PedalSmart.blog

Can You Service Sealed Bearings? Sealed bearings, like those in the SB20 flywheel, can be serviced to extend their lifespan.   ✅ Bearings with plastic dust seals are serviceable . You can remove the seal, add grease and then replace the seal in a few minutes. The Axle and Cog Bearings have plastic dust seals. This post shows you how to service them. ⚠️ The Flywheel Bearings have metal dust seals that are not easily removed. I will offer a partial servicing option in my next blog post.     What about Clicking Sounds? "Clicking sounds" are a common issue with the SB20 flywheel. This happens with the outer ring of a bearing moves side-to-side. 🔬 Stages has issued a service bulletin to address the issue:  Flywheel Bearing PTFE Application .  It tells you to spray lubricant into one bearing on each side of the flywheel.  I must admit, I am not a fan of this method. Spraying light lubricant is a half-measure. PTFE spray can dilute the grease i...

Stages SB20 Connection Issues December 17, 2025:   Zwift Release 1.104.0  has broken SB20 connections for PC, Mac, iOS and Apple TV users . 🚀 Bugs in Zwift Version 1.104.0 - NOW FIXED! UPDATE December 20, 2025: All platforms fixed with update to version  1.104.3 ✅ Apple TV - Tested and working ✅ PC/Mac - Tested and working ✅ iOS - Tested and working Here's how to check your Zwift App version number : iOS and Apple TV: Bottom right corner of login screen. Also shown in App Store. PC/Mac: Splash screen shown at start up. ------ Bug History ------ December 17, 2025:     Zwift Release 1.104.0  seriously impacts PC, Mac, iOS and Apple TV users who use Bluetooth to connect with the  Stages SB20 . Bug Summary :  The  Stages Bike  is not listed as a  Power Source  or  Resistance  controller. Here's how to recreate the problem. Turn on the SB20 Bike Start pedalling to wake up the power meter cranks Open the Zwift app ...

 STAGES SB20 DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT (2025 Update) I adjust my SB20 drive belt once a year to keep things running smoothly.  I wish this process was easier. With practice, you can complete all adjustments in less than 30 minutes. UPDATED: December 2025 - New video and pictures. Simpler procedures. 📐 These instructions augment the Stages support documents:  Belt Tension Adjustment (SB20) Flywheel Making Noises . TWO GOALS Adjusting the drive belt accomplishes a couple of things: Gets belt tension right. Optimal tension means quieter running and no slipping during hard efforts. Aligns the belt to ride as much as possible in the centre of the flywheel cogs. This reduces friction and positions the front axle perpendicular to the drive belt.  🎬 VIDEO Here's a new four minute video showing how to adjust tension and align the drive belt. The Details Part Names Here are part names related to drive belt adjustment. BELT ADJUSTMENT SUMMARY “ It’s all about the tensioners ”....

The SB20 smart bike uses both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ANT+ to wirelessly communicate with apps like Zwift.  You can get communication dropouts and glitches.  Here's how to fix them. BUT FIRST, make sure your wireless environment is optimized: Better Wireless Communication  👈👈👈 Background ANT+ was the dominant fitness protocol prior to 2020. While there is nothing wrong with ANT+, most wireless development and testing in the past 5 years has focused on the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. Stages wrote the firmware for the SB20. It preforms 3 primary wireless functions: a) Controls bike resistance - usually as requested by an app like Zwift. ? b) Gets power and cadence readings from the power meter cranks. c) Sends updates to apps like Zwift. Includes power and / or cadence depending on how you configure the app. Stages did not write the firmware components for doing wireless BLE or ANT+ communication. It was written by Nordic Semiconductor who manufactu...

Breaking a Drive Belt Tensioner Adjusting SB20 drive belt tension is something your should consider performing every couple of years. Here's how: Stages SB20 - Drive Belt Adjustments The good news: A properly adjusted belt is quieter and extends the life of the drivetrain. The bad news:  The belt tensioners ( one on each axle ) can break if you over tighten them. The tensioner bolt will typically snap next to the washer assembly 😖.   DIY Fix Getting SB20 replacement parts is challenging these days. Here's how to fix a broken tensioner. 1. Drill out the broken bolt that is welded to the tensioner ring.  2. Find replacement bolts. I recommend M5 x 1 with thread length of 30 mm. Use stainless steel if possible. If you have a hex cap bolt, you can use it directly.  If you have a round head, you will need to file one edge.  You will also need matching lock nuts. You can also use SAE bolts.  A 10-24 or 10-32 bolt with 1-1/4" thread length works well. Here's a ...

Two bikes with Different Resistance Consider these common scenarios. You have: Bought a new indoor smart bike / trainer.   Two bikes / trainers of the same brand and model. Moved a trainer from one bike to another Something is wrong . The same physical or virtual gear does not feel the same as your other bike. If you take a single set of power meter pedals and measure the power produced by each bike at a given cadence for the same virtual gear, you can easily confirm different power readings. Why is Resistance Different? Imagine for a moment, all the indoor trainers and bikes available on the market. When doing a race or free ride, each bike/trainer is controlled by an app like Zwift in the same way. Zwift will say to the bike: "Produce the appropriate resistance to simulate a 70 kg rider going up a 5% incline on an asphalt road surface" where 70 kg is the rider weight set in Zwift, and incline and road conditions are determined by Zwift according to the riding conditions i...