Garmin Speed Sensor Review + Exercise Bike/Trainer/Indoor Setup

Let's take a look at the Garmin Speed Sensor and how it works on a trainer an exercise bike. Get it here: geni.us/81WvHBN (Amazon)
Here's a way to get distance and speed (estimated) on an exercise bike or indoor bike trainer.
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[@JonJonVanceSt]

This is the most help I've found on the internet in months. Thank you

[@DesFit]

+Jonathan Cornett 👍

[@papalazarou27]

This is a very useful video that has helped me get the most from my spin bike (18" flywheel). I used a Garmin Speed Sensor 2 that does work when stuck against the side of the wheel. A couple of tips from me: (1) There wasn't quite enough clearance with velcro so a strip of electrical tape held it just a little closer to the flywheel, (2) I played around with the wheel size and 900mm felt more like it gave the same speed/effort as a road bike. I just adjusted it so it showed around 17-18mph for moderate pace and resistance level.

[@dawidbooysen8402]

Thanks for the info! 🏆

[@lamorena83]

Thank you thank you thank you soooo sooo much!! I was having a hard time figuring out the wheel size! After watching this video I realized you’re using the same spinner I am using and it worked! I used 1375 and it’s right on! Thank you!

[@DesFit]

Glad that worked for you!

[@speedstackinggurl]

This was really helpful, I wasn't sure if the garmin sensors could be connected to the garmin watches for real time but this answered it for me! thank you so much!

[@DesFit]

Glad to help!

[@hinault1986]

This is awesome! I just completed the same setup on my home spin bike. Everyone in my household is now on Zwift!!

[@DesFit]

Yes! Enjoy!

[@eoincasey5461]

What wheel size do you use as option in Zwift? Can you get the speeds to match what’s being reported on a watch?

[@maugustson]

Love your videos. Super helpful and informative. Getting ready to set up the older model Spinner bike this evening. Thanks for posting this (and all your videos).

[@DesFit]

Sure thing! Glad they help out!

[@MsHarleyD505]

Love your videos! I tried this out a few years ago on my Keiser M3 and it worked! But after a while, the sensor flies off as the glue weakens on the velcro. Also, trying to replace the battery after you've glued a stack of velcro to the sensor can be difficult! But I recently put the sensor back in it's rubber holder that's meant for your outdoor bike wheel, and took a longer piece of tape through those straps to afix to my spin bike wheel. It works! It's a bit of a pain to take the sensor out each time I want to ride, and rotate it to wake it up to sync to my Garmin Fenix, but well worth it over buying another spin bike with ant+ or bluetooth capability for tracking. And btw, I've been using this fix since you posted 3 years ago and I'm so thankful I've been able to track all of my rides! Anyway, love your vids and thought this twist on your fix for using the garmin speed sensor indoors on a spin bike might be useful to others!

[@claudiodaneels667]

Hi April! Good to hear that you did a good job on your Keiser M3. I have the same model too and was wandering if speed sensor may stick to the flywheel in vertical position. So I’m thinking to go for it...there’s also a diagonal hub cap on the flywheel and maybe there’s room for the speed sensor in a diagonal position (maybe better?? Who knows?!)

[@dela_soul_nl]

Thanks for the test, looks like fun!

[@JK-rt1gy]

Thank you so much, I found this review a year ago and have been using my spin bike with the Garmin sensor and Peloton app. Looking into switching to a wahoo sensor and swift, I appreciate any advice or link to videos. Thanks a bunch!

[@LowBodgeItFilms]

Thanks for the video! I was connecting through the Garmin app on my phone and it would turn off instantly. Connected it to my Garmin vivoactive and it works fine.

[@stevanwpierce]

Great video on the spin bike! I recently setup the same speed and cadence sensor on a Schwinn AC Performance Indoor Cycling Bike with Carbon Blue. The wheel size was ~1500mm; and, I measured with an elastic measure tape in inches, converted to mm, and then added 50mm for variance.

[@user-ep3df4ek6w]

Equeation for the diameter of you wheel is Diameter = 2 x 3.1416 x Radius So, all you need is to precisely measure the radius of your wheel. If you'd like to have the speed you'd have with your road bike, then use the radius of the wheel of your road bike, tire included

[@scifisoldier81]

Thanks for video. I believe it worth mentioning that spinning bikes like Peloton calculates speed based on cadence and resistance, so technically if you vary the resistance and keep the same cadence, the speed will vary. So it is very hard to match it with a speed you would get in a road. I'm still researching the best calibration to use it in the peloton.

[@markrichmond5940]

Hi Jareon C, can please you explain or do a video about how you got the Wahoo RPM speed sensor to work on a spin bike?

