Cateye Strata Cadence Computer

I have two of these, they are wired. One on the LHT and the other on the Trek. The cadence function died on the Trek after 250 miles. Today, after 600 miles on the LHT, the MPH/distance function died but the cadence still works.

WTF? Sorry for the language, but this just isn't right. Have anyone else gotten such short life from this bike computer? I know they are not very expensive, so perhaps I am simply getting what I paid for, but Cateye is supposed to be a good brand.

Has anyone been able to fix theirs when they did this? Should I even bother messing with it?

I must admit that it was kind of fun tonight to not know how fast I was going, or how far and to judge things by feel, cadence, and heart rate. I wonder if I could combine the two computers and make one that works...

If I had to guess, there's a broken wire in the wiring harness somewhere. I would call Cateye and explain your situation. IME, they have good customer service.

In the meantime, take a look along the harness for any broken wires, damaged insulation, or wires pulled out of their sensors (even a little). This can sometimes happen if a wiring harness is installed or wrapped too tightly. I always leave just a tiny bit of slack at both the computer and sensor ends.

They're probably both still usable- at worst, you're out the cost of a new wiring harness, which Cateye sells on their website.

This just happened with my Trek Incite11i computer. The cadence worked but the MPH did not. I took it to my LBS and they determined it was the wiring. I got my computer in 2008 and there was a 2-year warranty so my LBS replaced the computer with a similar one since they didn't have a spare wiring harness in stock.

Edited to say...since you've only gone 600 miles, I'm sure there's some kind of warranty involved. Did you get it at your LBS?

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Originally Posted by oxysback

This just happened with my Trek Incite11i computer. The cadence worked but the MPH did not. I took it to my LBS and they determined it was the wiring. I got my computer in 2008 and there was a 2-year warranty so my LBS replaced the computer with a similar one since they didn't have a spare wiring harness in stock.

Edited to say...since you've only gone 600 miles, I'm sure there's some kind of warranty involved. Did you get it at your LBS?

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I fixed it :o :rolleyes: :o

It finally dawned on my that I gave the Wanderer a really good bath and polish after my ride Sunday, and last night was my first ride since then. I am actually surprised the cadence was working because the sensor unit on the chain stay had really been shifted out of position.

So I can't blame this on Cateye or my former LBS (there are reasons why I don't go there any more for anything other than bike accessories that I can't get elsewhere - I won't allow them to touch any of my bikes again).

I think I know what is wrong with the computer on the Trek as well. I noticed last night that when they installed the computer on my LHT that they inserted a few layers of something between the sensor and chain stay - no doubt to get the sensor in proper distance from the magnet(?) on the spoke. This is not present on my Trek so it may simply be a matter of spacing. I will check it out before subjecting Stella to my original LBS.

It's repairable if the break isn't right at the sensor (you'll need a continuity tester to locate the break, and basic wiring and soldering supplies to fix it), but it's kind of a PITA. If the break is right at the sensor, which is where it commonly happens, there's nothing to do but replace it.

If you bought it at the LBS, and especially if they installed it, I'd let them look at it. A neat installation is the key to long wire life....