Customer Reviews

SIGMA BC1606L 16-Function Topline Wired Bicycle Speedometer

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

(1) I rate this product a lowly 3 because the speed readout steps up in only half mile an hour (or kilometer per hour) increments, (rather than tenth mile per hour increments), meaning it will jump from say 20.0 mph to 20.5 to 21.0 . Thus you won't see if you're beginning to trend up or down until you've changed speed by as much as around 0.6 mph, which is a notable speed difference on a bike. Paradoxically, max speed, average speed, and the trip odometer are precise to the hundredth mph (or kph), so internally the device measures to the hundredth of a mile per hour and the designers, inexplicably, purposefully degraded the CURRENT SPEED display.

(2) Even though you're running a wire to the chain stay anyway for the cadence pickup, the speed pickup is on the front wheel, meaning it won't measure speed when you're training on a stand or rollers.

(3) If you've ever installed a cyclocomputer before, you'll probably have no difficulty installing this one in around ten minutes; if this is your first, then the instructions might turn you into a bitter, hateful person. The rubber band mounting system might also present challenges for mounting on non-standard frames, though that can probably be overcome with some bits of old tube folded over.

(4) After testing this for 25 miles on a route with a few surface bumps and some rough pavement, I haven't yet found any of the pickups or mounts to have shifted, but I can see how I might accidentally kick the cadence pickup someday with my foot. Whatever the logic, the rubber-band system for holding most of the components in place is not, in my view, as secure and stable as cable ties and screw-clamps. The mount for the computer unit itself will slip around unless you use the provided two-faced tape, which means that - despite the rubber band system - wherever you mount it initially is supposed to be permanent.

(4) Finally - although this might just be due to my inexperience with the unit - the mode and set/reset buttons are opposed to each other at the upper and lower edges of the computer, so if you want to cycle through the displays of say Mode 1 - which you would press with your thumb at the bottom right of the unit - you have to be sure to not squeeze the Mode 2 button, which is at the top right of the unit. That's not the biggest problem, but if you're moving, it's a nuisance you'd rather avoid.

FOLLOW UP: After a few weeks, in addition to confirming my initial impressions, I have found that the unit dismounts too easily. Twice it has flown to the ground, once while I was using the reset function (which means pushing a button on the upper left which might twist the unit counterclockwise and thus dismount) and once when I had been stopped and most have tapped the side of the unit without even realizing it (I went back to find it on the ground after I started moving and it wasn't there).

BOTTOM LINE: The Sigma 1606L is sold here at a good price considering its numerous functions including cadence, but the CURRENT SPEED display reads in only 0.5 mph/kph increments and (at least for this rider) that profound deficiency almost completely devalues the product. The mounting system is also way too loose, and the unit can EASILY be lost. The placement of the buttons is a problem since pressing two of the four can cause the unit to dismount. The button logic is also annoying. Admittedly, this unit has more (and possibly an excess of) functions than most other units, but there are two-button cyclocomputers which can more quickly navigate you through the menu. From one's armchair, this unit looks reasonably intelligent, but on the road it is very deficient. For those whose use of the computer is relatively minimal, the design might be entirely fine, but if you continually attend to your cyclocomputer readout while you're riding, this unit is not for you.

The only thing I have to compare this to is a cheapy $8 one I had from Kmart many years ago. This Sigma 1606L has many more features including cadence which I use often. The data it collects per trip ( average speed, average cadence, max speed, trip time, trip distance) is saved so I can transfer it to a spreadsheet to track how I'm doing. It's easy to remove from it's base using a bayonet style attachment, which I have placed on the handlebar stem. I was not impressed when I saw how the parts mount to the bike, thin rubber O-rings loop around sensor and fork, or baseplate and stem to stay in place, but after 1000 miles on streets and bike paths everything has held together. It always shows current speed plus any other selected single feature, like cadence or time.
Why only 3 stars?
1) Lacks a scan feature, so I must push a button repeatedly to get to view the function I want. An auto scan feature would allow me to keep my hands on the grips where they belong.
2) The wiring is somewhat flimsy. Small gauge wire is subject to breaking if put under any stress.
3) Speed readout shows only the closest half mile interval, doesn't show tenths. For example, it reads either 12.0 MPH or 12.5 MPH missing 12.1, 12.2,etc.

I am actually very happy with this nicely designed and low cost unit. Mine came with a second mounting for a second bike, data for which it tracks separately. After 8 months of use over many miles, it has served me well.

