Zwift

vinnymarsden

Anyone tried the new Zwift online cycling training/community thing?
I got selected as a BETA tester, and whilst its not cutting edge for routes etc I can see the potential for it to be a good social platform if what they area planning happens….

Any thoughts ??

gllewellyn

I think it looks awesome - certainly has the potential to make time on the turbo much more interesting/fun.

While I can see it being good fun for racing against people, etc, I don't think it could replace something like TrainerRoad for doing proper structured workouts though.

I've signed up for the beta, but not had an invite yet, so will have to reserve judgement...

stueys

I've been using it for a few weeks now, it's very good. Makes the turbo experience feel a lot more immersive and entertaining. I've started to use Trainerroad in parrallel with Zwift to add some structure to what I'm doing which I find works quite well. Recommended, the potential when they add more routes, etc, etc is definitely there.

mfin

Here you go, there was a thread with this exact title a couple of weeks ago...

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13014289

BrandonA

I hope they go for function rather than fluff.

By function I mean a decent AI with many routes and training options.

By fluff I mean investing too much time on developing fancy graphics and too many social mediam functions.

I've been on the beta since Xmas. I use my Kickr and other iPad apps to control power (ie interval training) and use the power meter on my PC to send the power to Swift. It therefore makes interval training more interesting.

The other way is to let Zwift control the Kickr resistance based on gradient. weight, equipment and drafting. I see this as being very limited considering there is only one route.

There are at least 2 other posts on this subject though within the various subfomas which contain some good information.

TakeTurns

Anyone heading over to the London Bike Show this weekend will be able to check it out, they have a stall there.

PhunkyPhil

gllewellyn wrote:

I think it looks awesome - certainly has the potential to make time on the turbo much more interesting/fun.

While I can see it being good fun for racing against people, etc, I don't think it could replace something like TrainerRoad for doing proper structured workouts though.

I've signed up for the beta, but not had an invite yet, so will have to reserve judgement...

Why not use both at the same time???

I ride on Zwift as it gives me something a little more interesting to look at but at the same time I do my intervals. I don't care that I am on a down or up hill as I just ride at what ever power I want to.

napoleond

PhunkyPhil wrote:

gllewellyn wrote:

I think it looks awesome - certainly has the potential to make time on the turbo much more interesting/fun.

While I can see it being good fun for racing against people, etc, I don't think it could replace something like TrainerRoad for doing proper structured workouts though.

I've signed up for the beta, but not had an invite yet, so will have to reserve judgement...

Why not use both at the same time???

I ride on Zwift as it gives me something a little more interesting to look at but at the same time I do my intervals. I don't care that I am on a down or up hill as I just ride at what ever power I want to.

This is what I do. I subscribe to Virtual Training at the moment. If Zwift gets some decent courses I'll be making the switch. I'm not that bothered about the social function at the moment.

PhunkyPhil

NapoleonD wrote:

PhunkyPhil wrote:

gllewellyn wrote:

I think it looks awesome - certainly has the potential to make time on the turbo much more interesting/fun.

While I can see it being good fun for racing against people, etc, I don't think it could replace something like TrainerRoad for doing proper structured workouts though.

I've signed up for the beta, but not had an invite yet, so will have to reserve judgement...

Why not use both at the same time???

I ride on Zwift as it gives me something a little more interesting to look at but at the same time I do my intervals. I don't care that I am on a down or up hill as I just ride at what ever power I want to.

This is what I do. I subscribe to Virtual Training at the moment. If Zwift gets some decent courses I'll be making the switch. I'm not that bothered about the social function at the moment.

Out of interest how are you controlling\connecting to everything?

I have a Kickr that I am using to do the intervals either using VirtualTraining like yourself or the Wahoo utility. This iPad is getting cadence from a Bluetooth sensor and Heart Rate through 4iii BTLE\Ant+ strap.

Then I have my PC reading power\cadence from my Power Meter and also the heart rate data.

I then have another iPad running the Zwift app so I can send messages and use the power ups.

I find this works quite well for me but its tech over kill

napoleond

I just have a permanent desktop setup in the garage connected to a 32" telly, ant+ dongle and Powertap wheel.

Here's my 11yo daughter on Zwift:

vinnymarsden

Like Nap, I have a "man cave" with an "old" desktop PC setup in there..Old as in the kids dot use it anymore…tablets have taken over, which is to my benefit!!

