Do I need a physical brake to Zwift?
06-10-19, 11:10 AM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 368
Bikes: Diamondback Haanjo Trail, Fuji Team Road
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times
in
46 Posts
Do I need a physical brake to Zwift?
I'm going to do a simple Zwift setup (Tacx dumb trainer and adding speed/cadence sensors to my bike) but tonight realized my spare rear wheel is missing the disc brake lock ring because it's on my main rear wheel.
So do I really need to have working brakes for a Zwift setup? I guess if I don't, I need to be vigilant not to use the brakes so I don't actuate the calipers against nothing.
I am going to order a lockring but because of where I am, it's really expensive locally and ordering one online is going to take another week and I want to start Zwifting ASAP.
So do I really need to have working brakes for a Zwift setup? I guess if I don't, I need to be vigilant not to use the brakes so I don't actuate the calipers against nothing.
I am going to order a lockring but because of where I am, it's really expensive locally and ordering one online is going to take another week and I want to start Zwifting ASAP.
06-10-19, 12:13 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I have never used the brakes on Zwift.
06-10-19, 12:15 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Boston Roads
Posts: 975
Bikes: 2012 Canondale Synapse 105, 2017 REI Co-Op ADV 3.1
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 507 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
133 Posts
No, you don't need a brake unless you want to use it. Now, as far as wearing a helmet to Zwift... that's a conversation for another thread.
Likes For autonomy:
06-10-19, 01:42 PM
#4
Señor Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,066
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
215 Posts
There are little plastic inserts that are usually included with sets of hydraulic disc brakes. They are just flat bits to keep the pads from being clamped onto nothing, requiring an annoying pry-apart activity. If you don't have any of these thingys, your LBS almost certainly does. If you have hydraulic brakes you should consider them while on the trainer.
06-10-19, 01:52 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Just cut a few old credit cards in half and stack/tape them together and insert between your disc pads....or use something similar. It's not hard to press the pistons in if you have to. You just don't want to actuate the brake without a disc so much that it causes the pistons to break the seal from the caliper, which means you need to bleed the system.
06-10-19, 09:04 PM
#7
Cycleway town
Remember to turn your rear light on.
Likes For MikeyMK:
06-10-19, 09:25 PM
#8
Non omnino gravis
My trainer wheel, complete with red Vittoria trainer tire, doesn't even have the brake rotor on it. As soon as you stop pedaling, the "bike" starts slowing down.
If there's any upside to being trapped on a trainer, it's the things you don't need: brakes, helmet, shirt etc.
If there's any upside to being trapped on a trainer, it's the things you don't need: brakes, helmet, shirt etc.
__________________
06-10-19, 11:41 PM
#9
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 368
Bikes: Diamondback Haanjo Trail, Fuji Team Road
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times
in
46 Posts
Just cut a few old credit cards in half and stack/tape them together and insert between your disc pads....or use something similar. It's not hard to press the pistons in if you have to. You just don't want to actuate the brake without a disc so much that it causes the pistons to break the seal from the caliper, which means you need to bleed the system.
Thanks for all the responses. I hope I do enjoy Zwift. I am also anxious to find out how I do in the FTP test.
Paul
06-11-19, 08:49 AM
#10
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
The helmet would be terrible while zwifting! the heat would be unbearable in a helmet even with fans......I never ride any other time without a helmet.
Just like DrI said, its a pretty minimalistic riding situation. I wear bibs, socks and shoes...nothing else needed!
06-11-19, 09:56 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
I have been an off season zwifter for 3 years and have never applied a brake ever.
The helmet would be terrible while zwifting! the heat would be unbearable in a helmet even with fans......I never ride any other time without a helmet.
Just like DrI said, its a pretty minimalistic riding situation. I wear bibs, socks and shoes...nothing else needed!
The helmet would be terrible while zwifting! the heat would be unbearable in a helmet even with fans......I never ride any other time without a helmet.
Just like DrI said, its a pretty minimalistic riding situation. I wear bibs, socks and shoes...nothing else needed!
