Bluetooth Sensor Support

The Stride app connects to standard Bluetooth and ANT+ (with adapter) sensors for comprehensive training data.

Supported Sensor Types

Power Meters

Pedal, crank, hub-based power measurement

Heart Rate

Chest straps and optical sensors

Speed/Cadence

Wheel and crank sensors

Smart Trainers

Controllable trainers for ERG mode

Initial Setup

Bluetooth Requirements

Phone Settings:

  • Bluetooth enabled
  • Location services on (required for Bluetooth)
  • Stride app has Bluetooth permission
  • Phone not in airplane mode

Sensor Preparation:

  • Fresh batteries installed
  • Sensors powered on
  • Within range (10 feet)
  • Not connected to other apps

Connecting Sensors

First Time Connection

1

Open Sensor Settings

In Stride app: Settings → Sensors

2

Select Sensor Type

Choose what you’re connecting:

  • Power Meter
  • Heart Rate
  • Speed/Cadence
  • Smart Trainer
3

Activate Sensor

  • Power meter: Spin cranks
  • HR strap: Wet and wear
  • Speed/Cadence: Spin wheel/cranks
  • Trainer: Power on
4

Select from List

Tap your sensor when it appears

  • Shows signal strength
  • Displays sensor ID
  • May show battery level
5

Confirm Connection

  • Green checkmark appears
  • Test data displayed
  • Save sensor profile

Auto-Connect

Once paired, sensors auto-connect when:

  • Starting a new activity
  • Sensors are active
  • Bluetooth is enabled
  • Within range

Power Meter Setup

Types Supported

Direct Power Measurement:

  • Pedal-based (Favero, Garmin, PowerTap)
  • Crank-based (Stages, 4iiii, Quarq)
  • Spider-based (Power2Max, SRM)
  • Hub-based (PowerTap)

Smart Trainer Power:

  • Wahoo KICKR series
  • Tacx NEO series
  • Elite trainers
  • Saris trainers

Calibration

Always calibrate your power meter before important rides or tests for accurate data.

Most Common Calibration

  1. Ensure bike is stationary
  2. Unclip from pedals
  3. In Stride: Sensors → Power → Calibrate
  4. Follow on-screen prompts
  5. Wait for confirmation

Dual-Sided Power

For dual-sided meters:

  • Shows left/right balance
  • Tracks pedaling efficiency
  • Identifies imbalances
  • Helps with bike fit

Heart Rate Monitors

Connection Best Practices

Chest Straps (Recommended):

  1. Wet electrode pads
  2. Position below chest muscles
  3. Adjust strap snugness
  4. Check for stable reading

Optical Sensors:

  • Ensure tight fit
  • Position correctly on wrist/arm
  • Clean sensor window
  • Note: Less accurate at high intensities

Troubleshooting HR

Speed and Cadence

Sensor Placement

Speed Sensors:

  • Hub-mounted (most accurate)
  • Fork-mounted (easy access)
  • GPS backup available

Cadence Sensors:

  • Crank arm (standard)
  • Shoe-based (some systems)
  • Pedal-integrated

Wheel Circumference

For accurate speed:

  1. Measure wheel circumference
  2. Enter in Settings → Bike Profile
  3. Different for each bike
  4. Accounts for tire size

Quick Reference (700c):

  • 23mm tire: 2096mm
  • 25mm tire: 2111mm
  • 28mm tire: 2136mm
  • 32mm tire: 2169mm

Smart Trainer Control

Connecting for ERG Mode

1

Trainer Preparation

  • Power on trainer
  • Ensure firmware updated
  • Not paired to other apps
2

Multiple Connections

Smart trainers provide:

  • Power data
  • Controllable resistance
  • Cadence (usually)
  • Speed (simulated)
3

Select All Functions

When connecting, enable:

  • ✅ Power Source
  • ✅ Controllable Trainer
  • ✅ Cadence Source
4

Test Control

  • Start free ride
  • Adjust target power
  • Feel resistance change
  • Confirm ERG working

