Anyone Zwifting this coming Winter?
Jakess1971
Posts: 1,208 Member
In preparation for the less fun months of 'god forbid' indoor training I've downloaded Zwift, quite surprised how well the graphics look on a 4 year old mac book pro but its pretty decent, ordered a dongle for the kickr to connect to the mac which comes tomorrow, anyone else got plans to try this out, could be an opportunity for a bit of MPF mini league competition if enough interest.
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I got in on the early beta back at the end of 2014 so I've been Zwifting going on a year now. I rode it several times per week pretty much all winter and I fully expect to do the same this coming winter.Jakess1971 wrote: »In preparation for the less fun months of 'god forbid' indoor training I've downloaded Zwift, quite surprised how well the graphics look on a 4 year old mac book pro but its pretty decent, ordered a dongle for the kickr to connect to the mac which comes tomorrow, anyone else got plans to try this out, could be an opportunity for a bit of MPF mini league competition if enough interest.
We should definitely get a MFP ride together sometime!0 -
sadly, the Tacx Bushido I've got doesn't seem to be supported as a "smart trainer", but I may look into getting it going using the Tacx as a "dumb" trainer, and gathering the power/cadence/speed/heart data from the other sensors via ANT+ (seeing as i've already got the dongle)...0
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Well it's free to use atm so a great time to test it out.0
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sadly, the Tacx Bushido I've got doesn't seem to be supported as a "smart trainer", but I may look into getting it going using the Tacx as a "dumb" trainer, and gathering the power/cadence/speed/heart data from the other sensors via ANT+ (seeing as i've already got the dongle)...
Let me know how you get on & how you do it & I'll have a bash
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Zwifting? No, I'm not into any of that kinky stuff...
Couldn't resist.0 -
I'm in for Zwift challenge. It's an amazing program.
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Sadly I don't have a trainer yet. And finances won't allow me to get a smart trainer. I can get a dumn trainer, but I don't have a cycling computer, just use Strava and a HRM. If I had that expensive stuff, I would really be interested.0
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I looked over the website and I can't see how to make it match up to my Proform le Tour trainer.0
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Term: Zwifting Meaning: The most fun you can have indoors while wearing lycra ..... or spandex as I think they call it across the pond.
Can honestly say I'm hooked,
PBs so far for the 8 laps of the island:
The sprint: 0:28 https://www.strava.com/activities/373702567/segments/8928215149
The climb: 2:39 https://www.strava.com/activities/373344775/segments/8919805443
Other benefits are no pot holes, no nutters trying to mow you over, no wind and you can ask your other half to bring you some refreshments
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Jakess1971 wrote: »Other benefits are no pot holes, no nutters trying to mow you over, no wind and you can ask your other half to bring you some refreshments.
Downside : getting savaged by family pets who seem fascinated by the circular motion of your feet whilst riding and standing still...
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well folks - if I'm going to try it out, it looks like it may have to be after the close of play on the Vuelta Challenge I'm afraid... I've grabbed the software, and I can confirm it'll pair with my Powermeter and HR sensors via my existing ANT+ dongle, so I think I should be good to go, but obviously, without the facility for the software to adjust resistance to match the terrain with my (old, pre open ANT+) Bushido, the experience is going to be far less immersive than with a properly linked smart trainer.
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I've been using Zwift with a plain ol' dumb Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. It's probably not as immersive as it would be with a smart trainer but it's still a lot of fun. Really makes trainer rides more interesting when you get to sprint, climb, draft, and chase.0
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Once I've got myself a new GSC10, I'll be giving this a go!0
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Downside : getting savaged by family pets who seem fascinated by the circular motion of your feet whilst riding and standing still...
It don't half put a crimp on your cadence!
I think with the setups you can have all sorts of dodgy configurations, I saw one fella with a 10w/kg, it does get flagged with a red triangle and lots of messages pop up calling him a cheat lol.... wonder how long before Zwift add the option to throw urine in someones face! .... DOPE!!
You can't really go wrong though with the kickr, you want it to be as accurate as possible to be of any real use, it's all very integrated and it feels very natural and I think that's what draws you in.
A big plus point for the software is that the jerseys and leader boards are for a certain time period, also looks like some organised racing goes on, recording with full commentry here:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=UyvhPrcp5U4
And if you fancy joining them in the race https://www.facebook.com/events/836460049775114/ 0 -
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Good to see you back on the bike! You're in good company, as both Lawson Craddock from Giant-Alpecin and Laurens ten Dam with Lotto-Jumbo have both used Zwift after nasty crashes this year. I actually chased Craddock around Zwift Island (the original course, before the current "Wattopia") a few times while he was recovering from his crash at the Santos Tour Down Under.0
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Zwift just released an update with the Richmond Worlds road coarse. Can't wait to ride that! (But it'll probably have to wait until la Vuelta is done)0
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Zwift just released an update with the Richmond Worlds road coarse. Can't wait to ride that! (But it'll probably have to wait until la Vuelta is done)
I was about to post this via a friend that's been trying to get a few friends grouped to do it. I haven't been following the Zwift movement but I am getting curious now. Especially since early nights and winter is around the corner.
