Wahoo RPM speed and cadence sensors review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- The Wahoo RPM speed and cadence sensors are easy-to-install bike sensors that provide data by both Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ connectivity.
They are small and don't use magnets, which is a massive improvement over the bike sensors that you have to fiddle around with to line up. They are easy to install, too: you take the sensor and insert it into its rubber housing then strap it around your wheel hub (in the case of the speed sensor) or cable tie it around your crank arm (in the case of the cadence sensor).
The battery lasts for ages. I've been using them for over six months now, and they still have plenty of battery left in them.
The speed sensor is a bit of a pain to install, though. You have to stretch out the rubber and spend ages trying to get your hands inside the spokes to hook it around the catches that keep it secure. Luckily, it only takes a few minutes, and you only need to take it off when you need to replace the battery.
The data seems mostly reliable, but I have seen some occasional spikes where an unrealistic speed is reported. I found the data slow on Zwift: anywhere from 3-10 seconds behind the power, I was putting down. Outside, it consistently responds within a few seconds on my Garmin head unit, so I think a large part of the problem is Zwift rather than the sensor.
In this video, I'll show you both of the sensors, and I'll also show you a close-up of me installing the speed sensor on my back wheel.
Absolutely CLASSIC.
I wish every product had a video like this,. In this case, what NOT to buy.
Thanks for the video (and the effort put), very insightful
Came for the tips, stayed for the suffering :D I had a similar experience before I tried the stretching you suggested, that made it almost easy, thank you!
Please trim those sharp edges on the RPM cable ties, they can give a nasty cut if your leg comes in contact during a crash.
Came here looking for info on mounting cadence sensor to rear hub, but recognize you- enjoying your mindfulness course on Udemy. Thanks!
I found the cadence and speed seemed off. As well as the tikr hr strap was off from my watch. Thanks for your video
How does the sensor know the size of the wheel...do you set it on yhe App?
I'm scared that my Wahoo speed sensor will fall off one of these days due to the rubber strap deteriorating. Hopefully one can get a replacement and install it as preventive maintenance. Otherwise, my Wahoo Roam, speed, cadence and heart rate sensors work perfectly. I like to use ANT+, because I want to reserve Bluetooth for other devices connecting to each other.
I can see by ya Alpinestars baggies that you do (or used to do) mtb as well as roadbike? Potentially enduro or downhill maybe? Looking at how hard it was to attach to a smaller road hub, i can imagine how difficult it would be on a chunky mtb hub haha! I think i would just remove the 200mm disc on mine to get it on! But yeah have you used them on a mtb wheel? If so how did they go? Did they handle the mud & stuff? I would at first be using them on my roadbike, on a set of rollers to record my workout, but it would be cool to get an accurate measurement of my speed on my DH, or cadence if i were to get an enduro bike.. Btw it's good to see you countered Wahoos "easy" claim for installation, so many Cos all say the same thing with alot of things & often its totally not the case haha!
Good spot. I'm not a big mountain biker but I did some work for Alpinestars a few years ago so they sent me some merch. I've replaced it with the Garmin speed sensor now, which is easier to install than the Wahoo, but still not easy.
yeah I think the delay is just how these wahoo sensors are. I have noticed the same thing and it doesn't bother me outside but on zwift its kind of annoying. however when I get a kickr it wont be an issue anymore lol
It’s recommended that it is fitted to the front wheel hub, as it’s easier to fit and closer to the head unit. I’ve never fitted mine to the rear hub. 🫢
Hi Chris -that pushing the rubber strap up with your finger tip was golden, that was the trick! What a pain in the ass, glad I wasn't the only one that suffered. The big question is - do you trust the strap to hold on to the speed sensor during an actual ride, or just for trainer sessions? I don't want to have to worry about losing the sensor every time I hit a bump in the road, I haven't made up my mind yet. May want additional straps like zip ties. Thanks for the video!
Once it's one, it's been solid for me. I keep it on the whole time and haven't had any problems with it falling off.
I saw in other reviews that the speed sensor is not as important as the cadence sensor and that they had problems connecting both at the same time to a phone or tablet. Is it okay if I buy just the cadence sensor to use with a bike trainer?
It depends on what you want to measure. You need a speed sensor or power meter to use most training apps. The cadence sensor isn't particularly important.
@@ChrisWorfolk
Thanks. I have ordered both
I’ve purchased the wahoo speed sensor and my watts on swift seem really low. Ie can’t get past 350 what’s going balls out. Do I need a cadence sensor to . Could this be the problem? Thanks
I don't think a cadence sensor will help as I don't think it's used in the Virtual Power calculation. When you say it won't go past 350, is that in a 10-sprint, 30-second sprint, sustained over a few minutes, etc?
A power meter is what you need. Unfortunately they’re really expensive
thanks for the video
Thanks for the information!
