Aldi el cheapo (BIKEmate) speedo

[Black Sheep]

The bikemate bosts 30 functions run by just three buttons and while slightly skeptical but only wanting an odometer at £5ish i thought it couldn't be too bad.


Set up took a little while due to normal male "don't need instructions" resulting in the unit being in its default language (dutch i believe) so following the instructions for a bit is recomended,

set up was easy enough, complete with a list of wheel sizes (including my 27 X 1 1/4 inch) which appear to be accurate (checked with google maps for the route I just took) so i assume the speed reading is accurate too.

flicking through the different functions is done by two buttons and fairly simple when you recognise what they are - the instruction sheet (rather large and all in english) has a cartoon strip style section with each possible display and a number next to it so you can look up what the current screen is.

fitting is by rubber bungees and easy enough, no tools required - it even comes with four zip ties for securing the cable

I would have preferred a bit more cable (wanting to mount it on the rear wheel and have the unit on the stem) or a bit less cable (too long for mounting on stem and fork) but the extra cable length would be a neat fit on my mountain bike with suspension fork.

the back of the mounting plate unscrews enabling you to convert the handlebar mount to a stem mount which is very useful and noticed just before i got the saw out to 'convert' it myself.

the physical size of the unit is a little large, but the display is large enough to see when riding, i guess its a trade off

all in all, not the best out there, but i've used worse! a good buy at £5ish

the unit says its splashproof, that'll get tested when it rains

 

[alecstilleyedye]

they're fine if caught out by the rain, certainly they won't die before you have time to stash them in a bag or pocket.

i've got two and they work fine, have done for the year i've had them.

 

[fossyant]

Me and my son have had one a year - no problems. Will fit smaller wheels and there is a hack on the know how section !

 

[Alembicbassman]

I got one for my Marin Larkspur commuter, looks better on a chunky bike.

If you spiral the wire down your front brake cable it avoids dangly bits.

I like my Cateye Velo 5, fitted to my road bike, better for its small size and pure simplicity but it was twice the price.

 

[Sun Superlight]

I've just bought one and it seems to work fine, the only problem seems to be that with thirty functions and three buttons, I'll need a memory like an elephant to remember all the possible combinations.

 

[rog 1974]

got one last week for the wifes bike, took about 10 mins to put on and set up you cant go far wrong for that sort of money only trouble is the kids want one now thats another 4 ive got to get.