Padrone, Black

Biking is one of our favorite activities, and when traveling, we are always looking for bike trails. Over the years, we have biked short, medium and long distances. The longest distance that we have biked in one day was 50 miles on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes last year (2022). During that same trip, we biked 42 miles on a different day on that same trail. And this summer (2023), we biked 37 miles on that trail. All of these treks were on different sections of the trail, which is a combined distance of 72.5 miles one way.When biking medium and long distances, I am always curious about how far we’ve gone and I am frequently asking my husband (Larry) throughout the treks. He uses a GPS app on his phone to track everything that we do, not just biking. I wanted something to track our biking data myself, but I didn’t want to use my phone/an app. Thus, the search for a wireless bike computer began Spring of 2023. I am not a technology-compatible person, so I needed a very basic, user-friendly product. After researching two dozen bike computers (all different brands/types), I decided on the CATEYE, Padrone Wireless Bike Computer.My Trek Dual Sport 3 (WSD) came with a mount on the handlebar specifically for a bike computer, but I had difficulty finding one that was compatible with that mount. Larry checked with Trek and it appeared that the device would be compatible with the existing mount on my bike, but when we received it, we learned it was not. I had planned to return it but changed my mind once I realized that swapping out the mount wasn’t that big of a deal. The mount that came with CATEYE ended up working perfectly.BIKE SET UP: I found the setup to be quite tedious, but for the average person I am certain that notion would not be applicable. Fortunately, I had Larry to help. The CATEYE mount is about the same size as the one that came on my bike but is just shaped a little differently. A feature that I like about the CATEYE mount is that it is easy to adjust the angulation on the handlebar using the knob on the back. Sometimes I angle it up a little higher and other times a little lower. With that said, however, it is vital to mention that if the mount is angled down too far on the handlebar, then it will be difficult to toggle between different screens on the monitor.Once the new mount was in place, the next step was putting on the sensors and that is what took some fine-tuning. The little round sensor that attaches to the spoke on the front tire has to align perfectly with the transmitter on the fork of the bike. It took multiple attempts to line them up perfectly. After the first few tries, we thought perhaps the battery was dead, so we replaced the battery yet the monitor still wasn’t working.Initially, we had the transmitter positioned in the middle of the fork, horizontally. We finally realized that it needs to be closer to the sensor. We then angled the transmitter inward on the fork so that it would be much closer to the sensor and they could communicate. My advice: be patient and just keep working on it till you get it right. Admittedly, I was not patient through this process.VISIBILITY: The CATEYE has a very clear screen and the numbers are easy to see. Initially, I tried to find a computer with an LED backlight but just couldn’t find something with consistently good reviews. However, I am very pleased with the visibility of this. I have no issues at all, even when biking in open, sunny areas. NOTE: I recommend taking the monitor off the mount when not in use to protect the screen; I keep it in a small bubble pouch that it came with.EASE OF USE: To change the data on the monitor, you place the device in the mount and push down on the three little dots located on the bottom of the device; you will hear a clicking sound each time you push down. When I had the device in my hand, I kept pushing the dots and nothing happened. That is when I realized that the little dots are not a “button,” but rather serve as a marking point for the section where you push down so the gray center button on the backside of the unit will then change the data on the monitor. To “reset” the computer in between rides, you push down for a few seconds. The monitor does not have an on/off switch. It turns off by itself (like a hibernation mode) when not in use after a period of time.Switching from screen to screen to see different data while biking is simple. Just push down on the little dots and you can easily toggle between different screens of data. While biking, I prefer to leave the screen on individual trip distance (i.e. how many miles I am currently biking). When we are finished biking, I then scroll through all of the different data that the device collects: individual trip distance; total odometer distance; average speed; max speed; elapsed time; clock.A few things to note: When you stop biking, all data collection completely stops, unlike that of an app/program where you have to “pause” in order to keep an accurate time of the activities. I really like this feature because Larry has to pause and restart his program for accuracy; I don’t have to do that with this device. I also like that the computer keeps track of the total miles and amount of time that I’ve biked using the device. When you “reset” in between treks, it only resets the individual trip distance, clock (time per ride), average speed and max speed.ACCURACY: On every trek, Larry and I compare the mileage data between our two different methods of collection. Between Larry’s GPS and my CATEYE, the difference is usually within one-tenth of a mile. He believes his GPS data is the ultimate scale of accuracy. And while that *may* be the case, my CATEYE is close enough for my purposes. I just wanted something to give me a general idea, as I am biking, of how far we’ve gone.FINAL THOUGHTS: I am extremely pleased with this device, as it is perfect for my purposes. Thus far, I’ve biked a total of 142.2 outdoor miles and 10.43 total hours while using this between the months of May – Aug 2023. The reason for which I specify ‘outdoor miles’ is because I have an indoor bike trainer that I also use with my Trek bike. However because the CATEYE attaches to the front tire, I am unable to use it to track my ride data. I have looked at bike computers compatible with indoor bike trainers, but I don’t feel the need to purchase one at this time.If you are looking for a very basic, easy-to-use bike monitor then the CATEYE may be a great fit for you. As mentioned above, the mileage may/may not be 100% spot on, but it is certainly close enough for those, like myself, who just want a general idea of their bike trek data.

