Review: Wahoo Fitness Blue SC

If you are a recreational cyclist, you will appreciate this. If you are a cycling nut, you may already own it.

The Wahoo Fitness Blue SC is the first Bluetooth cycling sensor that tracks cycling speed, cadence (number of revolutions of the crank per minute) and distance travelled via an app, according to its maker.

In the box, you will find the Wahoo Blue SC sensor with an adjustable arm for sensing the rear wheel turning, a rubber band, two zip ties, a pedal magnet and a spoke magnet.

There is no instruction manual in the box, only a QR code that leads you to the Wahoo Fitness website. But you can find the installation video easily on YouTube.

First, place the sensor on the bicycle's rear left chain stay (the part of the frame that runs parallel to the chain), near the pedal, with the logo outwards and the arm of the sensor facing downwards and inside the rear chain stay. Use a 2mm Allen wrench to loosen and tighten the arm.

Next, secure the sensor in position using either the rubber band or zip ties included. The rubber band is a better option, as you will need to re-position the sensor later on.

Now, to install the magnets. On the same side of the bicycle as you placed the sensor, remove the pedal and slip the pedal magnet into the crank with the magnetic side (the side with the bulge) facing the sensor. Align the sensor such that the magnet passes by the indicator line on the sensor. The magnet must be within 4mm of the sensor for a reading to be effected. Once this is done, re-install the pedal.

The wheel magnet has a screw on it that allows it to be installed on any spoke of the bike's rear wheel. Finally, tighten the screw on the wheel magnet.

Download the Wahoo Fitness app (Android or iOS) to your smartphone. Switch on the Bluetooth connection, launch the app and create your profile. Use the pedal to turn the crank arm and "wake up" the sensor. The pairing will be done in no time if the sensor and magnets are properly aligned.

Now, your smartphone is a bike computer, recording the speed and cadence as you cycle. If you choose Start workout and select Cycling, the app will show your current speed, cadence and distance in real time. In addition, the app also logs your cycling routes via the GPS on your phone.

When you end a workout, you will be able to see a map of your route, with time taken, distance travelled and average speed displayed below.

When I took my ride on a park connector which has distances clearly marked, I could tell that the distance that the app recorded was spot on.

The app also records each workout, so you can see if you have improved over time.

Despite the initial fussy installation, the Wahoo Fitness Blue SC is an inexpensive and easy-to-use cycling sensor that will provide plenty of data to track your cycling.

trevtan@sph.com.sg

TECH SPECS

Price: $89

Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0

RATING

Design: 3

Performance: 5

Value for money: 4

Overall: 5

This article was first published on May 21, 2014.
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