Power Kite Forum

Speedo sensor mounting

flyhigh142 - 20-5-2007 at 08:17 AM

I've mounted my GPS on my buggy, only to have the vibration do a number on the flip up antenna. I've seen bike speedos on buggies but never noticed how the pick-ups were mounted. The last time I mounted one of these on a bike was during the last ice age, before suspension on mountain bikes. It was attached to the spokes and one fork tube if I remember correctly. How do you mount the magnet on a buggy? I'm sure I'm travelling much slower than it feels like, but it would be nice to know for sure.

flyhigh142 - 20-5-2007 at 08:19 AM

My best guess would be to rubber cement it to the sidewall.

Bladerunner - 20-5-2007 at 09:43 AM

I picked up a Garmin Fortrex at a pretty cheap price. It has a velcro wrist band so you can wear it or stick a bit of velcro on the bug. It seems to also pick-up O.K. from the chest pocket of my ski jacket. I'm happy with it so far. I can use it for all sorts of sports + the amount of info the little thing can save / download is pretty amazing.
I think what you describe is more of radio frequency signal and a speedo not so much GPS and satalites. That kind of leaves you spinning wheels, only one peice of info or limited stored data. Probably at about the same purchase price.
Take a look at the Fortrex before you buy !

If you have it already then I suggest velcro tape.

acampbell - 20-5-2007 at 11:00 AM

I have a simple Cat-eye speedo on both the PL and the Flexi bug. The magnets are designed to attach to bicycle spokes and have to pass within a couple of mm to the sensor on each rotation. I took a brass "L" shaped cup hook from the hardware store and drilled a pilot hole into the front wheel at the jucture of one of the "spokes" and the rim edge. I figured the plastic wuold be thickest there and yet I would not drill into the inner tube (!).
The sensor is mounted on the front wheel fork the same way it is intended on a bike. By screwing in the cup hook the right amount you can adjust the distance between the right angle "L" and the sensor and then mount the magnet on it

I'l get pics next time out.

Pablo - 21-5-2007 at 11:33 AM

One way to go with the GPS is to wrap the downtube in foam, carve out a little knotch for the GPS to sit in, I've seen the setup I believe Susan made for someone down in Nevada, really nice.

I just had the wrist strap wrapped around my down tube and had no problems with getting accurate readings.

gps holder

kitemaker4 - 23-5-2007 at 01:10 PM

I made up several of the gps holders for the buggy. Here is a picture.

Susan

Pic023.jpg - 149kB

gps holder

kitemaker4 - 23-5-2007 at 01:15 PM

Here is another picture. If you want one send me a u2u.

Susan

pic024.jpg - 153kB

flyhigh142 - 23-5-2007 at 06:41 PM

Nice holder, Susan. My problem isn't so much attaching a gps, I've got that pretty covered. My trouble is the Garmin 3+ I own has a little flip up antenna that now rattles. I'll probably go for a foretrex rather than a bike speedo so I can use it for other sports too. I always try to get double duty out of whatever I buy. Easier on the planet.

elf - 16-6-2007 at 10:52 AM

I originally mounted mine the same that acampbell did, but after going through rough terrain, the magnet and retaining screw ripped right out of the plastic wheel rim. My solution? a strong magnet purchased from Michaels craft store, and some strong epoxy under it and all around the edges. Not a single problem since!

khooke - 16-6-2007 at 01:52 PM

I'd go with a gps, much less hassle than a bike speedo. You can keep the gps in your backpack which is easier than mounting it and just check it now and again when you stop - it will show you max speed, distance travelled etc and you can leave it turned on for several hours on a couple of AAs. Even the cheapest gps will show max speed and distance travelled.

If you go with a bike speedo, make sure it can be calibrated for a wheel circumference as small as a buggy wheel - most bike speedos are not designed to work with small wheels like wheelbarrow wheels. Spend some time calibrating it as per the instructions otherwise you'll get some crazy speed readings.

As for the magnet, some thick plastic/rubber glue will hold it just fine. I had a speedo magnet on the side of one of my rims for years after the speedo broke (didn't do too well with sea water at the beach :-)