Cateye Micro Wireless Cycling Computer

Jan 30th, 2009 | By coolbiking | Category: Bike Parts Accessories, Reviews

Cateye CC-MC100W Micro
Wireless 10-Function Bicycle Computer

By Dennis Gertgen

After I started bicycling in the middle of the summer of 2007 the very first accessory I bought for my bike was a cycling computer, aka speedometer. I didn’t do as much research as I should have. I went to you local bike shop and made my decision right then and there. I bought the Cateye Micro Wireless Cycling Computer (Part number CC – MC100W). The Micro Wireless has 10 functions including: Current Speed, Maximum Speed, Average Speed, Elapsed Time, Trip Distance, Odometer and Clock. Now this computer has the capability of working on 2 different bicycles but you have to buy a kit that includes a magnet, magnet sensor and handle bar mount.

The Pros:

Wireless: This make it very easy to mount the speedometer to your bike. (Note, this is also in the Con section)
Micro: This is a nice small package and is still fairly easy to read.
Backlight: The Micro Wireless is backlit so you can read it in the dark. (Note, this is also in the Con section)

Cons:

Wireless: Because this computer is wireless it requires 2 batteries. One for the head unit and one for the sensor. The batteries are not that expensive but you have to keep this in mind. I am on my second battery for the head unit and it looks like I will be putting in a third soon. But I have not had to replace the battery in the sensor yet.
Magnet: Cateye really skimped on the magnet on this unit. The back of the magnet is plastic and the magnet is off center so sometimes it moves. It usually works fine but I ride during the winter and my bike has disc brakes. When the rotors get wet the brakes vibrate and the magnet moves away from the sensor and the computer stops working. So unless I have to make an emergency stop I just use the rear brake to work around the issue.
Backlight: The backlight on this unit is sub par. I can barely read it at night. The light is on the top of the screen so all of the information on the bottom can not be seen at all. But the light is good enough to make sure the magnet hasn’t moved away for the sensor and that it is still working.
Cadence: I knew this computer didn’t have cadence when I bought it but I soon wished I had spent the extra money and bought a computer with cadence. If you are not that serious about training it’s not important. But if you think you might start cycling seriously spend the extra money.
Second Bike Compatibility: You can mount this computer on 2 bikes but you have to buy a kit for the second bike. The kit cost almost 3/4 of the price of the whole unit. It’s nice to have the option but I don’t feel it is worth it. I would buy a different or additional computer.
Buttons: My biggest complaint about this computer is changing between modes. There is only one button so you have to toggle through all the modes. You can’t go backwards. So if you know the mode you want to look at is one back you have to go all the way through the modes to get back to it. Also during the winter it is very difficult to push the buttons with gloves on.In summary, the Cateye Micro Wireless is not a bad bicycling computer. It has been reliable and works well in ideal situations. It does have some drawbacks but I have been able to work around most of them. I would recommend this computer to people who are recreational bikers, bikers who ride on the weekends or when the weather is nice. But if you are a serous biker spend the extra money and get a better computer.

How To Install a Bicycle Computer

– About–

By Dennis Gertgen - Dennis Gertgen is an intermediate bicycle rider. He has been Bicycling seriously since the summer of 2007. He rides both road bikes and Mountain bikes as often as he can. And he is sharing some of his experiences with bikes, trails and equipment. You can check out this article and his personal blog here: Bicycling Blog

Source: Cool Biking Zone – Your source for great cycling, sports and fitness articles!

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