I also have a KK trainer so aside from the software, I guess all I would need is an ANT+ speed sensor?
Any earthly idea what the cost will run after Beta?0 -
I think it's likely to be 10-20 £/$ pm but well worth it in my book, the new circuit is great, great 10 mile TT, prefer the island though as I can't really get into doing TT when I'm this restricted, still it's a nice change of pace and Zwift is making indoor riding bearable ... to a point.0
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I also have a KK trainer so aside from the software, I guess all I would need is an ANT+ speed sensor?
Any earthly idea what the cost will run after Beta?
The Zwift folks have been saying it's going to be $9.99 per month after the beta period, whenever that is. Well worth the money IMHO. While it certainly won't take the place of outdoor riding, it does make indoor riding more bearable. Once they get the structured training piece in place it'll be even better.
All you'll need other than bike and trainer (I also have KK Road Machine, though I'm thinking hard about ugrading to a Tacx Vortex or Bushido Smart before winter hits) you'll need a ANT+ USB Stick (either of these will work. I've got both.)- http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-USB-Stick-Fitness-Devices/dp/B00CM381SQ
- http://www.amazon.com/Suunto-Movestick-Mini-One-Size/dp/B004YJSD20
And an ANT+ speed or speed/cadence sensor. I recommend the trusty and bullet-proof Garmin GSC-10:
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Speed-Cadence-Bike-Sensor/dp/B000BFNOT8
Let me know if you have any questions.0 -
I pulled the trigger on a Tacx Vortex Smart. Found a deal I couldn't turn down. It should be here in a week or so. I'm really looking forward to trying out Zwift with a smart trainer!All you'll need other than bike and trainer (I also have KK Road Machine, though I'm thinking hard about ugrading to a Tacx Vortex or Bushido Smart before winter hits)
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How long is it going to be before they start charging for this?0
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You can bet they will start charging when Winter kicks in as interest will be high then.
ntunk I'm surprised you didn't look at the kickr, it's the best of the bunch.0 -
@cloggsy71 No official word on when the beta ends but I'd agree with @Jakess1971 that they've got to be targeting peak indoor training season. It'll probably happen before Christmas.
@Jakess1971 I've looked at the Kickr but I got the Vortex for $385 shipped. The Kickr is roughly 3x more expensive and doesn't really provide enough extra functionality, for me at least, to justify that kind of price difference. The jury is still out though. I'll have to see if the Vortex really does meet my needs. If it doesn't, my wife will get it and I'll get a Kickr. 0 -
My new Tacx Vortex Smart arrived yesterday. I spent some time with it last night after work. After some initial head-scratching and a few contributions to the family "Swear Jar" I finally realized it needed a firmware update out of the box to enable the ANT+ FE-C profile that allows my Garmin 520, TrainerRoad, and Zwift to control the device. More contributions to the Swear Jar when I realized for some idiotic reason the only way to update the trainer's firmware is via an iOS device (I'm an Android guy).
So, after borrowing an iSomething from @canbbot and updating the firmware, and a couple of resets because it didn't work correctly after the first one, I was up and running. Let me just say: wow. Zwift is much better with a smart trainer! It really increases the realism of the simulation. I can't wait until they finally add the interval training pieces. That should really take it over the top.0 -
Glad you got it working, yeh I think the smart trainer is essential or you'd just wouldn't feel the connection with the virtual road.
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The 'accountant' (Wife) has given me the green light to but a Wahoo Kickr for my birthday, but I don't know whether to flog my Tacx Genius T2020 or keep it??? I also don't know whether to buy a Kickr or buy a Tacx Bushido Smart or a Wahoo Kickr 'Snap' & save a few bob, but the Kickr has it's merits by never having to buy bloody trainer tyres again...
Hmmm?!0 -
I'm currently thinking a Bushido Smart, from one of the Kraut box-shifters, take advantage of the collapsing €... then punt out my old Bushido to some unsuspecting fool on fleabay All depends on what recommendations I get from the Cardio Rehab people though... If it's all winter, then that new Tacx job looks potentially stunning, and it'll work with the (not inconsiderable ) investment I've already got in the Tacx Training DVD's. 0
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... and it'll work with the (not inconsiderable ) investment I've already got in the Tacx Training DVD's.
True! Don't forget, if you intend 'Zwifting', then you need the Bushido Smart and the 'Smart kit', otherwise it won't work... I asked bloody Wiggle about the Bushido Smart, but they don't sell the 'smart kit' - WTF?
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True! Don't forget, if you intend 'Zwifting', then you need the Bushido Smart and the 'Smart kit', otherwise it won't work... I asked bloody Wiggle about the Bushido Smart, but they don't sell the 'smart kit' - WTF?
I think the "smart kit" you're referring to is the package that's really just software and an ANT+ antenna/dongle for your computer. You really don't need it for Zwift (or TrainerRoad), you just need a Garmin or Suunto ANT+ USB stick. You do have to have a Bushido or Vortex Smart though, and unfortunately if you have the old Bushido it's not upgradeable as it's apparently a different electronics suite in the brake.0
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