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review
£49.99
VERDICT:
Big, clear and easy to use - perfect non GPS riding companion
Weight:
31g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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If you're a rider who likes to check their stats when riding the Cateye Padrone may just be the computer for you.
It's not a GPS unit but it does everything else you'd expect and does it very well. Clean, with no wires, slim, and with a bigger display in response to customer feedback, the Padrone offers a screen size that is 85% bigger than Cateye's Urban Wireless at 43mm long by 32m wide. All this means you get a large and easy to read numbers to read. It is easy to set up and use, making it an ideal companion regardless of the cycling you do.
The other immediate difference from other models is how thin it is. Cateye say it is 22% thinner than the Urban Wireless mentioned earlier.
Out of the box you get the head unit, a speed sensor and a magnet. Fitting all that might sound like a bit of a faff compared to the one-step fitting of a GPS, but it doesn't take long and is really easy to do.
The mount comes in two parts so that you can choose whether to fit it to your bar or stem by turning the inner piece through 90 degrees within the band.
The speed sensor is then attached to your fork, using the rubber foot and a couple of zip ties. All that is left to do is attach the magnet and line it up with the sensor. Both the sensor and the head unit use CR 2032 batteries, supplied.
So what can you check? As you'd expect, current speed, total distance, trip distance, elapsed time, max and average speed. The usual set of measurements and it does have a clock, and power saving mode. All this in a package that weighs in at 31.5 grams.
To scroll between the different screens is as simple as everything else at the Padrone. The head unit rocks in the bracket by pressing the bottom of the unit and this in turn presses the mode button on the back and rotates between the screens. Very simple but effective. The only difficulty about the whole package is removing the head unit from the bracket. It clicks in very tightly but this then makes the removal quite tight. At least you know it won't come out in transit.
The Padrone is a great unit, offering an easy to read screen, lightweight and gives you everything you need from a computer without GPS functions.
And there's a video, which we include simply because there's a very happy dog in it.
Verdict
Big, clear and easy to use - perfect non GPS riding companion
road.cc test report
Make and model: CatEye Padrone
Size tested: Black
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
For anyone who wants to view their data simply and easily. The bigger screen makes this a doddle with a little bit of style.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
It records current speed, total distance, trip distance, elapsed time, max and average speed. The usual set of measurements and it does have a clock, power saving mode.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
It is slim, well made and stylish. It wouldn't look out of place on any bar or stem.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Good range of data. The battery life is good and given the bigger screen, easy to read on the move.
Rate the product for durability:
9/10
The outer casing is smooth but tough plastic and the screen has remained without blemish.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
9/10
Weighing in at 31g the (head unit only) it is not going to cause you any weight issues. The fitting bracket and speed sensor are minimal in weight so when you have the whole system setup you won't need to worry about additional drag.
Rate the product for value:
9/10
Given the price tag, £49.99, you get a whole lot of computer for your money. It's bigger and slimmer than previous Cateye incarnations and does what it should do very well.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
For anyone looking to take their first steps into using a computer to record or view their data this is an ideal foray into the market. Easy to set up and even easier to use.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Simplicity with a neat fitting bracket that mirrors the ease of using the head unit. Two different positions with minimal adjustment allow you to use the Padrone either on your bar or stem. Simples
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Given it fits into the bracket so well it can prove a little reluctant to remove. On a couple of occasions it has resulted in a flying computer.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Already have.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
Good value for money and the improved size only adds to the appeal.
About the tester
Age: 45 Height: 178cm Weight: 80kg
I usually ride: Currently riding a Pinnacle Evaporite Three My best bike is: As above
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, mtb, Not yet but looking to dip my toe in the world of TT
Latest Comments
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Having been a BCF member back in the day, even though I stopped competing in 1974, I continued my membership all through the bad days in the early...
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The form over function customer base is growing in cycling, and company is apparently exploiting that to the fullest.
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Well what is that way? Are you suggesting that every bend on every descent can be barriered over a 180km mountain stage?
Add new comment
10 comments
I bought one because of the larger screen.....being able to constantly see my speed has upped my average speed...ie] if you are doing 25.8kph you give it a little more til your doing 26kph.
My original Strada doesn't remember anything when you swap out the battery - best to take a note of the settings before doing so.
Does it remember total miles and other details when the battery is replaced?
I'll tell you in two years time! Seriously, it's probably got the same chippery as a normal Strada, ie always best to note your Odo reading before resetting.
Bought one last week at Evans. Am loving the big, clear display. Also got a Bar Fly "out front" clamp on eBay which fits perfectly and keeps the Padrone neatly out of the way. Only basic data but hell, that's what iPhones are for. Recommended.
Shame its lost the pacer arrow from the original Strada, one of which I've used for many years.
I have this model. Great computer, thin, looks great on cockpit, stem or bars. Large enough display to be seen even in brightest of light. No back light for night time display. Thumbs up!!
For £50 I would expect cadence.
Speed and cadence are the two things I pay attention to, followed by heart rate which at the moment I have to get separately via a Polar watch.
My ideal computer would display the three things I mentioned in big numbers on an out front mount (eyesight going with age!) Distance, average this that and the other would be on a secondary screen.
If anyone knows of somthing that does that I'd be very happy to hear about it!
As soon as they start extracting data from mobile phones they are on to a winner...no need for built in GPS then.
Good write up. NB the video features the optional bracket - I think the unit sits over the fixing point like normal, not in front of it, gps style, with the usual bracket.