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Post by hyperion on Jun 3, 2007 13:28:22 GMT 8
Serfas Computer Level 3 Wireless With Cadence Mini review: 1.) Cheap cheap cheap P1400 @ King's and even cheaper if Jane is around. (the equivalent Cateye Double Wireless with Cadence CC-CD300DW is much more expensive and is almost impossible to find locally - but it admittedly has a bigger screen, brighter backlight and more features) 2.) Magnets must be really close and aligned to the sensors 3.) Backlight is green and a bit dim and is timer activated but does not stay on too long nor continuously stay on at night time to preserve battery life. 4.) Only available in white and not as chic lookin as Cateye. 5.) The computer and cadence sensor are mounted with some adhesive and rubber band (perfect for weight weenies - there are no extra grams from mounting hardware!) so they are very easy to mount, unmount and remount. 6.) Waterproof (daw) ... we shall see since I love bikin in the rain. 7.) what I found out today: I averaged around 20km/h, had top speed of 33km/h, sustained cadence: around 85-88rpm and already logged 65km since puter was mounted last night.
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Post by pazigrider on Jun 7, 2007 10:30:03 GMT 8
i think the price is reasonable  i've read sometime ago that the ideal cadence is between 90 - 120rpm |
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Post by bobbyrosal on Jun 30, 2007 10:50:39 GMT 8
Bought one last week. In addition to the mini review..... Cadence is kind of hard to set up. Main unit when mounted on the stem cannot read the cadence sensor. I've remounted it in the left side of the handlebar and is now working. Does not seem to have a cadence average?  |
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Post by hyperion on Jun 30, 2007 12:42:00 GMT 8
Sometimes I accidentally tilt the display unit forward or backward and the cadence would not register anymore and I thought the distance between the cadence sensor and display unit was indeed very critical. However a minor adjustment of the cadence sensor solved the problem. I tilted the sensor towards the magnet on the crank (as opposed to having it perfectly vertical) such that they come into the closest proximity without hitting each other and now the cadence works fine with the main unit either at left or right side of the handle bar or whether I tilt it forward or backward.
Yeah there is no cadence average too but I don't think most cyclocomputers have it either except maybe the expensive ones.
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leflea
Free Rider
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Posts: 327
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Post by leflea on Jul 2, 2007 21:43:37 GMT 8
Wow, cheap nga.. was in king's last sunday but didn't notice any serfas computer on display. i'm also eyeing this model because of the backlight and being waterproof. though colour bothers me a bit. sir hyperion, so how's accuracy so far? have you tested how accurate it is? |
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Post by hyperion on Jul 3, 2007 1:08:14 GMT 8
I don't really know how accurate it is since I have no other cyclocomputer to compare. It is probably not perfectly accurate (otherwise it won't be this cheap) but I think it provides sufficient approximated data and reference for training especially because knowing the exact accurate speed, distance and cadence is not as important as knowing whether I am improving or not.
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elsdee
Urban Assaulter
Posts: 76
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Post by elsdee on Jul 3, 2007 9:58:02 GMT 8
I'm looking for the level 4. As compared to level 3 same functions the difference is the level 4 has temperature reading but no cadence. The color bright as white, sorry just visited the site all models are in white. Hehehe. I'll post review if I got one. Cheers!!!
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Post by hyperion on Jul 3, 2007 10:14:07 GMT 8
I saw several level 4 at Kings when I got my level 3 there but I did not look if they were still there the last time I was there last week. I saw some level 3 and level 4 units at Alterra too.
