ANT+#
ANT+ is the primary wireless protocol connecting on-bike sensors to head units in this setup. It is a managed interoperability programme built on top of the ANT radio protocol — devices from different manufacturers can communicate as long as they implement the same ANT+ device profile.
In the Network#
ANT+ carries all sensor-to-head-unit data on both bikes. The Garmin Edge MTB is the central ANT+ receiver, aggregating data from every sensor into a single .fit activity file.
Canyon Grizl CF 8 Di2#
| Link | Profile | Data |
|---|---|---|
| Favero Assioma Pro MX → Garmin Edge MTB | Power Meter | Power (W), cadence, L/R balance |
| Shimano GRX Di2 → Garmin Edge MTB | Shifting (D-Fly) | Gear position, Di2 battery level |
| Garmin Varia RTL515 → Garmin Edge MTB | Radar | Vehicle detection, alert level |
| Garmin Edge MTB → Watchlink | ANT+ Display | Aggregated ride data |
Transition Relay Alloy PNW#
| Link | Profile | Data |
|---|---|---|
| Fazua Ride 60 → Garmin Edge MTB | E-Bike | Assist mode, battery %, power, cadence |
| Garmin Edge MTB → Watchlink | ANT+ Display | Aggregated ride data |
Key Specifications#
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Frequency band | 2.4 GHz ISM (2400–2524 MHz) |
| Channel spacing | 1 MHz |
| Data rate | 1 Mbps (physical layer) |
| Typical message rate | 4 Hz (sensor) — 1 message per 250 ms |
| Simultaneous channels | Up to 8 per device (hardware-dependent) |
| Typical range | 3–10 m |
| Topology | Broadcast (1 transmitter : many receivers) |
| Power consumption | Ultra-low — µA idle, mA transmit |
Why ANT+ for Cycling Sensors#
ANT+ uses a broadcast model: a sensor transmits continuously, and any compatible receiver can listen without forming an explicit connection. This means:
- The Favero Assioma Pro MX can transmit simultaneously to the Garmin Edge MTB, the Watchlink, and any other ANT+ device within range — with no pairing limit
- The Garmin Edge MTB can receive from all sensors at once on separate channels
- Adding a new sensor does not require re-pairing existing devices
This is why ANT+ dominates cycling sensors while Bluetooth LE (connection-based, typically 1:1) is used for secondary consumer devices like the Apple Watch.
ANT+ Device Profiles Used#
| Profile | Used By |
|---|---|
| Power Meter | Favero Assioma Pro MX |
| Shifting | Shimano GRX Di2 (via D-Fly module) |
| Radar | Garmin Varia RTL515 |
| E-Bike | Fazua Ride 60 |
| ANT+ Display | Watchlink (receives from Garmin Edge MTB) |
Relationship to ANT#
ANT+ is the managed profile layer. The underlying radio protocol is ANT (by Dynastream / Garmin). ANT defines the physical layer, channel model, and message format. ANT+ adds standardised device profiles so interoperability works across brands.