Setup for Basic Bike Trainers and Indoor Cycling Apps

Even though basic (or non-smart) trainers lack the built-in technology to simulate resistance like a smart trainer, they are still compatible with indoor cycling apps with the use of a speed sensor. The only difference is you control the resistance.

To make any basic trainer smart compatible, all you need is a speed sensor on your bike and you are ready to ride.

By connecting with a speed sensor, you are able to get speed readings as well as power data from most apps (power is based off the known power curve of each trainer and calculated using your current speed).

Though basic trainers require, at minimum, a speed sensor to connect, you can also use a power meter to connect to your training app of choice.

Step 1

Choose Your Platform

Windows Mac / iOS / Apple TV Android


Step 2

Choose Your Technology

ANT+ Bluetooth


Step 3

Choose Your Indoor Cycling App

Rouvy Zwift

Windows 8 or 10* with Integrated Bluetooth

* This will not work with Windows OS that have been upgraded to 8 or 10. The device must have Windows 8 or 10 inherently.

  1. Mount a Bluetooth capable speed sensor onto your bike and secure your bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Rouvy app for Windows.
  3. Login or create a new account.
  4. On your PC, go to the Windows Start menu and select: Settings > Devices > Bluetooth
  5. Toggle the Bluetooth to "on."
  6. Spin wheel to activate sensor
  7. Select the appropriate Bluetooth sensor when it appears.
  8. In Rouvy, go to Settings > Trainers & Sensors > Select Trainer
  9. Select your trainer from the provided list of trainers.
  10. This will open the Sensor Scan Window. Spin your wheel to activate the sensor.
  11. Select your sensors from the list.
  12. Get ready to ride.


Windows 7 or Older with Bluetooth Dongle
  1. Mount a Bluetooth capable speed sensor onto your bike and secure your bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Rouvy app for Windows.
  3. Connect a BlueGiga Dongle to the computer.
  4. Login or create a new account.
  5. In Rouvy, go to Settings > Trainers & Sensors
  6. Under “Bike General” settings, toggle the “BlueGiga Dongle instead of integrated Windows Bluetooth Manager” to green.
  7. Select your trainer from the provided list of trainers.
  8. This will open the Sensor Scan Window. Spin your wheel to activate the sensor.
  9. Select your sensors from the list.
  10. Get ready to ride.
Windows with ANT+
  1. Mount an ANT+ capable speed sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Rouvy app for Windows.
  3. Connect a USB ANT+ stick to the computer.
  4. Login or Create a new account
  5. In Rouvy, go to Settings > Trainers & Sensors > Select Trainer
  6. Select your trainer from the provided list of trainers.
  7. This will open the Sensor Scan Window. Spin your wheel to activate the sensor.
  8. Select your sensors from the list.
  9. Get ready to ride.
Apple iOS (iPad and iPhone*) with Bluetooth

* Works with iPad Gen 3 and iPhone 4S or newer.

  1. Mount a Bluetooth capable speed sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Rouvy app for iOS.
  3. Ensure Bluetooth setting on device is “on.”
  4. Login or Create a new account.
  5. In Rouvy, go to Settings > Trainers & Sensors > Select Trainer
  6. Select your trainer from the provided list of trainers.
  7. This will open the Sensor Scan Window. Spin your wheel to activate the sensor.
  8. Select your sensors from the list.
  9. Get ready to ride.

Mac with Bluetooth

Rouvy is not compatible with Mac at this time.

Apple iOS (iPad and iPhone) with ANT+*

* To access an ANT+ signal on an iPhone or iPad you will need an ANT+ dongle. These dongles use the older 30-pin port on iOS devices. iPad Gen 4 and iPhone 5 or newer devices require a 30-pin to lightning adapter to connect the dongle.

  1. Mount an ANT+ capable speed sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Rouvy app for iOS.
  3. Connect an ANT+ dongle to your device.
  4. Login or Create a new account.
  5. In Rouvy, go to Settings > Trainers & Sensors > Select Trainer
  6. Select your trainer from the provided list of trainers.
  7. This will open the Sensor Scan Window. Spin your wheel to activate the sensor.
  8. Select your sensors from the list.
  9. Get ready to ride.

