After months of waiting, our ErgoBrain computer finally arrived, and your C-O webmaster set

 about installing and beginning to road test Campagnolo's first excursion into the realm of cycling electronics. Here, then, are our test results. 

Installation

Before you start installing your ErgoBrain, be sure to clear a couple of hours from your schedule. Unless you're unusually fast, it will take you a while to get all of the various bits and pieces installed correctly and all the trim back together. That's partly because of the number of parts, and partly because installing the shift sensors requires that you untape your handlebars, which for me usually means a half an hour to get the new tape on just right.

A few notes about installation:

Follow the directions, and you'll do just fine. I found the English installation instructions fairly clear (about on par with Campagnolo's so-so translations from Italian into English). Anybody with comments on the other languages, please let me know.

The directions are very specific about the place the various tiny parts go into. For some reason, however, they don't mention a pair of amber-colored clips that go on the Ergo lever attaching bands--there's a warning on the package the bands come in, but nothing in the instructions.  Photo at right shows where the bands fit -->

The wires that connect the shift sensors to the mount are too long--and for some reason, the left side sensor's wire was longer than the right side's.  The directions are silent on what to do with this excess cable, so I made small loop on either side, which is wrapped behind the handlebar tape.  <-- See photo to left

One other glitch: The cadence magnet that's supposed to fit into the recess in the axle of the left side pedal didn't fit into my Record Titanium pedal (see below). I had to gently drill out the spindle to get it to fit. With that done, the instructions say nothing about how to keep the magnet in. With a steel spindle, that wouldn't be a problem--the magnet is quite strong, and should keep itself in place. But magnets don't stick to titanium, so I decided to use some superglue; the glue has held for several months now. (Campagnolo does include a second magnet that zip-ties around the crankarm, but the pedal magnet is by far a cleaner solution.)  Update: Late 1999 and 2000 Record Ti pedals have a steel-lined socket on the left pedal to accept the magnet.  Our pedals were made in early 1999, and don't have this feature.

One last word about magnets: The front wheel magnet is huge.  This sucker could lift outboard motors off the bottom of the lake.  Given the small size of the cadence magnet, we wonder why Campy chose to use such a big chuck of metal at the front end.  (Note: We have tried other magnets, and it appears any spoke-mounted magnet will work.  If you can find a smaller magnet at your local bike shop, you can replace the stock magnet.)

The computer mount is one of the more unusual parts of the mounting kit. As shown in the photo, it places the computer out in front of the bars, centered on the stem. That's a change from other systems, which generally put the computer on top of the bars. It will be a clear signal to your riding partners that you're using ErgoBrain. (Note: the mount allows you to move the computer forward and back by about a half and inch. Why?  There isn't that much difference in the thickness of stems, and it's hard to see why you would want to shove the whole thing that far in front of the bars.)

Here's another shot of an ErgoBrain on webmaster@campyonly.comBianchi

Once the whole shebang is installed, programming is fairly easy. This is where the EB's new electronics really shine--Program in the number of teeth on your chainrings and (if you've installed the cadence sensor, as we recommend you should) the computer "self-learns" the number of teeth on your cogs. It does this by measuring speed and cadence and using the chainring size and filling in the last number in the equation--very slick, and it works just as advertised. Once it has self-learned, you're set.
But . . . Campagnolo could have been a little better in writing the manual and programming the EB unit itself.  Here's how:

• The calibration number which must be entered when setting up the EB is the wheel's circumference in millimeters.  However, the instructions don't say that anywhere that we could find.  Interestingly, the wheel diameter is input in millimeters even if you set up the EB to read in MPH rather than KPH.
• The instructions also don't note that there is a handy chart on the inside back cover that lists the circumference of typical tire sizes.  I used the circumference I have been using for my Avocet, and it was within a few millimeters of the value Campy lists for my front tire.
• When setting up the EB's front shift sensing, the unit tries to confuse you.  When it asks you to make the 1-->2 shift, it means to shift to the large chainring, even though the flashing symbol is on the small ring.  The reverse is true for the next timing shift, which goes to the small chainring, even though the little circle indicating the large ring is indicated.  (Note: The instructions recommend that you shift all the way onto each chainring before hitting the "set" button.  I have achieved better results by hitting "set" when I an well on the way to making the shift, but well before the shift bottoms out.  This helps the EB show the right chainring if you don't happen to shift all the way down.) 

The Road Test

We've put about 2,000 miles on the road with our EB thus far, with generally good results.  Our biggest problem after installing the EB related not to the computer, but our Ergo levers (see below).  We set up the unit with the cadence feature enabled; if you chose not to, the EB makes it easy to unplug the cadence sensor and put it back later if you change your mind (our old Avocet 50 came with both wires attached to the bracket; you had to clip the sensor wires off, an irreversible step). 

