Karoo3 - Wrong distance/speed recorded
In January 2026, I purchased a Karoo3 model BC-KA-B1 and have used it with satisfaction on several occasions.
However, I must point out that on some last rides, the device records an enormous distance, which is truly disproportionate to the distance actually covered.
On 7 March 2026, I went on a ride of about 35 km and a distance of 262.2 km was recorded, with an average speed of 111.6 km/h (I was on an e-bike, OK; but not on a motorbike).
Another ride on 14 March 2026: everything looks fine as expected.
28 March 2026: having noticed incorrect readings during the ride, I carried out a few tests. I paused the recording a couple of times and restarted the Karoo whilst recording to see if anything improved. In the end, the sum of the three recorded segments gave a total of 287.9 km instead of around 36 km.
I should point out that all three rides listed were carried out with:
- Karoo3 (before the ride on the 28th, I had updated the Karoo to the latest available firmware; this is something I normally do straight away)
- Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy Gen3 (fitted with a Mastermind TCU). The Karoo reads the e-bike’s data as if it were an external sensor.
Yesterday I tried going for a ride on a conventional bike using separate speed and cadence sensors (two Magene Gemini units), without any issues with distance or speed detection.
I hope someone can help me sort out these annoying problems.
Thank you
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Same Problem for me again.
I had it last Year a few Times out of nowhere.
Today it was 57km but karoo shows 196km !I cant Trigger it but i had a lot off Route rerouting today.
I had wrong Distances 4x from 23 RidesWheel Circumference is set correct, but anyway, this cant give 150km plus when its off a bit
I ride it with a Specialized Levo G3karoo, please look at it
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Since writing my first post, I’ve been out on a few more rides with my Levo Gen.3 (TCU Mastermind) and Karoo3.
Reluctantly, I tried disabling the speed/distance data tracking from the Levo.
This way, I kept only the data tracking from the Karoo3’s GPS enabled.In theory, if an external sensor is connected, the Karoo3 should only listen to that, but I suspect this is where some sort of conflict arises.
In the end, by disabling the Levo sensor and using only the Karoo3’s GPS, I no longer encountered those glaring errors I had been seeing. Of course, I cannot know if there are other minor data issues, as my hikes often take place in woods with dense vegetation.
I’m sorry I can’t carry out the reverse test (Karoo3 GPS off and Levo sensor on) because, unfortunately, I can’t *manually* disable the distance/speed tracking from the Karoo3’s GPS.
To be honest, since my first post of 1 month ago, there have been three more firmware updates for the Karoo 3, but I’m still using the ‘GPS only’ setting.
These firmwares updates are:- 02.04.2026 - Karoo Software Build Version: 1.626.2400
- 16.04.2026 - Karoo Software Build Version: 1.628.2410
- 30.04.2026 - Karoo Software Build Version: 1.630.2420
On one of my next rides, I’ll try enabling the speed and distance data from the bike again to see if these issues have been resolved; although, in fact, none of the updates actually mention bug fixes relevant to our current discussion.
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Unless you are very focussed on current speed when in tunnels or very dense forests i just wouln't bother with a speed sensor when using a GPS bike computor. The distance is normally fine because even if it looses GPS for a few seconds it will still calculate pretty well. I think it just uses the points it sees and draws a line rather assuming a pause. If you do use a speed snesor, an accurate wheel circumference input is essential. I just don't see GPS being the cause of the huge variations you first described. You should be able to see on the map for that activity if the trail was wrong.
Good luck!
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Simon, I actually agree with you.
I’m not particularly obsessed with absolute precision in scenarios like bike rides.
The distance is still accurate because it’s calculated as the distance between waypoints and, to be honest, I’ve never noticed any significant discrepancies in the positions of the recorded waypoints.Let’s just say that once the system works, one way or another, I’m satisfied.
The only thing left is my curiosity as to why, when using the e-bike’s speed/distance sensor, the system records absurd distances. Just a curiosity, though.
One final point.
I’ve never adjusted the wheel circumference setting. In fact, I’ve read that, on the Turbo Levo, Specialized only allows very minor adjustments to the standard size – a maximum of +/- 5–10%. This is to prevent users from circumventing the system in order to achieve speeds higher than the 25 km/h permitted by law.Even if my settings were incorrect, that would not justify readings as grossly inaccurate as those described in my first post: 262 km instead of 35, or 288 km instead of 37.
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In my Case i know the Sensor from Specialized Levo is not faulty, i only have it with Karoo 3.
I dont think its caused by the Bike Speed Sensor at all, even when the Wheel Circumference is not 100% accurate this cant lead to a 150km Discrepancy ?!
I measured it always manually. As i said i cant Trigger it at all. I have the Feeling its GPS based.
When i look into the ride record i can move the km Slider and i see the correct km Distance at my Destination, after that its a flat empty Line.
Overall i had this Problem only 4x from 30 Rides,, No big Deal but im Curios whats the Problem.
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