ERG Mode Tips

For Best Experience:

  • Maintain steady cadence (85-95 rpm)
  • Don’t shift gears during ERG
  • Allow 5-10 seconds for adjustment
  • Disable for sprints

Managing Multiple Bikes

Sensor Profiles

Create profiles for each bike:

  • Power meter: Stages left crank
  • Speed: Hub sensor
  • Cadence: Crank sensor
  • HR: Garmin strap

Quick Switching

  1. Name each sensor clearly
  2. Group by bike/location
  3. Enable quick-switch in settings
  4. Swipe to change profiles

Battery Management

Expected Battery Life

Sensor TypeBattery TypeExpected Life
Power MeterCR2032100-300 hours
HR StrapCR2032300-500 hours
Speed/CadenceCR203212-18 months
TrainerAC PowerN/A

Low Battery Indicators

  • ⚠️ Warning in app
  • Erratic readings
  • Connection issues
  • Reduced range

Pro Tip: Keep spare CR2032 batteries in your bike bag. Change batteries before important events.

Advanced Features

ANT+ Support

With ANT+ adapter:

  • Connect more sensors
  • Better in groups
  • Less interference
  • Garmin ecosystem

Sensor Recording

During activities:

  • Raw data saved
  • Can review drops
  • Export for analysis
  • Troubleshooting info

Multi-Source Priority

Set preference order:

  1. Primary power source
  2. Backup power
  3. Estimated power
  4. HR-based only

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Factory Reset

When all else fails:

  1. Remove sensor from app
  2. Reset sensor (check manual)
  3. Replace battery
  4. Re-pair as new device

Group Ride Considerations

In Large Groups

  • More interference possible
  • Consider ANT+ over Bluetooth
  • Pair before meeting
  • Have backup recording

Sensor Sharing

Some sensors allow multiple connections:

  • Check manufacturer specs
  • Usually 2-3 devices max
  • May affect battery life
  • Can cause conflicts

Next Steps

Bluetooth Sensor Support

The Stride app connects to standard Bluetooth and ANT+ (with adapter) sensors for comprehensive training data.

Supported Sensor Types

Power Meters

Pedal, crank, hub-based power measurement

Heart Rate

Chest straps and optical sensors

Speed/Cadence

Wheel and crank sensors

Smart Trainers

Controllable trainers for ERG mode

Initial Setup

Bluetooth Requirements

Phone Settings:

  • Bluetooth enabled
  • Location services on (required for Bluetooth)
  • Stride app has Bluetooth permission
  • Phone not in airplane mode

Sensor Preparation:

  • Fresh batteries installed
  • Sensors powered on
  • Within range (10 feet)
  • Not connected to other apps

Connecting Sensors

First Time Connection

1

Open Sensor Settings

In Stride app: Settings → Sensors

2

Select Sensor Type

Choose what you’re connecting:

  • Power Meter
  • Heart Rate
  • Speed/Cadence
  • Smart Trainer
3

Activate Sensor

  • Power meter: Spin cranks
  • HR strap: Wet and wear
  • Speed/Cadence: Spin wheel/cranks
  • Trainer: Power on
4

Select from List

Tap your sensor when it appears

  • Shows signal strength
  • Displays sensor ID
  • May show battery level
5

Confirm Connection

  • Green checkmark appears
  • Test data displayed
  • Save sensor profile

Auto-Connect

Once paired, sensors auto-connect when:

  • Starting a new activity
  • Sensors are active
  • Bluetooth is enabled
  • Within range

Power Meter Setup

Types Supported

Direct Power Measurement:

  • Pedal-based (Favero, Garmin, PowerTap)
  • Crank-based (Stages, 4iiii, Quarq)
  • Spider-based (Power2Max, SRM)
  • Hub-based (PowerTap)

Smart Trainer Power:

  • Wahoo KICKR series
  • Tacx NEO series
  • Elite trainers
  • Saris trainers

Calibration

Always calibrate your power meter before important rides or tests for accurate data.

