A bicycle computer is an electronic measuring instrument for the continuous measurement of different data with the bicycle drives. The base data, which are measured and indicated by each bicycle computer, are thereby the speed and the put back distance.

Historical development

Already when arising the cycle racing the desire developed, in particular with training data over driven distances and reached speeds to receive. Simple mechanical solutions, which thereupon were developed, were odometers and Fahrrad-Tachometer.

With the odometer through in the spokes fastened driver was increased with each revolution a speedometer by an amount of counting. Since the way of the extent of the Rades, put back with each wheel revolution, is, the odometers for special in each case, firmly stopped wheel sizes were manufactured. The odometers were fastened frequently directly to the Vordergabel of the bicycle.

An advancement represented (mechanical) speedometers, which indicated also (momentary) the speed. Here a receiver was attached at the axle of the front wheel, which was connected with the receiver with the display unit usually appropriate at the steering wheel by a flexible wave. Also this speedometers had to be adapted to the appropriate wheel size.

Advancement to the bicycle computer

With the development of microelectronics and from LC-displays it was possible into the 1980er years to make small computers available with small power consumption for the mobile employment. To this time the first bicycle computers came on the market. The operational principle remained alike until today in the largest number of the cases: A small magnet induced in one at the fork fastened small coil a pulsed voltage, which over a cable to the display unit, fastened in a spoke, which actual computer, one passes on. Alternatively a small solenoid is released. These impulses are counted electronically, processed and brought to the announcement. It is possible to compute apart from the sizes of Momentangeschwindigleit and put back distance indicated with the mechanical speedometers still further data like e.g. Average speed, and travel time. In addition it is no longer necessary to produce the devices for a certain wheel size but the wheel extent can over grope-moves to be adjusted.

Diversification

In particular into the 1990er years bicycle computers were equipped beyond the possibilities described above with always new functions for most diverse requirements. In addition belong:

• the measurement of the footstep frequency over a sensor attached at the Tretkurbel
• the measurement of the torque applied by the driver and thus the achievement by torque sensors in the rear wheel hub
• the determination of the height over the sea level (usually over a barometric levelling)
• the measurement of upward gradient and/or downward gradient inclusive. Summary of the driven elevator meters
• the measurement of the heart impact over a chest belt

In addition the possibility of the data storage comes and - transmission on a PC with some bicycle computers, whereby new ways of the training evaluation were created.

Since approximately 2002 also small government inspection department devices are applicable for the employment as bicycle computers. Here also the determination of the geographical coordinates and height is possible apart from the regulation of speed and distance, which for the bicycle tourism of importance is particularly. Since 2004 there are navigation systems for the bicycle, also government inspection department-supported. Their employment is however at present still only reduced possible, since due to the necessary arithmetic performance and colored announcement usually only Akku running times are obtained by maximally four hours.

One the manufacturer of bicycle computers, leading world-wide, is those SIGMA electrical GmbH.

Alternative one

It is also possible to use an older PDA with PalmOS by the software VeloAce than bicycle computers. There was also similar software for the same purpose, this however in the meantime is not no more developed further,

Related links

• VeloAce for PalmOS
• Bikini for PalmOS
• BikeBrain for PalmOS

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