Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 23:55:10 -0400 From: Tim Roaix Subject: Re: Shimano Flight Deck At 09:07 PM 9/18/98 -0400, you wrote: >Is there anyone on this list using the Shimano "flight deck" >cycling computer? Or anyone who KNOWS someone who is using it? >Can you tell me anytihng about it? How it's display and options >and functions and user interface compare to those of other >well-designed medium priced cycling computers, such as the >Avocet 45tt or CatEye Mity 3 or CatEye Astrale or Sigma Sport 1100 or 1200? > Well, I own one. Be prepared for a less than stellar review. First, you NEED a Shimano STI Ultegra or Dura-Ace lever set, AND they must be 'Flight-Deck' compatible. The shifting and cadence require modules which fit into the left and right shifters on the handlebars. If you don't have the NEW ($$$) STI systems specifically built for the modules (ie: Flight-Deck Compatible), then you are out of luck. The Flight Deck computes 'virtual cadence' via a neat mathematical trick. When you install the Flight Deck on your bicycle, you program it with the teeth of every gear on your bike. So if you have a 53 and 42 tooth front chainring, you program that in. If you are running 11-23 or 12-25 in the back, you program the teeth of every gear of your rear deraileur. The computer constantly displays the gear you are in (a nice feature for people who like to know without looking under their shoulder). It takes the speed you are riding, and the gear you are in, and computes speed/gear-inches = cadence. The FlightDeck can hold three front chainring gears and 9 rear. It deals well with 2x8 etc so long as you have the FlightDeck STI Brake/Shifter components that house the modules. SO, we have a computer which requires that you mount modules in the left and right STI shifters, undo all your handlebar tape to hide the wires, and also has a wire which winds down to the front wheel (how else to get the speed). The computer is controlled via two buttons on the right STI shifter. If you are a person who doesn't like to ride in the drops and holds onto your hoods a lot, and you have large hands, you will eventually turn the unit off. (Oh yea, if you push the far button on the hoods, the unit continues to register speed but shuts down all other functions, like the odometer, average speed, etc). You might wonder what's behind the two 'buttons' on the hoods. Actually, there are small plastic buttons with springs that frequently aren't strong enough to force the button out of the modular unit once they are depressed. The Flightdeck has two sets of diagnostics. If you want Speed, time spent riding, trip and total odometer you use the basic display. If you want cadence or average speed, you hold onto the closest of the two buttons for 4 seconds and the second set of diagnostics display. Well, this button with the really weak spring frequently just jambs down, and you get to look hopelessly while the display cycles back and forth between the first screens of the primary and secondary functions. If you happen not to be in a paceline and can fiddle with your right hood, you can pull the hood back and play with the button to try to get it to pop back into place, then hit it to get to the function you want. If you are unlucky, while doing this the pressure of pulling back the hood also depresses the far button. So when you push the front button, the unit does the 'press both buttons' routine and resets itself to zero miles for the trip. This happened to me on my last century ride, and I was ready to rip the unit out and leave it in the weeds. The tire-size setting of the Flightdeck allows for 20 or 25 etc size tires. I ride a 23 tire. There is no way for me to program the exact circumference of my tire. Even my cheapest Vetta C-15 $19 cyclometer lets me program in the EXACT distance my tire makes in one revolution. So my odometer distance is always off a little. Of course, I could always buy a tire which fits with the exact figures for the Flightdeck, then it would probably be exact. So, If you like the latest gadgets, and want to upgrade to a FlightDeck, spend your money. I won't on my next bike upgrade. Tim. > >+=====================================================+ >Subscribe to your favorite bicycling magazines through >Cyber Cyclery at the lowest possible prices. Find out >more at http://cyclery.com/home/subscriptions.html >+=====================================================+ > > +=====================================================+ Receive a free, fully-paid one-year subscription to Mountain Biker magazine by helping to support this list. Find out more at http://cyclery.com/support/ +=====================================================+