26 inch wall mounted screen and carpets!!!

ravey1981

How does this work if you don't have one of these new fangled smart trainers? I understand it can get info from a powermeter or cadence/speed sensor but what happens when you go up or down a hill? (I've seen those motorised ones that actually drive you're wheel whilst going downhill) Do you have to alter the resistance manually? And how can you compete or race against others if they have different equipment?

Dozzina

Got my Beta test welcome email today. Have downloaded the software and hoping to give it a go tomorrow.

charliew87

Are they rolling out Beta to anyone without a power meter yet?

flasher

Oh how I long for the good old days, when you actually went out on your bike, no matter what the weather.

BrandonA

charliew87 wrote:

Are they rolling out Beta to anyone without a power meter yet?

Lets hope not as the leader boards will become completely worthless if people without power meters are posting times.

charliew87

BrandonA wrote:

charliew87 wrote:

Are they rolling out Beta to anyone without a power meter yet?

Lets hope not as the leader boards will become completely worthless if people without power meters are posting times.

I don't have a power meter and have no plans to get one so hopefully they're finding a way. Trainerroad does a decent job of calculating power, can't be that hard even if it's not 100% accurate.

napoleond

Just had an hours' through and off with Lawson Craddock
I didn't see it but he tweeted just before he went on he was going on, just coincidence. A nice bit of Z2 work...

Here's me on the front...

vinnymarsden

Hi Nap,
Looking good on the front...I'm hoping for virtual EPO and the lot!!!! Joking aside, how do you change the camera angle?
The one thing the BETA doesn't really have is a comprehensive how to guide!!!

Cheers

Vinny

napoleond

You press the number keys, there's quite a few different views including helicopter (includes helicopter noise!)

One thing I haven't worked out yet is how to type online messages to the other riders, some people seem to be able to do it.

Cookie!

charliew87 wrote:

Are they rolling out Beta to anyone without a power meter yet?

Yeah, and I believe they have been for a while. I just have a Cycleops turbo.

BrandonA

charliew87 wrote:

BrandonA wrote:

charliew87 wrote:

Are they rolling out Beta to anyone without a power meter yet?

Lets hope not as the leader boards will become completely worthless if people without power meters are posting times.

I don't have a power meter and have no plans to get one so hopefully they're finding a way. Trainerroad does a decent job of calculating power, can't be that hard even if it's not 100% accurate.

As you are probably aware the type of tyre you use, your tyre pressure, how hard you have the tyre pushed against the turbo roller and the level you have the turbo set to (on their remote control) all affect the power you generate when you spin a certain gear a given number of times per minute. If any of these change then your Zwift results will speed/power will be affected. You could also incorrectly set the wheel speed. You could set your wheel to a small circumference, use your lowest gear and remove air from your tyre and then generate fast times.

I like Swift. I think they've been lazy though using Strava as the way to get decent states and view leaderboards. What would be good is if like the VirtualTraining software they had leaderboard built into their website. And if they showed how power was derived people could opt to only see accurate results and ignore guestimates riders without power meters. I fully understand why they need to let people with setups like yours enter, I don't know the actual figure but the number of turbo trainers who have power meters will be very low so they would be foolish to ignore a large audience.

I don't know if Zwift will do it, but VirtualTrainer lets you organise races. When you set one up you can state the quality of opponent equipment you will allow to enter. You'd therefore be able to limit it to people with similar setups to your own so as to give the most accurate race possible.

napoleond

I was without a powermeter for a while a couple of years ago, I did an FTP test on virtual power after a few weeks using trainer road, I thought I was getting mega fit! Cracked 330w for the test. When I got a powermeter again a year ago I thought it was broken. Turns out I was. I could barely do 270w for the 8 mins. I was so unfit!

I went and saw Garry Palmer at Sportstest and, through testing and a training plan he sorted me out. 6 months later I was doing 340w for the 8 mins with a Powermeter

I couldn't believe how inaccurate the virtual power was in hindsight. I think it was reasonably consistent though as long as I ensured set up was the same, although I think temperature affected things.

savethemamil

NapoleonD wrote:

One thing I haven't worked out yet is how to type online messages to the other riders, some people seem to be able to do it.

I think you press the M key to send a message.

Useful list of current keyboard shortcuts here https://support.zwift.com/hc/communities/public/questions/202223865-Full-listing-of-current-keyboard-shortcuts?locale=en-us