Is a Bell Bike Computer Enough Computer for You?

I rode my bike for a few days with no computer, but I like to “know” stuff!! Especially how far and fast I’m going on my bike. Since it was early in this cycling experiment I just grabbed a cheap bike computer from Walmart. I got the Bell Bike computer F20.

Let me just say a few things about bike computers and cycling. As with just about ANYTHING in cycling you can spend a lot of money on a bike computer. However, as a beginner, and a long distance cycling wannabe it really isn’t necessary at this point.  What is important is to figure out what features you want in your bike computer and then make sure the one you get has those features.

For me I wanted to know how fast I was going, how far I had gone, and calories expended would be great too.  The Bell Bike Computer f20 had all those things, and it was cheap.  The Bell bike computer I got is not a wireless computer,  which means you have to place sensors on your bike tires, and that’s what sends the information back to the computer. My husband nicely wrapped the wires up the fork and wrapped them in black tape and I haven’t had any problems with it at all.

The first thing you’ll want to do when you get it home, after you’ve got the wiring all connected is program your computer. To tell how far and fast you’re going it needs to know the size of your tires. It also asks you for information like body weight and age so it can figure out the calories I assume.  Programming the computer is really easy. It’s just a matter of hitting the left and right buttons on the computer and clicking until you get to the right number.

Once you have it all set up you just attach it to your bike ~ it comes with zip ties to attach all the pieces provided, and then get on your bike and ride.

The one problem with this Bell bike computer, and it’s not really a problem anymore, is the instruction manual is incorrect. It tells you to reset your trip counter to press and hold down both buttons for 3 seconds. This actually deletes all the information and you have to reprogram the whole thing. (This did NOT make my husband very happy lol), although it really only takes a couple seconds to reprogram, but we were standing on our bikes getting ready to pedal off when he tried to reset my trip counter.  (Maybe at some point he’ll figure out to just leave my stuff alone because I had already figured out you just press and hold the LEFT button for three seconds to reset any information you want reset).

You can reset all the information, including the trip meter, how long you were riding, and your calories, all the while leaving your odometer in tact. I like the odometer because I can clearly see my miles add up day after day. (Even though we’ve accidentally cleared it a couple times now)

One other feature the Bell bike computer has, which I haven’t used much as of yet, is it has a back light. This would be great if you were riding at night. You would still be able to see your computer. I haven’t had the chance to ride after dark as of yet, but winter is coming.

I personally like my Bell Bike Computer very much. That doesn’t mean I don’t get online and dream about getting a Garmin that tells me my cadence and a plethora of other information I have no idea what to do with ~ but for now the basics work, and I’m working them!!