Cateye Strada Computer Review - BikeRadar

I've had this computer for 4 years now and I've never had any reliablity issues, maybe bike radar got a duff one?!?

mine died after 2 years. Can't really complain but I would buy another

*wouldn't

again - i've a 3 year old one and no bother at all

had 3 cateyes, each only lasted an average of 18 months, very disappointing

had mine 3 years now, all its needed are a new set of batteries. It has taken no end of winter MTB abuse and is still going strong.

only disspoitment is the mounting bracket, it appears to be quite fragile and unfortunatly not too cheap to replace.

I've got the cadence version and am pretty happy with it - the cadence sensor can slip on the chainstay a bit, but for 70 quid it seems to do a decent job. never had any issues losing signal even on potholed South London tarmac

It has reset the measurements on rougher terrain (single track), quite a few times. so reliability/accuracy can be an issue.

Unfair review with comments made on user error/setup I suspect.

I have used these for a few years on all my bikes without any problems. A quick look through the forums sees this model been recommended time and time again. How can it be that so many have got it wrong?

I've had one on my MTB for 4 years, no issues (Cannock, Glentress and Coed Y Brenin without skipping a beat) however for Turbo trainer use I'd have thought a cadence capable unit would be much more beneficial?

Who'd use one for Turbo use anyway? HR monitor does the trick on the hamster wheel :)

I have used one of these for past 4 years. MTB use, no 're-set' issues at all. One battery change in that time. Ultra reliable.

......probably let me down this weekend !!!!!

Mine rests itself frequently, very irritating.

Had mine nearly 3 years and its never missed a beat - and I recall this model was highly praised by C+ when it was originally released. The only problem I find is that its too easy to reset to zero - inadvertently leaning on it for a few seconds when pushing for instance - but the Distance 2 will save the day - that only resets when specifically selected. If you want 'user frustration' go Sigma ...

No reliability problems here - over some very poorly surfaced roads. I have both versions - the one reviewed and the cadence version (on different bikes) and both have performed flawlessly. The mounting fits fine on my square-ish Giant stem, but I can see why it would cause problems on flat bars.

For use on bikes with flat handlebars, mount computer to stem with included Flex-Tight bracket band (#160-2193). For use on bikes with oversized stems (31.8 mm diameter or larger), use our optional "Zip-Tie Bracket" (#160-2770) at http://www.cateye.com/store/parts.php?cid=1_1

Most reliable and user friendly computer I've had and there are plenty of rough roads in Cumbria.

I've had a couple and never any problems with reliability or otherwise.

IMHO, you can get cheaper bike computers but none that are a more elegant combination of form and function.

Judging by the number of replies in such a short time, mainly postive.

I'd say the 2 star scoring is wide of the mark.

"Judging by the number of replies in such a short time, mainly postive.

I'd say the 2 star scoring is wide of the mark."

That's rubbish logic.

I've had mine for 4 years now and although I'm quite happy with the unit, it has let me down a few times when it just stopped reading speed/distance. The problem appears to be caused by a bad contact between the head unit and mount which is easily remedied by cleaning the contacts.

i have one and its awesome and so reliable.

Thanks for all the positive feedback folks, looks like we got unlucky with our samples and when we asked around for broader opinion. I'll get the review updated on here ASAP. We don't always get it right and when that happens we're happy to admit we haven't.

Glad most of you have had better results than us anyway.

Guy

No problems with mine either - runs flawlessly and reasonably accurate. Much cheaper alternative to a GPS computer....

Another daft review.

Unfortunately.

I've got two of these, one on the wife's bike, Both had problems with resetting themselves while out on rides, very annoying, started to happen to both several months after purchase and mostly on rough roads, traced it to poor contact of the battery terminals, (Think the battery was bouncing about a tiny bit, enough to loose contact) So I bent the contacts out a little bit and they have both been fine now for more than 8 months or so.

Maybe 4* seems a bit generous but I've got four Cateye's, still using then all, one I bought in the early 90's for my MTB only needs a battery change every 4-5 years

I've got the cadence version of this one. Didn't pay that much more than the price being quoted above. If you shop around you'll be surprised at the savings that can be made. The only problem I've had with the unit is in the set up. Unfortunately there are some types of lights it doesn't like working alongside, including Cateye lights. Eventually I've had to move the two piece's as far apart as possible to get it working. Since then never missed a beat, like the comment earlier, on the bumpy south London roads. Could do with a light function as I can't see the reading at night time until I go under a street light!!!

I not that not all comments here relate to the wireless version, if indeed there is a wired version.

My story is that mine work now intermittently on a daily basis. It stops working if I brake hard and statrs again if I then brake hard. Ridiculous. Also records stupid fast speeds when not recording 0 km/h. 105 km/h is a current favorite. Changed both batteries on sensor and computer.

@ Tenlegs: Thanks for the tip. I'm going to give that a go!

I have another, older wireless Cateye computer (10 years) which does skip on bumps and very rough surfaces, but otherwise has no problems.

This was my second Strada wireless, both had the same problem of loosing the signal on rough roads, until I noticed that the vibrations made the unit 'rattle' slightly in it's casing.

The solution was to just pinch a bit of the plastic outer casing so that the Strada fits 'snugly' when it's slotted into it.

May void any warranty though. But after that it's been great.

sent mine back kept resetting itself . if you google loads of people have had this issue.