jmX

Jet fluid pro is on the supported list. You'll just need a speed sensor to put on your bike if you don't have one already. They make ones that broadcast ANT+ or bluetooth. If you have an IOS phone you can use our mobile app to connect bluetooth sensors to Zwift without the need for an ANT dongle.

utahp8ntballer

I bought a Tacx Vortex smart and been using it with Zwift the last couple weeks and I have to say that it's been pretty sweet. Zwift made my fluid trainer more tolerable for sure but adding the smart trainer has made it a whole new experience. I hate climbing while outside and I hate climbing on Zwift because it's fairly similar. Right now I'm averaging near 80 miles a week on the trainer which is something I NEVER thought I'd be able to do.
This winter is going to be the best one yet on the bike since I actually want to ride it now.

bigdo13

i do not have an iPhone... so I'll need a speed sensor and an Ant+ dongle? Hmmmm...

jmX

The android version should add bluetooth support very soon. I know it works at Zwift HQ but I don't think we've released it yet. But otherwise, yeah...dongle and sensor.

jmX

Great to hear - 80mi a week on a trainer is the real deal! BTW we're adding intersections and additional roads so you'll be able to bypass the watopia climb soon if you want. Richmond's Libby hill is there to stay though

Silvercivic27

When are you guys making an iPad app? When you do, I'll buy a Kickr or a Neo and sign up.

coppercook62

so 1 lap you can climb other flat?

Dan333SP

So let me see if I'm understanding the climbing thing... "Smart" trainers allow the game to change the roller resistance in real time, right? So if you start a climb in the game you may suddenly have to drop to the little ring to keep the same cadence and power?

I assume with a dumb trainer like mine, I could just stay at the same cadence/gear ratio but the speed in-game would drop below the speed my rear wheel sensor is telling me I'm doing, right? Seems like the smart trainers would definitely improve the experience in that sense at least.

utahp8ntballer

This is correct. I can't do the big climbs in the big ring because there is too much resistance. My particular trainer only mimics 7% grade and on Watopia the grade hits 11% I think. And just like real life, my speed on the climbs is near the bottom of the pack.
Yes, a smart trainer will definitely improve the experience.

utahp8ntballer

I'm not sure that having an "out" will benefit me. The climbing is good for me even though I hate it, however, I suppose after 3 or 4 laps I could keep going if I bypass the climb. Maybe it is a good idea.

chaadster

I run HDMI out of the computer to my TV. Looks sweet. You'd love it. Come on over. The pavement is smooth!

jmX

Well, it's a whole new chunk of road. Not so much of an "out" as an option. It'll be great for those doing workouts, or just want variety.

jmX

I can't say at the moment, but there are $359 computers that have 10x the performance of an iPad and run on a screen larger than a sheet of paper: https://www.amazon.com/Alienware-ASM1.../dp/B00MA7AMKY

We're sorta going for that top tier experience at the moment, but we understand some will be ok with a lesser experience with hardware they already own, and it's on the roadmap.

SpeshulEd 

Woohoo!!!

Yeah, I have the Tacx Bushido that mimics up to 15% grade and I can assure you those steeper grades on Zwift hurt. I love the fact that I can knock out 1000' in an hour on Zwift which is next to impossible to do in Phoenix. In the two months I've been using Zwift, my riding has improved considerably. I'm dropping my friends left and right when we ride together now.

utahp8ntballer

I kind of wish I had opted for one that would allow more grade but I'm a horrible climber anyway so it just would've sucked more. That was the one reason I liked living in Phoenix, no real climbing I had to worry about unless I rode up to Usery. Now back in Utah it's hard to not get 1200 ft in an hour.

This morning I did 40 miles in Richmond for a total of 91 miles this week. There is no way I would have done that before zwift. Although I was watching a movie, I still kept watching zwift to see my numbers and make sure I'm working hard. I'm excited to see how many miles I put on the trainer this winter. It's almost addicting to get on and ride it now.

macca33

I've used Zwift since May this year and have found it to be a great training and social experience. i started on zPower with a Cycleops mag trainer and went to a Wahoo Kickr in July - a much greater experience IMO with the smart trainer adjusting resistance automatically for you, as well as combining as your power meter.

The release of the workouts has been great and it is interesting to hear the Watopia course options spoken of.

cheers

chaadster

I got my ass handed to me in Richmond this morning, during the Sunday group ride (RSR).

dagray

I am not on Zwift as my BKool Pro was made before one of the features needed for Zwift was incorporated into the trainer (I may upgrade), but I get a similar experience from BKool and the routes I have plugged in as well as riding others routes.

It really is cool to be in my living room on my trainer riding with the group 30 miles away on their trainers, and to even have voice communication when we are within 50 feet of each other on the course.

RoderWrench

I've been doing the Wednesday night group ride (WWR) and train on my own other days. Group rides are a blast when you're in the peloton, but when you fall off the back, they're GONE! Still great fun and motivation to keep pace next time. I'm certain I'll be in better shape this spring than I was last year.

falconsusi

sorry. going to start a post instead.

silversx80

I want to say that the Zwift workouts and a smart trainer make indoor suffering fantastic. In 4 weeks I've managed about 4-5 workout sessions per week. My initial FTP test was spot on to what I expected it to be. Did another test yesterday and my FTP is up by just over 12%. What's more is that once the session is complete I can continue to ride the course for some base.

Aside from a bicycle, Zwift + smart-trainer have been my best cycling purchases to date.

Silvercivic27

I already mentioned this in the racing forum but the other thing that would make zwift even more social would be the ability to talk to each other real time.

Robius

I just did shorter FTP test and result ended up as 237W. I would like to start one of the FTP Builder workouts but i don't know which one is better. Anyone tried one of the workouts?

https://www.strava.com/activities/438048990

Dan333SP

I'm sure this will be added eventually, it's a no-brainer for integration.

Still, I can't imagine I'd enjoy it that much. My trainer is very loud so whatever people would hear from me would be labored breathing with a roaring jet engine in the background while i get out one or two syllables at a time.

SpeshulEd 

How's BKool? I want to give it a try when my free trial is over for Zwift. From reading about it, it sounds like you can map out any course you'd like, load it into the program and then ride it with a google maps type view...is that correct? If so, I'd really like to map out some routes I used to ride when I was young back in my home town. Not to mention mapping out some of the classic tour climbs and whatnot.

I think I latched onto a small group of WWR people last Wednesday. I pedaled my ass off for about a mile and then died, just couldn't keep up. The draft in a big group like that is insane.

BKool has this, I'm sure it'll be implemented at some point. I swear I read something about it.