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review
Cateye Velo Wireless Plus cycle computer£34.99
VERDICT:
Well made, user friendly and easy to fit. You're paying extra for some quirky features in addition to the usual.
Weight:
48g
Contact:
www.zyro.co.uk
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
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Conceived as an entry-level wireless computer for riders entering the sport either to benefit their health and fitness, or to have a smaller environmental footprint, the Velo Wireless + is a nicely thought through computer with some interesting features.
Designed to be user friendly and easy to operate, the display is large and shows sets of data from just two functions at a time. Scrolling through the functions is easy enough, with a single button in the middle. The Velo Wireless + offers the functions most needed by anyone, with current, average and maximum speed, trip distance, total distance, elapsed time and a 12hr/24hr clock.
In addition to this, the functions that mark it apart from so many other similar computers are calorie consumption and carbon offset. The calorie consumption is an averaged out estimate, since there’s no heart rate monitor or personal data involved. Nonetheless, it’s nice to have a vague notion of how many calories you’re burning on your commute or ride to the shops, and this is, after all, the sector that’s being targeted by Cat Eye with the Velo Wireless +.
The CO2 offset function is a slightly contrived one, especially as most of us have no idea how many kg of CO2 we would expect to produce in our everyday lives anyway. That said, if you’re making an ethical choice to use the car less and the bike more (which has to be a good thing in anyone’s book) it’s quite nice to have a concrete figure for how much CO2 you've NOT generated in the car, to pat yourself on the back with at the end of a working week.
The Velo Wireless + is simple and quick to install, once you’ve figured out the very slightly confusing instructions regarding wheel size settings. There’s a choice to set with a single standard figure, or to be more precise, and the diagram takes some understanding. It locates easily in a simple zip-tie fastened cradle, but in long term use I’d have some doubts about the longevity of the sticky pad helping to secure the cradle to the bar. To maximize its life, avoid removing the unit too often if you can.
In use, it’s straightforward and the sensor pick-up is reliable. There are other cheaper computers on the market, and if you’re not dead set on having the calorie or carbon offset functions, other wireless models, including from Cat Eye, are available for less money. But, as a well built and user-friendly computer with some quirky functions, it’s not a bad price.
Verdict
Well made, user friendly and easy to fit. You're paying extra for some quirky features in addition to the usual.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Cateye Velo Wireless Plus computer
Size tested: n/a
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes. Fun to see calories used and carbon offset.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes, if I wanted those functions.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, probably.
About the tester
Age: 37 Height: 1.65m Weight: 67kg
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,
Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling.
Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other.
She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting.
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14 comments
I recently emailed CatEye Global with the following enquiry following disatisfaction with their wireless computer:
Product Name
Velo Wireless CC-VT230W
* Subject
Current speed not displaying.
Comment
Hi, I purchased a Velo Wireless when I bought my new bike a few years ago. Up until 3-4 months ago it had worked perfectly and I was very satisfied with my purchase. When the display started to fade slightly and the speed display wasn't refreshing as it had done previously I realised that it probably required new batteries. I replaced the battery in the sensor and the battery in the unit itself. I followed all the instructions and my Velo Wireless was all set up and good to go. However I have been disappointed with its operation since I replaced the batteries. It doesn't display the current speed even though it is registering all other input data, i.e. Trip Distance, Moving Time, Calorie Consumption, Average Speed, Maximum Speed and Total Distance. The clock also keeps perfect time.
I have had the product for several years and I do appreciate that it is out of warranty. Also I do appreciate that products can deteriorate over time, especially one that is out in all weathers and any conditions that the British weather can throw at it (although I have to admit to being a fair weather cyclist). However I wanted to bring this to your attention, not least for product feedback and it may help in future quality control. I mention quality control because the other thing I would like to say is that I have only done 540 miles on my new bike and I thought my Velo Wireless should have lasted longer than this. On the basis of my satisfaction with my Velo Wireless I bought a Cateye AMPP 200 Front Light and I have to say that again I am very satisfied with the quality and performance. I would have no hesitation in buying your products again or recommending them to my fellow cyclists. It just seems very odd that it is the current speed that is not displaying on the Velo Wireless. I would appreciate your feedback on this if possible please.