First of all, everything works.  After it's installed, the unit works just as advertised.  In fact, we can find only a few glitches:

• In the "self learn" mode, we had a few problems getting the EB to figure out which chainring we were in.  For instance, in a 53x15, the unit would sometimes get confused and think we were in the 39t chainring.  That caused it to come up with an incorrect reading for the cog, since it was trying to reconcile my speed and cadence with the wrong chainring size.  Re-starting the "self learn" process corrected this.  (Note: We have found that the computer learns new cog combinations pretty quickly.  We recently switched from an 11-21 to a 12-23, and found that after the unit had "learned" 3 or 4 of the new cogs, it "guessed" correctly about the other cogs and "learned" the tooth sizes more quickly.)
• In one of the calibrations we performed (we did several), the unit would again be mistaken about chainring size, even though the display showed correctly.  We noted this only in the "Gear Development" screen--the EB would show a GD measurement for a 53x17 combination (for instance) even when the screen was clearly showing 39x17.  An extra click or two on the inner shift lever fixed the problem, but it's still a little annoying.
• When we got the unit set up, it consistently misread shifts to larger cogs.  A movement from 15 to 16 would read as a shift to the 17 cog.  We finally traced that issue to the Ergo lever, which apparently has a broken part inside that makes the shifts a little less accurate.  We repaired the Ergo lever, and now everything works perfectly.

The AutoTimer and Stopwatch features are great, but you have to understand how they work (the manual is a little hard to follow on this) and what the limitations of the computer are.  Basically, the AutoTimer starts measuring as soon as the wheel starts rolling.  Everything--time, distance, average speed--is computed only while you're moving.  That means that the average speed it gives you for a ride is computed only on rolling time; time spent sitting still at traffic signals (or in bagel shops) won't count.  That's how most people like to compute average speed. In the Stopwatch mode, the computer measures everything only while the stopwatch is going; the clock is started and stopped with the "S/S" button.  That means that your average speed includes all the time at traffic signals and bagel shops, so it will always be lower than the average that's shown in the AutoTimer mode.   Which brings us to a couple more glitches:

The display alternates between the chainring (and size) and cog (and size).  It's a little annoying at first.

• If you're using the EB to give you a total time for a ride (like a century ride), you'll push the S/S button at the start to begin timing, and at the end to stop.  However, since the stopwatch can be started and stopped even when you're in the AutoTimer mode, it's a little too easy, in our opinion, to stop the clock.  We would have made it necessary to be in Stopwatch mode to start and stop the timer.
• If you want to use the EB to measure distances between turns (for instance, if you're following a route sheet that gives mileage to the next turn), you can use the Stopwatch mode (or AutoTimer, for that matter) and reset when you reach the turn.  However, resetting any value in either mode resets all values in that mode.  Reset average speed in Autotimer mode, and you lose mileage, average speed, time, etc.  We would make it possible to reset each item individually or all of them at the same time (like our Avocet 50 or most other computers).

• The manual says that switching between modes and some screens requires holding down the "S/S" button for 2 seconds.  It seems like much longer when you're riding and waiting for the display to change.  We have counted several times, and it takes about 3 seconds to switch modes/screens.
• There are a lot of screens in both modes, and even after several hundred miles of use, we still haven't totally memorized out the sequence.  In the AutoTimer mode, for instance, there are five screens to scroll through.  Include the "hidden" Time of Day clock and Max Speed, and there are seven.  That's a lot of button pushing.
• Speaking of Time of Day, it is inexplicably not available in Stopwatch mode.  If you're in Stopwatch mode and looking at Average Speed, you need to push the Mode button three times to get back to Stopwatch, then hold it for two seconds to get to AutoTimer mode, then push it four times to get to Gear Development, then push and hold it for two seconds to see the time of day.  I just use my wristwatch; it's easier.
• The unit is very accurate--maybe too accurate.  Cadence, in particular, is a value that would be accurate enough measured in whole numbers.  Expressing cadence in tenth-of-an-RPM units is actually meaningless, since the speed at which you push the pedals varies by more than that during one revolution of the pedals (because your legs are stronger at some points in the stroke than others).  It is fun to watch the 1/100th miles click away at 25 mph.
• Related question: Why is Cadence put over Speed, unlike every other measurement, which leaves Speed in the same place?
      