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leflea
Free Rider
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Posts: 327
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Post by leflea on Jul 4, 2007 10:37:32 GMT 8
I don't really know how accurate it is since I have no other cyclocomputer to compare. It is probably not perfectly accurate (otherwise it won't be this cheap) but I think it provides sufficient approximated data and reference for training especially because knowing the exact accurate speed, distance and cadence is not as important as knowing whether I am improving or not. well sir, i guess importance is relative. i've read feedbacks about other brands and they're not dead accurate as well. a lot of things affecting accuracy. putting external factors aside, is an inaccurate computer (depending on level of inaccuracy) still a good buy? at least if it's consistent each time you use it then it may be used to measure improvement, but what if it's not? |
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Post by hyperion on Jul 4, 2007 11:20:16 GMT 8
Well if you want to get real technical, accuracy of cyclocomputers completely hinges on the accuracy of tire sizes and since tire sizes (and weight) are NEVER accurate (say a 26" x 1.95 tire might actually be 26.2 x 1.98), then the measurements for speed and distance will never be perfectly accurate either.  However there is such a thing as relative accuracy. Say a reading of the cyclocomputer of 2km distance travelled is actually just 1.9km - that's 95% accuracy which is already good enough in my book. I think cyclocomputers are not perfectly accurate but they are at least consistent in their imperfection. My trip distances repeated over and over again do get more or less the same measurements, and lately since I've been increasing my cadence and pedal stroke power, it does measure the improvements including the corresponding speed increase, and decreased travel time to destinations. All these points to an acceptable level of accuracy. Anyway, I noticed that I ride much harder and with higher intensity after I had the puter installed since I can now set goals like ride for 50km, or ride at 30kph, or pedal at 100rpm ... all these goals are not perfectly accurate but they are close and are much better than pure guesswork. My biggest discovery though thanks to the cyclocomputer is that my cadence for climbing is way too high when using very low gears (100rpm+), no wonder I tire easily hehe. Lowering my cadence has really improved my climbing endurance. |
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Post by angelobryant on Aug 30, 2007 11:10:01 GMT 8
I have the level 2 (wired) it's P700 cheap. It has 9 functions all in all including cadence but since its wire, I'm a bit hesitant to install it since it requires another wire install which i don't like. It's water proof, i've proven it already when I accidentally left my bike in the rain for a whole day with the computer mounted.
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Post by hyperion on Aug 30, 2007 12:34:51 GMT 8
Speaking of water proof ... mine had been submerged under flood waters more times than I can remember and it is still working. The problem though is that I stepped on the cable tie holding the cadence magnet and it got lost. Bummer ...  |
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Post by angelobryant on Aug 30, 2007 21:38:19 GMT 8
Speaking of water proof ... mine had been submerged under flood waters more times than I can remember and it is still working. The problem though is that I stepped on the cable tie holding the cadence magnet and it got lost. Bummer ... Where did you placed the magnet? I've just finished installing the cadence function. Now I'm reading about cadence and what is the optimal. Will try out everything tomorrow. ;D I've place the magnet directly under the smalling chainring with the sensor right next to it. No risk of me stepping on the sensor since it's hidden. |
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Post by king on Aug 31, 2007 0:06:31 GMT 8
i just got the level 2 myself and had it installed at all terra. cost me more then P700 but the service to have it installed was worth it since i didn't have to fiddle around with the wires.
just keep your cadence at 90 as much as possible and you're all good! if it feels to light, go one gear heavier. too heavy, go one lighter. just make sure you can spin a comfortable 90. as you get stronger, you'll be able to spin on heavier gears.
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Post by hyperion on Aug 31, 2007 1:46:55 GMT 8
Where did you placed the magnet? I've just finished installing the cadence function. Now I'm reading about cadence and what is the optimal. Will try out everything tomorrow. ;D I've place the magnet directly under the smalling chainring with the sensor right next to it. No risk of me stepping on the sensor since it's hidden. I placed it near the bottom of the left crank arm as per the instructions. I might be able to try an extra cateye magnet as a replacement and your solution sounds good. How did you mount the magnet into the granny? Can you take a picture of your setup? |
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Post by mtbrider06 on Sept 3, 2007 19:16:24 GMT 8
Mine lasted less than 4 months lang. the wire less sensor not functioning since last week. I went back to cat eye.
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elsdee
Urban Assaulter
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Post by elsdee on Sept 4, 2007 7:23:14 GMT 8
@ mtrider06
what do u mean it only lasted 4 months? try check the magnet if its align with the sensor properly. sometimes after a bike wash i got this problem too! n after setting it up for the proper alignment starts to roll again.
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Post by angelobryant on Sept 10, 2007 13:40:19 GMT 8
Where did you placed the magnet? I've just finished installing the cadence function. Now I'm reading about cadence and what is the optimal. Will try out everything tomorrow. ;D I've place the magnet directly under the smalling chainring with the sensor right next to it. No risk of me stepping on the sensor since it's hidden. I placed it near the bottom of the left crank arm as per the instructions. I might be able to try an extra cateye magnet as a replacement and your solution sounds good. How did you mount the magnet into the granny? Can you take a picture of your setup? haven't had a chance to take a picture of the set up since the cadence function just suddenly disappeared. You heard me, vanished! Well, maybe it's partly my fault since i accidentally dropped the computer about 4 ft from the floor. I removed the sensor the same day. To give you an idea of the positioning, I zip tied the cadence sensor to the bottom of the down tube and also zip tied the magnet to one of the arms holding the chain rings to the bb. Im don't know what to call that part since its not in the basic MTB terms. |
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