The Indoor Riding/ Zwift/ TrainerRoad etc. Thread

Zwift are finally getting around to trying category enforcement, but just to make things messy, despite saying beforehand the rules would be the same 95% best 20mins... They are experimenting with moving the category rule goalposts!

Are you upset with your test category produced if you try to enter a test event such as Mon 21st @ 1800? https://zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=2776730

My cycling stamina has been carp since my flu in October and bit of relapse after my Covid booster jab in December, yet they want me to race at B level for ~60mins doing 5 laps of Champs-Élysées. :(
 
UTmaniac said:
Are you upset with your test category produced if you try to enter a test event such as Mon 21st @ 1800?
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It puts me in the same category as ZwiftPower, so can't really complain.
There's a thread on the Zwift forums which sort of explains how it works, including estimating a VO2max. The issue for me is that you don't know where you are relative to the category boundaries. At least with ZwiftPower the rules are transparent.
 
wonko said:
It puts me in the same category as ZwiftPower, so can't really complain.
There's a thread on the Zwift forums which sort of explains how it works, including estimating a VO2max. The issue for me is that you don't know where you are relative to the category boundaries. At least with ZwiftPower the rules are transparent.
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The lack of rules transparency during this test has been brought up a few times in the Zwift threads about this test and it's a valid concern. But then just like with the current 95% 20min efforts used currently for categories, if you know the formula, there are tools out there to give you a rolling 20min average power update over the Zwift screen on some devices or you can simply use your gps computer to a lesser degree to help you not tip just over the category promotion threshold.
 
Think I have managed to snag myself a 2018 Wahoo Kickr for £180. Are there any things I need to know when I get setup.
 
UTmaniac said:
The lack of rules transparency during this test has been brought up a few times in the Zwift threads about this test and it's a valid concern. But then just like with the current 95% 20min efforts used currently for categories, if you know the formula, there are tools out there to give you a rolling 20min average power update over the Zwift screen on some devices or you can simply use your gps computer to a lesser degree to help you not tip just over the category promotion threshold.
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I use the Zwift Activity Monitor tool to show rolling W / W/kg, but not to try to keep in a lower category (that boat sailed when I nearly exploded doing TdZ stage 8!).

Any system they come up with will be open to some manipulation though, and maybe Zwift don't want to release full details of what the calculation is so they can tweak it over time, or even by event course/duration?

I've not seen anything saying whether Zwift intend that all races will be category enforced, but doubt that will be the case and left to the event organisers, so if you're (say) recovering from illness or injury you could still race amongst others at your current level. A bit like ZwiftPower they may be thinking of ways to indicate who is riding below their normal category so they don't interfere with the result.
 
Using place based rankings would probably be a lot more constructive. If you are regularly in the top 10 or within seconds of first place, then being moved to the next category would make sense.

I am lightweight, and put out good numbers for w/kg in the ramp test on zwift, but it well overestimates my FTP compared to what I can actually do. I now get warnings saying I am too powerful for group C but can't hang on to the front group and finish the city race with a w/kg of 3.2-3.4. I've actually decided to give the Wahoo SYSTM a go this week, and the 4dp test have me at exactly 3w/kg which is much more representative of my abilities.
 
Not sure Zwift ever downgrades you… my FTP is set to 310-320w by Zwift but I’m probably 290-300w at the minute so all the values are skewed.

End of the day you’re only cheating yourself if you’re messing with your weight or height but it can spoil other peoples ride.

We have repeatedly had an A Zwift power rider race B grade on a Thursday evening, others were complaining about it today, but the rider didn’t win or place…
 
Trifid said:
Using place based rankings would probably be a lot more constructive. If you are regularly in the top 10 or within seconds of first place, then being moved to the next category would make sense.

I am lightweight, and put out good numbers for w/kg in the ramp test on zwift, but it well overestimates my FTP compared to what I can actually do. I now get warnings saying I am too powerful for group C but can't hang on to the front group and finish the city race with a w/kg of 3.2-3.4. I've actually decided to give the Wahoo SYSTM a go this week, and the 4dp test have me at exactly 3w/kg which is much more representative of my abilities.
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Still feel people could sandbag races to drop a few places. Anyway, seems a little fairer to me now. Guess you can't please everyone at the same time.

My bodyweight is down to 91kg after last few weeks and entering that test ride it has put me in Cat C as my W/KG has hit 3.0. I don't really think it has in reality though and don't feel like a C rider but I don't take it mega seriously anyway.

My Neo Bike is still out of action, can use it for for training sessions but it can't cope with full gas or prolonged use. I started a returns process with both Garmin directly and the online retailer I bought it from. Neither have covered themselves in glory. tardy emails more than 24 hours apart. I have the bike shop at the point where they asked me to provide an address and a convenient time that a courier could come and get it. I said 1pm this afternoon. They expect me to put it back in its original (huge) box that I binned in November. They will assess it then send me a new one. Told them that was unacceptable and they should drop me off a new one first - not heard back for two days.
Garmin have told me they will send a new one THEN come pick up the old one. Better. That was Wednesday and to provide them with an address. Did that. 24 hours later they email me asking for a phone number which by the way they already have on file as when I ring them they know it is me using caller ID. Got an email late Thursday saying I will be getting anew one and will be contacted shortly. Today is day 15 since I started the returns process.

hank you for contacting Garmin Australasia, we have created a case in our system and have arranged for your Tacx unit to be picked up. Please disregard the automatic email stating that you need to send your trainer back to us, you will be contacted shortly by our logistics company to arrange a time and day for pickup.

