Cateye Strada Wireless Computer tested
It ticks all Smiffy's boxes
Posted: 21 February 2008
by Paul Smith
Cateye Strada Wireless £39.99
Many of us use cycle computers but, since there are so many on the market, which one do we choose? Well, firstly you need to decide which functions you would like. In my case, I simply want to know how fast I am going and my total and trip distances. A secondary trip would also be useful. I would also like a large, clear display with wireless set up, all incorporated in a neat slim unit that can be mounted on the stem as well as bars; that’ll be the Cateye Strada Wireless at £39.99, then!
It has 8 main functions: current, average and maximum speed, total plus two trip distances, elapsed time and a clock. Although I have used a cycle computer for years this is my first wireless version. What put me off the early generations was in part their the power saving mode; most shut down after 10 minutes or so. Whereas wired models would wake up as soon as you started riding again, the early wireless versions would usually require a press of a button to wake them up, something I just know I would have forgotten, which would have made the indicated trip distance wrong.
Trip distance is something I like to be accurate, since it is necessary for following route sheets. This is also where a secondary trip distance comes in handy since many event route sheets will list the entire route with directions and mileage points to guide. I am inclined to not view my route sheet as often as I should, often riding straight pass turning points while chatting away merrily to other riders. After I have finished blaming everyone else for going wrong I can simply zero the secondary trip between reference points when back on route. As a tip, keep this feature to yourself as many computers don’t have this, the rest of the group simply delegating the task of following the rest of the route to you, making blaming them for the next time you go wrong far more difficult.
As you can see in the picture, the information is displayed on two lines. Current speed is always the top line and, at 15mm high, the display is one of the largest displays I have seen on a computer this size. You select which of the other functions are displayed on the lower line; these numbers are 7mm high, so again quite large.
Another deterrent with earlier wireless models was their large size compared to wired models, but the head unit on this is only 30mm wide by 45mm long. The transmitter is also much smaller and neater than previously found. It's so small and neat that it can fit on the stem just as I have done, the bracket head allowing for the unit to be fitted to the bar if that is what you prefer. The head unit unclips/slides off the front of the bracket. So, if stem-fitted, this would be a bit awkward if your stem has large front loading clamp as that could get in the way. Most have a shaped clamp like on my bike as shown so I had no problem. I also use one on another older bike with a slimmer quill stem; like many quill stems my 3T version is oval as opposed to round, so the unit was inclined to slide round to the side. On that bike I now fit it to the bars.
Verdict
Cateye have arguably been the market leader for popular cycle computers for a few years now. With this model the competition has a lot to beat
 Small, neat with large display
 Will not fit all handlebar stems
www.zyro.eu.com
Discuss this story
Mine in that review is on a Yukon as well, reviewed here before I fitted the compuer, you sure you are not me  Paul Smith www.bikeplus.co.uk
Posted: 22/02/2008 14:42
No I hadn't but is there any particular reason for mentioning it? Paul Smith www.bikeplus.co.uk
Posted: 26/02/2008 11:15
I cannot understand your assertions about earlier Cateye wireless computers. I have been using them for about five years now without any problems about "going to sleep" etc and they do indeed start automatically (if you set them to 'auto'). In your review you don't mention any thing about the fixing of the the transmitter (what you call the 'transmitter' is in fact the receiver!) With some recent deep section carbon forks, eg Look HSC5, it can be a bit tricky fixing the transmitter onto the tightly rounded rear of the fork blade. Does the latest model overcome this please? Regards, John.
Posted: 27/02/2008 17:31
The earlier Cataye cordless models although they had auto on off this applied to shorter stops like taffic lights etc, after a relatively short period, 30 minute cafe stop for example they would shut down and need waking up. I did not refer to the sensor as we have never had a problem fitting it to any fork, although in fairness I am not familiar with a Look HSC5 model. I have taken a pictutre of the sensor on my bike for you this morning after reading your question, also includes a drawing which should help to clarify. I don’t see why it should most forks blades as the section next to the fork is soft rubber, so should mold to different forks blades shapes quite easily. Paul Smith www.bikeplus.co.uk
Posted: 28/02/2008 10:09
Edit for the above post, last sentence should read "I don’t see why it should not fit most fork blades as the section next to the fork is soft rubber, so should mold to different forks blades shapes quite easily". Paul Smith www.bikeplus.co.uk
Posted: 28/02/2008 16:07
I've just bought one of these, based on the reviews. [Cateye Strada Wireless model CC-RD300W] However, for the life of me, I cannot get it to give me the trip distance and the trip time. The 2-page pdf manual does not refer to this. I've found out that the trip distance actually gets 'accumulated.' adding up the distances. The trip time has also a mind of its own, showing silly values. I simply want to get these two values: in the morning I set off [without touching anything/resetting anything]. So it should show me the distance and the time when I arrive at my destination. Leave the bike for the duration of the day. In the evening I set off home.
When I get home, then I would like to see the two figures. Is this possible with this model [despite it saying so in the blurb?] Thank you.
Posted: 18/09/2008 14:07
Eonly - display trip distance 1 - hold the unit down for a few seconds, and it should reset to zero. Repeat with trip distance 2. So when you set off in the morning, both trip distances read zero. You arrive, both should read the same distance covered. Reset distance one to zero. When you ride home, distance one will give you the distance home, distance two will give you the total for both rides. You are right that the distance functions will accumulate distance - unless you reset them. The odometer function will give you the total accumulated distance you have ridden on your bike. Hope this helps.
Posted: 19/09/2008 11:32
Well explained Graham. .........and the cumulative odo can be reset to zero or to whatever mileage you want to pick up from your current yearly mileage. Great computer imo. I have found it has worked a bit loose in the stem holder and rattles a bit!
Posted: 19/09/2008 12:53
Graham, Thank you. However, the whole idea is 'auto' start/stop.
I do not want to reset anything. No hands, no manual action. The computer itself should stop after a longish delay, when you have really stopped.[arrival at destination]
then it should wake up again, from zero, when you are on the move next time [going home] My previous [wireless] computer was a Sigma something. I gave up on Sigma Sport because rain got into it despite it being declared 'waterproof. However, that one would stop and start on its own. the actual unit of the Cateye is also very small [about 40% of the size of what you see on the screen] and falls off its perch at the slighet touch... thereby losing more data... {I think I should better stop here now.} Kind regards.
Posted: 19/09/2008 17:30
You bought the wrong one then Eonly. The trip only resets manually, it will not zero on its own, no matter how long you wait. I picked my mates bike up from the Police a week after a smash and the trip hadnt zero'd and reminded me we'd done 76 miles of an 81 mile event.
Posted: 19/09/2008 19:34
So you want one that resets on its own after a period of inactivity? What happens if you were out for a ride, half way you stop at a cafe, get back on bike and distance has reset?!?!? That would annoy me.
Posted: 20/09/2008 09:41
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