Indoor Training and Racing

dmorcycle

Hi,

I'm currently looking into setting up an indoor cycle racing/training centre and could do with any obvious feedback and suggestions. I'm looking at a city-centre location with 15-20 DD trainers (either Kickr/Neo/Drivo), each linked to their own PC and screen. Racing would be done either on Zwift on Bkool (each appears to have its own pros and cons). You would bring your own bike.

I'm looking into partnering with a high quality coaching business to deliver power-based training sessions (all year round) as a second income.

Key questions:

1. Would there be demand for an indoor group-race environment (not Spin). Although the hardware and software is obviously available to use at home over the internet I feel the social part of racing against others in a room is missing.
2. Would there be demand for high-quality group training sessions and if so, what would be a reasonable fee to pay each week?

Any feedback/suggestions very welcome. It's in the early stages but I can't find anything locally that fits this (I'm in Brighton) and keen to explore.

Many thanks,

Dan

markhewitt1978

Zwift is by far the most popular platform and you'll attract a lot of users just so they can participate in races there.

One thing you have to consider with direct drive trainers is that the cassette has to match the bike, be it 10 speed or 11 speed etc, plus the bike will often not be indexed properly to the cassette so unless you want to go around adjusting indexing every time someone puts a bike on? Whereas a wheel on trainer such as Kickr Snap won't have any of those issues, although you may want to get people to swap out their skewer.

The main issue with racing on Zwift is that you can never be sure that the other person has a properly calibrated trainer or has not lied about their weight etc, whereas if you weigh people before they start and calibrate the trainers properly it's a fair contest.

BTW if you did want to go direct drive then the best bet is the Neo as it doesn't need calibrating that removes that aspect.

chris_bass

would the tacx flux not be a more financially viable option? just a slightly scaled back neo from what i can see.

I think the problem you have is that zwift brings the racing and community feel without actually need to be near other very sweaty people

cgfw201

Not sure exactly how this would work on Zwift in it's current iteration, but pretty safe to assume at some point down the line there will be a mode/version which makes group class riding a great experience on the platform.

jgsi

I think there are Zwift studios running successfully out there ( meaning the US , I daresay).
Having experience in gyms and gym kit... the kit has to withstand a LOT of abuse... the public usually dont care, trust me.

Your investment initially is going to be very high anyways ... but you dont want to be replacing bike frames and turbo trainers every 2 months.... Wattbikes?

Go Facebook the Zwift groups and ask there

slowbike

The problem with the clamp up non-direct drive trainers is that the pressure of the roller would need to be adjusted each time.
TBH, if you're going to offer a turbo session in this sort of format then you should offer the whole lot - bike included. The messing about before and after trying to get each one set up and ensuring nobody walks off with your skewers makes it a pita - unless you offer it as a club format where members have a vested interest in ensuring the kit is kept in good condition.

Zwift does seem to offer group rides - but I don't know how it's controlled. Bkool is much easier - as in you (administrator) can set up a ride and others can join in and you get to set the ride location, length and course - however, I don't know if you could prevent other users (not in your class) from joining - may not even be an issue though...

Another consideration is profiles - as has been said - you set up your profile with your weight etc etc to ensure you have an even match - this is the same in Bkool as it is in Zwift (although the Bkool turbos don't need calibrating). Then you have to consider what you're offering in terms of data extraction - people will probably want the FIT files to upload to their own strava.
If you consider it still to be a good business opportunity then it might be worth speaking to Zwift & or Bkool to see if they can offer a custom client that may address some of the issues you'd face.

markhewitt1978

There has been quite a lot made of the so called smart bikes which are supposed to be coming out this year.

Cross between an exercise bike and a proper turbo. I do agree that people bringing their own bikes is frought with problems.

cgfw201

What does Athlete Lab use? Think they have full bikes set up on trainers. Seems to be a pretty successful setup, only without Zwift as far as I know. Digme in Richmond (London) also has a good set up, or so I've heard.

dmorcycle

Thanks for all the responses so far - some really good advice. I like the idea of using fixed bikes rather than direct drive trainers and agree with the practical implications. I've looked at some of the higher end fixed bikes (Watt Bike, Stages, CycleOps Phantom 5 etc..) but the manufacterers aren't convinced that Zwift/Bkool will adjust the resistance on the bikes automatically.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Dan

LWLondon

I think you'd be surprised at how much it costs to set up one of these. Athlete Lab in London are quoted in articles as costing about £1m of investment to open theirs up, and it's a very good facility. If you go cheap, there is a danger customers won't pay for it!

barry_badrinath

Another stumbling block is that people may not want to pay 'again' if they are already paying for Zwift? I suppose this would maybe only appeal or be targeted towards those who don't have a satisfactory set up at home, and existing subscription.

jgsi

This is an example of what I was referring to that in the US, income streams via Zwift are being evolved...
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cycligen ... 2494166928

The charity aspect is heavily emphasised... however it would be interesting to know how this is actually funded. It has the feel of a well oiled PR machine behind it all.