Most Common Calibration

  1. Ensure bike is stationary
  2. Unclip from pedals
  3. In Stride: Sensors → Power → Calibrate
  4. Follow on-screen prompts
  5. Wait for confirmation

Dual-Sided Power

For dual-sided meters:

  • Shows left/right balance
  • Tracks pedaling efficiency
  • Identifies imbalances
  • Helps with bike fit

Heart Rate Monitors

Connection Best Practices

Chest Straps (Recommended):

  1. Wet electrode pads
  2. Position below chest muscles
  3. Adjust strap snugness
  4. Check for stable reading

Optical Sensors:

  • Ensure tight fit
  • Position correctly on wrist/arm
  • Clean sensor window
  • Note: Less accurate at high intensities

Troubleshooting HR

Speed and Cadence

Sensor Placement

Speed Sensors:

  • Hub-mounted (most accurate)
  • Fork-mounted (easy access)
  • GPS backup available

Cadence Sensors:

  • Crank arm (standard)
  • Shoe-based (some systems)
  • Pedal-integrated

Wheel Circumference

For accurate speed:

  1. Measure wheel circumference
  2. Enter in Settings → Bike Profile
  3. Different for each bike
  4. Accounts for tire size

Quick Reference (700c):

  • 23mm tire: 2096mm
  • 25mm tire: 2111mm
  • 28mm tire: 2136mm
  • 32mm tire: 2169mm

Smart Trainer Control

Connecting for ERG Mode

1

Trainer Preparation

  • Power on trainer
  • Ensure firmware updated
  • Not paired to other apps
2

Multiple Connections

Smart trainers provide:

  • Power data
  • Controllable resistance
  • Cadence (usually)
  • Speed (simulated)
3

Select All Functions

When connecting, enable:

  • ✅ Power Source
  • ✅ Controllable Trainer
  • ✅ Cadence Source
4

Test Control

  • Start free ride
  • Adjust target power
  • Feel resistance change
  • Confirm ERG working

ERG Mode Tips

For Best Experience:

  • Maintain steady cadence (85-95 rpm)
  • Don’t shift gears during ERG
  • Allow 5-10 seconds for adjustment
  • Disable for sprints

Managing Multiple Bikes

Sensor Profiles

Create profiles for each bike:

  • Power meter: Stages left crank
  • Speed: Hub sensor
  • Cadence: Crank sensor
  • HR: Garmin strap

Quick Switching

  1. Name each sensor clearly
  2. Group by bike/location
  3. Enable quick-switch in settings
  4. Swipe to change profiles

Battery Management

Expected Battery Life

Sensor TypeBattery TypeExpected Life
Power MeterCR2032100-300 hours
HR StrapCR2032300-500 hours
Speed/CadenceCR203212-18 months
TrainerAC PowerN/A

Low Battery Indicators

  • ⚠️ Warning in app
  • Erratic readings
  • Connection issues
  • Reduced range

Pro Tip: Keep spare CR2032 batteries in your bike bag. Change batteries before important events.

Advanced Features

ANT+ Support

With ANT+ adapter:

  • Connect more sensors
  • Better in groups
  • Less interference
  • Garmin ecosystem

Sensor Recording

During activities:

  • Raw data saved
  • Can review drops
  • Export for analysis
  • Troubleshooting info

Multi-Source Priority

Set preference order:

  1. Primary power source
  2. Backup power
  3. Estimated power
  4. HR-based only

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Factory Reset

When all else fails:

  1. Remove sensor from app
  2. Reset sensor (check manual)
  3. Replace battery
  4. Re-pair as new device

Group Ride Considerations

In Large Groups

  • More interference possible
  • Consider ANT+ over Bluetooth
  • Pair before meeting
  • Have backup recording

Sensor Sharing

Some sensors allow multiple connections:

  • Check manufacturer specs
  • Usually 2-3 devices max
  • May affect battery life
  • Can cause conflicts

Next Steps