Peloton has brought various workout solutions to the mass market through its app. However, though the Peloton app has efficiently assisted users with their fitness journey, you can still boost the app performance by matching it with a cadence sensor.
Doing so delivers numerous benefits, some most significant ones of which are saving money and producing better exercise outcomes. To learn more about this device, keep rolling down.
What Is A Cadence Sensor?
Wahoo cadence sensor
Cadence sensors are stated to be essential for cyclists who want to get the most out of their workouts. These gadgets measure energy production in the form of rotations per minute (RPM) and alter it by your instructors’ guidance.
What Is RMP at Peloton?
RMP at Peloton stands for revolutions per minute. More specifically, it is the total number of times the wheel rotates around the axis in one minute. Therefore, the console will display high RPMs for fast cycles and vice versa;, low RPMs will show up for slow cycles.
Do Peloton Bikes Have A Cadence Sensor?
The answer is: YES.
Peloton Bikes are equipped with built-in cadence sensors. Besides, they also have speed and power sensors. All of these gadgets help users keep track of their workout metrics, namely: energy output, watts, mileage, and calorie expenditure.
Does The Peloton App Track Cadence?
The answer is: NO.
You cannot track cadence levels with the mere aid of the Peloton app.
If you are using the Peloton app through mobile devices, you can only analyze the data obtained from other external Bluetooth sensors. This occurs as the devices are not physically attached to the bike.
Hence, to accurately measure your cadence, pairing your bike with a cadence sensor is the optimal choice.
Does Peloton App Need A Cadence Sensor To Work?
Wahoo cadence sensor 2
The answer is: NOT OBLIGATORY.
In general, a cadence sensor is not a must. Yet, if it is a highly recommended option you want to closely follow your trainers’ instructions on what RPM you should be exercising..
All you have to do is simply install the sensor on your bike pedals. Then, you can wirelessly link it to the Peloton app whenever you ride.
What Benefits Can You Gain When Using A Cadence Sensor?
A girl cycling on a peloton bike
With a cadence sensor attached to the bike, you can reap numerous advantages, especially for enhancing your fitness level.
- Monitoring workout metrics
You can measure the number of full pedal cycles you make in a minute. Thus, you can figure out practical ways to improve your performance by getting to know where you are exactly at.
- Promoting interaction with your instructor
Peloton instructors usually ask you to continuepracticing at a certain cadence level to augment the intensity of workouts. Thus, a cadence sensor can help you follow the cues more easily.
- Flexible connecting to different platforms
Cadence sensors run smoothly with all smart bike trainers. In other words, they can be connected to other platforms besides the Peloton app.
- Saving money
By spending a relatively small amount of money, you can possess a cadence sensor and use it for quite a long time. With the help of a cadence sensor, you are always in control of your performance on any kind of bike.
How To Connect A Cadence Sensor To Peloton App
The steps are really simple. Following the guidance below, you can effortlessly pair a cadence to the Peloton app.
Step 1. Unbox The Cadence Sensor
As a whole, cadence sensors are made ready to use. Specifically, you can use them right away upon unboxing them. One package of this gadget includes:
- A rubbery pouch
- Batteries last around a year if you cycle 1 hour per day
- Cable ties
Package of cadence sensors
Step 2. Connect The Cadence Sensor To The Peloton App
Then, you can opt for one of these two parts on your bike to pair the cadence sensor.
- The pedal crank arm: By using the cable ties provided, you can secure the gadget when attaching it here.
- The cycling shoes: Otherwise, you can connect the sensor to your Peloton shoes or any other pairs of cycling shoes.
Generally, the first option is more popular as you do not have to switch the cadence sensor among pairs of shoes. Yet, you need to be careful with the space between the crank arm and the bike’s frame as a narrow one may knock off the sensor.
Attaching cadence sensor on crank arm
Step 3. Turn On The Cadence Sensor
Most cadence sensors are responsive to movement. So, you do not need to press any button to power them up. When being moved around, they will automatically activate, start blinking, and seek a Bluetooth signal.
Conversely, when they stay static, they will switch off and, therefore, prolong their own battery duration.
Cadence sensor flashing when activating
Step 4. Pair Your Cadence Sensor With The Peloton App
This is the most important step of all. To successfully connect your cadence sensor to the Peloton app, you have to:
- Start a session first.
Start a cycling class
- Press and hold the sensor button on your smart device.
Connecting button on the app
- Choose “Cadence” to pair the app and the sensor immediately.
Choosing cadence
- Choose the name of the cadence sensor. For example: Wahoo TICKR X 19F3.
Choosing the name of the sensor
Step 5. Display Cadence On The Peloton App
You can observe your cadence output in the top left corner of the screen after attaching the sensor to the Peloton app. Here you can access other features, such as metrics history or cadence graph for the whole class.