Like some some other users, I found the setup a bit challenging. All the instructions are pictures only but fairly intuitive once you get the hang of it. To set up the computer, basically you long-press the mode button to select what you want to adjust and then short-press the same button to confirm. It took me several tries to get it all right.There is a handy table in the instructions showing the numerical setting for various tire sizes. Mine was listed and I would guess many other common sizes are as well.Fixing the equipment to the bike presented different challenges. I bought the separate Cat Eye Out Front Bracket, which installs very easily. The computer slides into this easily with a snap when it is fully in place. The bracket holds the device very firmly, which is important considering the vibration and bumps of biking but also makes it a bit difficult to remove. I found the best way was to stand in front of the bike, facing backward, and pulling it out.Mounting the sensor and magnet is the trickiest of all. Be sure to mount the sensor right side up - otherwise it will face forward and likely move with wind resistance. I made this mistake so that I needed to get additional zip ties, which can be ordered from Cat Eye. I found compatible (2mm) zip ties at Lowes.Positioning the sensor and magnet took me several attempts before I got it right. The instructions would have you put the sensor high on the fork. However, if you do that it will be further from the magnet because the spokes bend inward on the tire. This distance has to be quite close. If you position the sensor further down, close to the center of the tire, it will be closer to the magnet; however, it will be further from the Cat Eye computer. This distance cannot exceed 27 inches. There is a sweet spot around the center of the tire which does work. However, as others have pointed out, it is often necessary to swivel the sensor at an angle inward, to get close enough to the magnet. Unfortunately, the instructions do not say this and the picture doesn't show it clearly. I ended up positioning the sensor and magnet a bit more than halfway down the tire, about 25 inches below the computer. It is important not to completely tighten the zip ties until you are absolutely sure everything is functioning properly.Once it is mounted and set up, the Cat Eye Padrone works very well. Although the display looks rather small, the numbers are easily visible, including with sunglasses. Using MPH, the speed is shown in tenths of a mile and the distance traveled in hundredths of a mile. The distance measured matched my GPS precisely. Other reviewers have reported problems with interference from strobe lights. I use them back and front and experienced no interference at all. If the brand makes a difference, mine are from Ascher. I ride an Electra Townie ebike which proved completely compatible with the Cat Eye.

I have two Padrone's, one for each bike. I bought the first one here at Amazon almost a year ago. I've had no issues with it. Easy to set up (especially if you are familar with Cateye computers). Huge screen, I can read all the data without my reading glasses. A couple of things I do not like- No second trip meter. Sometimes I like to know the distance between two points on a ride, without doing the math in my head. If you reset the trip mileage, it resets everything except odometer and clock. If you use the stem mount position and accidentally press down on the computer head it will reset. I've done this a few times when I reach down to pick up something on the ground, or to tighten my front wheel skewer. If you use a Cateye Outfront bracket this will solve this problem. However if you use a front daytime riding light, the light will interfere with the computer and you will get no readings. The sensor on the front fork is huge and hard to get the angle close to the wheel magnet if you have an aero fork. I replaced the sensor for this computer with an old Micro Wireless sensor and it works fine. Smaller and easier to get close to the magnet. Overall this is a good basic computer. I preferred my old Strada Slim but the screen was too small. I gave it to my son-in-law. Might go back to the standard Strada (it has two trip meters, and a larger screen). I've owned a ton of computers over the years and had very few problems with the Cateyes. I gave it 4 stars as it has no second trip meter. This might not be important to you.

Very nice computer for your bike. Easy to use. Gives you a lot of information, speed (mph), miles, time … Easy to mount.