ANT+ digital devices

If you've been looking at getting a new bike computer or speedometer, then there is a very good chance you may have seen the term "ANT" or "ANT+" listed as a feature of many devices now available on the market.

What is ANT and ANT+

ANT+ is a protocol or a set of rules that determine how two digital wireless devices talk to each other.

ANT+ is being taken up by the likes of Trek, Power Tap, I-Bike, Bontrager, Giant and many others as the standard for wireless computers and measurement devices. ANT+ now offers the ability for many different brands of devices to communicate with each other seamlessly, a refreshing change in a sector full of proprietary, non-interchangeable systems. With an ANT+ enabled computer you are in theory able to add as many sensors as that computer will allow.

To read more about ANT+ visit www.thisisant.com

Why would I want ANT+

For example, if you are riding a current model Trek Madone 4.5, you are able to fit a Bontrager "Duo Trap" Cadence and speed sensor that mounts inside the rear of the frame. You could also have a "Power Tap" rear hub which measures your power output from the rear wheel. Both of these different branded sensors can then be read by almost any computer that is ANT+ compatible for instance a Garmin GPS based computer.
So we have a Bontrager Cadence and Speed Sensor, a Cycle-Ops Power Tap Sensor and a Garmin Heart Rate strap all working together seamlessly and all the information from all the sensors displayed on the one screen.

Similarly in another example, a triathlete can have an ANT+ enabled GPS watch that will collect information from a foot pod when running, from speed and cadence sensors when on the bike and then utilise the Satellite positioning and a heart rate strap the whole time to give you data for all disciplines performed during the race.

Another plus using any ANT+ device is that each device has its own unique ID code which means that there is now no chance of your computer picking up on other devices that are in range, and interference from non-cycling related devices like traffic lights and power lines is drastically reduced to almost nothing.

It's nice when things are simple and easy. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at the shop.

For a list of ANT+ devices we stock click here.

Cheers
Raenier