In this video we cover the basics for installing and programming a Bontrager Trip 5 wireless bike computer. Most other manufactures of computers will follow a similar process.
Thanks so much for making this video. Found the set up tricky, especially the final stages of getting the magnet, sensor and computer to all work as one. Keep the videos coming! James, UK.
Thanks a million. You saved me a trip to the bike shop. The instructions say nothing about distance of the sensor to the computer. I've had other computers but they could be mounted much further down the fork. ^ ^
Excellent video. Concur with comments below. My bike tipped over and threw the reader out of alignment. I was stuck until the crucial piece of info was provided through this video (two business card width between reader and magnet)
The wheel actually does not spin any faster or slower closer to the hub then it does by the tire, so in that regard you don't have to worry about where the magnet and sensor are placed. As a good rule of thumb though, we do recommend keeping it as high up (away from the hub) as your bike will allow to help keep the sensor protected as well as shorten the distance the wireless signal needs to travel.
Thanks! Needed to replace the battery in mine and reset everything. Then the speed wouldn’t register so I moved the sensor closer the magnet and success!
Bontrager should just throw out all their instructions and just give a link to this video. Never once did they say how close sensor needs to be near the computer. Or much else for that matter. Nice little computer but SUCKY directions. I won't be buying anything else from them.
You're absolutely right, Deb Goodwin. I just received several Bontrager products for Christmas, including the Trip 100, and the installation instructions for most, if not all, are terrible. If I hadn't found this video, I would have installed it incorrectly. TommyMcGuiness: You're dead wrong. Clear, concise instructions are an intregal part and an intregal value of the product. As a provider of work instructions to manufacturing, I learned long ago it was MY responsibility to make sure explicit, understandable instructions were provided to my customer. In the end, the customer defines value, not the product provider.
The directions on the box are terrible. I installed my poorly and now need to re-install it with new zip ties. Of course I don't have any, so I get to make a special trip to the hardware store. Should have watched this video first.
Phkemp: Sorry you are having problems, usually the rollout method does the trick, however the "cheat sheet" we have on our facebook page (sorry RU-vid won't let me post a direct link) gives a 29x2.1 code at 2288...maybe try that and see if its more accurate? As for your crazy top speed, you are right to think a weak battery is your culprit. Worst case if a fresh battery doesn't do the trick, head to your local dealer and have them take a look. Let us know how it goes!
Just purchased the trip 5w for my trek. Installed it in exactly the same way as the video but i'm not getting any sensor reading at all. The magnet is aligned with the sensor. Annoying. Any help is appreciated thanks.
I've had this computer for over a year and the battery just died. I put in a new one and now I have no thermometer. I did a full re-set on it, set it back up and still no thermometer, any suggestions? Im a bmx rider rehabbing a broken ankle, these things are foreign to me! Thanks a bunch.
Paul hope all is well with you guys, thanks for the Video....Of course I have an old Trip 4 but somehow got thru it. Please tell all I am doing well from Florida...Buc
When you program your wheel size, one of the options is a 4 digit code as opposed to an actual wheel size. Hold down "S" until the numbers start to flash, then use "M" to select each number and "S" to move to the next digit. Hit "S" one more time once you enter your custom code and you are all set.
Im trying to change the battery in the actual sensor on the wheel, and the top will not unscrew. I've never changed it or messed with it before, so it appears that it was packaged with a stripped/defective screw mechanism. I cannot find just thjis part for sale, and they also do not document how to change this battery in the directions.
This answers all the questions I had when I attempted to install a Bontrager 4W. I believe those are the worst instructions of all time in my nearly 70 years of repairing and installing equipment on my bicycles, automobiles and house. Whoever approved those instructions (they're more like reminders), should be dismissed. What this video didn't answer is what to do with the leftover bits like the fine o-ring, the screw and washer. BTW, the 4W has a different display, but the set up is essentially the same. For anyone who goofed the first time in the basic setup, just removed the battery and wait a few seconds. Upon re-installation of the battery, the prompts for wheel size and units come back.
I agree with a previous comment regarding the awful instructions. I purchased my Bontrager bike computer three years ago and eventually left it inside a cupboard due to annoyance and severe frustration. Now that I have seen this video, I may try again (new batteries needed).
Is there any way to increase sensitivity on a trip 3? There is no location on my bike's body that brings the sensor that close to the spokes to read the magnet. The only possible workaround I've found was installing the sensor on my disk brake's brake line sheath which seems like a bad idea.
Demon6696: Your 29x2.1 code is 2288, and for everyone else we have a cheat sheet our Tech department came up with on our store's Facebook page...enjoy! facebookcom/TrekBikeStore
I had Erik's bike install my unit when I purchased it. I've always been curious how to read the darn thing. Thanks for this nice explanation. Now I need to replace the battery in the sensor and I'm not sure which is the plus or minus end of the unit. I agree ..the instructions are useless and I appreciate this short concise explaination. .
SpyKid313: the size of your tire will be located on the sidewall of your tire, usually in a similar style to where your tire pressure rating is at. You are looking for two numbers, i.e. 26x1.95 or 700x23c. If you have a Trek let us know what year/model and we'll be happy to let you know what size you have...thanks for watching!
I put one on my 29er today, measured the rollout carefully (2315), got a trip reading of 19 miles on a 10 mile ride...and a top speed of 158 mph, woo-hoo! Seriously, what is up? I noticed that the transmitter battery was already installed in the box, so I am wondering if the battery is low...would this cause my bad readings? Going to change the battery tomorrow just in case...and make sure I mounted it elbow's length from the computer as you suggested. But meanwhile, if you have ideas, thanks
thnxs a lot! instructions that were on the box are the worst ever! no explanations with words... got it installed in just a couple of minuts with your video. thanks again!
I foolishly opened the sensor battery holder and the battery shot out. Which way round should the battery be installed? great video, by the way; the instructions in the box are not very clear.
Great Vid thanks. So you tell the computer what size wheel you're using, but how does it know how far up the fork you've placed the sensor? I always thought these sensors had to be mounted a certain distance from the hub of the wheel?
THANK YOU for this video!!!! Have been trying to get my new Trip 4W working and the instructions provided by Bontrager SUCK!!! They only have pictures in the instructions without any orientation of the position being shown (had the sensor pointing backwards and it wouldn't work). THANKS AGAIN!!!
Agreed! The instructions that came with my Trip 4w were completely useless. They need to spend a few dollars and make a decent manual. Thanks Trek Store!!!
I doesn't matter far or how fast the sensor travels in a revolution (and yes, despite what the TREK guy answered, the sensor will travel farther and faster if placed at the tyre than it will placed at the hub), it's just counting revolutions and multiplying that by the figure you entered for the distance your wheel travels per revolution.
Thanks...the manual says to line up the magnet with the middle of the sensor, which didn't work for me. When I lined up with the white line instead, I'm back in business!
Tried for 45 minutes trying to fit the lesser model Bontrager 4W earlier without any success. Watched this video and went out and fitted it in 5 minutes, a HUGE help. Thanks Paul
Thank you for this video. This computer was a real pain to figure out. To anyone having trouble resetting the trip (or scrolling etc), try pressing the buttons either closer to the center or on the outside edges. One of those solutions may work for you.
