Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Computer
By James Sharp

We've all heard the questions after we've talked about our most recent ride; "How far was it?"; "How fast did you go?"; "How long did it take?". How do you quantify your rides? "Awesome", "gnarly" and "epic" can only be used so many times. Sooner or later the time will come, whether as a way to follow a guide book or map, or to let your riding buds know more about the ride, when you find yourself looking at bicycle computers. Bike computers can be as simple as a speedometer, or as complicated as telling you your power output. They range in price from about $15 all the way up to more than $250. If you want to know something about your ride, there is a computer that will tell it to you.

The Planet Bike Protégé 9.0 is definitely on the more reasonable end of the price range, but it is packed with unique features. Most computers show one or two lines of information, not so with the Protégé 9.0. It has 4 lines of information, three of which are always current speed, riding time, and trip distance. The fourth line alternates between the odometer (one per wheel size entered), average speed, maximum speed, clock, and temperature by pushing the whole computer on the mount forward. The standard mount is for the front wheel, but an extra long wire mount is available (tested here) at an additional cost.

I love the layout of the computer. Sliding the entire computer forward isn't as smooth as a small button would be, but I didn't mind in the least. There is so much information available on the large screen that I found myself leaving the computer on the clock/temperature mode the duration of the ride and checking the rest when I was done. I feel that every computer should have temperature built in. It may seem like a small thing, but now that I have spent some serious time with it, I can't see going back.

My only real complaint is centered on the rear wheel mount. The wire is burly, as it is on the front wheel mount, so no problems there. It is plenty long, without being overly so, again, Planet Bike did a nice job. The problem is the distance that the magnet sits from the pick-up sensor. For some reason computer manufacturers don't realize that the stays on the back of the bike might not come as close to the spokes as the fork on the front of the bike. The magnet needs to be less than 2 mm away from the sensor for the computer to work properly and in order to get this I had to shim out the sensor about a quarter of an inch, and shim the magnet away from the spoke a little. I know that all frames are different, but please send spacers with the rear wheel mounting kits.

Summary: The Protégé 9.0 retails for $44.99, and the rear wheel bracket kit is an additional $11.99. There are many computers out there that are much more money that I would pass over in favor of the Protégé 9.0. It is packed with features, has an easy-to-read screen and is waterproof. It has held up very well with the abuse that I have been able to dish out and is going strong. If I were to purchase a new computer today, I would purchase the Protégé 9.0 without hesitation. In addition, Planet Bike pledges 25% of its company profits to causes that promote the use of the bicycle for the good of the planet. So you get a great computer and can feel good about supporting bicycle advocacy. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy doesn't it.

James Sharp is a contributing editor to GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
Planet Bike
P.O. Box 259267
Madison, WI 53725
USA
www.planetbike.com
info@planetbike.com