Displaying cadence on the app
Cadence Sensor vs. Speed Sensor
Cadence vs Speed
Generally, there are significant differences between a cadence sensor and a speed sensor which are clarified in the following table.
| Cadence Sensor | Speed Sensor |
| Measuring rotations per minute (RPM) | Measuring miles per hour and distance |
| Monitoring the real-time cadence | Monitoring the mileage,
and weekly or monthly training volume |
| Helping following instructors’ cues | Helping planning for endurance events (10k, half-marathon, or full marathon) |
| Tracking the number of pedal strokes | Tracking speed for
high-intensity interval rides |
Is A Cadence Sensor Or A Speed Sensor More Necessary For The Peloton App?
As a whole, they are both necessary owing to their distinct attributes.
However, for cycling specifically, the speed sensor seems to offer more useful data about your training progress. Such data can be used for designing a workout routine as speed over time is a potential indicator for adding progression to your rides.
The cadence sensor, on the other hand, is most useful for sticking to trainers’ guidance and keeping track of real-time cadence levels. Yet, cadence is not a performance metric in general and, thus, suitable for those who want their strokes to be more efficient.
Can You Connect The Speed Sensor To The Peloton App?
The answer is: NO.
You are limited to pairing a heart rate monitor to check your strive score and a cadence sensor to calculate your RPM on the Peloton app.
Cadence vs. Resistance
Cadence vs Resistance
You need both cadence and resistance to work out your Peloton output, which is one of the key metrics on the Peloton bike. To learn more about resistance, let’s read the next part.
Does The Peloton App Measure Watts?
The answer is: NO.
Though you can connect a power sensor to your bike, no relevant data will be shown on the Peloton app. As explained above, the app only displays your strive score (computed by a heart rate monitor) and RPM (gathered by a cadence sensor).
Is Cadence Or Resistance More Important At Peloton?
They are both crucial, yet for different purposes.
If you want to closely follow your trainers’ cues and remain at speed you pedal at, you should focus on cadence.
If you aim at maximizing oxygen intake, aerobic capacity, or training efficiency, then you should pay more attention to resistance. Besides, the higher resistance is built, the more watts are produced and the more muscles are involved. Thus, you will gradually get familiar with extensive cycling intensity.
Can You Measure Watts With A Cadence Sensor On Peloton App?
The answer is: NO.
Pairing a cadence sensor with the Peloton app does not help you track your watts while training. To measure this metric, you need to use a portable power sensor.
Which Cadence Sensors Works Best With The Peloton App?
Wahoo cadence sensor 4
Finding a good cadence sensor for your spin bike is easy, yet not all of them can be perfectly attached to the Peloton app. The three most highly recommended cadence sensors are:
- Wahoo
- Garmin
- Taope Dual Mode
Of all these, Wahoo is the most widely used sensor and is also suggested by Peloton. So, keep rolling down to explore how to connect a cadence sensor of this brand to the Peloton app.
Steps To Connect A Wahoo Cadence Sensor To Peloton App
Wahoo cadence sensor 3
Step 1. Unbox the cadence sensor.
Wahoo cadence sensor package
Step 2. Install the cadence sensor on either your crank arm or your shoes.
Wahoo cadence sensor on crank arm
Step 3. Open the Peloton app and start a class.
Start a cycling class
Step 4. Press and hold the connecting button on your device.
Connecting button on the app
Step 5. Tap “Cadence”.
Choosing cadence
Step 6. Choose the name of the cadence sensor. For example: Wahoo TICKR X 19F3.
Choosing the name of the sensor
Step 7. Begin cycling and observe your real-time cadence on the screen.
Displaying cadence on the app
Conclusion
Combining a cadence sensor into your workout routine helps you manage your overall cycling performance, especially your pedal strokes, and keep track of high-intensity riding intervals. Though cadence is not a direct indicator of progression, you can still utilize it to make your strokes more productive.
FAQs
1. Why is my cadence not showing on the Peloton app?
If the metrics do not show up on your console, the most common cause is a loose connection between the monitor cable and the touchscreen.
To resolve this issue, exert pressure upward on the two cables on the back of the touchscreen. In the meantime, you must also ensure that they are properly inserted into the ports.
2. How can I tell whether my cadence on the Peloton app is good enough?
The cadence levels are all different.
Approximately 90 RPM is a good one. More specifically, 60 – 80 RPM is enough for those who cycle for fun, while 90 – 110 RPM is the average cadence of experienced cyclists.
3. Can I track my cadence when I am not cycling on my bike?
The answer is: YES.
You can still track your cadence even when you are not at home. For instance, you may be on vacation at a hotel with a fitness center. Then, just bring your cadence sensor and connect it with the bike there.
