Mounting a computer

General
1

It’s probably been asked before, but I’m new to the list…
How would you mount a trip/speed computer to a Muni so you could read it as
you ride? I have mine on the seat post and I can read trip distances when I
get off the uni. Is there an established answer to this one? It needs to be
readable when I’m riding, but safe from impact when I step off unexpectedly.
(That’s ‘needs’ in the loose sense of ‘would be nice if it could be…’ )
:0)

2

Re: Mounting a computer

I got a VDO Cytec C15+ Wireless cycle computer for 31.99 GBP
For my road unicycle, a Nimbus 28", it’s nearly useless.
It hasn’t the range for me to keep the computer in my pocket or on my wrist.
Maybe it uses the frame as an aerial, I don’t know. All I know is that it
only works if the computer is less than about 1 metre from the sensor.

Wireless does seem to be the way to go but check the range first. I doubt
many cycle computers are capable of the range required on a unicycle. After
all, it’s not far from the handlebars to the front fork of a b*ke and
generally speaking the more range they pack into these devices the less
battery life you’ll get.

Previously I put a plug/socket in the middle of the sensor lead on a wired
cyclecomputer so I could plug the computer into the unicycle before I got on
and keep it in my pocket. Having a wire from under the seat to my pocket or
hand was very untidy though.

Andrew “Going nowhere, not very fast - at least according to his
cyclecomputer” Feldhaus
0xADF

><MikeFule@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:mailman.1019918029.22419.rsu@unicycling.org…
>It’s probably been asked before, but I’m new to the list…
>How would you mount a trip/speed computer to a Muni so you could read it as
you ride? I have mine on the seat post and I can read trip distances when I
get off the uni. Is there an established answer to this one? It needs to
be readable when I’m riding, but safe from impact when I step off
unexpectedly. (That’s ‘needs’ in the loose sense of ‘would be nice if it
could be…’ ) :0)

3

Re: Mounting a computer

MikeFule@aol.com wrote:
> It’s probably been asked before, but I’m new to the list…
> How would you mount a trip/speed computer to a Muni so you could read it as
> you ride? I have mine on the seat post

The back of the seatpost is Ok if you are riding with some one else with
good eye-sight who wil read it for you. OR you could look into fitting a
bike bar end to the seat post under the front of the saddle and putting
the speedo onto the curve of the bar end, so you can look at it by
glancing between your legs whist riding. I have to bend forward a little
to do this so don’t like doing it when I’m really tanking along, but its
Ok for keeping an eye on crusing or distance covered.

If you didn’t mind mutilating a miyata saddle front bumper, you could
probadly carve a slot in one big enough to drop a speedo into, but it’d be
a lot of carving to do first.
Sarah

World Unicycle Convention and Championships
Unicon 11 . July25th-Aug 2nd Northbend WA USA
pre-registration now open
http://www.nwcue.org

4

Re: Mounting a computer

In a message dated 28/04/2002 00:30:17 GMT Daylight Time, Reply@Thread.pls
writes:

>
> Previously I put a plug/socket in the middle of the sensor lead on a wired
> cyclecomputer so I could plug the computer into the unicycle before I got on
> and keep it in my pocket.

Thanks for the idea. I thought about carrying the computer but when I fall
off it might rip the wire. I could try a plug and socket arrangement as you
suggest, though. :0)

5

Re: Mounting a computer

Is it possible to mount the magnet(whatever) to the crank and have the sensor on your shoe somewhere close to the instep? The magnet could be on the front or back of the crank so that its not in the way. The sensor wire could come up your leg to the cyclecomputer on your thigh / wrist / heads-up-display.

Doug

6

Re: Mounting a computer

In a message dated 29/04/2002 03:55:26 GMT Daylight Time, dvm@mmcable.com
writes:

> Is it possible to mount the magnet(whatever) to the crank and have the
> sensor on your shoe somewhere close to the instep? The magnet could be on
> the front or back of the crank so that its not in the way. The sensor wire
> could come up your leg to the cyclecomputer on your thigh / wrist /
>

Fiendishly clever.

7

Re: Mounting a computer

Brilliant piece of lateral thinking Doug!

On a wheel you need to go as low as 2mm gap.
However you can buy much more powerful magnets which could make this work.

I bought some Neodymium magnets as part of magic trick for a friend (Neo-Rise)

Leo White
“Doug Massey” <dvm@mmcable.com> wrote in message news:6f1z8.79265$3C4.1265987@news1.east.cox.net…
Is it possible to mount the magnet(whatever) to the crank and have the sensor on your shoe somewhere close to the instep? The magnet could be on the front or back of the crank so that its not in the way. The sensor wire could come up your leg to the cyclecomputer on your thigh / wrist / heads-up-display.

Doug

8

Re: Mounting a Computer

Well, I did it. After just a week or so of practicing, I’ve successfully free-mounted my Compaq Presario. I had some trouble at first when I couldn’t find the pedals, but the external Zip drive seemed to work just as well. I’m not having much of a problem idling, but I haven’t managed to go more than 1/4 revolution forward or backward yet.

9

Re: Re: Mounting a Computer

Hey, I feel for ya, brother. But try to remember: those are just pictures on the screen; you’ll end up feeling vacuous and dirty in the morning.

Stop now, but send pictures first.

Christopher

10

RE: Mounting a computer

> If you didn’t mind mutilating a miyata saddle front bumper, you could
> probadly carve a slot in one big enough to drop a speedo
> into, but it’d be a lot of carving to do first.

I did this with my old racing unicycle. It wasn’t that hard. But the
computer was only marginally readable while riding. I had to grab a handful
of the front of my shorts and pull up to see; something I wouldn’t want to
do with an audience. Or while riding at high speed. Mostly I used the
computer to measure distance and top speed, both things you could check
afterward.

This was done on an old Miyata seat, before they had the bumpers. You could
mount one farther forward on a bumpered seat, and it might read much easier
then. Make sure there is room for your hands in their preferred ways of
holding, without interfering with the computer. Also make sure the computer
isn’t susceptible to having the buttons pushed by you or your shorts. Mine
was fine with this.

For a future model, I would use a handlebar out front, and mount the
computer to the handlebar. It would be easily readable, and protected from
ground contact. For racing, my handlebar would possibly be shaped like a
Triathlon bar, with room for either or both hands. Then I could race in a
tuck, and still read my speed!

Stay on top,
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
jfoss@unicycling.com

“I am never riding the wrong way on a busy street again, esp. when on the
phone.” - David Stone, on survival