I'm not going to lie, when I first got the SC, I was so frustrated with the installation I almost sent it back. After more fiddling, I am happy to report that the SC fits well on my 2015 Specialized Tarmac, syncs perfectly with my iPhone 6, has survived over 300 miles and an triathlon. I will say, just looking at the rubber bands they give you to attach the sensor to the bike, does not look secure, so to be sure I also used one zip tie along with the rubber bands and the device has not moved. I also love how the wahoo fitness app talks with Strava and Mapmyride and writes it's data to both apps easily and with minimal fault. It works well while I use my indoor trainer and allows me to record solid data during my spins. I'm a happy customer on my way to becoming a wahooligan as I purchase a tickerX next.
This is a rather late review since I purchased this last year, but I'm a firm believer that product quality is only one aspect of a good product. The other VERY important aspect to good product is it's customer service. So this review is about both product and customer service.
Product -
The Wahoo Blue SC is a great product with a great reputation (nearly every other cyclist I ride with has one). Being able to pair it with the Wahoo Tickr (heart rate monitor) via the free Wahoo Fitness iPhone App, makes an indoor trainer ride much more fun and interactive. The set-up can be a little tricky but the instructions are very clear and simple to follow.
Customer Support - the best I've seen
After successfully using the Blue SC for the first winter season (last year), 4 months or so passed before I had my first indoor ride of the new year. Unfortunately, when I opened the Wahoo Fitness App and started pedaling, I had no cadence/speed signal. Unfortunately, after doing a good bit of troubleshooting (battery replacement, re-positioning of the Blue SC sensors, etc.), I was still not able to get a signal. So using the "contact Customer Support" feature of the App, I contacted customer support. To my surprise, within an hour I received a reply email asking me to try a series of troubleshooting steps to see if they would resolve the problem. Unfortunately, they were the same steps I had already tried, but I walked through them again with the same results. When I provided them my results, without delay, they asked me to provide proof that I purchased the product so I sent them a screen shot of Amazon purchase(LOVE AMAZON!!). They immediately confirmed the unit was under warranty and issued a confirmation of shipment and a tracking number. Within ~3 days I received the replacement, installed it within 10 min and all is working great!!
We have two of these for our road bikes and they work great! I use it with Zwift and Rouvy via the Mini USB ANT+ STICK FOR Garmin, Sunnto, Zwift, PerfPRO Studio, CycleOps Virtual Trainer, TrainerRoad on Windows 10 Pro. It does work via Bluetooth using the Zwift Mobile Link (now Companion) iOS app if you're using a PC to display the Zwift interface,
My Zwift/Rouvy Setup:
Trainer: CycleOps Fluid2
Speed and Cadence: Wahoo Blue SC
Heart Rate Monitor: Garmin Heart Rate Monitor
ANT+ Receiver: Mini USB ANT+ STICK FOR Garmin, Sunnto, Zwift, PerfPRO Studio, CycleOps Virtual Trainer, TrainerRoad
OS: Windows 10 Pro
We got such a great deal on our "dumb" CycleOps fluid trainer that investing some in this sensor made more sense than purchasing a new smart trainer. My wife uses the Wahoo Fitness app on her iPhone to track her indoor rides and it works well also.
**TIP** If, after adjusting the speed sensor arm, the sensor isn't reporting any speed, make sure that the small allen bolt securing the arm is tight. If it's lose at all, the sensor doesn't make the electrical connection needed.
This sensor was very east to install. it was a pain to have to remove the pedal to put on the crank magnet, but it was still easy. The sensor also synced to my Wahoo Bolt with no issues.
There is one small issue, though, which is annoying. I put this on my Specialized Roubaix, which has ovular chain stays. I attached it with two zip ties. I had to position the sensor at a specific angle so that it would work with the magnets on both the crank and the wheel. However, this specific angle is not the best fit on the bike's chain stay due to its oval shape. Every so often the unit will slightly move from the natural vibration of riding and the cadence sensor will end up too far from the magnet on the crank to register crank movement. When I notice this happening, I simply move it by hand the next time I stop. Still, I wish there was a way to anchor it more firmly without potential finish damage. Perhaps there is and I just do not know.
Works great straight out of the box. Like many others, I opted to use the zip-ties instead of the rubber band, and I would recommend you do the same. The magnet for the speedometer will attach to round or bladed spokes, and has been firmly placed on mine for a few hundred miles now. I also have noticed that although the sensor can move back and forth if you press on it firmly, it does not seem to move while riding. Works with the Wahoo Fitness app as well as Strava, although in case you're wondering, Strava will not use the speedometer data, and will only accept GPS speed data. It will use the cadence sensor though.
