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Post by Chris O'Hearn on Oct 30, 2015 19:41:49 GMT
For those not aware it's an online cycling programme which mixes aspects of multiplayer games with turbo training.
Basically takes your power (or an estimate based on certain trainers) and represents it in an avatar which cycles around various courses. The big difference between that and some of the other trainer software is that other people are doing the same in real time so you can cycle in groups and even race.
It's been in beta testing all year and is about to go into subscription. Strava Premium members will get two months free as part of their subscription too.
Anyway the reason for the question is that they have various jerseys - some are for in-game achievements, others are promotions for PR but they also have some club jerseys - several Australian clubs and also a Norwegian one for some reason but not many UK clubs.
I think they like to have clubs of a decent size and where there will be a few people using them.
Is there is a Dulwich contingent secretly riding Zwift, and do you think we should ask whether they would do a jersey for us to kit ourselves out?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2015 9:52:44 GMT
Chriso, I've been thinking of Zwift and signed up for Beta but I'm training in rollers and don't have a power meter so I've never managed to understand if there's a way I can actually take part. It looks like fun though, so would love to hear other people's experiences (and potentially make it more interesting to get a power meter)
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Post by Chris O'Hearn on Nov 2, 2015 15:03:46 GMT
If you're using rollers then I think you would need a power meter.
You can use a trainer without a power meter if it is one supported by Zwift - they do all the main brands and models. All you need is a speed sensor. They calibrate the trainers for wheel-speed and calculate virtual power, or ZPower as they call it. Somewhat open to abuse but apparently reasonably accurate if set up correctly.
Unfortunately with rollers I don't think there'd be any way to estimate the power. So it's rollers with a meter (I don't think you'd regret getting one anyway) or get a trainer without power.
As for the experience, personally I think it's brilliant. I would put it on a scale with Strava in terms of how much I think it will change and have an impact on people's cycling experience.
Even if you're just doing a steady session it is so much more interesting to see yourself cruising around the course, catching up to people, having people go past. And if you use it regularly you see people again and can chat, give them Ride Ons (sort of a 'Like') and so on.
There's also a very big social element with group rides and events, and racing is developing as well. Still a few issues they need to sort out to make that work properly but as someone who's been using it since February I have to say the developers have been amazingly responsive and involved in the community which has built up around it so I've got a lot of confidence they will continue to grow in a way that users will find interesting.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2015 19:12:41 GMT
Thanks for the review. I'll add this to my list of good reasons for getting a power meter. Now I just have to keep my Christmas shopping very cheap - and spend the money on a power meter!
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Post by Spencer Rockman on Nov 22, 2015 9:40:55 GMT
Since my summer injury and long layoff I have got hooked to zwifting. It even got me buying a new smart turbo. It makes turboing enjoyable for me.
Apparently if your club is big enough they will craft you a jersey. I for one would find it cool to fly club colours
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Post by Sara Barman on Nov 22, 2015 17:38:48 GMT
Which smart turbo did you get Spenceruk? I'm really tempted but we have a dim turbo AND rollers already so hard to justify outlay. (Are there any turbos with power going cheap due to black friday?)
What's the cheapest one can get a power meter on bike for? (Ideally easily interchangeable)
Attempted a turbo sesh yesterday but it was v dull. Too sweaty to read/concentrate but couldn't put in enough effort to get heart rate up enough.
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Post by Spencer Rockman on Nov 22, 2015 17:44:38 GMT
I went for a tacx bushido in the end. Seems good although it is new so still getting used to it. I was using a dumb trainer (cycleops fluid).
It was about 400 quid which although expensive wasn't as much as a wahoo or the tacx neo. I also wanted an on-wheel turbo rather than a direct drive which seemed a faff everytime i wanted to drop the commuter on there.
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Post by Chris O'Hearn on Nov 25, 2015 9:31:24 GMT
Tackx Vortex Smart is a little bit cheaper - about 250 quid. Quite a few on Zwift seem to use it and like it.
I think the Bushido has a higher resistance and some extra programme capability but if you just want a trainer to ride on Zwift over winter then Vortex should be adequate.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2015 17:22:05 GMT
Im looking into this on behalf of myself and Sara, I also found this even cheaper one www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-satori-smart-trainer/does anyone use the satori for zwift? technically it would be compatible It seems to have a slightly better max power than the vortex but i am guessin gthat it doesnt have a flywheel effect, so would make it less realistic? |
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Post by Chris O'Hearn on Dec 1, 2015 18:01:35 GMT
Im looking into this on behalf of myself and Sara, I also found this even cheaper one www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-satori-smart-trainer/does anyone use the satori for zwift? technically it would be compatible It seems to have a slightly better max power than the vortex but i am guessin gthat it doesnt have a flywheel effect, so would make it less realistic? There are certainly people using the Satori - and it was on special offer from Amazon in the last few days so a few more picked it up. Haven't seen any hugely negative comments or problems on the Zwift user pages so there don't seem to be any issues... but having said that there's a lot more love for the Vortex Smart. I think DC Rainmaker gives the Vortex Smart a pretty positive recommendation as well. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2016 18:35:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2016 12:11:45 GMT
I am hooked on Zwift. I set up a Dulwich Paragon club in Zwift but no one has joined.
The fitness level of the average Zwift rider is high. I finish races towards the back on there all of the time. I am cat C on Zwift.
I use Tacx Bushido which is ok. You can use Zwft on any rollers if you have a speed sensor. It will estimate watts for you.
It is great for me as I can't get out much. My son likes to watch the races and give shout outs to other riders using the phone controller.
I would really recommend Zwift to anyone. It has massively increased my fitness.
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Post by James Corlett on Feb 13, 2016 16:25:25 GMT
stevebeard I've recently got in to zwift too, how do I join the club? Would be awesome to get a virtual club kit on there too. There don't seem to be any uk clubs with custom kits yet but there are a few from Australia so seems possible...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2016 16:52:17 GMT
I think you join a club through the web portal. It would be great to get the kit on there. Godalming cc have theirs
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Post by James Corlett on Feb 13, 2016 19:32:16 GMT
OK so worked out what to do... Doesn't look like Zwift supports clubs straight off, but there is a third party website www.meetopia.io that does. Looks like you link your Strava to see your Zwift activities when you race so you get the club affiliation in the leaderboards that way. I found Steve's team here, so join up if you're Zwifting! meetopia.io/team/56ab9991710311bf045c4e2dIt's just a shame that Zwift caps my watts at 400 on the rollers as using just a speed sensor, not sure how great that'd be in a race... |
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