What is a decent cadence computer at a reasonable price (if there is such a thing)? That is one other than my own brain trying to count as I pedal. Speed info would be nice but I am looking at cadence right now. I already wear a Polar heart rate monitor so I do not need that function. I am looking for something that is fairly easy to install, durable and not costing a fortune (if possible).
Try the Cateye Astrale 8. I have used the Astrale on multiple bikes for many years now. No problems yet.
x2 on the Cateye Astrale 8. I have them on all of my bikes. I think that Cateye has discontinued this model, but it looks like they’re still available from several retailers. The Strada Cadence seems to be taking the place of the Astrale in Cateye’s lineup.
I have an Astrale 8 and Strada Cadence. The Strada is the newer version, it’s kinda the same but can also easily clamp on to aerobars out of the box. I like it a lot.
I used the astrale 8 for many years, but cateye has discontinued it. Got a Strada Cadence (wired) and like it just as well.
Thanks to all. I was looking at the Cateye Strada Cadence on the internet. Is it fairly easy to install? I downloaded the instruction manual and it looks like something has to be attached to a spoke for the speed sensor. Is that correct or am I looking at it wrong? The price is very resonable.
-2 on the Cateye. I have bought two of them just because of the cadence and both stopped working on the cadence part after a few months.
Now I strictly go with the Polar CS100 (CS200 on my racing tri bike) and have no issues with any of them (3 total).
Will the strada accurately measure speed/distance on a trainer as well?
Is there anything that does? Not that it’s a huge priority, but if I were to buy something new, I’d like to get those functions as well. Basically distance/speed as measured by revs at the rear wheel rather than front - or can this be installed on the rear wheel?
Will the strada accurately measure speed/distance on a trainer as well?
I don’t want to burst your bubble…but you actually aren’t going anywhere on the trainer… 
Doh. Figured something was wrong with it.
Regardless… I generally use the trainer as a time device, keeping an eye on cadence. But it would be good to know, as a novelty I guess, what that effort would translate to in terms of distance and speed.
For example… I did 40 minutes on the trainer, 89 rpm. What does that mean? Based on my road times in similar gearing… i’d say that’s probably about 20mph… or about 13.3 miles… but I’d like to know. I’m a stats guy.
The distance on the trainer and on the road do not correlate at all. On the trainer, you do not have any wind resistance which can slow you down outside. On the trainer, the computer will say that you went farther than reality.
Well that does not sound good as the cadence is what I am after. Anything else is just a plus. As far as MPH I can always calculate based on distance and time for an average MPH. I am looking to track my cadence.
I have some model of cateye that was inexpensive and wired.
This particular model has the cadence sensor and wheel speed sensor wired in parallel until they split just after the bottom bracket…(meaning that it requires that you measure speed from the rear wheel). However, I think that most can be set up to use the rear wheel (well, wire length may not be sufficient, but if that’s the case, they should have a rear wheel kit that will have an extended sensor).
And yes, you will have a magnet to mount to a spoke and you will have a magnet to mount to your crank. If mounting to your spokes is an issue, PM me and I’ll give you advice on how to handle that.
and I’ve never found the instructions to be difficult to follow.
The Astrale 8 has a really long wire for the speed sensor, and it is joined to the cadence wire for most of its length. It’s intended to measure speed off of the rear wheel. (Strada Cadence appears to be similar.) The wires can be peeled apart if you want to measure off of the front wheel instead.
Pretty easy installation. Biggest nuisance is trying to figure out a tidy way to hide the extra slack in the wires. Don’t be tempted to cut and re-solder the wires, either (to get rid of slack or to run through an aero frame). There are nylon fibers in with the copper, which will melt and insulate, making a good electrical connection extremely difficult to achieve.
I recently bought the Cateye V2C and think it’s a good choice; although at $129 or so, it may not fit your reasonable price definition. I like the fact that it’s wireless and the speed and cadence sensor are one unit that goes on the chainstay (so it works on the trainer). The 2.4ghz wireless works very well and it doesn’t seem to drop signals or get interference like most wireless computers I’ve had.
My first ride with this computer was a 163 mile single day ride where I kept the Cateye in my jersey pocket most of the day. It recorded every second of my ride. I have yet to see it drop the signal.
I don’t really care about cadence too much but this computer has it and it works well. It’s very easy to install & the head unit is very compact which I like. I do think the buttons are kind of funky and hard to push.
Thanks. I am fairly mechanically inclined so if the instructions are good then I should have no problems. If I do then I will PM. Looks like most have had success with the Cateye Cadence model. As that is the newest model (and cheapest) I guess that will be the one I purchase. I like the idea of the Polar unit but the price with the cadence sensor is over $100. Again I do not need another Heart Rate Monitor. Thanks again.
I had the Cateye Strada Cadence model installed on my bike today at University Cylce in Tampa. I will take it out tomorrow and see how it works. It looks good in the bike just need to see how it performs. I will say it is smaller that I thought from the pictures over the internet!!