The sensor will go into sleep mode, which is nice to conserve battery and can be a little stubborn to wake up at times. Sometimes I have to turn my pedals quite a few times before the sensor re-connects to my phone. It's also nice that it's waterproof as I like to wash my bike often.
Feature Product
- Track and capture real-time speed, cadence and distance on your iPhone, Android, and bike computer.NOTE:Kindly refer the user manual before usage of the product.
- Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ to your iPhone, Android and/or bike computer. The magnet will have to pass within 1/8 inch to get a reading
- Works with Zwift and TrainerRoad! Capture cadence on your favorite indoor cycling platform, No tangled wires on your bike to connect the sensor to your device.
- Also works with the free Wahoo Fitness app, Strava, RideWithGPS, MapMyRide, Cyclemeter, and more!. Supported iDevices: iPhone,iPhone 4S and newer,iPad,iPad (3rd gen and newer),iPod ,iPod Touch (5th gen)
- Lightweight and easy to install, comes with both rubber band and zip tie mounts. Universal fit - works with most bikes and frame sizes.
Description
How to install the Wahoo Blue SC: Place the sensor on the rear chain stay of your bike, near the pedal. The logo should be facing up and the arm of the sensor should be inside the rear chain stay, facing down. You may need to loosen the arm of the sensor with a 2mm allen wrench to move it into the correct position. Secure the sensor in place with the provided rubber band or zip-ties, whichever is preferred. If using zip-ties, do not completely tighten yet as the magnets still need to be aligned before completely securing the sensor in place. We recommend using the zip-ties for the most secure connection. Take off the pedal on the same side and slip the pedal magnet onto the crank, magnet facing in towards the sensor. Align so that the magnet will pass by the indicator line on the body of the Wahoo Blue SC sensor. The magnet will have to pass within 1/8 inch (about 4mm) to get a reading. As such, adjust the position of the sensor and/or magnet if required. Replace your pedal. Screw the wheel magnet onto any spoke on your back wheel, facing in towards the sensor. Align so that the magnet will pass by the indicator line on the arm of the Wahoo Blue SC sensor. The magnet will have to pass within 1/8 inch (about 4mm) to get a reading. Once again, adjust the position of the sensor and/or magnet if required. Tighten the magnet in place on the spoke. Once satisfied with the magnet positioning, tighten and snip the ends of the zip-ties (if using).
Used this at first with Wahoo app on iPhone and now with Polar V650 bike computer and has worked great on both. Really cool that it transmits ANT and Bluetooth. No problems with install. It's nice that speed is on rear wheel so you can get speed/distance (i.e. virtual power on Sufferfest App) while on indoor trainer.
One note--if you have a wide chain stay (Cannondale SuperSix in my case) and there is not enough clearance between sensor and magnet--loosen the arm and rotate it up and it will work.
Works fine once I got it installed. Installation was about 15-20 minutes and was pretty easy. I put the magnet on the spoke and aligned it to go by the middle of the arm. It didn't detect speed until I moved the magnet away from center and more towards the tip. Now it works perfectly.
There's some tiny LEDs on this that flash when the magnet goes by. It makes it easier to align this way. Problem is that the LEDs only light up for the first 60 seconds or so. After that they don't flash any more which I'm guessing is to save battery life. So don't be surprised if the LEDs stop working during installation. Wish there was some "Always Flash" mode for the LEDs when installing.
I hope the spoke magnet doesn't get bumped and rotate. If it does then it'll start banging into the arm every wheel revolution. Wish there was a better way to put the magnet on the spokes but there probably isn't.
Installing and setting up the thing is a 1-time thing. And installing it once is pretty easy. So far it's worked fine so there's nothing to complain about.
Would be nice if the Wahoo app told you when battery is getting low. Maybe it does... haven't used it long enough yet.
I have these on a couple different bikes.
Have proven far more reliable than the old Garmin GSC-10's I had before which I constantly had to delete from computers and re-pair to get to work. The Wahoo Blue SC pairs with both my Garmin cycling computers via Ant+ and iPhone via bluetooth with no problem, and simultaneously!
Personally, I prefer the magnets to the newer versions without magnets that strap onto your hub or crank arm. I think these respond more quickly to speed and cadence changes. Plus, less expensive.
Some people complain their feet knock the sensor out of place while riding. I've very rarely had that problem. Maybe I just have exceptionally good form (doubtful), or those other folks are a bit sloppy, I'm not sure. This also goes for the sensor I have mounted on my mountain bike.
