Zwift anyone?
10-28-16, 07:03 AM
#1
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
Thread Starter
Zwift anyone?
Ive been seeing some guys that I follow on Strava using Zwift. Ive done a little research and found that you would like need a power tap wheel or some type of power recording device or a trainer that has power. Aside from that, would you need a garmin that could communicate with the trainer and also, the PC? Seems like alot but interesting as well. Anyone use it? Thanks in advance.
10-28-16, 07:45 AM
#3
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You don't need a Garmin. You can use any of their supported trainers and Zwift will estimate power. It is better if you have a power meter of some sort though. What you will need is a PC with a ANT+ dongle or Bluetooth if your devices can support that to communicate with your speed/cadence/heart rate/power meter devices.
There's lots of info out there on what is needed. Zwift Blog
There's lots of info out there on what is needed. Zwift Blog
10-28-16, 08:25 AM
#4
Junior Member
The minimum you need is a speed/cadence sensor and a laptop that connects to the sensor via Bluetooth, if not a ANT+ dongle. It'll calculate the power and what your virtual speed is.
The cheapest way is to get a smart trainer like the Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ for less than $400. I started with the former and now have the later. While it is a little slow to change resistance, it's also not $1000+.
The cheapest way is to get a smart trainer like the Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ for less than $400. I started with the former and now have the later. While it is a little slow to change resistance, it's also not $1000+.
10-28-16, 08:37 AM
#5
Serious Cyclist
My zwift investment was maybe $40. Already had a supported mag trainer, got a cheap Bluetooth speed cadence sensor, and use my phone as a bridge to my laptop. Works like a charm, but I'm sure it's more immersive if you have a smart trainer.
10-28-16, 08:47 AM
#7
Occam's Rotor
I trial-ed it with a dumb trainer, a Wahoo speed/cadence sensor, and got a dongle to attach to my Mac mini which is connected to my TV. DCRainMaker recommended this one, which is comparatively inexpensive and what I got.
I found watching Grateful Dead concerts on TV while I pedal to be more involving than the Zwift interface, so I let the trial expire. Now that it is raining again (apparently for real this time, rather than the fake El Nino last year), I will probably revisit this decision.
I found watching Grateful Dead concerts on TV while I pedal to be more involving than the Zwift interface, so I let the trial expire. Now that it is raining again (apparently for real this time, rather than the fake El Nino last year), I will probably revisit this decision.
10-28-16, 08:55 AM
#8
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An IOS version is in beta, so you would be able to use a newer IPAD or iphone instead of a PC. -I know some people have ipads or iphones while their PC is some old clunker if they still have it. I have a gaming laptop I use which produces nicer looking graphics than an ipad/iphone does, however.
10-28-16, 11:05 AM
#9
Junior Member
I found watching Grateful Dead concerts on TV while I pedal to be more involving than the Zwift interface, so I let the trial expire. Now that it is raining again (apparently for real this time, rather than the fake El Nino last year), I will probably revisit this decision.
10-28-16, 11:14 AM
#10
To get he best out of it, you really need a smart trainer. I personally use the Tacx Vortex Smart. Zwift is the next best thing to riding outside IMO.
https://www.performancebike.com/bike...221&cadevice=c
https://www.performancebike.com/bike...221&cadevice=c
10-28-16, 11:32 AM
#12
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Strava premium members get 2 months free. But this is the last year for this bonus.
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/a...mber-31st-2016
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/a...mber-31st-2016
10-28-16, 04:55 PM
#13
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Nope. I have a dumb trainer and an old Macbook, but I can get a decent workout watching old Paris-Roubaix videos on youtube.
10-31-16, 08:54 AM
#14
If the weather is nice, I'm outside. In the winter, I enjoy Zwift. I belong to a Zwift team and I enjoy the social aspect of it. Additionally Zwift affords me an opportunity to race safely. It's been a huge benefit to my training.
11-04-16, 12:02 PM
#16
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
Thread Starter
To get he best out of it, you really need a smart trainer. I personally use the Tacx Vortex Smart. Zwift is the next best thing to riding outside IMO.
https://www.performancebike.com/bike...221&cadevice=c
https://www.performancebike.com/bike...221&cadevice=c
Thoughts?
Thanks
11-07-16, 01:32 PM
#19
I have narrowed it down between this one and the Wahoo Kikr. Yes, the kikr is double but thats just me. The only thing I have found is that this one has had some sub par reviews on a few software issues associated with Zwift. Also, power readings have been too high or to low. Also, someone mentioned having to use a 3rd party vendor for some software that wouldnt work with Zwift?
Thoughts?
Thanks
Thoughts?
Thanks
11-07-16, 02:53 PM
#20
Senior Member
I have narrowed it down between this one and the Wahoo Kikr. Yes, the kikr is double but thats just me. The only thing I have found is that this one has had some sub par reviews on a few software issues associated with Zwift. Also, power readings have been too high or to low. Also, someone mentioned having to use a 3rd party vendor for some software that wouldnt work with Zwift?
Thoughts?
Thanks
Thoughts?
Thanks
If you're considering dropping the cash on a Kikr, I'd look into a Tacx Neo, for slightly more you get the advantage of road feel.
Back to the topic of Zwift, anyone see this? I'm considering trying it out just so I can climb Pretzel Mtn when everyone else is stuck in London.
Safely modify prefs.xml with zwift-preferences - ZwiftBlog
11-07-16, 03:39 PM
#22
Senior Member
Yeah, Watopia is still my favorite. Climbing the mountain to the tower and then rolling all the way back down the hill takes me just over an hour which is a good workout when I'm in a hurry. You get a little warmup as you roll to the hill, and then a cool down as you go down.
I'm hoping they hook us up with a course extension or a new course sometime soon now that winter is coming and more people are riding inside.
I'm hoping they hook us up with a course extension or a new course sometime soon now that winter is coming and more people are riding inside.
Last edited by SpeshulEd; 11-07-16 at 05:24 PM.
11-07-16, 04:04 PM
#23
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As a stay at home parent for the past year, I've got a lot out of Zwift during the little one's naps! close to 3,000 miles since March.
11-07-16, 04:16 PM
#24
I like the three courses but Watopia is definitely the best.
11-07-16, 05:10 PM
#25
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
Thread Starter
Im really liking it. I use to hop on the trainer and die within 30 minutes of boredom. Still using the dumb trainer but the new one is in the works. Still trying to learn all the ins and outs tho. So far, all Ive done is just logged miles, not entered a race. I just need miles. Today the sun was behind the trees on my way home from the office. by 5:40, it was dark. I hate that.
