Cateye Astrale - or other computer for cadence

[newbiechick]

Forgive me if I'm covering territory that's been covered before. I searched the forum and althought I found LOTS of very helpful info, I didn't find the answer to my specific question.

I'm wanting to get a new computer that includes cadence. I've done a fair bit of poking around on line looking for reviews of various options. Unfortunately, it seems I can't find any computer that has consistently good reviews. I don't want to spend a lot of money. I don't mind if it's wired vs. wireless. And I'm not a gadget geek so I don't need top of the line nor a lot of extra bells and whistles (beyond the basics, of course).

I'm currently considering the Cateye Astrale. The majority of reviews I've read have been very positive, but there have been a handful of reviewers who say it's junk. Does anyone here have experience with this computer? Or are there suggestions of other affordable computers that include cadence? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

newbiechick
aka Shelley

[DrBee]

I have one and love it! I had it on my hybrid for about a year and then moved it to my roadbike when I brought her home and have had no problems at all. All I had to do was a hard reset to reset it for different tire size, etc. and that was it. It's a good computer for very little money. It's a bargain and I highly recommend it!

[bikerz]

I love my cateye astrale. It was very easy to install (I did it myself) and I think it has really helped my cycling.

It is NOT wireless, and therefore pretty inexpensive ($40 I think).

[Fuji Girl]

I have the Astrale 8 as well, no problems here. I got it for $29.99 on sale at Performance. It's great, but I'm considering upgrading to the Cateye Double Wireless. Not for any particular reason, I just like being able to see everything all on one screen and not having to scroll through everything. But the Double Wireless is SOOOO expensive.

Can't go wrong with the Astrale, IMHO. Never had any problems with it.

[newbiechick]

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. However, I just realized that the Astrale doesn't include trip distance or trip time, which I think I'd really miss. Hmmm. Now I'm not sure what to do. Any other thoughts or suggestions?

newbiechick
aka Shelley

[bikerz]

However, I just realized that the Astrale doesn't include trip distance or trip time, which I think I'd really miss. Hmmm. Now I'm not sure what to do.
Hmmmm...

After the ride, my cateye Astrale 8 has this data:

max speed
avg speed
trip distance
trip time (ride time, not total elapsed time) *
total odometer

During the ride it displays all of the above, plus cadence.

* My fancy-schmancy Polar 720i only displays total elapsed time, which is not very helpful to me when I'm riding, so I prefer the Cateye for that reason.

[newbiechick]

Thanks Bikerz! Now I'm sold. I looked at a comparison chart of several computers and it implied that the Astrale did not have trip distance or time. But if it does, I'm taking the leap. Can't wait to start working on my cadence!

Thanks again for all the help.

newbiechick
aka Shelley

[bikerz]

It absolutely does!

Someone on another thread here posted that some online bike store (Performance?) was selling the Astrale 8 on sale pretty cheap - have you searched for that?

Have fun!

[lilscamper]

i have the astrale 8 and love it. it was a little tricky to get it to actually read miles instead of km at first, but it's been accurate and easy to use since.;)

[TsPoet]

I have 3 bikes and 3 different computers. The Astrale 8 is the most intuitive, easiest to see, and has just the right numbers of features. It also has the same battery I started with, lasting much longer than the batteries on my Sigma computer.
BUT - I hate that it doesn't have average cadence at the end of the ride.

[Geonz]

I also have an astrale and it has trip time and distance. Right now it's broken but only because when I put the Free Radical on my bike we switched the wire from the back to the front wheel and it got caught on something.
I can (and do) go to Google Pedometer to see where I've ridden and how far I went. Hoping to get over 30 miles today... gotta get changed and get out of the office now :-)

[bikerz]

BUT - I hate that it doesn't have average cadence at the end of the ride.
Yes - that would be great

[Lifesgreat]

I have the Cateye Astrale 8 and I installed it myself! :) That tells you how easy it is to install. I love it!

[Tri Girl]

I love my Cateye Astrale! It's so helpful, and has all the geeky info I need after my ride. I like that it does total ride time, becuase sometimes I ride for a total time, and don't like to count all the times I stop for other reasons (traffic, talking to friends, restroom, 7 11 stops, etc).
It was pretty cheap (the wired one) and does it all!

[emily_in_nc]

Cateye Astrale is a great little computer at a great price. We've been using them on all our bikes for years. Thumbs up!

Emily

[Triskeliongirl]

Another nice feature is the rear wheel sensor so it works on a trainer! Great computer. I also pulled off my fancy shmanzy UNRELIABLE polar 720i in favor of the simple atrale 8.

[newbiechick]

Thanks for all the great feedback, everyone! I'm ordering my Astrale 8 tonight!

newbiechick
aka Shelley

[Aggie_Ama]

In case you needed one more fan! I wish it had the average cadence, but otherwise the computer is great. DH has one on his bike as well. It definitely tells you the entire ride time. Surprisingly, DH actually read the instructions and set mine up to start when I pedal and stop when I stop. I love that. :)

[Geonz]

I dunno, average cadence seems kind of odd... would it factor in coasting or would it do an automatic restart like the average mph does?
Right now none of my speedometers work, between dead batteries and busted wires. I just gotta riide 'til I"m breathing hard ;-) It *is* a bunbite riding with a group, though.

[MomOnBike]

Another thumbs up.

Also, my Astrale 8 came with an extra long cord so the sensor could reach the back wheel on my recumbent.

[KSH]

I'm currently considering the Cateye Astrale. The majority of reviews I've read have been very positive, but there have been a handful of reviewers who say it's junk. Does anyone here have experience with this computer? Or are there suggestions of other affordable computers that include cadence? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!


I have one. It's great. Not any problems. Mine is not wireless and I spent around $40 on it. So far I have put 2,500 miles on the computer, with no problems to speak of.