Broadcasting in both Bluetooth and Ant+ is key for compatibility with both phones and bike computers. I wish Garmin would wake up to that fact (it's why I don't buy their sensors).
Batteries have lasted F O R E V E R. Good thing too, because getting to the battery compartment to replace them is sort of a pain in the butt. The Garmin GSC-10's needed constant battery replacement by comparison (and those batteries are also a pain to replace).
Shoot the rubber band at a friend and use the zip ties to mount the sensor. Seriously, a rubber band is not a reliable way to attach a sensor that is going to bounce around for miles on end and go right between your spinning spokes and/or crank arm if it comes off. The entire mounting process takes maybe 5-10 minutes if you don't have some clippers handy to cut the zip ties and a pedal wrench, less time if you do. I'd have been fine using a zip tie to mount the crank arm magnet, the rubber band magnet means you have to remove your pedal for installation, which seems silly.
I had one unit that wasn't recording speed right out of the box when I received it. Amazon replaced it within a day. New unit worked perfectly.
This is my second review. I am using this sensor on an indoor trainer. It is working fine after some trials and tribulations. I had to get the first one replaced because the cadence sensor could not be persauded to work. The return was handled through Amazon and was painless. I contacted Wahoo through their customer service line and the person I spoke with was somewhat helpful but didn’t really provide accurate information. That being, regarding the cadence sensor he said that 2 cm or less distance between the crank arm magnet and the sensor head should be fine. After receiving the replacement unit I learned that the crank arm magnet needs to be within 6 or 5mm of the sensor head. As you can see in the picture I had to tip the sensor head outward and force a stack of nickels under the crank arm magnet to get down to about 4mm and that has been completely reliable. (The stack of nickels trick was borrowed from a reviewer that I read before purchasing. Thanks for that.) The speed sensor was no problem to adjust and get working.
It would have helped if the device was more thoroughly described in the “instructions”. I was wondering if I had the wrong kind of bicycle for this thing to be useable. (I have a Trek Verve 3 that is 3 years old.) Trying to get the proper spacing for the cadence magnet had me wondering where the cadence sensor was exactly. It’s in the top of the part that sticks upward while the speed sensor is in the descending little arm that adjusts as a swing arm with a screw to tighten. The speed sensor was indeed obvious but the cadence sensor not so much. Especially when it doesn’t work at all as in my first unit that I returned.
I will not use this for outdoor riding. No need because I have an Apple Watch for that and it works famously. If I had to use it outdoors I would be concerned as several reviewers stated. It seems too vulnerable especially with that cadence sensor being so touchy.
Arrived in new package, all parts in box. Mounted easily. I used the rubber fixture to secure to my bike, but added one zip tie based on other reviews. I couldn't install the cadence magnet on my crank arm as I didn't have a pedal wrench to remove my clipless pedals, so I just cut the rubber band portion in half and zip tied the whole thing to my crank arm. Not ideal, but seems to be holding just fine. I may have to reorder one of those if this one falls of. That's the reason for the 4 stars, not 5, should be able just to affix to crank arm with zip ties.
I was able to use the wheel magnet from another sensor, no problems. The magnet and wheel sensor do have to be fairly close to register, but no closer than with any other speed sensor I've used. The crank sensor worked just fine from the first crank.
I downloaded the Wahoo app and was able to get all the info on my phone no trouble. Then the reason I chose this particular sensor, I have TomTom watch which is compatible. Was able to pair with no trouble. I did have some trouble finding where to adjust the wheel size and share the workouts to MapMyFitness, but a couple of emails to the support team and my questions were answers quickly and cheerfully.
I am not sure why some of those who posted negative reviews had the issues they did. This worked just as advertised out of the box is affordable and customer service to date has been great.
Update:
Had this since May. The cadence sensor failed to work on my ride Saturday. Speed sensor continued to work fine. Thought it was the battery. Changed the battery, spun the pedals and lights lit up, cadence counted, etc. Went to ride on trainer this morning and no data. No speed, no cadence, nothing. Moved the cadence sensor to where it was just a hair away from the crank, still no data. Tried calling customer service today and had to leave a voice mail. Not happy. Emailed customer support, will see what they say. Very annoying since today is Wednesday and I have a race on Saturday. Will have to go to the trouble of installing my old computer that just calculates miles so I can at least see where I am during my ride on Saturday.
Another issue, the app stopped sharing with MapMyFitness. Emailed customer support, said there was a glitch, try shutting down phone, restarting and then try syncing. That fix worked as far as syncing goes.
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