Cerevellum, another cycling computer, meh

The Cerevellum head unit and module system promises to revolutionize the bicycle cyclometer industry, but will it deliver on the goods?

The Cerevellum is basically a 3.5" monochrome video screen with some firmware to accept "modules" that extend it’s functionality. The module that is delivered with the head unit is a rear view camera. You know sort of like those back up cameras some SUV’s are equipped with. The unit itself has a Lithium-ion battery said to be good for four hours of continuous use with the rear view camera, longer with other modules, and you should assume shorter with a combination of modules. It also sports 32Mb of RAM to store data.

If you want to use this device as more than just a fancy rearview mirror you will need to spend more money, there are no default functions built in, it is just basically a video head unit. To add cyclometer functions you buy the Cycle-Computer module. To add GPS functionality you buy the GPS Mapping module. To add power meter compatibility you have to buy the Power-Meter module. To add heart rate monitoring you have to buy the Heart-Rate Monitor module. To add additional features such as an interface for electronic shifting you will need to buy another module.

As you can see, this is not a simple system. The modules they show in their mock ups are also wired. If you were to add four modules like Hindsight (their name for the camera), Power-Meter, Cyclometer and GPS you would have three separate wires hanging from the head unit to route along your bicycle frame, certainly not the cleanest of installations.

Then there is the cost. As I mentioned the head unit only comes with the Hindsight module, the MSRP is $299. So let’s say you buy the unit (it is currently only in prototype) now after playing with it a few rides you decide you want to use it to replace your cyclometer, well for $60 more you now have a rear view mirror and a cyclometer. After a few weeks you decide you want GPS functionality, add another $200. Now you are at $560 and you still don’t have any heart-rate monitoring nor the ability to monitor power meters.

Now, if I was given one, I could see some value, but at their suggested prices I think their market is only going to be bleeding edge techno-geek’s that are looking for something different and have discretionary income to throw away. While this product has potential, with the entrance of Quarq CinQo into the market, and the upcoming release of the Garmin 605/705, this product may never really get off the ground. Let’s face it, it costs more, is less elegant and all the functionality can be purchased today or in the upcoming months without all the wires and the addition of a $10 rear view mirror.

In my opinion, this is a product searching for its niche and finding none. Most of the reviews on the web are praising this as an innovation in cycle computers, or as the next must have gadget. For the most part I think they are vying for free product. Of course value is where you put it, and this may be the answer to your cycling data compulsion, good luck with that.