Here's the Gist
I am the author here at Indoor Cycling Love, and I put together this guide to help you understand and install a cadence sensor on your spin bike. Having real-time RPM data completely changes your indoor workouts by boosting efficiency and connecting directly to your favorite cycling apps.
- A cadence sensor mounts to your pedal crank to measure revolutions per minute, tracking how often your foot rotates in 60 seconds.
- Cadence data helps you structure workout sessions, ride more efficiently, manage your pacing, and connect seamlessly to apps like Peloton.
- Prepare the sensor by removing the battery tab, fitting it into its case, and inserting the mounting cable ties or rubber bands.
- Attach the sensor securely to the back of the left-hand pedal crank, ensuring it clears everything during a complete pedal rotation.
- Pair the device to your phone or tablet via Bluetooth or ANT+, and test it within an app to verify the data feed.
- For top performance, the 22-dollar Magene S314 is my top recommendation because its slim profile tracks both speed and cadence.
When it comes to indoor cycling, you can benefit so much from having more data. It can help you structure sessions, connect to applications, and tell you a little bit about your training progress and riding style.
Here at Indoor Cycling Love, we are often asked many amazing questions, and one that often comes up is, “What is a cadence sensor, and how do I fit one? In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know by discussing:
- What Is A Cadence Sensor?
- Why Should I Consider Using A Cadence Sensor?
- How To Install A Cadence Sensor
What Is A Cadence Sensor?
A cadence sensor is what many cyclists will use to measure their cadence. It will tell you how quickly you are pedaling when it comes to revolutions per minute. This is how often your foot goes through the pedal stroke in 60 seconds.
It’s a small, lightweight plastic block you attach to the pedal crank. It typically uses an optical sensor, and with this, it has the ability to sense the rotation and provide you with real-time data.
It will connect to your cycling computer, tablet, or phone using a connection such as Ant+ or Bluetooth. This can transmit data instantly, and using this data, you can follow indoor cycling and spinning sessions.
Why Should I Consider Using A Cadence Sensor?
There are many reasons why you might consider using a cadence sensor. Here are our favorites and what we feel are the best benefits:
Session Structure
Having a cadence sensor can really help when it comes to structuring a session. It means you can work at different RPMs, which can help you focus on strength or cardiovascular fitness.
Cycling Efficiency
A cadence sensor can tell you a lot about how you ride and can help you ride much more efficiently. Trying different cadences at different resistance levels will tell you where you work the best.
To Connect To Applications
Using a cadence sensor, you can connect to applications such as Peloton to improve the experience and help you train better and harder. Plus, it’s nice to see how fast you’re pedaling on screen.
Pacing
Using a cadence sensor can benefit you when pacing. If you are training endurance, sticking at one level of resistance and using the cadence to pace is a great way to get the best out of a workout.
How To Install A Cadence Sensor
Right now, for the fun bit, installing a cadence sensor. Here’s our guide on how to install a standard pedal arm cadence sensor.
Check out my video!
Remove The Cadence Sensor From Box
The first thing you need to do is remove the cadence sensor from the box. Most sensors will come with multiple parts. You should have the following:
- Main Sensor
- Battery
- Case
- Cable Ties Or Rubber
- Instructions
We use the Wahoo RPM Cadence Sensor in this article and video.
Build The Sensor (Optional)
Some sensors come readily put together, but others don’t. If so, you will need to put it in its case ready and then insert the cable ties on the rear. You will generally require to remove a tab so the battery can connect to the sensor too.
Attach The Sensor To The Bike
Next, you will need to attach the sensor to the bike. You can do this by adding the sensor to the back of the left-hand side pedal arm and then either holding it in place with the rubber or the cable ties.
We recommend going on the rear of the pedal arm even though it can be sensed on the front. Make sure it is nice and secure and isn’t going to hit anything throughout the pedal arm’s total rotation.
Connect The Sensor
Finally, the last step is to connect the sensor. Your sensor will either be Bluetooth or Ant+. You will need to go to your device. Here we are using a tablet; depending on what you use, it might be a slightly different process.
Go into settings, find where you can add a connection, and then all you need to do is connect. We recommend giving it a test on an application after to ensure it’s properly connected.
Best Cadence Sensor for a Spin Bike
Now you may wonder which cadence sensor you should buy. There are some amazing sensors we have spoken about in another article where we bought and tested the five best cadence sensors (click to check also our video). In our opinion, the best sensor you can buy right now for performance is the Magene S314. It’s only $22, looks fantastic, has a cadence and speed sensor, and the slim design sits on the crank so well.
A Final Note
Now you know how to fit a cadence sensor. We hope you enjoyed our article and are ready to install your cadence sensor. Make sure to subscribe to our channel.
Quick Answers
What does a cadence sensor do on a spin bike?
A cadence sensor measures how quickly you pedal in revolutions per minute (RPM), which tells you how often your foot completes a pedal stroke in 60 seconds. It uses an optical sensor to track crank rotation and sends real-time data to your cycling computer, phone, or tablet via Bluetooth or ANT+.
Where do you put a cadence sensor on a spin bike?
You attach the sensor to the back of the left-hand side pedal arm using either cable ties or rubber bands. We recommend placing it on the rear of the crank arm rather than the front, making sure it is secure and will not hit anything during full pedal rotations.
Why should I use a cadence sensor for spinning?
A cadence sensor helps you structure workouts around target RPMs for strength or cardiovascular fitness, improves your pedaling efficiency, and helps you pace endurance rides. It also allows you to connect to apps like Peloton so you can see your live pedaling speed on screen.
How do I connect a cadence sensor to my device?
Cadence sensors connect via Bluetooth or ANT+. Access the settings on your tablet, phone, or cycling computer, find the menu to add a connection, and select your sensor to pair it. After pairing, we recommend testing it inside an indoor cycling app to ensure data transmits properly.
What is the best cadence sensor for a spin bike?
In our opinion, the best sensor you can buy right now for performance is the Magene S314. It costs only $22, operates as both a cadence and speed sensor, looks fantastic, and has a slim design that sits securely on the crank.
