Grasschopper

New users are $15 a month.

rpenmanparker 

If you buy either the CycleOps Magnus or Hammer from Zwift, you get a year of Zwift included in the price. It is not the cheapest price for the trainer, however. Nevertheless a nice discount on the app charges when all is said and done.

grall1126

I have a desktop computer running windows 10 and connecting wireless to my router. I would like to move this computer in front of the Kinetic Smart Trainer.

Can I just start Zwift and be connected to the computer without the use of any android phone? Or, do I need to use the small phone as well?

Athens80

The "Kinetic Road Machine | Smart" specs list only Bluetooth connectivity. The PC needs ANT+ signals OR the use of the Zwift Companion app running on a capable iOS or Android device. The companion app receives the Bluetooth signals and sends the info to Zwift. Zwift on PC does not work directly with Bluetooth devices. The PC application works directly with many training devices which are either ANT+ only or the more common dual ANT+ and Bluetooth.

ddub

You can. Just download Zwift from the website stick your monitor if front of you and go. You'll have to go bluetooth or USB Ant+ plugin to control the trainer and interact with the game.
Edit to add: I stand corrected, I was unaware the PC doesn't support Bluetooth my Apple does.

diphthong

all this tech stuff sounds like a nightmare. i thought strava could be a pita. glad to live where i do so that indoor/virtual riding is less of an incentive.
i realize that it's a potential game-changer for those that don't live in as boring-*ss of a climate as i do. hope it gets more simplified/less expensive
for y'all but given the tech factor and the sport, i'm less than optimistic.

Chris(NJ)

Seriously. Sounds like it'd be cheaper for me to move back to San Diego than it is to set up a virtual trainer lol

datlas 

All kidding aside, it's not too much of a hassle IMO. I use a Wahoo Kickr Snap, and macbook. Works great. I do have an external video display which helps but not necessary, and the companion iPhone app, which works as a remote control and helps but again not necessary. One "glitch" is that if you use a smartphone it must have connectivity with the computer. Or you can use JUST the smartphone app.

It's a pretty cool toy that makes the trainer more like a video game. Pre-Zwift I would only last 15-20 minutes on the trainer before giving up in disgust/boredom. Post Zwift, I am able to do group rides and have some fun and last 60 minutes or even longer.

YMMV

goenrdoug

I'm confused why people end up spending so much on Zwift setups.

My budget-y setup:
Windows 7 gaming laptop from 2010 (or so)
ANT+ USB dongle ($15) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXXDBNK
The Cyclops fluid 2 (rebranded TREK) ($free on semi-permanent loan from a friend. Seen these show up on CL for $50-75)
Garmin speed and cadence sensors on crank and rear wheel (<$50) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JM6DKUA

Optional:
zwift companion app on phone

I'm currently waiting on the wife to approve the decision to replace the TV in the livingroom so I can move it out to the garage and HDMI it up too the laptop. Then I'll be able to race the other cartoon characters more effectively this winter!

kcblair

Thanks for the info. I've been looking into this type of simple setup, just I need to know. I already have Garmin Speed/Cadence sensors, the Cyclops trainer, and PC, now I need the dongle . KB.

Question, can you race against yourself ?

goenrdoug

I'm not entirely sure. I can't say as I've tried. In southern california, we're still mostly riding outside, so... I'mm probably know this answer in a month or so.

diphthong

right?!

Athens80

Cheaper?

• Setting up the "virtual" part of the trainer requires a recent smart phone and a subscription to Zwift or other service. Some cyclists already have a smart phone. Or AppleTV will do.
• The non-virtual part of the trainer requires a trainer, a speed sensor or power meter, and a fan. Things that people using trainers already have.

You can always spend more on the computer if you want, just like you can always spend more for Meilenstein Lightweight wheels.

kcblair

Wooh, why a smart phone ? According the Zwift website, a PC is needed. Which I assumed we all have , and how can you see anythimg on a small phone screen ?

kcblair

well, I guess I met ride courses or roads myself, looks like I should, looking at their sale info. Thanks . You can't ride year round in So. Cal ? I usually can ride through Nov. But this year, too much rain and nnow in the 40's. KB.

nycphotography

"now in the 40's" = can't ride outside.

rms13

weather is not the only factor. light, time and traffic play a role which is why I finally gave in and bought a trainer living in southern california. If I want to get in any riding during the week now I have to wake up at 6am and be done by 7am. Sun starts coming up around 7am now. I don't want to ride in the dark especially since the roads by my home have 50mph speed limits which means half awake people rushing to work and doing 60-70 mph in the 50 mph zone and not paying attention for cyclists. But time is more important. If I wake up at 6am and get on my bike and out the door into traffic I maybe get 45 minutes of actual bike time and some of that is sitting at red lights etc where as I can get on the trainer and actually get a harder workout spinning not stop for 45-60 minutes

kcblair

Yep, safety first. Guess I'm spoiled, I roll out of my driveway and in the country in less than 1 mile. But, got to deal with winter in this part of the country. I grew up in Monterrey , Ca, before joining the USAF in 1965, Lived all over the world.

Now I move indoors and with Youtube, (GCN), started a real training routine. Looking forward to giving Zwift a try this winter. KB

kcblair

[QUOTE=nycphotography;20631158]"now in the 40's" = can't ride outside.

[/QUOT
Looks like the comics are out. Yep, indoors @ 50. Been riding in all sorts of weather over the past 50+ years, at age 71, time to move indoors, to keep the training level up for Spring. KB

autonomy

Exactly my set up. Cheap trainer (relatively), speed and cadence sensors (Wahoo) is all you need to train indoor (assuming you have a device that can display how fast you're going/spinning. You can entertain yourself by watching cycling videos on youtube, there's quite a bit.
I ran into all kinds of trouble trying to get the Zwift companion app to forward my data to the app, so I just bought a $15 ANT+ dongle for the laptop. Problem solved. Also had issues with cheap Amazon coin cell batteries but after figuring that one out the setup has been solid.
It's really not that difficult.

nycphotography

I'm glad to see you on the trainers, glad to see you outside, glad to see you riding.

Doesn't mean I can't have good chuckle at what constitutes challenging weather.

rms13

If by "smart phone" you mean Apple iPhone SE/5s or higher. Zwift isn't officially available on Android (other then companion app). It's in Beta now and from what I see on the forum you basically need a Android phone that is in the $600-1000 range to be able to run the Zwift app and I would guess that most people don't have that. But of course we are dealing with cyclists who tend to have more disposable income then most so I would guess most people here have a current model iphone

rms13

You don't even need a cadence sensor. Minimum required is supported dumb trainer (some of which are around $100 new) and speed sensor.

I've just been testing out Zwift for a couple of weeks but to me I can't see using it without a smart trainer that allows the software to control it. The whole point of riding in a virtual environment to me is that I am riding up a hill in the game and resistance automatically changes on the trainer to match the game. With that said I just returned the Magnus smart trainer I bought and bought a $100 fluid trainer instead. Trying to use the trainer with bluetooth and an ipad or other apps on android phone was too frustrating. I was spending 20 minutes getting the trainer connected via bluetooth and calibrated. Today the Zwift calibration failed so many times that I wasted an workout window just messing around with technology. I'll be happier staring at the wall and pedaling while I listen to music and podcasts. Maybe I'll revisit in a year or two once prices on direct drive come down a little more

bleui

where do one connect the speed and cadence sensor? to the laptop or trainer? does the sensor need to be ANT+?

rms13

To the laptop/computer. You can use bluetooth