Customer Reviews

Planet Bike Protege 8.0 8-Function Bike Computer

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I love this computer. I really wanted a 4-line screen for a reasonable price. I already had a wireless one with 4 lines on my other bike, but I like the screen layout on this one so much better. Line 1 has the current speed. Line 2 shows the ride time. Line 3 shows the ride distance. These first three lines are static and never change. Line 4 can cycle through the clock, average speed & max speed, and odometer. So, in one screen, I get all the info I really need. The screen is clear and easy to read. The mount is pretty good too - it comes with three different sized rubber shims so you should be able to get it to fit pretty much any handlebar width. I installed this on a 2008 Fuji Roubaix which I think just has standard-sized road drop handlebars. Installation was pretty easy, although not as easy as a wireless computer since you have to deal with the excess connecting wire. This is really no big deal, and it will pay off long term since you only have to worry about 1 battery, instead of the 2 on a wireless system. Plus, since it's wired, I never have to worry about interference if I'm riding with friends. Don't waste your money on the 2-line screens from the more popular brands that are more money. This one does everything you need!

I was surprised to read some of the other drawbacks mentioned in other reviews:
1) the battery connection is not tight, and keeps resetting the settings. I have not had this problem over the 2-3 months I have owned it.
2) The push button makes it too easy to reset the timers. I don't have a problem with this, but can see how this might be a problem. To change the display screen, you have to push the whole computer forward. A quick push, and Line 4 changes to a different statistic. If you hold it forward during a push for about two secs, it will reset the ride distance and timer. While sitting still, this will never be a problem. But, while riding, I can see how it might be easy to hold it too long, and accidentally reset the timers. On the flip side, I never need to switch the display screen since the main screen has all the facts I need (current speed, ride time, ride distance, clock).
3) Computer falls out of mount after hitting big bumps. I have mine on a road bike, so I'm not really hitting major bumps. I can't gauge how it would hold on a mountain bike that is hitting all kinds of nasty terrain. But, I will admit that the way the computer sits in the harness is not really well done. Planet Bike should probably redesign this to have some kind of latch that the user has to bend to remove the computer.

Bottom line: I highly recommend this computer.

The basics of this unit are great. More info, less button pushing and simple design. The bad parts are that the construction is not quite as solid or stable as I would like. The cable it comes with is burley & thick, which is nice, the construction is decent, but it cannot handle rough use. Every time mine fell to the ground it went blank and I has to reset everything. Turns out, the battery clips inside were too lose and the battery was moving. I bent the clips to really pinch the battery and that seems to fix the problem. Also, it resets the trip meter and such very easily, as others have noted. If you push it to scroll through the screens and hold it just a little too long, it resets everything. Also, in my pocket I often pull it out to find it reset.

This add so much to my rides. It is fun to try to best your time and average speed!
The computer itself is barebones and simple to use. It is durable and just works well! The price is reasonable and I recommend it highly!

I just purchased another for my new bike. Problem free, easy to use, easy to install and very accurate. For the price, I could only be happier if it helped my peddle up the hills! :)

This computer has so many functions and is easy to use even while riding. No problems with installation and directions were easy to follow. Easy to read screen! Definately a great buy for the price

I just bought this Protege 8.0 by mistake. We have two of the Protege 9.0 units already and when I went to buy one for my new bike I was thinking they were 8.0s. The only difference I can see is the 9.0 also can display temperature. While the temperature display can bounce a bit at times (+/- 4 or 5 deg F), and the device is of course affected by direct sunlight (as any temperature measuring device is), I still think it's a cool feature worth the extra few bucks.

What I really like about the Protege 8.0 and 9.0 is the 4 line display which can show up to 5 different read outs. For me, this is preferred vs having to keep pressing a button to cycle through all of the various read outs. I'd rather have to glance at the display multiple times than have to pull my hands off the bars to push a button.

I've own this product for about 6 years now and it has been the best in quality, reliability and durability. Best part about this product is that it will monitor two bikes, which is great now that I have recently purchase a full suspension MTB last summer. Plus when the battery dies, I can reset to original mileage of both bikes after installing the new battery. It survived rough trail riding, heavy rainfall and cold weather with ease. Changing from one bike to the other can be somewhat a hassle without the use of a ballpoint pen or other pointed object. Installation is easy for me as I distroyed a few computers before purchasing this Planet Bike product.

I really like this piece of equipment. Everything is laid out nicely and switching modes is a piece of cake, just a push up on it. I haven't had problems with it falling off like others to be honest. I wish it came in black. My only gripe were the instructions. They said to put the fork sensor on the rear of the forks but i wasnt getting a reading at all. I had to turn it to the inside of the fork which made the magnet line up perfect. Don't go by the picture. Awesome fast shipping by amazon too! Woulda bought the protege 9 i guess if i wanted a temp gauge but that wasn't necessary.

This computer is really cool in that the display is good and it tells you all kinds of data. However, if you hit a solid bump in the road it falls off! Mine fell off going down a hill at 25mph and it took me 15 minutes to find it. To my surprise it still worked. A couple days later I hit another bump going 30mph and it fell off in such a dangerous traffic situation I just kept going. I'm done with this computer.

A quick tip for those who are having problems with the trip odometer resetting unexpectedly: I was having the same problem described in several other reviews - the trip odometer would reset unexpectedly when toggling through the different functions. In my case, I found that the computer would stick just long enough to reset the odometer. At first I was ready to buy another computer, but thought to quickly clean the guides/grooves in the bracket and the back of the computer with a damp Q-tip. While I was at it I cleaned the contact points. Now when I push the computer to toggle functions, it slides back smoothly and immediately. Solved the problem and it works like new. I've had mine for a little over a year and about 2000 miles.

Functions well, especially for the price. Other than the reset problems really haven't had any issues. Only reason I would not give it a 5 rating are minor issues, like no back light and being forced to use wheel 2 setting for smooth road tires, which means you have to toggle through an extra, unnecessary odometer reading when out on the road.

I think I'll use this for another season or two, then switch over to a wireless computer with cadence. Hopefully by then they'll work the bugs out...