This article is for SmartSense Gen 2. For SmartSense Gen 1, click here.
Cannondale’s SmartSense is an intelligent system of lights, radar, and electronic shifting that actively communicates with the rider, bike, and surroundings, powered by a single battery. The SmartSense ecosystem allows riders to truly appreciate every ride with peace of mind by reducing distractions and increasing awareness. With its centralized system and single power source, SmartSense is an essential part of an easy and efficient routine.
This Quick Start Guide is meant to show you how to use SmartSense and get out on the open road.
Charging your SmartSense Battery
- The SmartSense battery can be charged with any charger using a USB-C cable or a USB-A port on a laptop.
- NOTE: USB-C ports on laptops will not charge the battery. (A fully depleted battery takes around 2.5 hours to charge with a 20W or more charger. Less powerful chargers will take a longer time)
- The battery will begin charging when connected to a charger, and the LED around the port will illuminate to indicate power flow.
- The battery can be used as a charging device for a phone or head unit when not in its dock
- NOTE: Some devices, such as iPhones, may require a double-press on the battery to enable charging.
- Charging pattern meanings:
- PULSE: System is charging
- BLUE + RED FLASH: Minor Error | Check charging port for water or other contaminants. The battery may also be too hot or too cold to charge
- GREEN + RED FLASHING: Permanent failure | Please contact Cannondale customer support
Getting started with the Cannondale app
SmartSense will work on its own on the bike, but we recommend pairing with the Cannondale app. Make sure you download or update to the latest version of the Cannondale app for iOS or Android from the App Store. Be sure to also have your Synapse nearby.
- Download the latest version of the app
- Log in or create a new account
- Go to Garage > Add Bike > Add Using Device
- Tap on your SmartSense device (Varia eRTL61x) in the list
- The bike will be added to your garage, and the SmartSense card will say “SETUP NEEDED” - tap on the card and follow instructions to complete pairing SmartSense to your phone.
- Setup will require your SmartSense to be in PAIRING MODE - the status LED on the radar will flash purple when you are in this state. To enter pairing mode, hold the button on the radar for 7 seconds while the system is asleep.
- You can explore all of the SmartSense settings in the Garage or use the Ride screen to control commonly used settings while riding.
Turn SmartSense On/Off via any of the following
- By just riding! Start riding, and the wheel sensor will wake up the system automatically (Auto Wake feature)
- In this case it will turn off automatically when you stop for more than five minutes
- By installing the battery into the downtube of the bike. The system will automatically turn on.
- By a 3 second button hold on the taillight button (if the battery is already installed, and the system is in sleep mode)
- By tapping the SmartSense power button in the Cannondale app to turn on.
- SmartSense can also be turned off in the following ways:
- manually at any time by a 3 second button hold on the taillight
- removing the battery from the bike
- via the Cannondale app
Battery
- Press the button on the SmartSense battery to show its battery level (this works if the battery is on or off the bike)
- Different colors around the charge port indicate different levels of battery:
| Color | Battery Percentage |
| Green | 100%-61% |
| Yellow | 60%-31% |
| Red | 30%-6% |
| Flashing Red Once Per Second | 5%-0% |
- Precise battery level percentage can be viewed in the Cannondale app
- Expected battery runtime is over 24 hours in the most efficient modes, and approximately 4 hours with the system on full brightness
Deep Sleep Mode
- After two weeks of inactivity, the SmartSense system will go into Deep Sleep
- To wake from Deep Sleep, remove the battery and reinstall it
- When in Deep Sleep, users will not be able to turn the system on from their phones or wheel sensor. It will appear “not connected”, and it can only be turned on by removing and reinstalling the battery.
- If the battery does not respond, it could be in Shipping Mode, in which case charging the battery then pressing the button on the battery should wake it up.
Lights
The default light modes are as follows.
| MODES | |||
| Mode Number | Headlight Mode / Brightness | Taillight Mode / Brightness | Estimated Battery Life (Hours) |
| International | |||
| 1 | Flash Low | Day Flash | >24 |
| 2 | Solid Low | Solid High | 14 |
| 3 | Flash Medium | Peloton (Solid, Low Power) | 19 |
| 4 | Solid High | Night Flash | 4 |
| StVZO* | |||
| 1 | Solid Low | Solid High | 15 |
| 2 | Off | Solid High | >24 |
| 3 | Solid High | Solid High | 8 |
| 4 | Off | Solid High | >24 |
- Use the app to see your current light mode, select your light modes directly, or customize the light patterns
- You can also use a short button press on the taillight to cycle through the modes
- With React to Radar turned on, all light patterns change to a high visibility flash when cars approach
- *Some European regions SmartSense comes with StVZO-compliant lights. StVZO regulations restrict how lights may appear (for example, blinking or flashing patterns are prohibited)
Radar
- Senses when vehicles approach from behind
- There are 2 different ways to interact with the SmartSense radar:
- Cannondale App Ride Screen
- Use the Cannondale app and press Start Ride
- Approaching vehicles will appear on the Ride screen
- Audio alerts will sound through the phone speaker or connected headphones
- Bike computer head unit (Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead, etc.)
- Radar broadcasts ANT+, set it up directly from your head unit as with other Garmin Varia Radars
- SmartSense must be on for the Radar to get power. When choosing to add a new sensor to your computer, SmartSense will appear as a Garmin eRTL61x. This must be done when the system is on. NOTE: The radar should not need to be put into pairing mode. However, if the radar does not appear on your bike computer, turn off the radar and then hold the button on the taillight for 7 seconds until the status LED flashes purple and try again.
- SmartSense will share radar information, battery level, and taillight mode over ANT+
- Cannondale App Ride Screen
Radar alert colors:
- Green = No vehicle is detected
- Amber = Vehicle is approaching from behind
- Red = Vehicle is approaching at a high rate of speed
- Red (when no vehicles are approaching) = Device error
SmartSense Settings
-
Auto Wake: SmartSense will turn on when the Wheel Sensor detects motion. SmartSense can always be turned on using the app, or the button on the radar.
- When SmartSense wakes up, it defaults to the same mode as when the system was turned Off. These modes can be customized in the app.
- Auto Power Saver: At 15% lights enter Low Power Mode. At 10% radar turns off. At 5% lights turn off. If your battery powers your shifters, those will remain powered until the battery reaches 0%. These thresholds can be customized in the app.
- React to Radar Targets: Lights will react to cars approaching from behind, to make you more visible. (On by default)
- Radar Audio & Visual Display Options: Turn on visual or audio alerts, show alerts on left or right side of screen
- StashPort light brightness: Three levels of brightness of the light