Summary

So, is ErgoBrain worth about $120-140?  If you want the latest bike toy, and you're looking for a cutting-edge electronic gizmo, the answer is "yes."  According to our sources, and based on your mail, these things are selling at a brisk pace, so many of you apparently would agree with this answer.

Still, that's a lot of money for a computer.  We hate to use the "S" word, but it's worth noting that ShimaNO's "Flight Deck" gives you basically the same features for about $70.  If you don't mind looking back to see what gear you're in, you can get a very similar unit (minus shift sensing and gear display) for about $30--less, if you go with a house brand computer from a mail-order bike shop.

Will we be using it for the long term?  Hard to say.  We have used the Avocet 50 since it came out, just for the altimeter function, and that's hard to give up.  Cateye does make a computer with an altimeter, so perhaps they can add that feature in EB9 Version 2.0?

Reader Comments

We welcome your road test results!  Here are a few from our readers:

Timothy Applegate's thoughts on installing and using EB:

"With installation and thirty miles of usage behind me, here's my report. As anticipated, your installation notes were a big help. Thanks.

Installation took two hours, without the cadence wire. Removing and reinstalling the levers and retaping the bars are steps which I, too, like to be meticulous with. I had a little problem in distinguishing between the cadence and speed wires, as the drawing showing which wire is which is rather poor, but I should have noticed that one wire was a lot longer than the other! The wires for the levers were of equal length, contrary to your experience. That big front wheel magnet is absolutely identical to the magnet for the Cateye Cordless 2, and I was able simply to leave the Cateye magnet and clamp in place.

On the road, I really like it. I'm not sure why, but I like the "out front" position. The numerical read-out for the gears is great, as it's not that easy to distinguish which of those nine little loops is black. I would be just as happy if the read-out were limited to the cogs, as I don't find the chainwheel readout so useful.

I have experience with the Flight Deck, and can say that the ErgoBrain is superior in almost every respect. Bigger, brighter display (Flight Deck impossible to read in morning low-light conditions); continuous numerical gear read-out (Flight Deck provides that information only briefly at the time of a gear change); better button location on the lever bases; duplicate buttons on the computer; wheel size setting in 1 mm increments, rather than 5 mm. The one and only feature of the Flight Deck which I like better is the calculated cadence. I don't see any great advantage to "real" cadence, and I think the calculated cadence is a really clever idea (I know, it's not accurate when I'm "backing off", but I don't care about the cadence in that mode, anyway.) Someday, someone will come up with a wireless true cadence feature, which will satisfy everyone.

For those who use the cadence feature, its location in the program is much more useful than with the Flight Deck, where the cadence info is buried in the alternative mode, requiring a lot of button pushing to switch between cadence and such common read-outs as time and distance. 

--webmaster@campyonly.com"

Reader Jeff Schriesheim writes:

"Installation was extremely time consuming as previous comments indicate. Lots of undoing/redoing to get the minimum of wires showing and correct alignment of sensors and controls.  

Documentation was minimal and only after doing an installation step did I realize what the instructions really meant, hence more undoing an re-doing.  

I had problems with the rear cog indicator and assumed my installation was a problem, only to later find that my '99 Record levers had a broken spring  retainer. Apparently, that is a known problem with those levers and an upgraded part is available. Symptoms are poor alignment of rear der after shifting from small cogs to larger one. Result is confusion of ErgoBrain as to which cog you're in.

I found the front der calibration very touchy and several times ErgoBrain got confused and thought I had changed chainrings when I had simply "feathered" front der.

Several times for no obvious reason ErgoBrain seemed to change its idea about the size of several rear cogs, requiring re-calibration. Possible explanation is inadvertently pressing left control button while riding. Poor ergonomics to allow recalibration in any computer mode. 

I agree with the previous note of the inconvenience of "burying" of clock behind gear development display. Also, I like the Shimano Flight Deck start/stop function better than the auto start/stop of ErgoBrain as it gives more control over when average speed is calculated. 

I also agree that the sensors and mounting bracket are large and clunky, particularly the front wheel magnet. 

All in all, not a bad first effort, but it could definitely benefit from more user interface work.

From Justin in Canada:

"Setup: 

I found the setup to take quite some time. One of the earlier posts stated that it took two hours. It took a little longer for me. I  took my time though because experience has shown that when setting  up bike computers you are only given a limited amount of brackets  and ties and if you don't get it right the first time it only gets  worse so it's better to take your time.  

The setup as a whole was quite straight forward. I called Branford  and  talked to Tim and asked him about where to run the  wire to the cadence sensor. I wasn't sure whether to run it down the  rear derailleur cable or down the tube. He suggested the tube which I think is a much better idea. Getting the length just so is tricky  and Jim suggested starting from the sensor and working back to the  handle bars. I already had started when he gave this advice so I  simply wrapped the excess wire around one of the cable housing and  then tested ever so often for proper length. 