Mac with ANT+

Rouvy is not compatible with Mac at this time.

Android with Bluetooth*

* Compatible with Android devices with Bluetooth 4.0 or higher.

  1. Mount a Bluetooth capable speed sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Rouvy app for Android.
  3. Ensure Bluetooth setting on device is “on.”
  4. Login or Create a new account.
  5. In Rouvy, go to Settings > Trainers & Sensors > Select Trainer
  6. Select your trainer from the provided list of trainers.
  7. This will open the Sensor Scan Window. Spin your wheel to activate the sensor.
  8. Select your sensors from the list.
  9. Get ready to ride.
Android with ANT+
  1. Mount an ANT+ capable speed sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the following apps from the Google Play Store.

  3. If necessary, connect an USB ANT+ stick and USB micro adapter to your device*.
  4. Login or Create a new account
  5. In Rouvy, go to Settings > Virtual Bike
  6. Select Your Trainer
  7. This will open the Sensor Scan Window. Spin your wheel to activate the sensor.
  8. Select your sensors from the list.
  9. Get ready to ride.

* Many Android devices such as Samsung and Sony have integrated ANT+ and would not require an ANT+ USB stick. Check the manufacturer's specs for more information.


Windows with Bluetooth

* Zwift does not currently communicate directly with Windows Bluetooth and the Companion app will need to be used as a bridge. Learn more at Zwift.com.

  1. Mount a Bluetooth capable sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Zwift app for Windows and the Zwift Companion app for your iPhone or Android device.
  3. Login or Create a new account.
  4. Connect the companion app to your PC via WiFi.
  5. Select the “Let’s Go” icon to enter the pairing menu.
  6. Under the speed sensor option, select Search.
  7. Spin your wheel to active the sensor.
  8. Select your sensor when it appears.
  9. Choose the correct trainer from the provided list.
  10. Get ready to ride.
Windows with ANT+
  1. Mount an ANT+ capable sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Zwift app for Windows.
  3. Make sure a USB ANT+ stick is plugged into device.
  4. Login or Create a new account.
  5. Select the “Let’s Go” icon to enter the pairing menu.
  6. Under the speed sensor option, select Search.
  7. Spin your wheel to active the sensor.
  8. Select your sensor when it appears.
  9. Choose the correct trainer from the provided list.
  10. Get ready to ride.
iPhone/iPad/Apple TV* with Bluetooth

* Zwift is only compatible with the Apple TV 4K version.

  1. Mount a Bluetooth capable speed sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Zwift app.
  3. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iOS device.
  4. Login or Create a new account.
  5. Select the “Let’s Go” icon to enter the pairing menu.
  6. Under the speed sensor option, select Search.
  7. Spin your wheel to active the sensor.
  8. Select your sensor when it appears.
  9. Choose the correct trainer from the provided list.
  10. Get ready to ride.

Mac with Bluetooth
  1. Mount a Bluetooth capable speed sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Zwift app for Mac.
  3. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Mac.
  4. Login or Create a new account.
  5. Select the “Let’s Go” icon to enter the pairing menu.
  6. Under the speed sensor option, select Search.
  7. Spin your wheel to active the sensor.
  8. Select your sensor when it appears.
  9. Choose the correct trainer from the provided list.
  10. Get ready to ride.
Apple iOS (iPad and iPhone) with ANT+

Zwift for iOS only works with Bluetooth signals.

Mac with ANT+
  1. Mount an ANT+ capable speed sensor onto bike and secure bike to the trainer.
  2. Download the Zwift app for Mac.
  3. Make sure a USB ANT+ stick is plugged into device.
  4. Login or Create a new account.
  5. Select the “Let’s Go” icon to enter the pairing menu.
  6. Under the speed sensor option, select Search.
  7. Spin your wheel to active the sensor.
  8. Select your sensor when it appears.
  9. Choose the correct trainer from the provided list.
  10. Get ready to ride.
Android with Bluetooth

Zwift does not have an official release for the Android platform.

For further information, please visit zwift.com or email support@zwift.com.

Android with ANT+

Zwift does not have an official release for the Android platform.

For further information, please visit zwift.com or email support@zwift.com.