[@zedearl5181]

Excellent video definitely the simplest in terms of setting up my Garmin cadence sensor, took less than five minutes. Thank you 👏🏾

[@DesFit]

Glad it helped!

[@Frandipi]

Does the speed sensor register cadence too??

[@DesFit]

Speed sensors are installed on the wheel measuring wheel rotations for speed. Cadence sensors measure revolutions of the crank arm.

[@Frandipi]

Thank you for your quick response!! ❤️ I love your videos. Just got a Venu after watching your review ☺️ I’ll do a deeper search for the cadence sensors then

[@krain8458]

Great video! Do you think this would work with the Peloton indoor spin bike? Thoughts? TIA.

[@NirRobinson]

thanks for the video!! i just bought the rpm+speed sensor of Garmin, in which app do you recommended to view the data in real time?

[@RuiPret]

Great video bud , I’m waiting for my first spinning bike and I definitely want to track my workouts on garmin app but I was thinking to myself, considering the spinning bike doesn’t have gears why can’t you put the device on the axle next to the crankset ? Or maybe I’m missing something ? Sorry for my bad English

[@drwproductions1]

Excellent video. Well explained.

[@DesFit]

Thanks!

[@chrisdomenici9107]

Thanks for the video. Would this work for mountain biking?

[@sneauxone]

I just bought a Vivoactive HR and was thinking of stepping up and buying the Garmin sensors, but everyone was flummoxed as to how to estimate speed on a spin bike. Garmin's own instructions indicate that sensors can be paired to get the speed and distance indoors, but then they say you cannot do it. With this method it's easy to quantify some of these variables. Even if they're not perfect, I can do some HIIT and know, for example, that I'm going 20% faster for an interval and just keep everything relative to my speed on my bike. Thank you so much for this video!!!

[@DesFit]

So glad it helped, Karen! Thanks!

[@sudanjackson]

Hey Des. This video has been up for a while, but I finally got around to trying out Swift with a Spinner. Connected a Garmin Speed Sensor 2 on the flywheel of my no-name spinning bike... Works ok. Downsides: does not coast when you stop pedalling, and it totally tanks on uphill stretches because the virtual power output is limited (Flywheel does not spin freely, so if you want more power you have to pedal like mad)... Still great fun and a great workout, tho ;-)

[@dawidbooysen8402]

Thanks for sharing

[@srh9592]

Great video. I did the same thing with my Schwinn Airdyne Pro. I added the Garmin Speed Sensor and Cadence Sensor so I could capture workouts in Garmin Connect (via my Fenix 5 watch). I attached the Cadence Sensor to the crank shaft with no problems, but I could not find a way to attached the Speed Sensor to the fan blades (wheel). Since there are no gears on Airdynes, the crank shaft and the "wheel" rotate proportionally... so I also attached the Speed Sensor to the crank shaft. I had to set the wheel size to maximum (9999mm) and it still only records about 87% of the speed shown on the Airdyne's display. I don't mind seeing slightly lower distance and speed numbers on the Garmin Connect... I can compare workouts. I used duct tape to attach the sensors, but I like your two sided velcro idea... much cleaner. Thanks.

[@DesFit]

Sure thing! It's not accurate by any means, but it can at least give a ball-park estimate and can compliment HR or power meter data.

[@pmfahey]

Are you able to attach the speed sensor to the wheel hub? That's what I did on my Assault AirBike after some effort with needle nose pliers, and it seems to be working. I just need to determine the correct wheel size to use.

[@JasonParham83]

@@pmfahey I take it that you have multiple speed sensors? One on your assault bike and another on your outdoor bike?

[@anfedres]

Curious about if not being parallel with the axis of the wheel will cause issues. Could be placed anywhere in the wheel of the spinning bike? Or does it have to be located between 1300mm and 1400mm?

[@karlosfandango6637]

I have a spin bike. Never used anything to help train with. Did this work well? TIA

[@paulsackles1329]

Very helpful video. Is there any consideration for the placing the sensor along the radius of the wheel, is it better to place it further out from the hub or closer to the hub? Thanks.

[@DesFit]

+Paul Sackles tried placement at numerous locations and doesn't seem to make a difference. Good luck!

[@pmfahey]

Great video. I have an Assault AirBike, and not a spin bike, but this prompted me to install the speed sensor today so I can stop looking miles manually in Garmin Connect (and have them recorded in Strava). Any suggestions for determining the proper wheel size? I just calibrated it to the console readout by trial and error, but I'm assuming measuring the circumference of the wheel (if I'm able to get in the wheel cage) would give me more accurate data?

[@eddieolachia5305]

What you end up doing I’m thinking about getting this for an air bike also

[@josephdalton9887]

Big thanks, it works !

[@2spoons]

I've got a Garmin footpad and wondered if that would do the same if I attached it to my bike as opposed to my foot - so spend more money on a Speed Sensor ?

