Does anybody make an Android-compatible bluetooth cadence sender?
#1
Thread Starter
Cottered Crank
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 15
From: Chicago
Bikes: 1954 Raleigh Sports 1974 Raleigh Competition 1969 Raleigh Twenty 1964 Raleigh LTD-3
Does anybody make an Android-compatible bluetooth cadence sender?
There seem to be a ton of them that work with iPhones but after searching around I can't seem to find anything that will work with an Android.
I'm running a Nexus 4 with the latest release of KitKat. It has Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility. Battery life is not a problem with a battery pack in my handlebar bag and also with having a hub dyno and a USB power converter. Having route guidance (visual and voice turn-by-turn) as well the ability to run my own maps and ride directions on a big readable screen on a piece of equipment I already have and will be bringing along anyhow is the future IMHO.
Currently I'm using a Zephyr HxM Bluetooth wireless heartrate sensor and it works great with Android and plays nice with Endomondo. But it seems that if I want to record cadence information I either have to go back to a dumb Garmin or other ANT+ system or drink the Jobs Kool-aid -neither of which I'm willing to do. I really like having all the features of a smartphone as my cycle computer but would like to add something as simple as a cadence sensor. So far there seems to be nothing. Topeak seems to say their unit will someday have Android functionality but so far, nothing...
I'm running a Nexus 4 with the latest release of KitKat. It has Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility. Battery life is not a problem with a battery pack in my handlebar bag and also with having a hub dyno and a USB power converter. Having route guidance (visual and voice turn-by-turn) as well the ability to run my own maps and ride directions on a big readable screen on a piece of equipment I already have and will be bringing along anyhow is the future IMHO.
Currently I'm using a Zephyr HxM Bluetooth wireless heartrate sensor and it works great with Android and plays nice with Endomondo. But it seems that if I want to record cadence information I either have to go back to a dumb Garmin or other ANT+ system or drink the Jobs Kool-aid -neither of which I'm willing to do. I really like having all the features of a smartphone as my cycle computer but would like to add something as simple as a cadence sensor. So far there seems to be nothing. Topeak seems to say their unit will someday have Android functionality but so far, nothing...
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,249
Likes: 1,759
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
The issue is finding an app that supports it. You might have to wait.
The "runtastic" app might support it.
https://www.amazon.com/Runtastic-Cade.../dp/B00BVY4HCG
The "runtastic" app might support it.
https://www.amazon.com/Runtastic-Cade.../dp/B00BVY4HCG
Last edited by njkayaker; 01-21-14 at 11:23 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Mission, Texas
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Sirrus Limited and 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Wahoo does make a bluetooth speed and cadence sensors. Check them out.
https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/...ce-sensor.html
https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/...ce-sensor.html
#4
FWIW: It's a bit complicated: There's Bluetooth and the new Bluetooth LE (blue tooth "smart"). BTLE is good because it uses very little power for the sensors. And, some Android phones are ANT+ compatible (e.g. Galaxy S4 with 4.3) so can work with ANT+ sensors with the right app.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
From: NY state
Bikes: See Signature...
Wahoo does make a bluetooth speed and cadence sensors. Check them out.
https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/...ce-sensor.html
https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/...ce-sensor.html
only work with iDevices. OP is asking about Android!
#7
Full Member

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 379
Likes: 26
It took me a while to learn the details. Here's my understanding of it.
Recognizing of BT-LE devices is left to the app and not the phone or OS (as long as it supports BT-LE). One has to go into the app to scan for and connect the device.
You need to search for apps that support BT-LE devices and those seem to be in short supply. ipbike has a beta version for Android + BT-LE.
For some reason the market seems to have no interest in producing BT (not LE) monitors--even though it can be used with all legacy/current/future Android phones. Short battery life cannot be the only reason--think of all the devices we charge regularly, starting with phones, laptops, ....
To use Android phones (w/o built-in ANT+ chip) as a bike computer as of today, buy a ANT+ USB dongle (make sure that your phone supports USB host mode, i.e., USB on-the-go cable--Moto G seems to be the least expensive one). This is the route I am taking.
Feel free to correct/update/critique what I said.
Recognizing of BT-LE devices is left to the app and not the phone or OS (as long as it supports BT-LE). One has to go into the app to scan for and connect the device.
You need to search for apps that support BT-LE devices and those seem to be in short supply. ipbike has a beta version for Android + BT-LE.
For some reason the market seems to have no interest in producing BT (not LE) monitors--even though it can be used with all legacy/current/future Android phones. Short battery life cannot be the only reason--think of all the devices we charge regularly, starting with phones, laptops, ....
To use Android phones (w/o built-in ANT+ chip) as a bike computer as of today, buy a ANT+ USB dongle (make sure that your phone supports USB host mode, i.e., USB on-the-go cable--Moto G seems to be the least expensive one). This is the route I am taking.
Feel free to correct/update/critique what I said.
#8
Thread Starter
Cottered Crank
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 15
From: Chicago
Bikes: 1954 Raleigh Sports 1974 Raleigh Competition 1969 Raleigh Twenty 1964 Raleigh LTD-3
If it isn't a Nexus phone I'm not going to own it.
Phones need their freedom too. No walled gardens, no bloatware.
Phones need their freedom too. No walled gardens, no bloatware.
#9
Full Member

