Not necessarily — if your computer has built-in Bluetooth and your trainer supports Bluetooth FE-C, you can connect directly without a dongle. However, ANT+ generally handles multiple simultaneous device connections, like trainer, heart rate strap, and cadence sensor together, more reliably than Bluetooth on many laptops, so a lot of riders still add this dongle for a steadier connection, especially on Windows desktops without Bluetooth.

It works with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and XP as well as Mac OS, and pairs with any major cycling platform that supports ANT+, including Zwift, TrainerRoad, Rouvy, and similar apps.

It's a genuine plug-and-play device — simply plug it into a free USB port, and most training apps detect it automatically without any manual driver installation.

The stick has a 360-degree rotatable base and a 90-degree hinge on the antenna so you can angle it for the best signal path; if you still get intermittent dropouts, try a USB extension cable to bring the dongle closer to your trainer rather than leaving it tucked behind your laptop, since line of sight makes a real difference to ANT+ range.

Yes, a single ANT+ stick can typically receive signals from your trainer, a separate power meter, cadence sensor, and heart rate monitor simultaneously, as long as your training app supports pairing multiple ANT+ channels.

Yes, every ANT+ dongle sold through DoGoodCo is a genuine ThinkRider product, GST-inclusive in price, and backed by standard manufacturer support against defects.