How can I test the accuracy of my new road bike computer?
Question by dread head: How can I test the accuracy of my new road bike computer?
I got a computer to help me train. Although I am not sure for what yet! i would like to know how can I test that I installed it properly. I mean it works and it seems to be ok. I went real slow and it said 5-6 miles per hour I head down the street and got up to 25. I stopped and it went to 0. Is there a for sure way to make sure the MHP are accurate? Then I assume if that is right than all the other functions will be correct too?
Best answer:
Answer by intrepidfae
The accuracy of the displayed speed completely depends on the accuracy of the wheel circumference as entered into the computer. Your computer’s manual will tell you how to do this. Without question, the best way to get the most accurate circumference is to do a “roll-out” test. Sit on your bike. Have someone use chalk to mark the tire sidewall and the pavement at the same spot. Move the bike forward until the sidewall mark returns to the same position. Mark the pavement again. Measure the distance between the two marks on the pavement. Enter that distance into the computer. You should be good to go.
HTH
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If you’ve input the correct value for the wheel diameter, then assuming it’s a reasonable quality brand then it should be fairly accurate.
Have a mate ride beside you for a period, cross check the readings, ride a certain distance, say 5 mile, pay exact attention to where it is, go home & do the same run in the car, does the car speedo indicate 5 miles?
I wouldn’t trust any bike computer to exactly precise, if you do 10 miles & the computer says it was somewhere over mid 9 then I’d be happy with that sort of inaccuracy, it’s consistency that you need for your training, if it reads the same for a given training course then you are getting accurate enough data.
I have a mile marker the county decided that I needed in my front yard. I used it to check my cyclometer and it shows exactly one mile within 20 ft of the next marker. I put a dab of paint on the tire and with my weight on the bike I put down 3 more marks in the garage and measured the distance and divided by 3. I converted that to mm and used that as the tire circumference. Cyclometers are very accurate if set up right. If the distance is right the other functions will be accurate as well.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cyclecomputer-calibration.html
I did the same test with my car and was about 120 feet off. Cars are not very accurate.