Bike mode does not record distance

Hi I have a Fenix 5s and have used it well for a couple of years. I use it for different sports and not had any problems. 

But for a couple of rides since I got the bike out this year it won't record distance. So I select bike, it gets GPS, goes green. Press start and time begins but it's not recording distance. It does say my HR data - it syncs with HR tri-strap. 

I tried stopping and starting again but no difference. Also, this happened once last week then was fine for a couple of rides and didn't work again today.

I have a new Tacx speed and cadence sensor on bike - could this be the problem? 

Cheers

  • EDIT:

    Your GPS distance metric for your outdoor bike activity is 100% received from the GPS satellites your watch is connected to unless you add the speed and cadence sensor. At that point, your distance issue behavior is likely your speed and cadence sensor. With using your speed and cadence sensor being used, your wheel diameter setting is critical since it will replace the GPS distance with the sensor acquired data.

    Based on your wording, it sounds like your issue is coming and going? Which is why my gut instinct is a sensor issue. vs with your Fenix 5 watch itself. Unless you identify an ANT+ issue overall with your watch. You can try to address the issue as potentially being your watch with the following troubleshooting.

    There are two things you can try:

    - Soft reset: hold down your top left power button until your watch shuts off then let go

    - Full master reset: How to Reset my Garmin Outdoor watch?

  • Chris, if a speed sensor is connected to the watch, what does it give ? Only speed ? Not distance ? I thought a speed sensor on the wheel gives speed and distance the same way sensor do on regular odometers.

    i do not see the point of having a speed sensor giving speed while the gps data im the watch giving distance and time elapsed (which equatea to speed).

  • The speed sensor is just there for when I use the bike on turbo but I do want to know cadence when on the roads. I'm a relative newbie cyclist and cadence is something I'm working on.

    I found out by experimenting that if I switch the Tacx off then Garmin WILL work so it is the issue. If the tacx is connected then the distance is not recorded. BUT!!!  Both did work last week...!?? I wonder if it's because I also use a Garmin Tri HRM?? My next test is to disconnect the HRM and see if the Garmin will then measure cadence from the sensor AND distance. 

  • Hi, go through your sensor settings. From the beginning (looking at time of day on your watchface) hold down the menu button (left side, middle) a few seconds then you see the menu. Scroll up to Settings and select it hitting upper right button. Scroll down to "Sensor & Accessories". Scroll down here and look through any of these sensors have their Speed and also Distance set the way you want, which I think for tacx would be Indoor or Never if you prefer to use GPS for outdoor activity.

  • On my Fenix 5X, under Settings for Speed sensor, there are no parameter to choose. The options are: Connect, Status (Search or deactivate), wheel dimension and Name. No parameters to select indoor or other. My understanding from Chris (see above) is that when GPS is active, distance is 100% from GPS data. My question is then: what use is the Speed sensor outdoors ? 

  • If you are actively using your speed and cadence sensor for each outdoor bike and not using your watch solely for distance using GPS, then your issue is possibly an issue with your speed and cadence sensor ANT+ connectivity with your watch.

    I apologize for initially misunderstanding in my initial response above. I have edited it.

  • No need for speed from the tacx unless on the turbo trainer: but the tacx speed and cadence sensor is the same/one device and I do want to know cadence. I have done a ride where I have managed to record all this on my Garmin.. . But other rides it hasn't which is what I can't understand?! 

  • I will try a couple more tests if there is no snow tomorrow. Thank you. 

  • Hi there,

    I have the exact same problem. It started about 2-3 weeks ago. Have you found any solution?

  • Not yet but I'm going to try a few tests tomorrow - do you have any other sensors connected to your watch?