Here's the Gist
I am the author of this review, and I have spent months putting the Wahoo Cadence Sensor through its paces on my indoor bike. Here, I break down whether this popular piece of training gear is truly worth your investment.
- It connects instantly via ANT+ or Bluetooth, wakes up immediately when pedaling starts, and experienced zero data dropouts during my testing.
- Mounting is straightforward, allowing you to stick it directly to the crank arm or zip-tie it inside its protective case.
- The sensor runs on a single CR3032 coin battery that lasts a full year, completely eliminating the need for frequent charging.
- A smart LED light behind a clear panel shows you exactly when the sensor wakes up and attempts to connect.
- Priced between $40 and $50, it is relatively expensive, but its reliable performance and durability justify the higher cost.
- Wahoo includes an impressive two-year warranty, which provides far better coverage and peace of mind than standard 28-day alternatives.
When it comes to indoor cycling, there’s a lot of different equipment that can add value to the experience. In modern times riders are choosing to use heart rate monitors, power meters, and many other devices to give more data.
Check out my YouTube video review!
One excellent tool we highly recommend is a Cadence Sensor. This small device can tell you your cadence, helping you understand your training and adding lots of structure to your workouts. One of the most popular is the Wahoo Cadence Sensor, and in this article, were going to be telling you all about it by discussing:
- Wahoo As A Brand
- Wahoo Cadence Sensor What You Need To Know
- Our Verdict
Wahoo As A Brand
Wahoo is a big name when it comes to indoor cycling. They make a wider range of products from turbo trainers to fans and many accessories in between. They are known for their high quality and also very intelligent products. In the indoor cycling world, they are considered a top high-end brand.
Wahoo Cadence Sensor What You Need To Know
We have been lucky enough to use the Wahoo Cadence Sensor for months. The best way to explain the sensor is to break it down into sections and tell you all about it before giving it our final rating.
Key Statistics
- Cost: $40-$50
- Purpose: Cadence
- Mounting: Sticky Back / Cable Ties
- Connectivity: Ant+ / Bluetooth
- Size: Small
Design
Let’s start with the design. The Wahoo isn’t like all other cadence sensors. It’s incredibly small and sits very shallow against the crank arm. It looks fantastic, is incredibly functional, and has a smart but simple design.
It is very simple to attach. You can either put it into a small case and cable tie it to the pedal arm or directly stick it to the crank arm. I opted for the cable ties as the case offered more protection.
Performance
As far as performance goes, the Wahoo connects instantly, and as soon as you start pedaling, it wakes up ready to go. It’s super fast when sending data, and everything works completely as it should. I never found any dropouts in service when using it, which is common with some cadence sensors.
Another great feature that I really liked was the small LED light which is behind a clear panel. Not only does it look great, but it tells you when it’s trying to connect or waking up.
Battery Life
The battery life is very impressive on this unit. It uses one CR3032 battery, and they say it will last a full year. This is a long time not to have to worry about charging, and it does make the unit trouble-free compared to the ones that require charging.
Cost
The Wahoo cadence sensor is one of the most expensive cadence sensors coming in at $40-$50. We often get asked if it’s worth that money. We personally think if you have the funds to afford that you are getting an amazing product which is going to last year after year.
Warranty
Wahoo products come with a two-year warranty if they are broken. It’s good they have so much faith in their products, and I personally can’t see many people calling in on it as the quality is very high. Compared to other companies which offer 28 days, it’s excellent and gives you a lot of trouble-free riding.
Our Verdict
We highly recommend the Wahoo RPM Cadence Sensor. We appreciate it’s not the cheapest, but the quality is incredibly high, the design is fantastic, and it has an incredible battery life. If you can afford to spend $40-$50 on a cadence sensor, then it’s worth it.
Track and capture real-time cadence with compatible training apps, including Wahoo SYSTM & RGT, Zwift, and Peloton Digital iOS App via Bluetooth.
Make sure to check out the video on the Indoor Cycling Love YouTube channel.
Quick Answers
How do you mount the Wahoo Cadence Sensor to your bike?
It is very simple to attach to your crank arm. You have two options: you can stick it directly onto the crank arm with the sticky back, or place it inside a small protective case and cable tie it to the pedal arm, which is the option I personally chose.
What connectivity does the Wahoo Cadence Sensor support?
The Wahoo Cadence Sensor connects using both ANT+ and Bluetooth. It wakes up and connects instantly as soon as you start pedaling, sends data super fast, and I never experienced any service dropouts while testing it.
What type of battery does the Wahoo Cadence Sensor take?
It uses a single CR3032 coin battery. Wahoo states it will last a full year, which means you get completely trouble-free riding without having to worry about recharging the device.
How much does the Wahoo Cadence Sensor cost?
The sensor costs between $40 and $50. While it is one of the more expensive cadence sensors on the market, we think it is well worth the money if you have the budget, thanks to its high quality, design, and durability.
What warranty does Wahoo offer on the cadence sensor?
Wahoo provides a two-year warranty if the product breaks. That is an excellent warranty compared to many other companies that only offer 28 days, giving you peace of mind and trouble-free riding.