Thank you and kind regards,
Chris.
To date (4 months and counting) I have had no response from CatEye other than an acknowledgement of my enquiry and to say that it may take time to respond. Based on this experience I would like to amend what I said in my text; I would NOT recommend their products to fellow cyclists and I would hesitate in buying their products again. In fact I wouldn't buy their products again and I would urge anyone reading this review not to buy their products either.
I like the "input" feature of this unit where I can manually enter numbers in ODOMETER reading where you have to pick up everytime this thing plays up and I have to reset it or move it from one bike to another. The only thing I didn't like with this unit is when you don't use it for a long time and it starts playing up when you use it again, and it stops working when it picks up interference such as high voltage lines near railways.
I have one of these and it all worked really well. Until I added a Moon light to the front. Have the light in flashing mode sends the computer nuts!
Speed reading and distance covered is about a third of actual.
Change the light to steady mode and it's fine.
Am I the only one?
No, you're not alone. I have not used my bike for awhile and when I used it again, my computer was playing up for some reason. I thought it was my action camera or my phone was causing it, but then I thought it could be my front light. I turned off everything but it was still playing up so I decided to ALL CLEAR it and start from the beginning. It's good that this computer had an input option where I can manually enter ODO reading where it stopped working properly which is great.
I've got one too. No you haven't got it the wrong way around (the
manual even shows it behind the leg). your problem is the gap
between sensor and magnet ... close it up and you'll be fine
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=AYXbVJmxJePR7Abnvo...
I've got this CatEye and it's great value. I had Stradas before. The first packed up after 3 years ( 3 miles into the Etaoe which wasn't great timing) and the other lasted just 2 years but as I have another Cat Eye that is 12 years old and still going strong I thought I'd give CatEye another chance. The calorie counter ( accurate or not) is the best incentive I'vd ever had - especially on the rollers. Half an hour is 700-800 calories and that pleases me.
SirCav,
Looks like the distance between the transmitter and wheel magnet is too great.
1. There should be a line on the transmitter that needs to roughly in line with your magnet, if not no signal.
2. Try twisting the transmitter inwards until there is a about 5mm gap or the head unit picks up a signal.
3. Drop the transmitter and magnet towards the hub until a signal is picked up.
4. Failing that try placing the transmitter on the front of the fork and play about as above.
Looking at your pictures I would suggest that you have it on the wrong side of the fork and consequently the round the wrong way.
The sensor is usually fitted to the leading edge of the right-hand fork leg with the battery compartment access on the inner side. You will then see the marking 'Sensor Zone' at the top of the unit which will enable you to line the magnet with the sensor.
You may need to angle the unit in towards the wheel to get a good pick-up.
You can check for operation before you set off by picking up the front of the bike and spinning the wheel. If all is properly set-up even a 'Sleeping' display will activate and show you a road speed measurement.
I went and bought the Cateye Velo Wireless+ and thought I had installed it correctly but having just returned from a shortish local ride, I have to report that all it told me was the time. Looking at the attached photos, have I attached it incorrectly? If anyone can help shed some light on this, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
(I have 700 x 23c tyres so I set the unit to '210' as per the table included with the instructions, in case that helps)
Velo 2.jpg
(I have 700 x 23c tyres so I set the unit to '210' as per the table included
Must be 2100, as it's mm per full revolution. These devices always work when the wheel magnet is up near the rim and the sensor high on the fork leg. Naturally, the sensor is mounted so the magnet passes as close as possible, which means it's on a spoke from the same side of the hub as the fork leg- doesn't matter which leg! Zip ties as tight as possible and possibly immobilised with tape to stop sensor slipping into the wheel.
Can I assume it's designed to function in heavy rain and not just on dry days?
I've Cateye Strada Wireless
overall, it's perform good
oh please. carbon offset?
looks a nice enough piece of kit but that ridiculous gimmick would put me right off buying it.