Garmin Speed & Cadence Sensor - Setup and Review

In this video I setup, install and test the Garmin Speed Sensor and Cadence Sensor.

[bakpakn]

Most GPS units record your position every 2 seconds or so as a default, and then join those positions together in a line to work out your distance. Some allow you to change that recording interval to longer for battery saving or shorter for accuracy.
Even if ignoring tree cover issues, the GPS is always going to effectively cut corners and give a shorter reading than a wheel based sensor. Think about your average twisty single track and how many corners you can get round in less than 2 seconds. Elevation accuracy with GPS is even worse than barometric.
Loving your channel. Keep it up 👍

[motrockb]

I think it’s important to load your tires with your typical ride weight and ensure your tire pressures are set as normal when measuring outer wheel circumference. The outer tread then compresses accurately to give a better true outer circumference reading, which is smaller than an unloaded tire. This smaller circumference turns faster, so your speed and distance will indicate faster, larger values. It would be interesting for you to use the automatic setup instead, and then compare your performance values.

Good, informative video!

[frankficarrotta]

Thanks Clint for the information. I ride on open road no tree cover, but I definitely lose some mileage and elevation using gps. Especially evident on long rides.
One example riding with buddy who also has Garmin computer but is using speed sensor from our last ride. My mileage was 160.4 miles with an elevation gain of 8, 301 feet. He on the other hand logged 164.2 miles with 8, 636 feet of elevation even though we rode the same route together. No tunnels or tree cover.

[rangersmith]

Great informative video. One thing to consider: Your wheel's circumference will always be marginally smaller when it's carrying a portion of your weight. Exactly how much smaller is very difficult to say and even varies as you ride.

[RobertDStark]

Hey Clint. Quick suggestion. As you’ve seen in other comments there is some variability in circumference setup with MTB because of the lower pressures we use. I’ve found the best and easiest way to set it up is to use automatic and ride down an open straight road with full riding gear on. After a mile or two check to see what measurement automatic calculated. Set that number as your manual number. Quick, easy, accurate.

[TheEzmaralda]

This is very helpful! I managed to get them both connected to my Vivoactive 3 in a matter of minutes. Can't wait to try them out!

[gary]

I have a venu watch and am about to buy the speed sensor. Thank you for the video it makes life a lot easier than trying to follow a manual.

[UNKNOWN-letu]

sir, i saw a video of a guy mountain biking trail riding with his garmin device. the bumpiness of the trails and the cheapness of the garmin bike mounts allowed his garmin device to fall off on the trail. after about 2 hours of looking he found the device. i suggest to tether the device to your handlebars with your lanyard strap along with the mount for a double protection just in case the device falls off it wont go anywhere. its good to do with motor bikes too.

[davidrowe]

If you're riding with a Garmin GPS-enabled head unit and a Garmin speed sensor, how does Garmin deal with the two sets of input data during the ride (i.e., to show current speed)? Does it always default to the speed sensor and ignore the GPS signal for the purposes of calculating speed and distance?

[JCBike]

Truth!! Good info and we’ll done with no fluff! If you want accurate mileage … wheel sensor Every time!

[jamesb]

Would be interesting to see the differing results on a road ride out of the trees.

[elyukanongsiklista]

Wow, this video gives me an idea where I put it to my bike

[clobber]

Been using these for a few years in conjunction with my 520 edge on MTB. They are more accurate than just GPS especially in woods / forest situations. When on gravel bike my speed sticks until tree cover is exposed to day light.

[billz]

Always enjoy your informative videos, Clint.

[WillNGo]

To attach the band of the cadence sensor I found that hooking it first on one side, then the other, and lastly shifting the center bit to fit its groove was the trick. (You'd think Garmin instead of the bureaucratic crappy instructions in their useless manuals would watch people attaching the thing and then figure out the instruction.) I've paired the cadence sensor twice but can't get it to read. There doesn't seem to be any How To Fix this. I'll go for a ride, maybe stop by the bike shop - and if they can't fix it... Congrats Garmin - Got me again.
You'd think I'd learn after two worthless handheld GPS units. (Fragile screen, but the second one was so clever. Batteries lasted only 8 hours and were expensive, so instead of replacing a set before every single kayak paddle, I'd replace them on the water as needed. Absolutely calm seas, but the first step to replacing the batteries was remove the part that tethers it, second step was to pry open, with great difficulty, the battery door. Whoops right in the ocean - f me. Swore I'd never buy another Garmin device.
At this point my advice is buy the cheapest speedo, timer, distance, cadence device you can find and use the map on your phone. Button button button button... I've got at least a dozen digital devices, I ain't got time to remember arcane multi step nonsense (besides if you do figure it out, you're not going to be doing so often that you'd remember it. Why is it that I can hop in a Tesla (and hand over a huge check) and immediately drive it home, but I'm already two hours into this stupid Edge 530 nonsense and it's not doing what it's supposed to??

[jefflec]

Thanks for talking about the difference in your distances w/o sensor. I have 100 or so rides on strava and I'm sure my mileage is not accurate.\ after watching this. My sneor pack arrives this week, cant wait to get it set up.

[samaritan]

Long time follower of the Channel and Clint is the best. Ride safe Mate! :)

[awesomexistence]

My Garmin Edge 520 used in conjunction with a Garmin speed sensor began giving wildly inaccurate readings of speed such as 74mph. I have used in in the past”automatic wheel size” for years with no problems. I manually input the wheel circumference and this seems to have corrected the problem.

[darrenhaines]

I went down this rabbit hole with my Wahoo bolt & speed sensor. I did a 50km 1/2 marathon event - my distance ended up being more like 60km. This is fine for your personal trails but in a long (for me) event all I really wanted to know is where I was in relation to water stations etc. As others have mentioned tyre deformation would account for over reading by a couple of percent (although maybe sticking it on the front tyre lessens this difference).

I’d suggest testing your calibration on some well known straight/road segments.

[mrwiilus]

I think I need to invest in more gadgets. Thanks for nice video!