I was using a Cateye Microwireless on my 36 V eBike and the unit would stop displaying speed/miles whenever I turned the eBike light on. The BC1606L, as it is a wired unit, solved the problem and now I can display speed/miles with the eBike light on. FYI, install was straightforward but I would suggest getting additional nylon cable ties to secure the sensor to display wire as you can route it along existing cables and just use the ties to hold it in place. If your bike frame is colored [mine is red] you can get colored cable ties [www.mcmaster.com] which will make the installation look better. The unit comes with a cadence sensor but I did not install mine and cannot comment on this function.
With use I have found additional advantages over the Cateye. The display digits are larger than the Cateye and are easier to read. Resetting the trip odometer and resetting other functions is easier than the Cateye. The night light is bright and makes the display readily visible at night.
Bottom line. The large digits in the display are nice and eliminating the interference on an eBike for night riding worked fine.

I'm a casual mountain biker and this computer works great for me. It seems very accurate, was easy to install, it's easy to read while riding, and it has more than enough functions for my needs.

I've had an earlier version of this unit (a BC-800) on my motorcycle for several years. It has been very useful, primarily to give me a large display of my actual speed. You see, most motorcycles have an 'optimistic' speedometer, which usually read 10% high.

My BC-800 finally gave up the ghost - the display faded to where it was barely visible.

The BC-1606L is better in most every way than the BC800. The single best improvement is the non-volatile memory. That means you do not need to re-program the unit every time you replace the battery. The display is larger, and the contrast is adjustable. And, there is a 'backlight' feature!
Installation on a motorcycle is easy. Mount the pickup on the brake caliper, and set the Wheel Size and the Time into the computer. Make sure the pickup cable doesn't foul anything when you turn the steering lock-to-lock.
Installation of the magnet is a little more complicated. Figure out where the magnet will pass less than 1/4 inch from the pickup. This is most probably on the brake rotor. Using either double-stick tape or some packing tape, stick the magnet where you think it'll work. Take a slow ride around the block, and see if the system shows your speed. If it doesn't, you'll need to fiddle with the location of the magnet and/or the pickup. If it does work, mount the magnet more permanently on the rotor. I used two-part epoxy glue.
A really great piece of gear, for not a lot of money!
I don't recommend the 'wireless' version of this unit for motorcycles. While I haven't seen one, I'd guess the ignition system might interfere with the Sigmas' signal.

The computer can be mounted on the handle bars, stem, or on aerobars. The mounting can be rotated to account for the different paths of bars, either perpendicular or parallel to the bicycle major axis. The backlight is not too bright. It's about as bright as the Indiglo feature on TimeX watches. The computer offers "Reset All" function, but doesn't reset all the functions. You need to go into some modes and reset them manually, which is a nuisance. However, I don't use all those functions anyway. A stopwatch is also provided, which is nice. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with my purchase at a great price. The computer does come with all the wiring/sensors needed for the speed and the cadence functions.

This is the second bike computer that I have owned. The first one was a cateye, which although priced similarly, was not nearly as good.

Setting this up was pretty straightforward, and easy if you've ever installed a bike computer before. It took about 30 min, but that's because I had never used a cadence meter before and I wasn't entirely sure how / where to install it. (In case you are ignorant as I was, the cadence meter measures the rpm of your pedals.)

The display itself is crystal clear, and looks sharp compared to some of the other bike computers that I've seen.

I actually like the fact that this unit is wired, as opposed to some of the new wireless computers, because there is less work involved in replacing the multiple batteries later on.

Some other people on here have criticized the O-rings that hold the sensors in place. I've ridden a few hundred miles since installing this computer, and the sensors have not shifted AT ALL. I'd advise using some electric tape to secure the wires, but really if you follow the instructions I don't think this criticism is valid in the least bit.

The other major criticism that I've seen on here is the fact that the current speed is only shown to .5 mph of accuracy; meaning that if you were moving at say 12.37 mph, the computer would read 12.5 mph. To me this is not a big deal.

Despite the CURRENT speed only reading to .5 mph, the AVERAGE speed is accurate to the hundredths place, meaning it WILL show 12.37 mph.

