What sensors are needed to be able to train with Bikevo?

To start training with Bikevo and create your training plan, the App must be able to detect speed, cadence and heart rate data

This data is used during the Critical Power test to define your starting athletic state and therefore the training parameters of each session. Data is also used during the execution of the workouts in the App to give you precise instructions on how to train and evaluate the quality of your workout.

Data is collected by connecting sensors or an indoor smart trainer to the Bikevo App.

The necessary sensors are:

• Cadence sensor
• Speed sensor
• Heart rate sensor
• A power sensor is optional, but recommended.

Cadence sensor

The cadence sensor is a device that can be fitted directly to the crank arm. It enables you to detect the number of RPM (pedal revolutions per minute). This data is of fundamental importance because it qualifies and quantifies pedaling efficiency.

The most recent cadence sensors are equipped with a double wireless communication protocol: Bluetooth BLE or ANT+ that enable you to connect the sensor and the smartphone on which the Bikevo application is installed.

In the case of devices that use an ANT+ connection protocol, it is necessary to verify that the connection is supported by your smartphone or tablet.

Don't have a cadence sensor? We suggest you buy these products:

• Garmin Bluetooth and ANT+ cadence sensor: Amazon | Wiggle
• Wahoo Bluetooth and ANT+ cadence sensor: Amazon | Wiggle

Speed sensor

For an enthusiast cyclist of any level, it is important to have speed data available at all times. The speed sensor enables you to determine the distance traveled as well as the speed at any time.

The sensor must be fixed on the rear hub of the bike. It is very simple to install and move from one bike to another, for those who own more than one.

The latest speed sensors are equipped with a double wireless communication protocol: Bluetooth BLE or ANT+ that enable you to connect the sensor and the smartphone on which the Bikevo application is installed.

In the case of devices that use an ANT+ connection protocol, it is necessary to verify that the connection is supported by your smartphone or tablet.

Don't have a speed sensor? We suggest you buy these products:

• Wahoo Bluetooth and ANT+ speed sensor: Amazon
• Garmin Bluetooth and ANT+ speed sensor: Amazon | Wiggle

Speed ​​and cadence sensor

If you want to save on the purchase of speed and cadence sensors, you can buy them together:

• Garmin Bluetooth and ANT+ speed and cadence bundle: Amazon | Wiggle

• Wahoo Bluetooth and ANT+ speed and cadence bundle: Amazon | Wiggle

Heart rate sensor

The engine that drives our body is the heart. Regardless of whether or not we play sports, it’s important to know if our heart is healthy.

Measuring heart rate is simple: it can be measured directly at the chest at heart level, at the wrist (radial artery) or at the neck (carotid artery). It is not difficult to hear your heartbeat using a hand or placing your fingers in the dedicated points but it’s also easier using a stethoscope.

The calculation of the heart rate in these cases is very quick: just count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply that number by four, the result will be the number of beats in a minute. It’s good practice to repeat this every morning on waking to obtain more precise data of the resting heart rate.

But when we are cycling, measuring heart rate by hand is much more complicated if not impossible. For several years now heart rate monitors have been available, which make this measurement instantaneously. Today we can detect this data by wearing a simple chest strap device.

Contemporary chest straps provide both the Bluetooth BLE and ANT+ connection and enable you to connect the sensor and the smartphone on which the Bikevo application is installed.

For devices that use an ANT+ connection protocol, it is necessary to verify that the connection is supported by your smartphone or tablet.

Don't have a heart rate sensor? We suggest you buy these products:

• Wahoo Bluetooth and ANT+ heart rate sensor: Amazon | Wiggle
• Garmin Bluetooth and ANT+ heart rate sensor: Amazon | Wiggle

Indoor bike trainers

Bike trainers are devices that enable you to train with your bike comfortably at home or indoors elsewhere.

The new generation smart-trainer or interactive trainers can directly send cadence, speed and power data to the application to which they are connected.

If you have a bike trainer for indoor training, you can check which types of data are transmitted by consulting the instruction booklet supplied at the time of purchase or with a quick internet search, or by contacting us, telling us the brand and model of your trainer.

If you don’t have an indoor trainer, we advise you to buy a Smart Trainer that could be connected using Bluetooth and ANT+ protocols and that can transmit the data of: cadence, speed and power.

What types of connections does the Bikevo application support?

The Bikevo application supports the wireless connection of the sensors through the protocols:

• Bluetooth
• ANT+.

The type of connection that will be used depends on the protocol supported by:

• Your sensors or indoor bike trainer
• The mobile device (smartphone or tablet) on which the Bikevo application is installed.

It is essential that the sensors and your mobile device support the same connection protocol so that they can be paired.

