How to Setup a Bicycle Speedometer to Read Cadence

Modern bicycle speedometers do much more than simply read the speed at which you are travelling. Your cadence is the speed at which the pedals of the bike are rotating. Having a cadence meter can be very helpful when training, racing on the track, or for just showing off your maximum RPM to your friends. In fact, almost every wireless bicycle speedometer on the market supports the addition of a cadence sensor, and some wired computers come with one pre-attached. Learn to install a wireless cadence sensor, or the cadence portion of your wired computer.

Things You'll Need

  • Wireless bicycle computer and cadence sensor, or a wired computer with a built-in cadence sensor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set your bike on its kickstand, in a dedicated work stand, or in a stationary trainer so that you can spin the pedals freely while you work. This will be necessary to ensure that the sensor is working properly. If you don't currently have a computer installed, purchase one, then install the speed portion first by attaching the speed sensor to the fork and the computer face to the handlebars using zip ties, then installing the speed magnet to a spoke on the wheel so that it passes closely by the speed sensor.

    • 2

      Remove the cadence sensor from its packaging and ensure you have everything you need to perform the installation. You should have a cadence sensor, an adhesive-backed cadence magnet, and a few zip ties. Also confirm that the sensor you bought will work with your computer. They should be the same brand components, or they will not work together, For example, a Garmin cadence sensor will not work with a Bontrager computer.

    • 3

      Peel the covering off of the back of the included cadence magnet and stick the magnet to the inside of the left crank arm just below the pedal spindle. Insert a zip tie into the notch on the magnet. Wrap this zip tie around the crank arm and fasten it securely to hold the magnet in place.

    • 4

      Spin the cranks backward until the left crank arm is parallel to the left chain stay of the bike frame. Use two zip ties to secure the cadence sensor to the left chain stay so that the magnet on the back of the crank arm will pass by it closely. If you are installing a wired cadence sensor, zip tie the wires to the underside of the down tube, so they don't get in the way while you're riding. Ideally, the magnet should pass no farther than 5 mm away from the sensor.

    • 5

      Press the reset button on the back of the face of your bicycle computer once to restart the computer. Spin the cranks a few times around until you see a cadence display appear on the computer face. Now that the computer has recognized your new addition to the system, go out for a ride and start recording your spin performance.