The pedal magnet is beautiful. That it fits so perfectly in the pedal is sheer Campy brilliance IMO. I had no problems what so ever  in getting the magnets to match the sensor. I did have some problems getting the brackets to size correctly to the tubes. I think the trick is to size it as closely as possible with the notches and then finish it with tightening the screw rather then the other way around. 

I thought that getting the shifter sensors installed was going to be tricky but if you take your time and read the manual carefully (the manual is very well written) it will be a cake walk. I had no problems. That the manual even discusses how to reverse possible mistakes is incredible. 

Getting the ErgoBrain to learn my gearing however turned out to be a nightmare. That nightmare though was entirely my fault. Read the manual carefully or you'll end up going through what I went through. I for some insane reason thought that you had to shift the rear derailleur and click the S/S button after each shift. I did this ten times and each time I got the wrong readouts. I was starting to think that my ErgoBrain was Dyslexic but it turns out, the Brain of the rider was. 

The Ride: 

The screen layout and menu organization is OK. I'm not too crazy  about where the clock is in the menu and I could do without the seconds on the clock. I was never sure if I was looking at the clock or the Timer. As others have noted, the constant flashing of the gearing is rather annoying. I think it would be better to just show the gearing ratios (ie 52-16) instead of the little disks. I would also have preferred if the cadence screen had the mileage on the top in large and the cadence lower (opposite of what it is). 

I LOVE the two little buttons on the brake hoods. That in my mind makes the ErgoBrain worth it alone. 

I also find that in the bright sun the display suffers from glare.  My Mity3 didn't have this problem. But all in all it's well worth it and a major step forward in bike computers. 

Let's hope v2.0 has support for Watts and maybe a Tetris game for those long rides. ;) 

Justin Knotzke 
Montreal Canada"

  From Bruce in New York:

"I have now done 2 ErgoBrain installs, 1 on my bike, a custom Co-motion tandem and a 2nd on a club members single bike who after seeing mine had to have it.

On the tandem it took much longer than 2 hrs as I had trouble with the front shift timing plus I enjoy and take my time working on bikes. I didn't install the cadence initially on my bike and have done so after the 2nd install. One thing that I didn't do was to ride the bike for the front shift calibration, I did it on the work stand. This was my error as after the install for my friend who wanted cadence you have to ride to calibrate. when i put the cadence on my bike and rode it to calibrate, it calibrated perfectly the first try. should have followed the directions as stated. 

On the install for my friend I noticed a inconsistent right lever button, very touchy to make it work, not every push of the button made a display change. A call to Tim at Branford bike confirmed that there was 1 other user with a touchy button problem.

With 200 miles of testing this unit is well built and designed even better. Great for a tandem to be able to tell the cog your in easily. The plug in sensor wires make installing them neatly much easier and in the event of a broken wire they can be replaced. I especially like the alternate stop watch screen with it's own set of speed, time, dist, etc. that is re-setable independently of the main screen. Very useful for event rides with cue sheets with turn to turn mileage.
things that could have been done differently are, no seconds on the main clock, have the ability to switch the positions of the cadence and speed display. Once you get used to where the clock is behind the gear development it's no big deal. 

Bottom line is this is an awesome unit and anyone with adaptable levers should have it. Great job Campy/Cateye

Bruce Hotaling
New York"

  From Bill in Florida:

"Well, it's been two weeks and some 800 plus miles and I have not had any problems yet, to the contrary the Ergobrain continues to perform splendidly. I have a few dislikes; the head is large, I like a smaller less conspicuous computer. With all the wires and cables coming out of the handlebar tape they look like the back of a cars dashboard and you have to be careful trimming the tape when you change it lest you accidentally cut a computer wire. These two complaints are minor though compared to what I do like about Ergobrain. I have come to love the flashing gear indicators, that combined with the cadence display is a tremendous training aid, it is helping me to work on spinning a smaller gear on the hills/bridges. As the instruction book says, this function is affected by cable tension, mine was a tad loose. When I upshifted the display would be one gear higher due to the play in the cable, this was remedied by simply pressing on the mouse ear. I've since rolled the derailleur's barrel adjuster, taking out the play and matching it up to the levers and the computer. The mode buttons on the levers feels so natural I wonder how I managed to change modes before on other computers.

To sum it up, Ergobrain is on my bike and is going to stay on my bike, I will soon be putting another mount on my second bike. More importantly, I recommend it to customers thinking of buying a Campagnolo equipped bike."