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Zwift and just a laptop - show me!

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Zwift and just a laptop - show me!

Old 09-28-19, 02:01 PM
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rousseau
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Zwift and just a laptop - show me!

Having just recently obtained a used Lynx VR trainer for a fantastic deal (new they're not cheap: https://veloreality.com/product/lynx-vr-trainer-ii/), I'm about to get a Zwift setup going on a laptop, but I'm puzzled about how to perch the laptop in front of me while riding on the trainer.

What do people do? Music stands? Something else? A large screen TV isn't in the cards at the moment.

Anyone got pics of their setup they can share?
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Old 09-28-19, 03:13 PM
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colnago62
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There are stands you can buy from Wahoo and others for this purpose but they are fairly expensive.
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Old 09-28-19, 04:06 PM
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LMGTFY
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Old 09-28-19, 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by colnago62
There are stands you can buy from Wahoo and others for this purpose but they are fairly expensive.
We have the generic one, which looks like the Wahoo one, but costs a hundred less. Pretty good item, but still not exactly cheap.
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Old 09-28-19, 05:16 PM
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I have a folding table from Walmart and then put a cardboard box on top of the table. The table cost about $15 and the box was free.
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Old 09-28-19, 05:35 PM
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I bought one of these:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F323851385468

Although I got it from Amazon for $70, so I'd shop around. It's been perfect for the task.

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Old 09-28-19, 08:46 PM
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hdmi cable to your tv
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Old 09-28-19, 09:50 PM
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colnago62
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Originally Posted by str8jakett
I bought one of these:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F323851385468

Although I got it from Amazon for $70, so I'd shop around. It's been perfect for the task.

That is a nice setup
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Old 09-28-19, 11:12 PM
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+1

Originally Posted by dagray
hdmi cable to your tv
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Old 09-28-19, 11:22 PM
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Great ideas and feedback, thanks.
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Old 09-29-19, 05:42 AM
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So, a related question: Will Zwift display at full res and size on a standard monitor via a HDMI connection from an iPad? Google has been of no definitive help on that one.
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Old 09-29-19, 07:23 AM
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I'd guess it depends on whether you have a laptop that has a screen fully folds back (ie. to act more like a tablet). If so, got one of these who suits my purpose and can collapse down to stow away and outta sight.

https://www.amazon.com/Gearlux-Vente...gateway&sr=8-1
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Old 09-29-19, 08:13 AM
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Since my other hobby is photography, and I have a tripod to spare, I just needed to get a laptop platform for the tripod.

Also a little Gorrilapod to hold my phone with the Zwift Companion app open.

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Old 09-29-19, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by MoAlpha
So, a related question: Will Zwift display at full res and size on a standard monitor via a HDMI connection from an iPad? Google has been of no definitive help on that one.
I hooked up my ipad via HDMI to a TV while I was between laptops, I haven't tried it in a while but I believe it displays in the Ipad's native aspect ratio (4:3?) so it leaves some space on either side of the image, but it does otherwise work seamlessly.
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Old 09-29-19, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Dan333SP
I hooked up my ipad via HDMI to a TV while I was between laptops, I haven't tried it in a while but I believe it displays in the Ipad's native aspect ratio (4:3?) so it leaves some space on either side of the image, but it does otherwise work seamlessly.
Thanks, Dan.
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Old 09-29-19, 09:58 AM
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Here is my setup. Laptop on speaker is ok but as posted above cable to monitor/TV is better.

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Old 09-29-19, 12:30 PM
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Consider Apple TV. I can have it up and running in less than a minute. I like it much better than a laptop simply due to how fast it gets started.
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Old 09-29-19, 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by MoAlpha
Thanks, Dan.
No prob! If you have a recent iPhone they do display Zwift natively at 16:9 so you could use that hooked up to a monitor or TV without a cropped image, should work with the same adapter as what you’d use with your iPad.
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Old 10-01-19, 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by atwl77
Since my other hobby is photography, and I have a tripod to spare, I just needed to get a laptop platform for the tripod.
That reminded me that several years ago I tried to set up a keyboard stand for a standing desk using a tripod. It didn't work out, it was far too flimsy, but all these years later it suddenly found a use for Zwifting. Here's what I did:



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Old 10-01-19, 09:06 PM
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A couple things I'm still not quite up to snuff about when it comes to Zwift:

1. Are there no course choices? Do you just login and go with whatever it tells you to?
2. How come I have to log in with my username and password every single time? Why doesn't the "Remember Me" option work?
3. It seems like my ostensible speed in the app bears little immediate relevance to what I'm actually doing. One second I'm cruising along at 40 km/h, and then, without changing my pace, I'm back down to 25 km/h. And when I gear up a couple cogs and put in some effort to catch someone my speed seems to stay the same. The only thing that seems to be in sync with the effort I'm putting out is the power meter (though I don't have a heart monitor hooked up). Is this a calibration problem? After tonight's Zwift session I actually did the calibration process using the software for the Lynx trainer, so I guess I'll have to check this next ride.
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Old 10-01-19, 09:21 PM
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1. You always have two "worlds" to choose from - Watopia and the real-world location of the day, which you can use the on-screen calendar to see what it is. After you've chosen your world you can choose your route.

2. Mine works fine. I don't have to retype my username/password unless my wife rides. Even then, I only have to type the first letter of my username and it autocompletes and fills in my password automatically.

3. It might be a calibration problem. But if the onscreen power is correct then you'll go appropriately fast for the power and gradient you are on.
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Old 10-02-19, 06:22 AM
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Regarding #3 , make sure Zwift is seeing your power. Do you have an ANT+ dongle in your laptop? After you log in you should see your wireless connections: heartrate, power, controllable trainer, etc.

Your speed in Zwift is related to power input and grade.
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Old 10-02-19, 08:31 AM
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When I was a regular Zwifter (laptop, Garmin Vector Pedals, Lemond Revmaster Spin Bike), I would use my pretty heavy duty music stand which worked quite well. Price in the $50 to $75 range at most music outlet places online or even brick and mortar. You need the heavy duty ones that tilt way back. This setup was very stable.

dave

ps. You will notice my other avocation in the pic


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Old 10-02-19, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by guachi
1. You always have two "worlds" to choose from - Watopia and the real-world location of the day, which you can use the on-screen calendar to see what it is. After you've chosen your world you can choose your route.
I'm still in the free trial stage, but the two times I've used Zwift there was a button to push that said "Let's Go!" without any choice of routes. Does the "worlds" thing start after you supply your credit card details?
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Old 10-02-19, 09:26 PM
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After the sensor selection/detection screen, you get to the menu where you get to choose your world, route, type of ride (e.g. workout), and whether to join any upcoming events.

As for the power issue, is your trainer reacting to gradient changes (e.g. getting harder when you go uphill), or does the resistance feel constant?
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