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Using a Smart Bike Trainer With Your Garmin Watch or Edge Device
Smart trainers, like the Tacx Flux and Neo series, allow you to connect the trainer to third-party apps and compatible Garmin devices to simulate your favorite courses, activities, or workouts using the resistance of the trainer.
What Smart Trainers Are Compatible With My Garmin Fitness Device
Any smart trainer, including those from Tacx, with an ANT+ FE-C protocol will connect with a compatible Garmin fitness device.
What Garmin Devices Can Connect to a Smart Trainer?
Garmin offers a number of different models that can connect to a smart trainer. Choose an option below to learn more.
Compatible Garmin Edge Information
Mid to high range models like the Edge 130 Plus/ 520 / 520 Plus / 530 / 830 / 1030 / 1030 Plus will pair with a smart trainer. This is typically done from the training settings on the device. For compatibility and specific pairing instructions, refer to your owner's manual.
What Kind of Control Do I Have When My Edge Is Paired With a Smart Trainer?
Data display, controlling the trainer, and automatic resistance adjustments when following a course are a few features that you will see when using a compatible Edge with a smart trainer. This video from our Garmin YouTube channel is an example of what you will see when using the Edge 520.
Your Edge will allow you to control the smart trainer by selecting one of these options:
Follow a Course: Simulate a course saved to your Edge from a previously recorded ride using GPS and elevation data.
Follow an Activity: Repeat a previously recorded activity on the Edge as a workout.
Follow a Workout: Use a structured workout created in Garmin Connect or other compatible third-party apps.
Set Resistance: Choose a specific resistance level represented by a bar graph.
Set Target Power: Set a specific wattage for a workout.
Compatible Garmin Watch Information
The following watches will provide options to connect with a smart trainer as described above.
D2 Mach 1
Desent Mk2 series
Descent G1 Series
Enduro
epix (Gen 2) series
Forerunner 255 Series
Forerunner 745
Forerunner 945 (minimum software version 5.00)
Forerunner 945 LTE
Forerunner 955/955 Solar
fenix 6 series (minimum software version 11.00)
fenix 7 series
Instinct 2 series
MARQ Collection (minimum software version 11.00)
tactix 7 series
tactix Delta series (minimum software version 11.00)
What Kind of Control Do I Have When My Watch Is Paired With a Smart Trainer?
Some Garmin watches have the ability to connect and control the resistance of a smart trainer. Pairing your watch with a smart trainer will provide you with the following options:
Free Ride - Watch is connected to the trainer and records trainer metrics. Used when not doing a specific workout or course
Follow Workout - Used when following a downloaded workout that includes specific workout targets
Follow Course - Used when following a course that is downloaded to the watch. The trainer's resistance will change to match the course's elevation changes
Set Power - Sets the trainer to a specific wattage and holds that value for the entire activity
Set Grade - Sets the trainer to a specific grade and holds that value for the entire activity
Set Resistance - Sets the trainer's resistance to a specific value between 1-100%. Resistance is set in 10% increments
How Do I Connect My Smart Trainer With My Watch?
There are two ways to pair a smart trainer with your watch.
Pairing via Bike Indoor Profile
Press START and select Bike Indoor.
Press and hold the UP button.
Select Smart Trainer Options.
Select a training option.
Plug in or pedal to wake up your trainer.
When found, select your trainer to complete pairing.
Pairing via Sensors & Accessories Menu
Press and hold the UP button.
Scroll down and select Sensor & Accessories.
Select Add New.
Select Smart Trainer.
Plug in or pedal to wake up your trainer.
When found, select your trainer to complete the pairing.