I’m not a big fan of computers in general. I ought to admit that from the outset. And cycle computers are, if anything, worse than their ever-so frustrating larger cousins. I seem to find myself buying a new cycle computer far too regularly, with some not even lasting a year before they mysteriously go blank, stop registering my speed, or start coming up with ludicrous data (42mph uphill? I wish). I don’t think this is necessarily anything to do with me being a particularly hard-wearing computer person; I don’t press the buttons any harder than anyone else, I don’t leave computers in the rain for prolonged periods of time, or wash them with any highly corrosive cleaning materials. I’m also very careful with both magnet and sensor, and yet still fear the start of most rides for those first few wheel revolutions and the little LCD screen staying depressingly blank. So it’s usually with a sense of resignation that I fit a new one. Despite my general gloominess though, in my (bitter) experience, Cateye computers have proved pretty good.

Fitting the Micro Cordless is a doddle – something that makes a huge difference to overall computer happiness. The table of suitable wheel-sizes is quick and easy to refer to, and fitting each of the sensor, magnet and display unit is quick and easy. The display unit slips in and out of a little bracket, meaning you don’t have to leave it on the bike at all times (but that you do have to remember to take it with you before setting out for a ride), a fairly standard feature of a lot of computers now. A useful feature is that the bracket can be attached to either stem or handlebars, since it has slots for the mini zip-ties that run either horizontally or vertically – this will be particularly useful for those of us who dabble in triathlon as well and so may want to alternatively position the computer on tri-bars.

In terms of functions, all the usual are present; including trip distance, time, speed, average speed, max speed and odometer. The computer works very well, and has a handy double counter feature, whereby you can effectively keep track of separate legs of a longer journey. It also has an auto-stop feature, which means that the trip time presented to you at the end of a journey is actual cycling time, excluding any traffic light halts or rests you may have taken – this is both a positive or negative depending on how you look at it, but since I usually wear a heart rate monitor and run an overall stop-watch on that for the whole session I found it quite useful. The cordless aspect is a bonus, and the signal seems to be strong enough not to get confused by other riders’ units when in a pack. The light is fairly weak, but still passable for night riding, and during daylight the display is very clear and easily visible in most light conditions. I rode through a lot of rain and mud and this didn’t seem to put the Micro off, neither did extremes of temperature. My one issue came when the sensor got knocked off the front fork leg (my fault for letting someone else load the bike into the car). However this was easily fixed with another zip-tie, and it was really pleasing (given my natural mistrust of computers, especially wireless ones), that once I’d realigned the sensor with the magnet, the computer worked perfectly again.

This seems, so far, to be a very good computer. At less than £30, it looks good, is easy to fit and operate, works well, and perhaps most importantly – I haven’t managed to break it…

Chris.