[@heyjoanne9119]

Hello, I was desperately looking for this system for my matrix tomahawk which does not have a counter .. What sticker did you use? I have a garmin fenix 3. my wheel is 18 ''. do you think i will get synchronization with good good results? Speed and kilometer? Because I wrote to Garmin who replied that it was not possible. . Here are their answers:"The speed / cadence sensors do not stick. The speed attaches to the turn of the means and the cadence to the turn of the crank. The sensors must record laps to function properly. "

[@havefunandbikestuff]

Hi Des, any chance you'd know if the garmin speed and cadence sensors are bluetooth compatible for zwift android use. Thank you

[@DiegoCortassa]

Thanks for your interesting videos! There is one thing I don't understand: on a spin bike there are no gears, so crank revolutions are always proportional to flyweel revolutions, why didn't you strap the speed sensor to the crank as well? It seems a simpler and safer solution to me?

[@ferrellmoultrie9650]

The Garmin speed sensor doesn't wake up when rotating in the wrong plane (it works if you wake it up before attaching it by rotating it in the proper plane until the light blinks). I wanted something semi-permanently attached to my bike at home. So, I took this suggestion and wrapped the standard Garmin mount nicely around the base of the crank and latched it on the other side. Simple and seems easy to maintain. (Note: had to remove the pedal in order to slip the loop of the Garmin mount over the crank so it could then wrap around the crank body/axle to latch to the other side of the sensor. That's just a one-time thing however, I can unlatch it to remove the sensor to change the battery, etc., without removing the mount from the pedal.) ** Loved the discussion and ideas on this page. It got me thinking and scheming and ultimately found a great solution. Thanks!

[@loopfreestyler]

Completely agreed! I put mine on the crank, way easier and it works great. I just used some tape to fix it. No gears on a spin bike!!!

[@MP-hb6hn]

congratulations you have a new subscriber to the channel! I follow you from Italy where we, like you, are not having a good time ... I hope it can be resolved quickly because it is very very hard. I wanted to ask you if possible, how many centimeters of thickness the device to be applied to the flywheel of the spin bike measures, I have a toorx 65 and I wanted to buy it. thank you for your reply and I wish you my best wishes.

[@drsweetcharity]

hi, thanks for this video. so helpful!. Quick question; does it automatically give us the total km when we are using indoor trainer?

[@DesFit]

It should, yes.

[@liebesrind377]

What about putting the sensor in the shoe or fixing it to the leg in some way?

[@mdtaylor2274]

I really like your videos! I'm looking at getting back into cycling, slowly, and thinking about buying a spinner. I have muscular atrophy in my legs from an injury years ago and I've never done PT. Do spinner bikes offer enough resistance to help develop my legs?

[@DesFit]

Thanks! Almost all spin bikes should plenty of resistance.

[@mdtaylor2274]

DesFit thanks buddy. I'll be picking one up next weekend. My legs have atrophy and this rehab is going to hurt! I've subbed for further videos ✔️

[@DesFit]

Uploading a video this afternoon about some smart trainers which is another thing you should consider.

[@dds425]

I need your advise. I had a problem in my stationary bike. When i put on the test mode, the tension is automatic in 3 level. And when i used it after 2mins it shows in the monitor Fail . I used in training mode its the same. But in Manual mode is ok. What do think is the problem? Is it the sensor or the tension adjustmnt?

[@MarcosJ-mq4lk]

I have a tomahawk matrix sensor s series and although the monitor comes on and switches around settings....the transmitter that pics up the magnet doesnt pass on any info.....i hear it clicking when i swipe a magnet but no speed,or anything happens....not even time?

[@TanyaOwens]

I think I will stick with just the cadence sensor then. Spin & Sunny Fitness have a Cadence/Speed sensor combo that you mount on the crank. That will be a better solution. Though not sure if Spins sensor talks to other software. Sunny says theirs don't

[@gretabrownridge8485]

I have Garmin Speed Sensor 2 Gen3 BSCM Version 4.73.4 which uses Garmin Connect on my Android phone (I paired it via Garmin Connect App). It auto records my Cycling Time after the ride but not the speed or distance (I am assuming ascent needs a cadence recorder?) - I cannot find anything about setting up wheel size but the product is on the metal bit in the middle of the back wheel anyway - is there something different I need to be doing? Is it supposed to tell me distance and average speed (as well as the time) after the ride has ended? Thanks

[@DRM1891]

Would this work on a road bike that’s mounted to an indoor trainer? Had one for my birthday this year and really excited to use it - however I am like you in that I’m pretty eager to know the calories burned, distance cycled, average speed, top speed etc. I don’t have Zwift or anything like that and my indoor trainer doesn’t have Bluetooth. Thanks - great video.