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 379
Likes: 26
Moto G is available contract-free with vanilla Android. You are welcome to go with Nexus too. My choice is Moto G.
Any case, here is a speed/cadence sensor + app combination that claims Android compatibility.
https://global.mobileaction.com/produ...-gotU_CS20.jsp
Any case, here is a speed/cadence sensor + app combination that claims Android compatibility.
https://global.mobileaction.com/produ...-gotU_CS20.jsp
#10
Thread Starter
Cottered Crank
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 15
From: Chicago
Bikes: 1954 Raleigh Sports 1974 Raleigh Competition 1969 Raleigh Twenty 1964 Raleigh LTD-3
I have some hope for someday an Ubuntu phone that can rival the Android but that isn't going to be happening in the next couple of years I don't think.
I owned a Motorola phone once. Never again. Moto is on The List, along with Sony, for companies I will never deal with ever again. I thought maybe after Google bought them it might change things but even Google gave up trying to shake up that disease vector and dumped them off to Lenovo.
I owned a Motorola phone once. Never again. Moto is on The List, along with Sony, for companies I will never deal with ever again. I thought maybe after Google bought them it might change things but even Google gave up trying to shake up that disease vector and dumped them off to Lenovo.
#12
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
#14
Thread Starter
Cottered Crank
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 15
From: Chicago
Bikes: 1954 Raleigh Sports 1974 Raleigh Competition 1969 Raleigh Twenty 1964 Raleigh LTD-3
I like Endomondo. It's the app I've been using (and participating online with friends) and am not interested in using a different app that doesn't have the features I want/need.
#16
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I owned a Motorola phone once. Never again. Moto is on The List, along with Sony, for companies I will never deal with ever again. I thought maybe after Google bought them it might change things but even Google gave up trying to shake up that disease vector and dumped them off to Lenovo.
- Motorola phones before the Google acquisition
- "Droid" branded Verizon phones
- Phones built after the Google acquisition: the Moto X and Moto G
Historically, Motorola's build quality has always been at the top of the pack for Android phones. It was was their software and ass-backwards bootloader locking crap that ruined the phones. Neither of these problems exist with the "Moto" series, and they're 95% stock, with the remaining 5% being great enhancements.
Sincerely,
3 time "Nexus" owner
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 664
From: Massachusetts
OK, how to say this. The Nexus 4 is a great phone.
As you've noted, post 4.3, you've got the HW/SW to talk to a Bluetooth 4.0 LE device, aka Bluetooth Smart, device. Awesome.
And you've decided that you will only use ONE app, Endomondo.
And you aren't happy that that app on that platform only supports a heart rate monitor, you want it to support a speed/cadence sensor too.
Terrific.
Then you'll want to ask in an Endomondo support forum which speed/cadence device they might support on Android someday.
You locked yourself in. Good luck.
-mr. bill
As you've noted, post 4.3, you've got the HW/SW to talk to a Bluetooth 4.0 LE device, aka Bluetooth Smart, device. Awesome.
And you've decided that you will only use ONE app, Endomondo.
And you aren't happy that that app on that platform only supports a heart rate monitor, you want it to support a speed/cadence sensor too.
Terrific.
Then you'll want to ask in an Endomondo support forum which speed/cadence device they might support on Android someday.
You locked yourself in. Good luck.
-mr. bill
#18
Full Member

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 379
Likes: 26
One method i would suggest is to use the "IpBike" application running on a phone supporting the BLE. I use it on Samsung Galaxy S3 with Android 4.3. It works lot of other Android phones, has very generous trial period, then $8. It turns your phone into the highest Garmin with better screen, and the results can be loaded into many sharing apps, e.g. Strava or Endomondo. The beta driver supports any of ANT+, BT and BLE. The app like Endomondo may have it's own limitation.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TimothyH
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
27
01-02-17 03:48 AM
GravelMN
Road Cycling
1
04-23-16 08:36 PM
Pakiwi
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
3
11-24-13 02:45 PM





