Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer

Comments about Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer:

After one hour with this thing on the bike, I had to wonder why all bike computers don't have nice large displays like this one. First of all, all of the items that I want to be able to see are on the display all the time - no more multiple button presses to find my average speed, ride time, ride distance. Second, this is the most readable display I've ever used, going back to the late 1970s. The LCD is sharp and bright even when wearing polarized sunglasses. Kudos to Planet Bike for not following the "smaller is better" paradigm.

The mounting bracket for the computer mounts ONLY on the handlebar - no way to mount it on the stem. The bracket is sized for the largest of handlebars and I had to use the thickest rubber shim to get it to clamp properly on my road bars. My handlebar is powder-coated black and so the surface is rough enough that the bracket with the rubber shim doesn't move when you push on the computer to change the bottom display line. If you have a very smooth bare metal bar, you may have a different result. It would have made more sense for the computer to just have a button to change the display, rather than having to move the entire computer in its bracket. The sensor magnet is different from all others I've used where the emphasis has been on small size and mass. The magnet here is in a heavy metal housing that clamps to the spoke and the magnet extends about twice as far from the spoke as with other computers. It just isn't possible to adjust the sensor in relation to the magnet as described in the instructions. Trying to line up the center of the magnet with one of the lines on the housing results in the magnet striking the battery protrusion. I adjusted the magnet so that the top line on the sensor was slightly nearer the lower edge of the magnet (thus allowing the magnet to clear the battery) and that worked just fine. It remains to be seen whether the unit will last longer than the wireless computers from Cateye and Sigma (I got 6-9 months out of them), but if it doesn't, I'll switch to the Planet Bike wired model just to retain the large display.

Service and delivery comments:

Bought in REI store

Comments about Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer:

Originally purchased the Sigma 1606L DTS wireless computer but readouts such as mph, distance and time would not continuously display (mph, for example, would read "0.0" for anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or so during an entire ride). According to Sigma customer service, this is due to interference caused by radio signals transmitted along the course of my commute or training rides. I found the intermittent readouts to be very distracting. I couldn't find much info about computers that wouldn't have the same issues so I purchased the Protege wireless just to see if there was a difference. Happy to say that setup and installation was fairly straightforward (please read the directions!), overall operation is simple and there has been NO interruption of readouts for over 300 miles. The size of the computer is a bit too large in my opinion but on the plus side nearly all the info you need during a ride is displayed on a single screen (no need to push buttons to view multiple screens). The computer IS the button which simplifies operation.No problems, yet, with water and dirt.The computer can be set for two bikes and a 2nd bike sensor/mount kit [...].So far, this has been a very accurate and reliable wireless computer.

Comments about Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer:

I've been extremely pleased with the computer and it fits the niche I needed filled. First off the display is large and overall larger than other computers. I wanted one that had all the info on one page so I wasn't having to fiddle while riding. It's easy to read and I don't consider it huge by any standard. The only flaw with the mounting is there is virtually no way to stem mount it. This wasn't a concern for me so doesn't matter. The magnetic wheel mount is bigger than others and takes a few times to get it set just right but I haven't had a senor problem or needed to readjust it at any point, even while trail riding through water and mud. The wireless feature is a dream and I've had no problems with loosing the signal or any interference with my heart rate monitor. I was unsure about the button operation but while riding it's nice just to be able to move the whole thing up as the button. Calibrating it was easy enough. I checked it in an open parking lot with my GPS and it's dead on. It doesn't need to be more accurate than that. The features for the price are unbeatable and I have had no issues with quality or durability being less than standard. I've recommended these to my brothers.

Comments about Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer:

I use this on my K2 full suspension mountain bike. I'm not a hardcore rider, but I did want something wireless.

Other reviews on REI and other places have complained about the wireless features not working, the thermometer being inaccurate, or the computer being inaccurate in general.

Thermometer: works fine for me, but I don't ride where the unit would be in full sun all the time.