[@DesFit]

If you have a wheel-on bike trainer where the wheel spins, yup, you can definitely use it to track speed and distance when you have the speed sensor paired to a watch or bike computer.

[@Camh1968]

Hi DesFit. I have read each response below, and questions still remain. I have the Garmin edge 1000 head unit. 1/ How can I measure cadence on spin bikes? What sensors to use and where to mount? 2/ You mentioned you determined that 1300 - 1400 mm wheel diameter was an optimal size to input into your unit for close to realistic speed determination. I don't understand how you determined what the most realistic speed was and wheel diameter input. Can you possibly explain this? Can the speed sensor be placed anywhere on the flywheel? 3/ why is speed being measured for spin bikes when I thought cadence would be more beneficial? Cameron

[@DesFit]

Speed is going to be only estimated by your perceived level of exertion. If you only ride indoors, you can hop on an indoor bike with a speedometer at a gym and gauge it that way. If you’re an outdoor cyclist, you can probably estimate this based on the average distance of the same ride if you’ve done it many times. Garmin makes speed and cadence sensors that pair to Edge units. This is one of those “it can be done but it’s not perfect” situations. You’ll have to play around with placement and wheel size based on your bike.

[@braviafeed]

I threw a Wahoo candence and a speed sensors on my spin bike. Worked perfectly.

[@DesFit]

Nice!

[@braviafeed]

@@DesFit Works great with ZWIFT btw. Very accurate on the speed/mph after configuring wheel circumference properly.

[@DesFit]

Sweet!

[@eoincasey5461]

@@braviafeed What wheel circumference did you use ?

[@braviafeed]

@@eoincasey5461 www.bikecalc.com/wheel_size_math#:~:text=Wheel%20diameter%20%3D%20(rim%20diameter),circumference%20%3D%20Wheel%20diameter%20*%20PI.

[@joelbrooks4839]

Hi, great vid! What are you using to how to the stick the speed monitor onto the wheel?

[@DesFit]

Double sided Velcro sticky tape. Definitely find some with some strong glue! Thanks!

[@joelbrooks4839]

@@DesFit thanks so much! Do you have a link for that?

[@jessedavis1489]

When your on the spinner and you stick it to the wheel. You need to measure the wheel . That’s where that number came from right 13mm 14mm. My next question is what about when you change the gears to a higher gear does it still keep track or does it just think it’s on the easiest gear. And how do you have if it’s right. Just see if it matches the spin bike metrics

[@PARIS8500]

FYI: He said that the range 1300 to 1400mm NOT 13 to 14mm

[@jacobsonhome]

Thanks for the video and testing this somewhat odd idea. I went with a little different equip, same concept: Lemond RevMaster spin bike, separate Wahoo Cadence sensor, and separate Wahoo magnet-less Speed sensor, which I want just as convenient distance estimate (better than zero). Cadence sensor was simple mount on the pedal crank. Speed sensor was (as you show) intended for a hub mount, *but*, the Lemond forks did not provide enough clearance for the Velcro-to-disc mount like in your vid. But, since it's just a fixed gear bike, and speed is just an adjustable estimate, I just mounted the speed sensor on the pedal crank arm (like the cadence sensor), and played with custom wheel size in both my iOS app and Garmin Fenix watch. I'm still fiddling with that, I'm needing a high 9900 mm (9.9m) or more setting. Anyways, thanks for the neat idea DesFit!

[@RoryONeill]

Are the velcro pieces in the kit???? I think im going to do this but in classes where I'll be leaving the little velcro circles behind and adding to different bikes them if I can't get the same bike / spot in class. Anyway I want to order a bunch of velcro mounts to be able to use them as single use or multiuse in the same spot in the studio.

[@DesFit]

Nope no Velcro included (because it’s not necessarily what they intend as a use case) but you can get that at a hardware store like Home Depot.

[@sonia5874]

Hi, I know this video was made some time ago and I hope you would please see and answer this question that no one seems to for me and I just can’t get it off my mind.🤞🏽I have a Spinning brand spin bike (40 lb flywheel home version)Not the NXT because of price and not a professional cyclist.About how many full turns on the NXT did you use for a moderate amount of tension??I have no outdoor riding experience but just want to ride with enough resistance for an extended amount of time .The treadmill used to be my go to for workouts but am older now and am looking more to burn calories to control weight ( along with appropriate diet of course).Exercised pretty much my whole life but need to adjust to a new routine and lifestyle.Thank You.✌️

[@DesFit]

"Moderate" will be based on personal preference where that may be 4 turns for one person and 2 turns for someone else.

