Campagnolo ErgoBrain Computer

- Bicycling Magazine, May 2001 -

If all you need from your bike computer is speed, distance and elapsed-time data, Campagnolo's ErgoBrain isn't for you. But if you're a detail-oriented sort who just has to know everything, the ErgoBrain has your name written all ever it.

The ErgoBrain gives the usual time/speed/distance info, but goes several steps further. A pacing arrow indicates whether you're pedaling faster or slower than your average speed. The easy-to-read display shows your gear selection, both as a visual pictogram of which cog and chainring you're in (small ring x third cog), and also by the specific gear (39x16). The ErgoBrain keeps your gearing because it's hardwired into the Campy Ergopower shifters; you can use buttons on the brake hands to scroll the computer's functions if you don't like the side-mounted buttons on the display head. The computer can also show gear devel­opment (how far you travel per pedal stroke), if you're super-anal about gearing.

Besides the usual auto start/stop, there's a manually actuated stopwatch that separately tracks average and max speed and trip distance. A countdown timer can time intervals or recovery periods and red LED backlighting makes the ErgoBrain a suitable nighttime training partner.

Installing the ErgoBrain is a little more complex than installing a standard computer, but it's still fairly straightforward. You must wire up the ErgoBrain (all l0-speed and 1999-and-newer 9-speed shifters are compatible), routing the wires under the bar tape, but this sounds messier than it is. The display head mounts in front of the stem and below the top of the bar so it's invisible in side profile, but extremely easy to read from the cockpit (thanks in part to a half-inch-tall LCD speed readout and quarter-inch numbers for other functions).

To  measure cadence, wire the mount to the left chainstay and slide a magnet neatly into the left-side pedal spindle on Campy Pro-Fit pedals (not an option for 1999 Record pedals). It's a sleek setup (much cleaner than the customary magnet zip-tied to the crankarm), but you still have to route a wire from the computer to the chainstay. If you don't want clutter on your bike, just disconnect the cadence wire.

The ErgoBrain gives much more info about your bike than other computers - the only thing missing is heart rate. It can be configured for two different wheelsets, which mitigates the hefty price tag somewhat. Although setup and familiarization are more time-consuming, it won't take long to master and you'll get an amazing amount of information. If you're a data-hungry Campy lover, this is the ticket.                 - Garrett Lai

Qty:     Campagnolo ErgoBrain computer                            $169.99

 

Mounting bracket for oversized handlebars ~

Qty:     Oversized bar bracket - ErgoBrain                          $12.99