With the ease of use and common sense design, the protege 8.0 made using a bike computer on the trail a pleasure. It gives all the data you need on the large LCD screen, and changing functions is just a flip of the thumb away. From the installation to the ride on the trail, this was a breeze to use.

This was the first computer I had ever installed and it took me less than ten minutes from the time I broke open the package. It was two zip ties and two screws to have it ready to go. The first thing I did was test the speed and distance gauges against my car’s. It calculated perfectly.

There are no buttons to be pushed while riding, so the entire face of the computer is the LCD display. The constant functions showing are speed, ride time and distance. The different functions you can view are odometer, average speed, maximum speed and clock. Switching between the functions is easy. You just push on the bottom of the computer with your thumb and it kicks to the next function. While I was riding I liked to keep the clock up to keep track of time, but I switched several times during the ride to check my average speed, and it was easily done without having to take my hand off the handlebar and try to mash a button on it. Very nice to not have to risk doing a header in order to check out the time.

Another great function is the ability to program in two different wheel sizes. So if you have a road bike and a mountain bike, or have to share the computer with your buddy like me, you can program in two wheel sizes and just change them when you switch the unit to the other bike.

All in all this is a great little computer. The large display, easy installation, quick function changes and very affordable price of $34.99 is plenty to sell me on this product. But to top it off, knowing that 25% of all Planet Bike profit goes to bike advocacy makes it even easier to open my wallet.