I guess I don't agree with that. Heart rate is more important for training than cadence or speed, IMHO.

Beginners in many cases are still trying to find out if cycling is for them or not for them. Why spend $150 on a computer that has speed , cadence , heart rate and all the other functions $150 will buy when you are still trying cycling out for size. If you are a beginner and you want to get a lot better ASAP then go for the gusto with heart rate , watts , cadence and all the bells and whistles. This thread was begun by someone that sounded like he was a newbie on a budget and had questions. A good inexpensive computer and keeping a log of your ride information will go a long way to help any cyclist. Maybe someone needs to come up with a computer that registers being happy while riding. That would be a good computer.

Greetings,

When I first started getting on a bike, it was for rehab for tearing ALL the ligaments in my right ankle. The bike was used on a trainer in a spin class. The very first thing I was told, and what made the most sense, was that to properly define your capabilities, as well as be able to do the proper exercises, I needed a heart rate monitor and a computer with cadence. All the computers came with speed, regardless of who made them. This was a while back, so finding one with heart rate and cadence was not something I could do for under $500.

Today I would recommend, for purposes of budget as well as use, something with heart rate and cadence. You can use it on the road and on the trainer. Also, whether you spend $40-$80 on a computer without cadence or spend $150 on one with it; you have to spend over $80 to get a separate heart rate monitor anyway, so do the whole thing in one package. It saves time and money and wraps it up nice and neat package (unless you use the heart rate monitor for other sports).

Although you may not focus on heart rate on the road for now, you will focus on it if you are on a trainer. Also, it doesn't hurt to have it for those times when you feel you are overexerting and notice you have got your heart rate over you Anaerobic Threshold (once you measure it). By this time next year, you will be using it.

Just my .02

Bob

I believe that the question was about a simple wired vs wireless computer. I think we all would agree that the heart and cadence information are the most important when it come to performance information. When it comes to answering the original question is either less expensive wired or wireless computer is better. I do hope a computer has already been purchased by now . If not -spend $40 on a wired computer that has cadence or $40 on a wireless computer without cadence. We are talking about a beginner that has made no reference to "getting better/faster" or anything performance. Maybe he just wants the simple information that a good entry level computer gives.

Is there a good wireless computer w/cadence?

Only thing i've seen is the Cateye Strade Double Wireless that's affordable.

Shimano makes a very good computer ( I have used 9 & 10 speed version for yrs.) I have also had good luck with Sigma (earlier report by member did not like this computer - but I like it) If installed securely it will perform nicely.There are others as well but it is late and the shop mags. are put away and if you want more input I will find some more tomorrow. So the short answer is - Yes there are several nice inexpensive computers that offer wireless cadence (if $150 is your idea of inexpensive).

I happen to agree with those who say the heart rate and cadence are very important if you are most interested in your level of fitness but is you just want to know how fast you are going which is all some folks want to know then just get a cycling computer you like - I prefer wireless for ease of installation and there are no wires to mess up the look of ones bike. The Garmin 705 GPS is a great cycling computer that will collect all the data most of us need, heart rate, cadence, speed, avg speed and a lot more it will also make a record of the route you rode and show you where you are on a map but is you do not want all that then I would not spend the money. If you are a data nut (I am) then take a look at the VDO Z3 or Z1, you can see the Z3 HERE I use one of these because I have not found a cycling computer that collects more data and let you download it all into your computer.
I am a real nut about the data - I use a Garmin 605 (I would have gotten the 705 if I had know better) a VDO Z3 - why - I like to record my routes and I prep programs ride routes into it to follow before most rides if I have the data - I can make a ride route to follow from the data the GPS records on a ride. The Z3 shows me my heart rate, speed, altitude, % grade, temperature and one other line of data that I can choose like distance, odometer, watts, avg speed, time of day , time of the ride and about 20 other pieces of data like cadence.