averaged over 20 seconds. It would be nice to have an instant reading of inclination. It would also be nice for the display to have at least distance and speed shown simultaneously.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized wirless without altimeter, temperature and inclination.

Price Paid:  $80.00 at E-bay

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere hills can be found.....

Bike Setup:
dura ace this ultegra that.... Aluminum frame with carbon fork.... oh and dura ace wheelset! GOOD STUFF!!

Summary:
I bought this (03 model) because of the Inclinometer and altimeter... They were fantastic! I was truly amazed... then, the second ride went by, and I promptly forgot they were there....

Strengths:
lots of toys to play with...

Weaknesses:
TOO MANY toys to play with... you forget why you are on a bike... (to ride...) Further, the Inclinometer is not always right... it won't keep track on how steep an entire hill is, only the brief second you are on a brief section... then it is gone.. (I THINK I SAW SOMETHING, but I was too busy trying to breathe, to be sure...) Oh did I mention it stopped working after 3 months?

Similar Products Used:
Cat eye (the big heavy altimeter one, I can't remember the model # off hand, but it is the only altimeter they have....) Oh and others also, but that one was the closest in # of toys to play with...

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Cyclopath, Fresno Ca

Favorite Ride:
roadie

Bike Setup:
Several road bikes.

Summary:
Bought this computer specifically for the inclinomoter function, and I'm sorely disappointed. The reading jumps all over the place, inconsistent and inaccurate.

Apparently it actually measures incline by calculating change in elevation over distance covered. I expected a more direct measurement, but given the manual's statement about having a "highly accurate" altimeter, I thought it might work.

On steeper grades and slower speeds, like 12%+ and under 5 mph, the inclinometer function is erratic. This is what I bought this one for, as I already have half a dozen other computers, including with altitude functions. I found that on really steep grades, the readout jumps all over from 8% to 20%, much too inconsistent to account for road variation. Also, the incline function jumped all over when moving from sun to shade and back, still on a consistent grade. Very disappointing. (I would think these problems would be much worse at slower mountainbike speeds, too.)

The temperature readout is unreliable, too, and much too affected by sun. At 7,000 feet elevation, it jumped from 79 degrees (probably realistic) to 101 degrees when I stopped in the sun.

The altimeter was not "highly accurate" as represented in the manual, either. Climbing from 1,750 feet to 5,000 feet, then to 7,000 feet, the readout was 400 feet off at 5,000, then after recalibrating at a known elevation, another 300 feet off in the climb from 5,000 to 7,000 -- that's over 10% off in 2,000 feet -- anything but "highly accurate."

I've bought Specialized computers in the past and always was very disappointed. Call me a sucker for doing it again.

Strengths:
Lots of functions.

Weaknesses:
Lots of functions don't work well. See narrative.

Similar Products Used:
Cateye

Price Paid:  $89.00 at Al's Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Crater Lake Loop/Tioga Pass

Bike Setup:
Trek 5900, Campy Record Group.. Neutron Wheels

Summary:
This is the best computer I've had. It has every feature that I'd ever want and they all work flawlessly. The only real complaint that I have is that it get's interference occasionally from other wireless stuff. Basically the computer fills every spot on even the most detailed logbook.

Strengths:
Just about everything. I really love the altimeter and inclinometer. The altimeter works great and when set prior to the ride is usally within 10 feet of true elevation barring a major change in barometric pressure. The elevation gain info is wonderful and repeating the same rides it is consistent so I assume it's pretty accurate. The inclinometer seems accurate and is great to torture yourself on with on sustained steep grades.. better than staring at your average speed drop. It's great to have a resettable odometer so I could carry the mileage over from the old computer. Obviously the cadence is a necessity and works well.

Weaknesses:
It does get interference from wireless devices. I've got a wireless keyboard and everytime I bring in the computer to log my ride stats the computer will tell me I'm going 2 or 3 mph.. it never accumulates mileage doing this but it's mildly annoying. Also I did once hit a BIG pothole and it apparently jarred the battery lose resetting the computer. That was bad, but everything was resettable so I didn't lose much. For all of the features it has, it would be cool if it had an average cadence and average incline feature but that's nitpicking.

Similar Products Used:
Cateye Enduro 2

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Specialized Web Site

Favorite Ride:
Skyline

Bike Setup:
Cannondale R500T (I'm an old guy); Shimano everything. Mavic wheels. Look pedals.

Summary:
This is best computer I've got (Vetta; Cateyes; Flight Deck). In addition to all the usual cyclometer stuff, Cadence is a >must< if you're serious. The elevation gained (not net, actual) plus the inclinometer make the price well worth it. I almost bought the '02 model but the form factor (round face) just didn't do it for me. If you're serious about training and want to see what you're doing, buy this puppy. And by the way, it comes in a little tin "lunch box" which you can give your kids.

Strengths:
Cadence. Elevation gain. Inclinometer. Fairly easy install (Cannondale CAAD3 frame).

Weaknesses:
The thermometer, well, it makes us Oregonians hopeful when it's cold. The manual print is very, very small - get your reading glasses ready.

Similar Products Used:
Vetta. Cateye. Shimano.