[@PaulCikatricis]

I've done the same thing now on my Keiser M3 but my wheel size setting is 570mm. I've got to that by roughly pedalling my average cadence and watching the speed on my watch reach my average speed from previous rides. The distance now works thank to the speed sensor and matches the one on the bike display. Unfortunately Strava or Garmin Connect never show the estimated power after the ride is finished. Have you figured out if there is a way to get that? I see there is a 'Power Estimate' field available in the IQ store but it's not for my watch. I wonder if that, or anything else works. Thanks!

[@claudiodaneels667]

Hey Paul. Good to hear that you did a good job placing the sensor on your Keiser M3. I do have it too. Question: where did you put the sensor exactly? Is it vertical or did you attach on the diagonal part of the flywheel hub cap? Did you use Velcro? Thanking you for your kind reply ... I’m thinking to convert my spin bike for Swift app, so that’s why so many questions

[@PaulCikatricis]

@@claudiodaneels667 Hi Claudio, I put the sensor on the diagonal part of the hub cap that you describe, next to the mounting screws on the flywheel. The sensor would not register when I mounted it on the vertical surface of the flywheel, so I guess it needs to be at least partially horizontal. Yes, I used a velcro. The one I used had a pretty strong adhesive and grip. I cleaned both surfaces with alcohol before mounting the velcros. Good luck with your setup, please let me know if and how it worked with Zwift, I've never tried that. Thanks!

[@orudis18]

@@PaulCikatricis - I second putting the sensor on the hub cap. I mounted the sensor directly on the Keiser M3 flywheel with extra heavy duty velcro. While it worked well for a few days, the faster I rode, the faster the sensor flew off and became an impossibly-difficult-to-find-projectile.

[@irwanharyanto1279]

Does this method also work for magene speed sensor?

[@casalultramaratonista9863]

Its work fine, but The sensor cannot power on automatically. I have to make The movement like in a bike, than put The sensor in bike spinning. Can give me an advice ?

[@Kwikflixx]

Hi Des, If you are using your garmin with an indoor bike trainer like a tacx flux with zwift, will it give you a v02 estimate for indoor cycling? Thanks!

[@DesFit]

Depends on the device. If your Garmin wearable or bike computer can pair with external power (from a trainer, pedal, crank, etc…) then it should also provide a VO2 max for cycling while also collecting HR. There may be some older models that don’t provide VO2 max but most current Garmin watches/bike computers that can pair with power meters should.

[@porzlm123]

My spin bike is not bare as yours. Some plastic covers it. I manually remove all day for sticking as you did. And I cover that plastic again but if my spin bike doesn't cover that some plastic , my Garmin watch is connected to speed sensors. But if my spin bike covers with some plastic , my Garmin watch isn't connected anymore. What do I do ? Ps. My spin bike is designed to be like this. Cover whole bike. Thank you so much ! I want to ride so much

[@mokotramp]

I don't quite see how you can gauge a realistic speed? What exactly were you comparing it with, the speed on the spin bike computer panel?

[@DesFit]

It's definitely not realistic, just a very ballpark estimate based on the speed I ride outside.

[@Try_n_2Tri]

You elude to the answer to my question in a couple of posts - but I'll ask just to clarify. With the speed sensor on the spin bike, will garmin connect (paired with a watch) give you distance traveled? Again for same reasons you said - upload to Strava

[@gregepkt]

With speed garmin sensor you can measure distance. Just edit wheel size in garmin

[@Thomas_Kha]

I have a Garmin Sensor 2 and can't seem to have it wake up to be able to connect to it when attached to the spin bike flywheel. I am however able to find it when on my actual bike. Any recommendations?

[@DesFit]

It doesn't tend to wake up when mounted vertically. I'd suggest waking it up by rotating it like it would normally rotate around a hub, then attach it back to the flyhweel.

[@Thomas_Kha]

@@DesFit Thank you! I tried that and it worked.

[@garnetsteen]

How did you decide what wheel diameter to use? Did you base it on the actual diameter of the wheel (which is kind of arbitrary) or your sense for how fast you "felt" you were likely pedaling and min/max resistance relative to a road bike?

[@DesFit]

It was a lot of trial and error and in no way is it perfect. I basically knew I averaged about 18-20mph outdoors so that’s what I aimed for as an hour average.

[@garnetsteen]

DesFit all of the speed measuring “dongles” I’ve seen rotate around the hub but you’ve attached it so that it spins around the rim. Do you think they all work like that or do you think that there are any problems with using them this way apart from the challenge of affixing it to the wheel?

[@DesFit]

No issues where you mount it but as I *think* I mentioned in the video, you may have issues depending on how it’s mounted whether that’s flat or vertical.

[@garnetsteen]

DesFit I’m sorry what do you mean by that? On the hub it would be rotated 90 degrees on its long axis (hard to picture) but the centripetal force would still be applied to the long edge if you attach it with the long side facing the rim as you did which I *think* is what you are talking about.

