Cadence ANT+ sensor

blimzw
blimzw Posts: 17
edited November 2015 in Road general
Hi, I have a 2011 TCR which doesnt seem to be ANT+ compatible, unlike those in the Giant TCR range post 2012. Will I be able to use ANT cadence / speed sensors from Garmin etc.?

Also, is GPS speed accurate or is it advisable to buy a speed sensor?

Comments

  • NeXXus
    NeXXus Posts: 854
    Yes. Speed sensors are handy in areas with powerlines and infrastructure where satellites can be lost,but not essential
    And the people bowed and prayed, to the neon god they made.
  • IanRCarter
    IanRCarter Posts: 217
    Main benefits of a speed sensor:
    • Speed sensors will react quicker to changes in speed, although over long distances it will likely average out to be pretty much the same.
    • Knowing your speed in heavily wooded areas (or even tunnels) where satellite reception is lost.
    • Going up hills, where you could be going so slowly that, according to the satellites, you've stopped and so the Garmin will auto-pause. The speed sensor will know you're still moving, just rather slowly.
    • Can be used on a turbo trainer or rollers.

    It's up to you whether you think the benefits outweigh the cost, but, if you're going to buy a Garmin cadence sensor, the speed & cadence bundle is cheaper than buying them individually (around £45 compared to £30). I'd recommend buying the new Garmin sensors (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-speed-cadence-sensor/) over the old Garmin GSC10 sensor which involves lining up magnets on the crank arm and wheel to one sensor unit.
  • EBEB
    EBEB Posts: 98
    Incidentally, I'd suggest considering getting the Wahoo cadence sensor, rather than the Garmin one. The advantages are that it broadcasts in Ant+ AND Bluetooth, so it will be compatible with lots of modern phones. Also it comes with a fixation device that allows it to be attached to your shoe, which means you can use it at the gym in the indoor bikes.

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