# Trying rollers... speed sensor required? **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Created:** [September 16, 2022, 3:05pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/trying-rollers-speed-sensor-required/76068 "2022-09-16T15:05:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![swag72](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/swag72/32/7757_2.png) [@swag72](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/swag72)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 3:05pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/trying-rollers-speed-sensor-required/76068/1 "2022-09-16T15:05:26Z")
I have been using a smart trainer for a couple of years but want to try rollers instead and use my day to day bike. I have a power meter already on my bike and have linked into TP and it picks up my power meter and HR sensor. Do i need to buy a speed sensor as well? ---
**Author:** ![splash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@splash](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/splash)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 3:46pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/trying-rollers-speed-sensor-required/76068/2 "2022-09-16T15:46:34Z")
If you train by power numbers, no. Just use your power meter. Why would you want to know the speed? ---
**Author:** ![swag72](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/swag72/32/7757_2.png) [@swag72](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/swag72)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 3:48pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/trying-rollers-speed-sensor-required/76068/3 "2022-09-16T15:48:43Z")
When my training is uploaded to Strava it gives me a speed figure… i just assumed I’d need a speed sensor in order to get this? If i just use my power meter will Strava give a speed? ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 3:52pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/trying-rollers-speed-sensor-required/76068/4 "2022-09-16T15:52:06Z")
TrainerRoad just added an option to estimate and output “speed & distance” values, via an estimated power curve calculation. It’s somewhere in the web user settings. I can’t check right now to give better directions, but it’s there. ---
**Author:** ![splash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@splash](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/splash)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 4:03pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/trying-rollers-speed-sensor-required/76068/5 "2022-09-16T16:03:57Z")
Yes, you’re not going to get a speed number on strava. But considering you’re not actually going anywhere, is that a problem? If you use a speed sensor on rollers (especially rollers without resistance), you can quite easily get ridiculous wheel speeds. It might be good for bragging, but I’m not sure it actually means anything. ---
**Author:** ![mcneese.chad](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mcneese.chad/32/15056_2.png) [@mcneese.chad](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mcneese.chad)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/trying-rollers-speed-sensor-required/76068/6 "2022-09-16T16:25:44Z")
There’s no need to rehash the speed & distance discussion here. If it’s data they want, there’s ways to get it. The how and why behind it are irrelevant and up to them. * * * To circle back and give the two options in full detail: 1. Add a speed sensor to the bike, connect that device to TR, make sure you have the correct wheel size set in the TR app, and you will get speed and distance data into Strava from your TR workouts. 2. Go to the TR website and log in. Open the Account page, then Ride Sync, then Strava Settings, turn on “Virtual Speed and Distance”. All future rides will estimate S&D from your power data. It works well and is a better estimate than the pure wheel rotation data provided by option #1 above. > **[How to Enable Virtual Speed and Distance for Strava](https://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/7246322901019-How-to-Enable-Virtual-Speed-and-Distance-for-Strava)** > > If you train indoors you’ve probably noticed that your TrainerRoad workouts sometimes show unrealistic speed and distance data on Strava. This is because the speed reported by your indoor trainer, ... ---
**Author:** ![swag72](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/swag72/32/7757_2.png) [@swag72](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/swag72)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/trying-rollers-speed-sensor-required/76068/7 "2022-09-16T19:52:50Z")
Brilliant guys… thanks for your help 👍🏻👍🏻