How can I check the type of connection supported by my devices?

You can check the type of connection supported by your sensors or your bike trainer:

• By consulting the instruction booklet or the technical data sheet that was provided to you at the time of purchase
• By checking on the manufacturer's website
• By contacting us, and telling us the make and model of your devices and your trainer.

You can check the type of connection supported by your smartphone or tablet with a quick internet search for:

• “Model name + Bluetooth”
• “Model name + ANT+”.

Bluetooth connection 

Bluetooth is a data transmission standard for wireless (wireless) networks. The Bluetooth protocol is now supported by most phones and tablets.

If you’re not sure whether your phone supports this connection, you can download the BLE Checker application, available only on Android.

Apple devices support this protocol by default.

Troubleshooting Bluetooth connection problems

Bluetooth not available

If the sensors do not pair correctly, check that you have enabled Bluetooth.

How to turn Bluetooth on and off on Android

• Open the phone's Settings
• Tap Connected devices and then Connection preferences and then Bluetooth. If you don't find the "Connection Preferences" option, go to the next step
• Turn the Bluetooth option on or off.

How to turn Bluetooth on and off on iOS

• Open Settings
• Click on "Bluetooth"
• Click on the bar to make it green. You have turned on Bluetooth.

Loss of connection

When the device's battery runs out, the reception distance decreases. Some devices report battery conditions via Bluetooth and this data can be viewed when connected.

If your device allows it, recharge it. If you can't charge the battery, try replacing the device battery.

Interferences

Wireless devices such as 2.4 GHz routers, wireless speakers and wireless mice can interfere with the Bluetooth signal. ANT+ and Bluetooth use the 2.4 GHz band. Try moving any other wireless device a couple of meters away. If you suspect that the router is interfering, you can change the wireless channel.

Obstacles

Is something blocking the sensor? Try to remove any physical obstacles between your computer or mobile device and the Bluetooth device.

Device conflicts

Bluetooth devices can only be paired with one device at a time. If any other application, main unit, computer or device is associated with the device you are trying to pair with, Bikevo will not be able to "see" the device. You will need to make sure that your device is unmatched by any other app,  computer,  device, etc ... before trying to pair it with Bikevo.

ANT+ connection

ANT+, just like Bluetooth, is a wireless communication protocol that enables devices that support it to communicate with each other.

To pair your ANT+ devices you need to check that your smartphone / tablet supports this protocol.

Android devices

To check if your Android device supports ANT+ connection, you can consult the directory of compatible devices on the ANT website, reachable at this link.

Note: this is not a complete list of Android devices that support ANT+. If your device is NOT listed, that doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't support ANT+. If you have any further questions about how your device works with ANT+, please contact our support team.

If your device does not appear in the list, you can proceed in two ways:

1. Try to connect the sensors on the application by choosing the ANT+ protocol. If ANT+ is not supported, it will be communicated to you in the App
2. Install the ANT Tester application, available at this link and check on the newly installed application if your device supports the ANT+ protocol.

Some Android devices are ANT+ compatible, but it may be necessary to install ANT plug-ins before leaving.

ANT Capable and Built-in ANT device detected

In this case it is necessary to install the following plugins:

• ANT USB Service;
• ANT Radio Service;
• ANT+ Plugins Service

If after installing ANT Radio Service you should find the wording "No service" in correspondence with the item "Built-in firmware", proceed as follows:

• Click on the gear icon next to "No service"
• Enter the "App Permissions" section
• Enter in "Other authorizations"
• Enable the use of ANT hardware.

ANT Capable and Built-in ANT device detected: NO

In this case, on the other hand, it is necessary to have a USBC-to-USB or Micro USB-to-USB key and ANT+ antenna in order to establish the connection and install the following plugins:

• ANT USB Service;
• ANT Radio Service;
• ANT+ Plugins Service

Micro USB-to-USB stick

Bikevo recommends the purchase of this Micro USB-to-USB stick for Android. In this case the ANT+ antenna will not be needed.

USBC-to-USB stick

Bikevo recommends the purchase of this USBC-to-USB stick for Android. In this case it is also necessary to purchase the ANT+ key.

ANT+ stick

Bikevo recommends the purchase of this ANT+ stick.

IOS devices (Apple)

No iOS device supports the ANT+ connection protocol.

To connect your ANT+ devices with the Bikevo app for iOS, you will need an ANT+ receiver produced by Wahoo and a 30-pin to Lightning adapter made by Apple (depending on your iOS device).

You can buy the ANT+ Wahoo receiver by following this link.

Note: Latest versions of the iOS operating system no longer support these two devices. We recommend  to use the Bluetooth-type connection on iOS devices.