Thanks for the video! :)
Frankly, in my opinion, speed and cadence sensors are not worth purchasing. A simple Cateye, or similar, wireless bike computer can give you everything, including: current speed, average speed, maximum speed, distance covered, time of session, and calories burned. These wireless bike computers are usually very accurate, providing you calibrate them correctly, particularly with regards to wheel size. If the unit does not providte a cadence reading, count it yourself - it's so easy to do so. I have yet to find a speed and cadence sensor that is accurate and doesn't cause a signal drop at some point during a ride, either indoors on the turbo trainer, or outdoors.
Can view information from sensor in smartphone with Android? Which app from Google Play?
I have the Wahoo Utility app on iPhone; not sure if it is available for Android but I assume so.
@@ChrisWorfolk so which app Strava?
@@franek3097 Wahoo Utility
What is the benefit of having both
I've been looking at the Wahoo elemnt room cuz I would like to upgrade to it because of the maps from my cat eye system perdone the sensor system is totally different and I wanted to see just how different it is what do I who it's only two elements with the cat eye system you have to have three
I just did the same, just on front hub. Hub is thick, due to Cyclocross bike with hydraulic brakes, I needed second pair of hands to put it :). Painful, I hope I do not have to redo that step..\
Just bought v2 element took me 15 minutes and I put at the front wheel 😂😢😟I Have to move back because I just followed pictures. Wahoo has no more idea for this sensor mout🧐🤨😟😔😞
Was you in a fight?
why not put it on the front tire?
I want to track my speed when I'm using wheel-on turbo trainers. If I wasn't using it for that, I would do.
@@ChrisWorfolk makes sense..
Whats the point of it though? doesn't the wahoo just get speed from gps? also does this thing need to e taken out to charge?? Thanks.
Yeah, the speed sensor is not that necessary. It produces more accurate results in certain situations (tunnels, forests, where GPS can be patchy) and it work with the bike on an indoor trainer. But otherwise, you can get your speed from your bike computer. You need a sensor for the cadence, though.
@@ChrisWorfolk oh yeah good point in regards to forests and also indoor training (y)
Thats true when i was cycling in area with trees i lost the speed data from the gps
this is very painful to watch i would of just put on the front hub
It makes it easier, but it also means you cannot use it on an indoor trainer.
yah, that was my instant thought. i wonder why he didn't.
Judt to say thank u man
Would liked to have seen it in use not just fitting it to the bike 😐
I needed to guess because the device is showed cut on video. I could install it easily, yet Wahoo RPM speed is a piece of garbage!
thought this video was taking forever and I was on 1.75 speed
Yeah, I watched on 2x speed - as an added bonus, it seems to make Chris sound like Dave Gorman
Don't touch your disc break dude.
Sorry, can't get over this. Please fellow cyclist do NOT rest your bike wheels down with no wheel on the deraillure. The weight can damage teh part and also damage the mount between the deraillure and frame.
Apart from that, that looked fiddly!. I' used eletrical tape on my cadence sensor on the pedal cracks but i bet you could do the same here for those worrying about the rubber failing> With just rubber my sensor fell off but it again it was crank mounted
Why all people want to put the sensor at the back wheel !? Its is more simple an proper at the front ! As we can see ....it is also more difficult to put on 😄
It needs to be on the back wheel to use it with indoor trainers.
It wouldn't make sense to put it on the front if you're using zwift.
Well…glad I didn’t buy. Getting it on the hub seems like a pain. Also would not want phantom speed burst.
You put it on the wrong wheel mate, meant for the front
Wahoo say you can fit it to either wheel. It may be slightly easier to fit it on the front wheel, but if you're using your bike on a wheel-on turbo trainer, you will want to put it on the rear.
Also saw somewhere that putting it on the front wheel could cause reading spikes as you jump over stuff, while the rear is more stable. Makes sense as you would have a relatively high speed pull-up at the front, while he rear might just roll over the obstacle. No idea how far this is actually true, only just got my Wahoo and mounted on rear wheel.
Dude clearly he's on a trainer. Why then put it on the front wheel if only the rear spins on a trainer?
Omg so at the point we want to see how to the speed mount is connected to the sensor this guy moves everything away from the camera
you made that so much more difficult than it had to be. I guess enough time with bras???
cant see it
04:03 :D
you have to go in the app and set the wheel size
I didn't. I strapped on the speed and cadence sensors, then paired them to my Wahoo Roam, and whamo, it knew my speed and distance traveled correctly. Maybe it was because it used GPS to calculate these two parameters.
poor derailleur :'(
He is not the worlds most talented craftsman. 😂
Who else was waiting for his bike to fall through the window when he had his wheel in his hand !
Philip Trigg nobody 🤷🏻♂️
Those sensors is the worst crap i ever bought. The function is good but its almost impossible to open to change battery, even when using tw screwdrivers, open by hand is impossible. Both my units is trash now after a few months of use.
DONT BUY THIS !!
Ça
Watching this make me tired
This sensor is placed on the front wheel, not the rear
Wahoo says it can go on either wheel.