And here's the beautiful feature that most other bike computers don't have:

While riding, the bike computer is constantly making a comparison between the CURRENT speed, and the AVERAGE speed. If my CURRENT speed is higher than the AVERAGE, there is a tiny arrow pointing up on the display. If the two speed are roughly equal, there is is a tiny square on the display. If the CURRENT speed is less than the AVERAGE, there is a tiny arrow pointing down on the display. It sounds complicated, but in reality its a remarkably simple way to show if you are improving or not.

When I use this computer on rides, I always try to keep that arrow pointing up. I've noticed that by paying attention to it, I have pushed myself much harder than I ever have in the past.

As you might imagine, the back-light is also a *KILLER* feature which really makes this computer worth getting over any non back light model. Half my rides are at night or early in the morning and it would be pretty much impossible to use a bike computer at these times without it. It is implemented in such a way as to save power when not in use, and really looks great in the dark.

Although I've only written about speed, there a lot of other useful functions like cadence, a stop watch, trip distance, and a total odometer among others.

I will say that the first few times I used this computer, it seemed as if there were too many functions and also it seemed too difficult to remember which buttons accessed all of the different information. I've since changed my mind.

The computer and the buttons are actually set up pretty intuitively once you get used to it. You can tell that the people who designed the computer actually used it a lot, and thought of ways to make it simple despite all of the functions.

All in all this is a significant improvement over my last computer (which wasn't that bad to begin with). I'd definitely recommend to anyone shopping around.

I bought this speedometer because I wanted a wired speedometer that had a backlight and didn't take up space on the handlebars.

Pros
- Nice screen - more readable at off angles than my old Cateye Enduro 8 by far.
- It's been very reliable - unlike my Cateye Enduro 8 I've never looked down the the speedometer didn't have a reading even though I wasn't moving (I had 2 different Enduro 8's - both at some time had this happen).
- The stem mount hasn't had any issue with keeping the speedometer on the stem - I haven't thought about once I put it on.
- Once you learn what to do, the backlight works.
- It's pretty interesting to be able to reset just one value - mostly it's nice to be able to reset the max speed value without also resetting the trip distance, average speed, etc.

Cons
- The speedometer annoyingly hides certain info while you're riding and there's no way to get at it. For example, someone asked me how many miles I put on my bike since I bought it - but couldn't say as it wouldn't show me the odometer unless I stopped.
- You can't stem mount the speedometer and use the cadence sensor at the same time - the placement of the connector is on the bottom of the speedometer, neither I nor the bike shop mechanic could figure out how we would be able to hook it up.
- The backlight functions, but it's more of a PITA than it could be. First you have to press the two left buttons to activate the ability to turn the backlight on. This functionality turns itself off after a certain period of time, assumably to save battery life, so you have to do it every ride. After that, when you hit a button the display lights up - fortunately, you can tap either of the two buttons on the left to light it up without changing what it's displaying. But when the light does come on, it stays on for about 1 second. I haven't timed it, but it turns back off really quickly. There's also no way to simply turn it on and have it stay on, which would have been really nice.

This is one of only two wired speedometers I know of that are wired but also have a backlight. The other is made by Topeak.

If you want a reliable speedometer with a decent screen and a backlight this is a good choice, as long as either you don't want cadence or are willing to mount it on the handlebars. If that's the case, this is the best wired speedometer I can find that has a backlight.

First, the bad news. The install instructions aren't great, the read out is smallish for aging eyes, and the set-up/operation seems unnecessarily complicated. Now the good news . . . it does everything I want it to do, it seems to work well, it's small and lightweight and the o-ring "fastners" are kind of cool. Oh yeah, at around $35 for the unit with the cadence sender, it's a great deal.

This is the only bike computer I have ever purchased and I find it does all I want it to do and it does it well. The "light" feature is really helpful when riding at night as it makes it easy to check your speed or distance without stopping to find a light in order to view.

The item installs quite easily however the instructions leave a lot to be desired, like explaining how the thing really works. Also the wheel size setting part of the installation needs to be much clearer and also more precise. I found that the wheel size of my bike when using their chart was not accurate and had to perform the actual measurement of the wheel circumference. Having set it up that way, the distance and speed matched my GPS measurement perfectly. I love the feature that keeps a running total of miles ridden along with the total time the bike is ridden as well as the re-settable trip time and trip distance. A must have gadget for any bike enthusiast. My only complaint is that the model I ordered was to be "Black" and the one received was Silver. Wasn't worth the trouble to send it back. The selling dealer was not Amazon but came from Niagra Cycle Works.