Modern cycling computers tend to all look the same with square designs and grid layouts for data display. The CatEye Quick breaks that mold with a round display and slim profile that gives it a futuristic appearance. While it may have a premium look, the Quick only retails for $59.99 and uses a simple inverted LCD display. There is no GPS here, instead the computer comes with a wireless speed sensor. The computer is all about simplicity which is why it uses a replaceable CR1616 watch battery and only supports basic speed, distance and time metrics. CatEye includes a bolt-on plastic out-front mount with a quick-release tab connector that allows the Quick computer to be quickly removed from the bike.
The CatEye Quick is a simple and sleek cycling computer that combines a round display with an easy to use interface.
| Retail Price | $59.99 |
| Rating | 8.7 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 23 (computer w/ bracket) / 19 (speed sensor) |
| Likes | + Sleek design with unique round shape and thin profile + High contrast two row display + Easy to use interface with simple configuration |
| Dislikes | – Premium price for features – Lacks gradient and altitude displays |
| Where to Buy (US) | CatEye |
UNBOXING
The CatEye Quick computer comes in compact black cardboard boxes with red and white CatEye branding and specs printed onto it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Quick computer
- Out-front mount w/ rubber handlebar spacer
- Speed sensor w/ rubber bracket and 2x zip ties
- Spoke magnet
- Allen key
- Quick start guide
CatEye has incorporated a large plastic window that lets you see the computer without having to open up the box.
MOUNTING
One of the other unique design features of the CatEye Quick is the integrated out-front bracket. This lets you place the computer directly in front of your stem for a sleek and modern setup. The bracket attaches using a single bolt with two different rubber pads to accommodate different handlebar diameters. CatEye has incorporated a clever tab design to allow the computer to be removed from the bracket by pushing down on a release button. This means you can leave the bracket on your bike and quickly remove the computer without the need for any tools. Note, this is a plastic bracket one-sided bracket which doesn’t support mounting a light or other accessories underneath it like dual-sided out-front mounts such as the Topeak UTF.
FIT & FINISH
As the Quick name implies, the Cateye Quick is designed to be quick and easy to use with a sleek design and basic data display. The most captivating part of the computer is the round design and thin body. It’s one of the few cycling computers on the market with a round display which helps it stand out in the market. The Quick computer isn’t a GPS cycling computer though, it’s designed for recreational cyclists looking for basic time, speed and distance data display. That means there is no map view, and you cannot upload rides data to Strava or other third party apps to review the data. CatEye instead includes a wireless speed sensor which is required to determine distance and speed.
CatEye has designed the interface of the Quick computer to be simple and easy. That means you cannot connect any sensors except a speed sensor. Recordings automatically start once you start moving and are automatically stopped once the computer is turned off. There are three physical buttons on the Quick with the most obvious one being the mode button on the right corner. This top mounted button is used to toggle between data fields or it can be held down for 2 seconds to reset the trip data. There is also a menu button on the rear and another recessed button to reset all data back to factory defaults. Configuration requires using a combination of the rear button and front one which can be a bit confusing but only has to be done once. The display only has the two rows of data with basic icons and labels that are easy to interpret.
SETUP
Setting up the CatEye Quick is as simple as installing the battery and setting up a few basic configuration options. Once the computer turns on you have a few prompts: selecting measurement units (i.e. km/h or mph), setting tire circumference in mm, the clock format (i.e. 24 hr or 12 hr) and current time. A short press on the top button toggle the current display option while a long press moves to the next field on the current screen. Configuration requires using a combination of the top button and the menu button on the back to move to the next configuration option. Because there is no GPS, the speed sensor must also be installed on the front fork with a corresponding spoke magnet. The magnet and the sensor need to be properly positioned and have to be within 5 mm to pick up the wheel rotation.
After the initial setup is complete the CatEye Quick is ready to use. The accumulated distance is always recorded while current trip metrics are started as soon as movement is detected. Like the Bontrager RIDETime Elite, there is no actual power button for the Quick. Instead the computer goes to a standby mode once you stop moving for 10 minutes. After an hour of no movement the computer enters a sleep mode which only displays the selected units. You can also change the configuration settings at any time by pressing the rear button. That enters a configuration menu which lets you change: tire circumference, clock, manually set odometer and display units. While the settings are simple, we’re happy to see CatEye added a way to manually input the odometer as it lets you accurately track accumulated mileage.
ON THE ROAD
The CatEye Quick lives up to its namesake as setup and configuration is quick and easy. As the computer does not have GPS, there are no apps or complicated sensor syncing. Instead, the Quick is a simple computer that only displays real time time and distance metrics. You can simply jump on the bike and the Quick computer will start recording trip information. The high-contrast white on black screen is easy to read with a simple two row display that is easy to read. The top row always displays current speed while the bottom can be toggled between: average / maximum speed, total / trip distance, moving time and the current time.
While we missed the lack of attitude and gradient displays that are common on GPS computers as well as the ability to connect cadence sensors, the Quick’s sleek design and real time data is useful. Most interactions with the computer only involve toggling between the secondary data metrics using the top button with no apps to worry about. For recreational cyclists or commuters, the CatEye Quick is a sleek computer that helps you track your basic ride stats or help you track your mileage. However, for more data-centric cyclists, we’d recommend a GPS cycling computer like the Bryton 750 SE or the iGPSPORT BSC300 which offer a wide array sensor connectivity and performance metrics.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the CatEye Quick to be an attractive and simple cycling computer. The Quick’s unique round design and slim profile with out-front mount make it stand out in a crowded market place and look great on any style bike. It’s a basic cycling computer that only tracks speed, time and distance metrics with no GPS or apps to use. Instead, a wireless speed sensor allows the Quick to track real time metrics and accumulated mileage automatically once you start moving. For riders who just need basic metrics, the Quick works well and has an intuitive interface that only uses a top mounted button to toggle between secondary data fields once it has been configured. The main downside of the computer is that you’re paying a premium for design given the lack of features and GPS signal which means you can’t display altitude or gradient information. That said, if you’re in the market for a simple cycling computer and want something that stands out then the CatEye quick is a great choice.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by CatEye. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.