[@DesFit]

At 1:14

[@mathieutardy8547]

Hello. First I'm French so sorry for my bad English ... Do you think it's possible to connect a classical spinbike to Zwift with this kind of process ? A Spinbike is more comfortable for me because I train at the 2nd floor, so that's why I would like to buy a spinbike and enjoy the same apps than a connected hometrainer ... I hope I am understandable ?! Thank you . Mat

[@heyjoanne9119]

Bonjour , avez vous réussi à installer le capteur sur la roue avant de votre spin bike ? Qu'avez vous utilisé comme support ? Un double face ? Cela à t'il fonctionné avec votre montre connecté ?

[@mathieutardy8547]

@@heyjoanne9119 Bonjour. Désolé je ne pourrais pas beaucoup vous aider, au final j'ai acheté un vélo de spinning et j'utilise "Kettmaps" ce qui me convient pour mon utilisation. Je n'ai pas mieux cherché pour Zwift, mais après avoir fait plusieurs recherches je pense que dans l'absolu avec des capteurs additionnels cela doit être possible ... Bon courage !

[@heyjoanne9119]

@@mathieutardy8547 Merci !

[@BigAlpha365]

How thick is the sensor? .. Dimensions it looks like it's around 0.5 cm.. Can it be used without the protective rubber band? I was wondering if this can be mounted on My indoors bicycle Lemond Revmaster.. The clearance seems to be too narrow for a sensor though.. Anyone have the same bicycle?

[@bartverstraeten2701]

Speed sensor is connected with Fenix 5x but doesn't register speed on the indoor cycling activity. Any ideas? Caden's is no problem...

[@zoopop22]

i have the same problem HELPPPPP

[@kevin6550694]

Is there a cell phone app that will work to connect to the speed sensor. I have a garmin watch but it won't work as it has no wifi.

[@JeffCapeci]

I installed the sensor on the front wheel of my spin bike at the gym more or less the way you describe. I measured the diameter of the bike flywheel and entered it into my Fenix for the sensor which up until now I had used exclusively on my road bike. my number was significantly less than the 1,300-1,400 mm I think you said you used. when I started the indoor cycle activity, I am fairly certain the speed sensor icon was sold, not flashing yet when I reviewed the activity, I had no speed or distance data. should I re-pair the device to the watch?

[@DesFit]

Hi Jeff - Unfortunately, the circumference of the flywheel will not actually be a good starting point to manually calibrate the sensor since flywheels and resistance types can differ greatly between spin bikes. I would do this by trial and error based on your average speed on a fairly flat road ride spread across at least an hour or two and then compare that with your PRE (perceived rate of exertion) while on the bike outside and on the spin bike. Like I said, it's NO WHERE near to perfect but can at least give you a very rough estimation of speed and distance. And lastly, in regards to not flashing and not connecting to your fenix, try to rotate the speed sensor by hand in a manner that mimics hub rotation before attaching to the flywheel. I have found that I have to do that rarely to get it to connect.

[@JeffCapeci]

DesFit thanks for the suggestions. I will make a second go of IT tonight. hopefully my sensor will connect to the Fenix this time, if so I will play around with the wheel circumference.

[@laareperatv]

DesFit DesFit I have the same issue, the majority of times to get the speed sensor connected I need to manually mimic the hub rotation, however i wanted to ask the following. On your experience, after doing this, does the sensor stay connected for the whole length of your workout ? Or can’t it loose connection several times during the workout ? I’ve found that my sensor intermittently loose connection and therefore I tend to loose distance/ speed information, hence I wonder whether is a common issue or if the sensor is faulty. Thank you very much in advance !

[@DesFit]

I’ve never had a disconnection unless I got too far away from the sensor, let’s say if I went upstairs for a break. That may be an issue with your watch at that point. Do other sensors do the same thing?

[@laareperatv]

DesFit than you very much for your reply. Good to know that you don’t have the disconnection issue. I’m using the vivoactive 3 and certainly the cadence sensor sometimes ( not very often ) also loose connection. I’ve contacted garmin and they suggested to “master reset” the watch. I have now done the master reset, however still yet to do a full workout. Any other ideas on what the issue is ? Thanks once again!

[@ScottGreenstone]

Does this add the distance to your Garmin recording or does it just add the speed and do you need to add distance manually?

[@DesFit]

Distance is automatically calculated from the speed

[@ScottGreenstone]

@@DesFit Thanks. What do you think about putting it on backwards, with the battery door facing out?

[@JeffCapeci]

I am definitely going to give this a try. My only concern is everytime the sensor is moved from one bike to the next the wheel diameter in the watch has to be updated, sounds like of a pain. It would be nice if Garmin made the software allow a different wheel diameter depending upon the activity. Thanks for the video!

