Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports Bicycle Radio with Cycle Computer and Digital AM/FM Tuning

by Sony

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00020M1SW
• Item model number: ICFM88B
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,503 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #91 in Electronics > Portable Audio & Video > Radios > Personal Radios
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 2, 2004

Product Description

Includes: handle bar mount & speed sensor. Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports FM/AM Bicycle Radio Walkman(R) - Make your bike riding more enjoyable with this AM/FM radio that is specifically designed for bicycles! In addition to the radio, it has a built-in bicycle computer. It keeps track of your current speed in MPH or KPH, total distance ridden, average speed, maximum speed, & more! Powered by 2 AA batteries (not included) Unit Weight - 10.1 oz. (including battery) Cycle Computer Functions Clock Display - shows a 12 hour setting Speed Meter - measures your current speed in either MPH or KPH. Odometer - measures total distance ridden since installation of computer. Trip Distance Meter - measures total distance ridden since last computer reset. Great for measuring miles per ride, week, etc. Ride Time - measures total time ridden since last computer reset. Great for measuring time ridden for day, week, etc. Average Speed - calculates average speed ridden since last computer reset. Great for fitness training applications. Maximum Speed - measures the maximum speed reached since last computer reset. Sleep Mode - automatically powers down the unit to conserve battery life. Freeze Mode Wheel Size Setting - adjusts for accuracy based on your bicycles specific wheel size.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice solution for this niche market, March 29, 2005

By 

Noca (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports Bicycle Radio with Cycle Computer and Digital AM/FM Tuning (Electronics)

This radio is almost exactly what I was looking for. Its water resistant design is sleek and reassuring. The speaker is loud enough for normal riding conditions. The backlit LCD and digital tuning are very nice. The bike mount is well designed - it is very simple to quickly detach the radio to take it with you. The FM antenna forms a hard rigid handle on the bottom (not shown in picture) which is nice for carrying.

That said, I have a few complaints. First, the FM reception is pretty poor compared to my car radio (in the same locations). I haven't tried working with the AM band much, so I can't say if it is any better. I would be willing to endure a larger model or more batteries to get better reception.

Second, there's no line-in jack for attaching an mp3 player. This might have been a conscious decision to preserve the water resistant design, but I would have liked to see it just the same. Of course, if you get a radio transmitter for your mp3 player, then you're golden.

Third, $50 is expensive for a portable radio. I would have been willing to forgo the bike computer functions for a less expensive bike mount radio.

Fourth, the wire going to the wheel sensor is kind of short and there's no way to extend it short of splicing the wire.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where is the sound???, July 24, 2005

By 

I. Lyn (Brooklyn NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports Bicycle Radio with Cycle Computer and Digital AM/FM Tuning (Electronics)

This is great product. let me start off by saying that. I love the digital tuner, the speedometer and odometer features. The backlight makes me feel as if I am riding on something more expensive at night. My gripe with the product is the sound.
Where is the sound? I gave up my Pyramid bicycle radio because I thought I was getting a "SONY" radio. Just the fact that Sony would make a bicycle radio made me buy one w/o hearing it first.
If you are in a park or a quiet surburban block, it is great. Just do not ride in traffic and expect to hear anything. My older Pyramid in my mind seemed louder. I wish Sony would have done something with the sound. I am seriously thinking it is only my radio and I am willing to listen to another one to see if it is just my particular unit. Headphonejacks would have made this better as I would mount external speakers or something. Other than the low quality sound which I am trying to adapt to, the reception is great, the odometer/speedometer feature is awesome and the backlight makes me feel as I am riding something expensive at night.
Just a hint, when you are configuring the speedometer sensor, a little RTV (Silicone) in my opinion should be used behind it to keep it from sliding out of position on the fork along with tailored tie wrap straps Song provided with the kit. (When you buy it you will understand what I mean)
Do not let the sound factor discourage you, because I have seen the bicycle stuff out there, and this is the top of the pile. It is that they all seem to sound the same. If somone else can show me a compact bicycle radio with bigger sound email me at:
[e-mail]

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It is smaller than you think it is., October 13, 2004

By 

Stan Baker "angrystan" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports Bicycle Radio with Cycle Computer and Digital AM/FM Tuning (Electronics)

This is the perfect compliment to my hybridized mountain bike. Something was missing from my jaunts about town, and I was thinking of getting a cycle computer anyway. I tend to ride in the wee small hours of the morning when traffic is not much of an issue. It looks kind of silly on my bar, but I'll live. I've lived with it for a week and can tell you that the computer functions work well, the speaker really is loud enough at any speed I am likely to obtain, say 25 downhill with the wind, and the buttons and dials feel quite secure. The mounting mechanism is top notch.

As much as I enjoy the air and the easy traveling the bike allows, I didn't like missing my favorite radio programs especially in the morning. I wasn't going to wear a headset as it just isn't safe, not to mention illegal. Now this is no longer an issue.

Reception could be better on both AM and FM. FM fade is much more significant than, say, on my car's radio. I can't seem to pull any but the highest of the high-power AMs from adjacent markets. This may not be for you if you don't intend to ride within 20 miles or so of your favorite station's transmitters, which I do.

Frankly, I am infatuated with this little radio. Although a few subtle improvements could be made, especially considering it's a Sony who make really swell mundane radio sets; I recommend it to anyone either addicted to the radio or whose biking jaunts could use a little more entertainment.