CanadianBiker32

How many of you out there ride with a Cadence sensor on your mt bike and for riding the trails. I have an extra Garmin Cadence sensor and i am thinking of putting it on my mt bike, just wondering what experiences anyone has had with a cadence sensor mt biking and if rocks or anything torn it off?
thanks
feedback be amazing
thanks

Daspydyr 

I used to when I first started riding. I like getting those kinds of details. In comparison with Road riding, the cadence is not that big an issue on a Mountain Bike. Your cadence varies on climbs, short blasts, long downhills. If you are doing fire or power line roads and XC trails, a cadence sensors gives good feedback on busy you stayed.

I never had one bounce loose or get torn off. Zip ties are my very good friends. Always carry a few with you.

ColinL

I've lost a sensor from my road bike when I kicked it. I have no idea why my heel was out of position, but it was and it got smacked on a busy road, in the left turn lane. Didn't go back for it.

I could see that happening easily on MTB, but more to Daspyder's point... I don't care to see cadence on a MTB. I do use a HR strap and review that after the ride to see how bad I was suffering, using endomondo, but I don't look at any numbers of any kind while riding trails.

Dilberto

Icarus makes a magnet-based Cadence sensor that fixes inside the rear of your crank spindle opening. The magnet is so strong - the only way to lose it....is to pop it out, with a flat jeweler's screwdriver:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Icarus-RED-C...item3f25cc82c1

badbikemechanic

Don't do it. Mountain bikers tend to spin naturally on the trail due to the nature of riding single track. This is why mountain bikes utilized more gears in the past, and have lower gear ratios with the doubles. Roadies spend allot of cash on gimicky technology like q rings and do lame training techniques like 'isolated leg training' trying to 'smooth out the pedal stroke'. This is something that comes naturally to us. You can try it yourself next time you are out there- try to make a climb in too hard of a gear and see what happens.

Mansram01

I was thinking of doing the same thing hence why I did a search on mountain biking and cadence. I have an extra Garmin sensor and am contemplating doing this. I don't see much value add "during" the ride but perhaps post-ride this would give me an idea of how I'm pedaling overall. Still not sure at this point if it even matters.

ttusomeone

I use the Garmin speed/cadence sensor on my mtb and have never had a problem with it coming off (been using one for 4 or 5 years). I don't look at cadence when I'm riding and don't really pay attention to it afterward, but I like using the sensor more for speed than cadence...more specifically my distance ridden is more accurate using the speed/cadence sensor.

saeyedoc

The new magnetless sensors from Garmin are great, they don't get out of alignment. They wrap completely around the crank and hub.

Clem von Jones

I wouldn't do it. Your cadence will always be very low on a mountain bike. Look at the scenery not at another electronic gadget.

Kayotee

I'd ask how you plan on interpreting the cadence data you get? On a road bike, you're typically riding an unchanging road surface, and using cadence data to monitor and influence exertion levels by hitting target rates is easy and natural. On a trail, those numbers are meaningless.

Canker

If you have it you might as well use it. Does it really matter if it isn't that usefull?

dminor 

I don't use a cadence sensor...a HRM...Strava...clipless pedals...front derailleur. I just ride.

osco53

Osco Nods to dminor's wisdom :XD

I assume, 'OP' that you are just riding casual trails, the flats,etc.
Looking down at toyz will get you hurt, Don't even think about cadence, as said above just ride.

I'm not saying cadence is not Important, It's just that you need to listen to your body, your legs and hips will tell you how much
spin speed you need.
Running a fast spin can waste energy in the dirt. We call it, 'Chopping wood'... Keep some torque at the ready.

We do not have the safety and simplicity of pavement under us, Our rides are far more dynamic, so we must be also.

The Bike should vanish beneath you, should become part of you. Even If your wondering what gear you may need in the next 20 feet
your overthinking the ride.

Mansram01

Measuring cadence doesn't mean staring at your computer. Reviewing your stats after the ride was more the reality.

osco53

Duh ! I never considered that LOL

I am getting senile, yeah that's it

I still see no need for any computer data in the dirt unless the ride is for race prep...

roccobike

None of my MTBs have any electronics whatsoever. I'm considering adding a simple cyclometer to the one bike I maintain for lightweight trails, more like easy XC. On technical trails, its not going to happen unless I add a heartrate monitor.....and I doubt I'll even do that.
On the flip side, I won't ride a roadie on a serious ride without some electronics to measure avg. speed, distance, calories burned, and so on.

Mansram01

Isn't every ride for race prep?

osco53

Ya' Know, I think your right,

My new 'Hobby' Is trying to run down 40 year olds In the flats.
Last year It was chasing 50 year olds but that got to easy, yeah I'm bragging, you betcha !

RPK79

Is it the pot smoking that helps you do it naturally?

Mansram01

And all your bikes listed are from the 60's & 70's? Motorcycles too?