Zwift Race Question
10-24-17, 10:34 AM
#26
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I think of note here...if you're a rider who knows they are capable of doing >900 watts then you're a rider that's using a power meter on your bike already. Use that power meter and NOT the unit built into the trainer as it will be more accurate and not have the 900 watt limitation.
10-24-17, 12:08 PM
#27
gmt
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I'm thinking that the reason they quote power max numbers for smart trainers is that they will go into thermal overload above that point and the resistance will go down.
10-24-17, 10:26 PM
#28
Senior Member
Smart trainer = variable resistance. Makes it more fun (i.e.simulates climbs).
You can use your power meter in place of the power on the smart trainer (what I do).
And yes, I think the trainers that are limited - they won't allow you to hit above the max.
You can use your power meter in place of the power on the smart trainer (what I do).
And yes, I think the trainers that are limited - they won't allow you to hit above the max.
10-24-17, 10:31 PM
#29
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I have some interest personally (surprise) in a trainer. A 900W max in any trainer seems low.
Is there a list of trainers and max watts anywhere?
Is there a list of trainers and max watts anywhere?
10-25-17, 07:51 AM
#31
He drop me
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And looking at the midrange trainer group where the Vortex falls....wow why does anyone buy that thing when it's only $70 less than the other options. Lowest power in the group by a lot. Lowest possible gradient by a lot.
From high end to low end...because I'm not doing anything else. LOL
Direct Drive Trainers
Tacx Neo - 2,200 W/40kph - 25% grade
Wahoo KICKR - 2,500 W/30mph - 20% grade <- Note different speed units
CycleOps Hammer - 2,000 W/20mph - 20% grade <- Again rated in MPH
Elite Direto - 1,400 W/40kph, 2,200 W/60kph - 14% grade
Tacx Flux - 1,500 W/40kph - 10% grade
Wheel On Trainers:
Wahoo KICKR Snap - 2,200 W/30mph - 12% grade
CycleOps Magnus - 1,500W/20mph - 15% grade
Elite Rampa - 1,250 W/25mph - 10% grade
Tacx Vortex Smart - 950 W/20mph - 7% grade
If you don't know % grade is the gradient the trainer can simulate. There are roads in Zwift that get over 14% I believe on the radio tower final climb...I've seen 12% but haven't gotten to the radio tower myself yet. My understanding is that the simulated gradient is based on a 75kg rider and when the gradient goes over the number the trainer can do it just all feels the same (so no additional resistance).
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10-25-17, 08:04 AM
#32
Cat 2
I went from the kickr snap to the kickr2 over the spring. Huge step up. Quieter and the power is much more stable and it adjusts right every time. The snap would bog down if you let your cadence fall when it ramped up resistance. Super annoying and meant having to stop, let it reset and then restart.
All of this driven by my power meter (vector 2s at that point, later a P2m). Using power match in trainer road or letting zwift control resistance through my pm.
I will say I am also a huge fan of the wheel off. No worries about trainer tires or getting it torqued down. I do not like the artificial feeling power smoothing the kickr2 does if youre not riding with an external power meter. It's not realistic and sets me up riding funny.
All of this driven by my power meter (vector 2s at that point, later a P2m). Using power match in trainer road or letting zwift control resistance through my pm.
I will say I am also a huge fan of the wheel off. No worries about trainer tires or getting it torqued down. I do not like the artificial feeling power smoothing the kickr2 does if youre not riding with an external power meter. It's not realistic and sets me up riding funny.
10-25-17, 08:42 AM
#33
Senior Member
I was looking at a zwift race I did yesterday, finished 69/73 in a B race (I did 3.45w/kg), and I can attest to what others are saying that it's the beginning where you've got to have power. My 1min and 5min power suck, I did 304w for the first 1.5min, where some of the podium getters were in the high 300's-low 400's for the first 1.5mins, and then it seems people settle into a more regular pace. Given that CX is a thing for me now, I clearly have some work to do with my starting
10-25-17, 10:09 AM
#35
out walking the earth
Mike McCarthy works for Zwift and just picked up a couple of masters track world championships.
10-25-17, 11:02 AM
#36
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I know that nobody cares but I picked up a kickr snap. I would probably prefer the kickr but the weather in Texas is good enough that I'll be able to get outside enough that I can get by without throwing down the cash on a kickr. Thanks for those that provided experiences and advice.
11-05-17, 12:33 PM
#37
Senior Member
I just did a race on zwift yesterday. D race. Marked a D Rider in a small pack of C riders. We went off the front at the end. Just me and this guy. I clipped him just at the line. 1000 watts for ten seconds. So yeah, I think one would want over 900 watts.
I looked up the person I clipped after the race. It was a woman from Japan. 😁
I looked up the person I clipped after the race. It was a woman from Japan. 😁
11-05-17, 07:47 PM
#38
Senior Member
I just did a race on zwift yesterday. D race. Marked a D Rider in a small pack of C riders. We went off the front at the end. Just me and this guy. I clipped him just at the line. 1000 watts for ten seconds. So yeah, I think one would want over 900 watts.
I looked up the person I clipped after the race. It was a woman from Japan. 😁
I looked up the person I clipped after the race. It was a woman from Japan. 😁
I once worked pretty hard to take the green jersey. I gave kudos to the one I took it from, and in the process learned he was 65 years old or something. I felt guilty for taking it at that point.
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"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
11-21-17, 03:03 PM
#39
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I love the Zwift races. They are a great threshold/hammerfest for those of us with limited training time. That being said, I am grouped as an "A" and if the race is longer than 17mi or has any climbs I am most likely getting dropped like 3rd period French. I have a decent FTP and still get dropped probably 2 out of every 4 races I do. I can sprint but riding at FTP kills my sprint numbers.
