The KNOG N.E.R.D. 12 function computer is a newish arrival to the bike computer scene. It uses the same silicon tension fit system that their popular bike lights use making it easy to install and remove. There is no need for tools or half a dozen of those rubber cut out things to have the computer fit on your bike!
The brand have continued the theme of its lighting range and applied it to computers. Available in a choice of four colours (red, white, blue and black) both head unit and fork sensor are cloaked in medical silicone, which not only makes for an extremely manipulative and secure means of attachment but also provides excellent weather-proofing.
It took me eight minutes to install and calibrate the unit for two bikes; such is the intelligence of the design. The only tool required was a Philips screwdriver for the spoke magnet – so remember to take both head and sensor with you when locking in the street.
Both N.E.R.D.’s are wireless, the transmitter and the receiver are extremely light and housed in 100% waterproof medical grade silicone. There’s no fucking about putting these things on your bike, you just wrap the thing around it and hook it on, I’ve never experienced any movement when riding, some people claim they have but they must be a bit slow in the head and managed to attach them wrong.
The transmitter and the receiver are not really that small, but does that matter? A cycle computer is not meant to be a fashion accessory (although this is as close as they get), it’s there to show that you are a total saddo who is probably wearing cycle shorts under your jeans because as much as you want your performance to improve there is no way you are flashing your junk in public (but you know that chicks are thinking about your rock hard thighs).
The N.E.R.D. is like a cool looking pair of thick rimmed glasses worn by a hot graphic designer rather than a pair of National Health specs on the face of a lycra-clad, overweight roadie wannabe.
The ability to do that maneuver quickly and painlessly is almost worth the price of admission, but it’s also a fun little computer to use. The face of the computer is a giant button. It has a nice tactile feel that really invites you to click on it like a Pop-O-Matic Bubble that gives you a nice satisfying CLICK. By pressing the button you can select what function you want to see on the screen (Max Speed, Avg Speed, Trip Time, Odometer, Clock, etc.) or a “scan” mode that cycles through all the available screens.
Substantial size and crystal clear display coupled with the backlight means it’s a doddle to read which is great news for anyone, but particularly time trailists and triathletes using tri bars. Despite using other brands spoke magnets and testing in close proximity to both electricity substations and phase one nuclear power stations, readouts proved consistently accurate. This leads me to conclude the silicone helps block radio interference that drove early wireless models haywire
If you want a computer that functions flawlessly, looks good and is made by a truly creative, innovative brand that deserves to be supported then buy a N.E.R.D. If you wanna be a cheapskate then buy a crappy one from Tesco but end up getting one of these anyway in a couple of months, the choice is yours.
