I. Models
The Protege is available in three very similar models: 5, 8, and 9.
Shown is the Protege 9 which has the following functions:
1. Current speed
2. Ride time
3. Trip distance (can be used to display revolutions)
4. Dual odometers for two wheel sizes
5. Odometer for total of dual odometers
6. Average speed
7. Maximum speed
8. Clock
9. Speed comparator (speed compared with average speed)
10.Temperature
The first three functions are continuously displayed on the first three lines and the others are selected for the fourth by momentarily pushing the body of the computer forward.
The Protege 8 has the same functions as the 9 except that it does not display temperature.
The Protege 5 does not display temperature, average and maximum speed, and a speed comparator. It has only a single wheel size setting for a single odometer. However it is easier to program.
II. Computer Programming
1. Complete reset
1. Select "ODO" or "AVE" on fourth line of computer by pressing mode button.
2. Hold set button using a hairpin or large paper clip for 4 seconds.
3. Use mode button to select KM/H between KM/H and M/H. Press set button.
4. First digit of wheel circumference 1 will be flashing and change to 9 by pressing mode button. Press set button.
5. Repeat 4 until all four digits of circumference have been set to 9.
6. First digit of odometer for circumference 1 will be flashing, and all digits are changed to 0 or desired values as for the circumference above. (Confusingly this screen is labeled "ODO" whereas on the normal screen it is labeled "BIKE ODO".)
7. First digit of circumference 2 will be flashing. Repeat 4 to 6.
8. First (hour) digit of clock will be flashing. Set time to complete programming.
2. Reset of clock only
1. Select clock on fourth line.
2. Hold set button using a hairpin or large paper clip for 4 seconds.
3. First (hour) digit of clock will be flashing. Set time as above.
III. Marking Rim in Spoke Intervals
Use a black Sanford Sharpie Permanent Marker to create very permanent marks on the rim. Designate a zero spoke on the same side of the wheel as is desired for the computer sensor. (With some mountain bikes do the opposite.) Assign increasing values in an anticlockwise direction as viewed from the right-hand side of the wheel and clockwise from the left-hand side. (If it is found that the wheel has been marked in the wrong direction, simply turn it around in the forks.)
Marking a rim in spoke intervals is very fast and subsequent readings are very fast and accurate. Rotation can be read down to 0.003 rev equivalent to 0.06 of a count on the Jones, but the downside is that in order to correlate with meter readings in revolutions, the measurer has to divide rim readings by the number of spokes. To mark the rim in decimal fractions, see http://home.earthlink.net/~caverhall/protege/contents.htm .
IV. Installation
1. Install the computer bracket on the handlebars and insert the computer by pushing it forward into the bracket.
2. With electrical tape mount the sensor on the upper inside of the forks. Use the same side of the bicycle as was used to designate the zero spoke in rim marking. The foam backing may be discarded as it tends to squirm later.
3. Mount a magnet on spoke 20 of a 36-spoke wheel or 18 of a 32-spoke wheel. (Spoke numbers increase in the forward direction of rotation.)
4. Adjust the sensor - magnet clearance to about 1mm. The Protege magnet is nonadjustable for this clearance and to achieve this it may be necessary to move the magnet and the sensor downwards to a point where the spokes come closer to the forks. I prefer the much lighter Sigma Sport magnet that can be instantly snapped onto the spoke and easily twisted to adjust clearance very accurately. (This magnet is available from Nashbar for $0.99.) The only downside to the design is that by rough manhandling of the wheel the magnet can be knocked out of alignment. Use of the metal sleeve provided with the magnet protects the alignment slightly, but I usually do not use it. The sleeve slightly reduces the response of the sensor. Note that clearance is not critical as both magnets will operate up to a clearance of 8 mm.
5. Adjust the alignment of the magnet with the sensor. The center of the Protege magnet has to be aligned with one of the two circles marked on the sensor. The Sigma Sport magnet has to be centered on the sensor with each end of the magnet aligned with the center of a circle. Neither alignment is critical since both magnets will continue to operate up to 5 mm from these positions.
6. With mountain bicycles, mount the sensor low down on the forks on the opposite side to that of the zero spoke. Put the magnet on spoke 21 of a 36-spoke wheel.
7. Test the installation as follows. Roll the wheel to a ground reading of about 0.9 rev on the rim and zero the trip display by pushing the meter forward in its bracket for about three seconds. Roll the wheel forward for over a revolution until the trip distance increments by one. This should occur precisely at a rim reading of 0.00 rev.
V. Basic Measurement
Align the zero graduation on the rim accurately with the starting point on the ground, roll the wheel backward about 20 degrees, and zero the trip distance on the third line of the meter by pushing the body of the meter forward in the bracket for about three seconds. Ride continuously until the desired revolutions are registered on the third line of the meter (ignore the decimal point) or until about one revolution before the desired finish. Stop the bicycle immediately and roll forward slowly until the desired fraction of a revolution is indicated on the wheel rim or until the wheel is aligned with the desired finish line. If there is a need to go backward through the zero point on the rim, note the meter reading at the stop and decrement this by one for every passage through the zero point. Repeat the whole process for measurements beyond the first finish point.
When marking splits, the number of revolutions for a single split can be used repeatedly if the meter is rezeroed after each split.
Do not roll backward through the rim zero point unintentionally as this can generate one or two spurious revolutions. Avoid stopping the bicycle during measurement, but if this is necessary do so immediately after the meter increments or glance down at the rim reading and stop remote from the zero point. The wheel can then be allowed to rock backward and forward moderately without affecting the revolutions displayed on the meter.
The meter enters sleep mode after five minutes of inactivity and must be awakened by pushing forward on the mount momentarily before riding off.
To freeze the meter reading, move it backwards in its mount until electrical contact is just broken. Note that on establishing contact again, the reading on the model 5 and 9 (but not the 8) sometimes increments by one and this has to be allowed for.