Garmin Speed Sensor 2 and Cadence Sensor 2: Compact and Reliable
Garmin's second-gen speed and cadence sensors are small, lightweight, and ANT+/Bluetooth dual-transmit. Worth upgrading from the original?
Built like a tank — premium reliability — main trade-off is pro pedigree
$APPEALS
74.5/100
Price
30
$APPEALS Performance Radar
8-axis 10-point scoring (P-A-P-P-E-A-L-S). Per-category weighted.
$APPEALS Score
74.5 / 100
- Price:
- Pricing competitiveness within the category, value retention, total cost of ownership
- Availability:
- Channel coverage, supply stability, after-sales service accessibility
- Packaging:
- Industrial design, build finish, accessory completeness, unboxing experience
- Performance:
- Category-defining core performance — accuracy, power, range, speed, sensitivity
- Ease of Use:
- Setup difficulty, daily-use UX, app quality, learning curve, configurability
- Assurance:
- Build durability, water/dust rating, warranty policy, long-term reliability
- Life Cycle:
- Battery life, consumable cost, firmware support, residual value, repairability
- Social:
- Brand prestige, WorldTour adoption, professional rider endorsement, community
Hardware Spec Sheet
7/11 fields filled (64%) · ComponentsBasic Info
- Brand
- Garmin
- Model
- Speed Sensor 2
- Release Year
- 2018
- Price
- 30
- Weight
- 5
- Warranty
- 1 year
Material
- Material
- —
- Weight
- 5
Size
- Dimensions
- —
Appearance
- Color Options
- —
Compatibility
- Compatibility
- —
Garmin's Speed Sensor 2 and Cadence Sensor 2 are second-generation versions of the company's hub-mounted speed sensor and crank-arm-mounted cadence sensor. The original sensors launched in 2012 and have been bestsellers…
Pros
- Assurance 9.0/10
- Life Cycle 8.0/10
- Ease of Use 7.7/10
Cons
- Social 5.0/10
- Performance 7.0/10
- Packaging 7.0/10
On this page (4 sections)
Garmin's Speed Sensor 2 and Cadence Sensor 2 are second-generation versions of the company's hub-mounted speed sensor and crank-arm-mounted cadence sensor. The original sensors launched in 2012 and have been bestsellers ever since.
What changed in v2
The v2 sensors add dual ANT+/Bluetooth transmission (the original was ANT+ only). This means the sensors can broadcast to a head unit (ANT+) and a phone (Bluetooth) simultaneously. For riders who want both a bike computer and a phone app tracking their ride, this is a real improvement.
Speed sensor accuracy
The Speed Sensor 2 attaches to the wheel hub and counts wheel revolutions. With proper calibration (inputting your tire circumference), accuracy is ±1% vs. GPS-based speed. This is more accurate than GPS for steady-state riding and works indoors on a trainer.
Cadence sensor accuracy
The Cadence Sensor 2 attaches to the crank arm and detects each pedal stroke via accelerometer. Accuracy is ±1 RPM vs. power-meter-derived cadence. For most riders, this is excellent.
The verdict
Garmin's Speed Sensor 2 and Cadence Sensor 2 are the best-of-class for the price ($39 each, or $75 for the bundle). The dual ANT+/Bluetooth transmission, year-long battery, and proven reliability make them the right choice for most riders. If you already have a power meter with cadence, the cadence sensor is redundant. If you have a smart trainer with virtual cadence, both are redundant. For wheel-on trainers or older bikes without electronics, these sensors are essential.
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