[@DesFit]

+Jeff Capeci It's not perfect by any means and does require some work, but my thoughts are better something than nothing. Good luck!

[@JeffCapeci]

DesFit absolutely. I am interested to see the data. I appreciate your incite.

[@ysikpsicm]

This sensor can to use with the garmin vivoactive??

[@Max-uw9oy]

Can I put a speed sensor on my back wheel and then see my speed on my garmin edge 130 while I am on my turbo? Without zwift

[@DesFit]

Yup!

[@jbrown100]

I have been trying to make this work for a year now. Speed sensor doesn’t show up in my indoor bike workouts, but cadence does. Maddening.

[@CarlosHernandez-lj3eu]

Hi. I would like measure distance not only speed, Do I will be abble to do it with this sensor on my indoor bike? by the way I use Garmin 735XT...Thanks

[@DesFit]

+Carlos Hernandez Speed is a measure of distance per 60 minutes. Since the Sensor is measuring speed, distance is automatically calculated based on your time.

[@CarlosHernandez-lj3eu]

Thanks a lot!!!

[@androidgameplays4every13]

Is bike load taken into account when computing the calories burned?

[@dhanyrafael]

Some apps do make you enter bike weight ... others don't...

[@lahauli]

Hi..can we use cadence and speed sensors on magentic exercise bikes..i.e. the ones which have a covered base... If yes then how to use it..

[@DesFit]

Cadence should be easy enough to attach to the crank arm, the speed sensor will be more challenging with the covered flywheel, plus, the speed won't necessarily be accurate since with most exercise bikes there is only one gear.

[@rickynotestine9963]

Will this connect to Garmin Connect app.

[@pedrorodrigolazovega5343]

Tks

[@GeorgiosKiriakakis]

Can I install both sensors on the cranksets? My spin bike has no space on the wheel.

[@DesFit]

The speed sensor has to go on a wheel

[@dblaace]

I'm trying to set this up using a Garmin 235. I'm getting speed but not distance. I'm using indoor bike with gps disabled. Any idea?

[@DesFit]

You may just not have the data screens set up correctly to display distance because distance is just a measure of speed over time.

[@Lacsamovie]

Does it record the mileage as well? And would it sync to Strava?

[@DesFit]

Yes, speed sensors record speed and distance when paired with a compatible device. It will be up to the device collecting that data if it can sync to Strava or not (most devices will have that capability).

[@rossorosso]

Hi will this work with the Wahoo Speed sensor please?

[@PARIS8500]

According to Wahoo, their speed sensor will NOT work on spin bike.

[@foxhound143]

Are they water proof?

[@deamon2107]

I'm new in the indoor bike training and I need some help. I have the Forerunner 235 it has the option of the indoor cycling but doesn't show distance,speed or cadence.What can I do from here? Please any help will do.I'm stuck.

[@DesFit]

Have you paired the speed and cadence sensor?

[@deamon2107]

Thanks for the fast responce! Paired with what? I have only the watch at the moment. I need a sensor maybe and then pair with the watch?

[@DesFit]

Yes, you need a speed and cadence sensor to detect speed and cadence like this one, the Garmin Speed and Cadence sensor.

[@deamon2107]

Ok that helps a lot. Just wanted to be sure before buying anything. Can't buy from amazon though.Doesn't accept Paypal.Maybe from ebay. Thanks again,very helpfull.

[@SooperFlye]

How important is it to have the sensor close to the center of the flywheel, if at all?

[@DesFit]

Should not matter as it’s really about rotations rather than circumference.

[@SooperFlye]

@@DesFit Thanx...

[@DesFit]

Sure thing

[@KillRbee0218]

Hey Des-Fit, I know it's been some time since you made this video and it's a long shot in the dark that you will even answer my question but here goes. When you said that you found the wheel size was between 1300 -1400mm for the most accurate results for yourself when you were riding-- could you please tell me what that number was? By no means, I am not a huge cyclist, and I really don't care how accurate my speed or my distance is --- I am just looking for a guesstimation of how many calories I burned in one setting-- that's all. Thank you for your time and attention.

[@DesFit]

Calories burned will be based on your effort and resistance of your setup so it may be best to track that through a heart rate monitor, whether that be a wrist based sensor on a watch (which have varying degrees of accuracy) or an external heart rate strap paired to another device. The wheel size only has to do with the estimated speed, but this number will vary depending on your particular bike setup.

[@KillRbee0218]

DesFit thank you for replying

[@dawidbooysen8402]

Will the Garmin Speed Sensor 2 work in a similar way ?

[@DesFit]

It will and I've found that you may not have to shake it to wake it up like the first gen if it's in the sideways orientation.

[@daniadelacruz5911]

Would the speed sensor show me my miles?

