UKH

Due to a variety of reasons (Lockdown, increased work load and poor weather) I have found myself using the spin bike at home more and more. The bike although not one of the more premium brands is great in how it is set up however the computer is awful and temperamental at the best of times. 

What options have other people use to record their speed, cadence, distance etc whilst using their spin bike? I dont really want to purchase a turbo trainer  as I am quite happy with the spin bike itself. 

Thanks 

Hmm. On a spin bike speed and distance are zero, so that's easy. The only meaningful stats are cadence and resistance and the latter is not going to be measured by any general purpose cycling computer unless you have a power meter (I'm guessing not). So your best bet is probably to get a cheapo wired unit from say Cateye, put the speed sensor on the crank (instead of on the wheel) and you'll get something like 'distance/speed'. It'll be very low though - it'll be like you are in 1:1 gearing going up a steep hill, but at least it'll be a number you can record alongside the spin bike resistance setting (which you'll have to record manually).

Thanks bud, will take a look at that option. Sounds relatively straight forward.

Speed and distance will be meaningless.

A power meter of some kind might be the gold standard but might be difficult to integrate and calibrate with a spin bike and will be pretty expensive.

Maybe a heart rate and cadence monitor might be better. Depends what you want to do/achieve really.

Just record performance of the workout/session so that I can see improvement etc. 

Many thanks.

MrsD got some power meter pedals from Assiomo for her road rides which she really rates.

A magene wireless cadence sensor on the cranks, comnect to an app of some kind... Or a bike computer / watch. 

Good indeed, but I'm not sure the OP was looking to spend that sort of money (£400+ post-brexit I'm guessing).

She didn't say how much they cost her 😳

I have a Cateye Strada Double Wireless on my road bike which is currently sitting on a turbo trainer in the garage (and being used plenty - given the weather and the lockdown)  I have the speed/distance sensor on the rear wheel (as that's the one revolving!)  I tend to set the display to show speed and cadence as that's how I monitor my level of effort.  Works well for me!

I have the turbo fixed at maximum resistance, and use the gears to vary the effort required.

Oops.Sorry. Good thing I didn't mention the price of the double-sided option.

😬

How are these? Quite a cheap option to try.

I recently listened to a podcast where a developer launched a spinning cadence app for iOS and Android - https://montemagno.com/introducing-my-cadence-for-ios-a-simple-cadence-sens...

The app is free, but you'll need to purchase a bluetooth cadence sensor to connect to the bike.  I'm not into spinning so I'm not across all the details - hopefully the above blog is enough to point you in the right direction.

You'd think they'd just use the camera on the phone to measure the cadence: everyone's face bob's up and down a bit on each pedal stroke. Or even mount the phone on the handlebars and use the accelerometers to detect the side-to-side movement (even simpler). Unless they're just try to sell a proprietary cadence sensor?

I got one for about £12. They seem to be more now...  :/ about £14 on fleabay. About £5 on wish  guys v enough to go on my £1000 bike, but not good enough to go on the £2000 bike  

The app before should do the business. 

As an alternative, the wahoo tickr PLUS HR monitors do cadence ftom the chest strap