I'd like to get a basic and reliable cadence meter and odometer for my road bike.

It should cost less than $50, be easy to install & operate as well reliable in all kinds of weather including cold & rain. I ride off the grid periodically so it shouldn't be dependent on cellphone networks.

If it will track data on my phone great but it's not a requirement.

Any recommendations?

You may need to go above $50, especially if you want wireless with smartphone or Garmin integration.
Google "bike computers with cadence".
If you are willing to buy used and don't mind wired and not "smart", used Cateye Astrale 8 can be found on E-bay for well under $50, I am sure there are others but this is what I have used.

You can get Magene sensors for under $35 from Amazon. They work with phone apps. You don't need cell coverage to use the sensors. They communicate with your phone over the Bluetooth interface.

I run "Cyclemeter" on my phone. Costs $10 per year and does exactly what I want.

I use a bar mount to hold my phone. Mine is made of aluminum and came off of eBay. They are cheap. Just be sure that the mount you get has long enough fingers to hold your phone or your phone case.

All told, it should run you about $60.00 for sensors, mount for phone, and software.

I have a Cateye Strada Cadence on my bike. Simple, wired.

Might be just a bit more than the 50$ you're aiming for.

I use a Coospo BC107 ($40) and their cadence sensor ($17). Does all the usual metrics.

Kyle

XOSS speed and cadence sensors cost me under 20 US for the pair on ebay and a free phone app called SuperCycle. I already had the RAM mount for my phone since I was already using it for a bike computer with the GPS function. I found the sensors to be much more reliable but still use the GPS function simultaneously for mapping my rides. Magene are almost the same as XOSS-Blue tooth connectivity. HTH

You can always just count your pedal strokes for 15 seconds and then multiply that number by 4 to get your cadence. After you've done that for a while, you'll probably be able to estimate your cadence pretty accurately without counting.

Both Wahoo and Garmin make a cadence sensor that is both Ant+ and Bluetooth enabled for < $40. With either of those and a app on your smart phone you can connect to it and record your cadence along with the app using your phones GPS to record your track, speed and distance so you can look at it later. Or even while cycling if your phone shows well enough in the bright sun and you don't mind the extra battery drain.

The Ant+ or Bluetooth will allow you to use that sensor with most any of the common GPS/Cyclometer makers should you later decide to pony up the money for a decent head unit. IE. Garmin or Wahoo.

Some of your more inexpensive wireless sensors might depend on a proprietary standard that limits you to always using that particular brand. Which being the inexpensive brand might break or quit in a year or two. So buying better quality can be the difference between 12 or more years of use vs just a couple years of use before it breaks.

The Garmin cadence meter used to be right at $50, and installation involves two rubber bands. Easy, reliable, affordable.

Check out the sub-forum https://www.bikeforums.net/electroni...hting-gadgets/. You might see other answers to your question there.

Assuming you have a wristwatch, the most basic method is to note a time on your wristwatch, touch your pulse and start counting, riding one-handed. When you have to stop, notice the time and the nynber you counted to, and write them down. Next step up, go digital, but see what Walgreen's, Osco Drugs or Cosco sell. All of these wll be cheaper, though less capable than an Oura.

Assuming you have a wristwatch, the most basic method is to note a time on your wristwatch, touch your pulse and start counting, riding one-handed. When you have to stop, notice the time and the nynber you counted to, and write them down. Next step up, go digital, but see what Walgreen's, Osco Drugs or Cosco sell. All of these wll be cheaper, though less capable than an Oura.

Used one for years, but it seems to be out of production (or at least darned hard to find) now.

This. I use a set of Wahoo speed and cadence sensors with the Wahoo smartphone app via Bluetooth. Both work well indepedent of the weather (at least where I ride). The cadence sensor comes with a rubber case that covers the sensor and attaches to the crank arm. Very easy to install.