[@doriskohinski]

I followed these instructions but still no speed or distance showing on my garmin 😥

[@piewwwwww]

Got rid of my spin one day before i see this so i could buy a trainer and a bike to zwift..oh well laughing so hard atm wish i would have seen that sooner😂

[@DesFit]

This video was filmed over 3 years ago and things have definitely changed. The new crop of smart trainers are definitely something else to consider.

[@piewwwwww]

@@DesFit still very expensive to buy a smart trainer.. its.obviously cheaper to buy a speed and cadence sensor with some power meter pedals than buying a bike with the smart trainer when u already own a spin!

[@Relboop]

I did this setup with the same exact garmin device and spin bike and its not picking up my sensor, why is it not working for me

[@packiesla]

Had same issue. It would not work flush with the wheel. I had to kinda side mount it.

[@kostassarad9729]

good evening spinning looks like an outdoor bike ???

[@DesFit]

The spin bikes through most of the videos are dedicated indoor bikes but the setup shown at 7:07 is an outdoor bike mounted on a bike trainer.

[@dhanyrafael]

For reality, I set the spin bike to R8 (max) for climbs over 3%, to R7 for flat and to R6 for descents. It you want to cheat, you can ride at R1. But I want to mimic the reality, not to cheat myself. That's stupid. 😊👍

[@mkaufmann21]

Would this work on an Elliptical?

[@DesFit]

The cadence would work but not the speed sensor

[@kevinratcliffe1717]

Nice video, but one thing got me. Let's say, the rider is not a cyclist and wouldn't know what a reasonable estimate is for pace. They are only starting now on a spinning bike with Garmin as a replacement for running, after injury. The doctor told them cycling will help knee recovery, which means no more running stats on Garmin. They're hoping to start earning some cycling achievements. How would they know when the adjustment of wheel size is correct without a speed comparison? Is the data that they are so keen to include potentially flawed rendering their new PBs inaccurate?

[@DesFit]

That’s a good point and the data collected would probably not be meaningful without an outdoor comparison. Even with an outdoor comparison though the data is a very rough estimation and should be taken with a grain of salt at least with an exercise bike with only one gear.

[@mpelletier62]

How about the cadence sensor?

[@DesFit]

Didn't have the cadence sensor for this video but cadence sensors are basically the same regardless of manufacturer. The current cadence sensors from Garmin and Wahoo both transmit over ANT+ and BLE so they are identical in function.

[@Windband1]

I didn't really understand why resistance would come into play in the calculations? Sorry I'm not a math and science guy at all!! :)

[@GXOR_LA]

At 6:45 you could just wrap the speed sensor around the hub . . .

[@bastimoves]

did you try this?

[@loveloreal]

Does this actually work?

[@jednostavnimail]

can you pair this device with any bluetooth device out there? how can I connect this to zwift on my windows PC? thanks in advance :)

[@DesFit]

+Tomislav Pavlovic you’re in luck. Coming out with some more indoor cycling videos this week! You can pair the Garmin with a bluetooth device if you have a Ant+ to BT conversion device. Don’t know about Windows unfortunately but I do have a video about the cheapest and easier setup using an iOS device coming in the next day or so.

[@tristangeoffroy9286]

can't read the menu on your screen while you re pedaling ..

[@learnsimplemelodies2492]

Don’t put a speed sensor on your flywheel! It won’t wake up when you ride.

[@DesFit]

You can simply just remove it and shake it to wake it up if it doesn't wake up on the flywheel.

[@johnmallison6674]

I have the same sensor with a 910XT, but it didn't work. The speed just sits at 119km/h what ever speed it's rotating at :-(

[@DesFit]

+John Mallison bummer! Maybe time to upgrade.

[@johnmallison6674]

Certainly is a bummer :-( Upgrade what? Speed/cadence sensor bought last summer, same model that you have. 910XT not exactly old - they work fine on my road bike..... I presumed the sensor doesn't like spinning sideways as opposed to frontways..... Oh well, back to the drawing board.......

[@DesFit]

+John Mallison Upgrade to a Fenix or Forerunner, but that doesn't sound like it would solve your issue. I still have my old 910xt...I'll have to try it out one day and I'll let you know my results.

[@johnmallison6674]

thanks :-)

[@DesFit]

Hi John - Just thought I would let you know that after a bit more testing I found that I have to manually rotate the speed sensor in the designed orientation (like it's rotating around a hub) initially before attaching it to the spin/stationary bike to get it to start reading with variable speed.

[@PoppysGuitar]

Can't you just measure the wheel?

[@DesFit]

Doesn’t work that way since it’s a weighted flywheel and the wheel never touches the ground.

[@elad_sefarad]

Speed measure is useless Without knowing the intensity level