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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. 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 manufactured the main system processor. They have spent more time on their BLE components in the past decade. The...

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...