Wireless: works fine, even on my XL frame. The sensor and magnet have to be crazy close though. My fiancee's Velo 5 isn't nearly as touchy.

General accuracy: I configured mine with a custom wheel diameter setting from day 1. Did the same with the Velo 5, and both read to within a few hundredths of a mile relative to each other.

So I think the unit is great. As a casual rider who usually leads a pack of kids on rides, I really like having the time, temp, and average speed available at a glance. If I had to find anything negative to say, it would be a couple minor things. (A) There is a lot to sort through on that display, but that much is obvious. (B) It only comes with a bar mount; I'd like to have a stem mount option as well. (C) The auto-start doesn't always work; it comes back to life after a short snooze, but not if it has sat overnight - a quick push of the only button wakes it up no problem. (D) The magnet has to be crazy close to the sensor.

Bottom line is that I'd buy it again and would recommend it.

Service and delivery comments:

I did the ship-to-store option. Everything arrived in a reasonable amount of time (no worse that "economy shipping" from other online stores, it arrived in good shape, and I didn't have to pay shipping.

Comments about Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer:

For the price, this is a reasonable bike computer. The display is easy to read, and the 9.0 provides useful and accurate information, such as ambient temperature and the usual time / distance functions. The design doesn't have any highly-reflective surfaces, so annoyances in bright sun are minimized; a good thing.

Just a couple of caveats to be aware of. First and foremost, the wireless transmitter has very limited range, so the 9.0 sensor must be mounted on the front fork and the head unit mounted on the handlebar at approximately stem height. On my bike the sensor could not be mounted on the front fork due to design constraints, and the transmitter did not have sufficient range for a rear fork mount, so we mounted the 9.0 on my spouse's more conventional bike. If you have a Cannondale "Lefty" front suspension, or a similar design, this computer is not for you. There's no mention of transmitter range on the product package or in the instructions, so make sure the 9.0 is compatible with your bike before purchasing.

While the installation and set-up procedures are not especially complex, and the provided instructions contain all of the necessary information, the procedures are not especially intuitive, the set-up interface is a bit cumbersome, and those folks not very adept at technical or mechanical tasks are apt to find the instructions and the procedures frustrating.

The finicky design of the sensor also leaves something to be desired. The required tolerance between the spoke magnet and the fork-mounted sensor is rather tight, at about 2mm, but the sensor adjustment is a little crude, and unless you get the zip ties and the sensor adjustment knob very tight it is easy to see that everything could go out of alignment in normal use.

Be sure to use a rubber "shim" on the handlebar mount, even if your bar is thick enough for mounting without a shim. The shim keeps the mount from slipping, and instructions imply a shim is optional.

For an experienced, mechanically inclined hand the entire set-up took about fifteen minutes, and the unit works as advertised. Overall, a reasonable value for the price, especially if purchased on sale.

Comments about Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer:

The radio range is less than 24 inches even with new batteries, making this unreliable or non-functional in most situations. The instructions are among the worst I have ever seen and their website adds nothing. A (not so) cheap piece of junk and should be bought only if you enjoy wasting hours on poor quality and design.

Comments about Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer:

This computer performs as advertised. The large display with plenty of information on one screen is really convenient. Unlike other reviewers, I found the directions and set-up fairly easy. Took me about 15 minutes to install and set computer. Aligning the sensor with the magnet was a little tricky- the magnet has to be really close. READ THE DIRECTION CARELFULLY and follow the set-up order.

I have no problem with auto-start. I was told that some users have problems with the radio not responding because they live or ride near heavy radio traffic or power lines. I live in Fullerton California and have had no problems.

Comments about Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Wireless Bike Computer:

Unlike the Cateye Strada Wireless, this light needs to be activated each time you start riding.

If you sit for too long (after you've started), it will fall asleep.

I will return and get a Strada for bike 2. Bike 1 already has the Strada.