deacon mark

I use a Garmin 910xt and I have never used a speed sensor or cadence sensor. If I bought one would that override the GPS speed and distance? Based on what I have read it will over ride the GPS information but will the ride show up on a Garmin Map or on Strava. I assume so but not sure if all the data will be different. To me the speed sensor would be find for indoor riding but I have cateye wireless on the back wheel of bike on the trainer. I guess I am asking because I thought about trying Zwift and I would need the sensor for Zwift. Then I got to thinking about it how bad to I really need Zwift if I know the distance and speed I am going on the indoor trainer? I don't really mind riding trainers they don't bore me too bad with heart rate and my computer I get a the basic information, so maybe Zwift is not something I would find any better.

I take any thoughts from those with experience on Garmin and Zwift. Seems many cyclists use it and I am serious cyclist I just never have?

Steve B.

Speed sensor data overrides the GPS speed data.

WhyFi

Yes, it'll rely on the sensor for speed and distance. No, it will not replace the GPS location data, so all of your ride maps will show up as they usually do.

WhyFi

Zwift is a different matter - some find it motivating, others don't see the appeal. I prefer intervals without distraction (other than music), which you could certainly do without Zwift but, with HR lag, I think that it's a huge improvement to have either a power meter or a good guesstimate of power (usually based on the resistance curve of a known trainer and rear wheel speed).

Iride01 

Your gps coordinates are saved in the log file that gets uploaded. There is a timestamp with those coordinates and some sites can or will use those timestamps to calculate your speed regardless of what the wheel sensor says. Same for distance.

Nothing is lost. However if you use a speed sensor, then the device will show that as speed and distance on it's display.

Bald Paul

You can try Zwift without signing up for (I think) 12 miles of riding (25Km?)
I know I would go nuts riding indoors without Zwift. My 'easy rides' always seem to turn into mini races as soon as another rider pulls up beside me. I use a Tacx smart trainer, so even though I'm inside, I still 'feel' the hills.

Andy Somnifac 

As others have said, yes, it overrides speed and distance, but when combined with GPS and a computer that can auto calculate wheel size, it will be more accurate.

Andy Somnifac 

As for Zwift, speed and distance don't really matter much. Indoor training is far better measured in time and power/effort. Sure, while there's a rough correlation w/ speed and distance, it's just that: "rough".

I say that as someone who has put over 3500 "miles" into Zwift in the last 6 months. I use it, a LOT. I've only ridden outside twice in the last year.