Due to the substantial cost involved in shipping Tacx products, all customers will be invoiced for subsequent delivery attempts where they have not made them selves available to receive the initial delivery as organised.

Please print this email and place a copy of it with your Tacx unit.


Case Number: 1835315

Model: NEO Bike Smart, T8000, Tacx, AU/NZ

Serial Number: 2000011912

Purchase Date: Pushys 09/11/2021

Fault: Left hand nut (plastic) on crank keeps falling

Additional Customer Comments:
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My product is neither of those listed :rolleyes:
 
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fez said:
Think I have managed to snag myself a 2018 Wahoo Kickr for £180. Are there any things I need to know when I get setup.
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This is from a few pages back. Whoop band comment was in relation to a HR monitor recommendation. Appreciate its not everyone's thing but I use mine at crossfit and sleep in it. Perfect for me.

Vandle said:
Just get on it and put the miles in! I'm by no means an expert and a bit of a noob when it comes to races but I'm at level 24 with just shy of 4,000km and 150 hours
  • Don't underestimate how hot you get sitting still on a bike, even if it is December in England.
  • Do a FTP test early on in your zwifting career to help you measure progress better.
  • Download and use the companion app on your phone.
  • Join the Everest challenge straight away. I forgot to do this, would have had that super sweet Tron bike by now. (50km of climbing)
  • Use the inbuilt training plans to keep it interesting, make you accountable and feel like some form of progression. Make sure ERG mode is selected.
  • Change up your routes, you get XP for completing each one the first time. More XP levels you up, more levels = better bikes and wheels. If you are doing a training plan and it's an hour then chances are with warm up, warm down and recovery sections between efforts you may only cover 15 to 20km in the session - probably even less if you picked a hilly course. So bare in mind you wont get the XP boost if the course isn't finished. You can still finish the course once the training is complete though but who wants to do that?
  • When you are a few levels in read this to decide what to buy with your drop points and when. https://zwiftinsider.com/what-to-buy-at-each-zwift-level/
  • It gets boring at times, I'm not going to lie. A good podcast or an ipad running something easy on the brain on Netflix is great way to get through it.
  • I know you say no room for a TV but I have just changed my set up, I run it through an Apple TV box plugged into a monitor I "acquired" from work which I will soon be fixing to the wall. It works a treat. You really don't need a big TV for it. I was using a 55" and its way too big.
  • I use a Whoop band for HR as I like how it measures my other activities. Expensive - yes. The best - yes :)
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The rubbish weather the last few days really got me interested in indoor cycling and one thing lead to another and I just purchased a second hand Wahoo Kickr 2018 model. Looks pretty much brand new and all boxed up

Do I need anything special to get it working with my laptop and Zwift?
 
Junglist said:
The rubbish weather the last few days really got me interested in indoor cycling and one thing lead to another and I just purchased a second hand Wahoo Kickr 2018 model. Looks pretty much brand new and all boxed up

Do I need anything special to get it working with my laptop and Zwift?
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Does your laptop have Bluetooth? If yes, pairing up the turbo's power, cadence and controllable (used for simulated gradient in freeride and power matching in ERG workouts) should be straight forward. Plus a heart rate monitor as an optional additional extra and you're all set.

If the laptop doesn't have Bluetooth, you can use the Zwift Companion app (Android or iOS) as a Bluetooth "bridge," your smart mobile needs to be on the same wifi network including 2.4/5Ghz band.
 
Yeah the laptop has bluetooth and I was planning on just hooking the laptop up to a spare screen I have and going from there. I just noticed they have USB ENT+ devices and I wasn't sure if that was something I would need. Planning on using my Bolt and Tickr to manage my heart rate as well as the included cadence sensors

Knowing my luck the weather will turn nice as soon as it turns up but I've really missed being out on my bike the last few days
 
Junglist said:
Yeah the laptop has bluetooth and I was planning on just hooking the laptop up to a spare screen I have and going from there. I just noticed they have USB ENT+ devices and I wasn't sure if that was something I would need. Planning on using my Bolt and Tickr to manage my heart rate as well as the included cadence sensors

Knowing my luck the weather will turn nice as soon as it turns up but I've really missed being out on my bike the last few days
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Most modern devices can use ANT or Bluetooth. I think Bluetooth has a faster update rate, but there are limits usually to how many devices can be connected at the same time on some systems. I think ANT+ is like a local broadcast so your heart rate could be sent to a laptop and cycle computer at the same time.
 
Finally got an undisputed win on my second home the Downtown Dolphin. Few weeks back was a photo finish but I smoked the other chap that was getting close by a clear bike length so I'm claiming it this time.

Did zero the first lap then took the KOM second lap and a dig most laps after that but can't make any small gap stick even with 4 or 5 of us with 3 seconds :confused:

Looks like my Wiggle HR monitor doesn't like it's new battery though....

https://www.strava.com/activities/6707358411
 
Jonny ///M said:
Finally got an undisputed win on my second home the Downtown Dolphin. Few weeks back was a photo finish but I smoked the other chap that was getting close by a clear bike length so I'm claiming it this time.

Did zero the first lap then took the KOM second lap and a dig most laps after that but can't make any small gap stick even with 4 or 5 of us with 3 seconds :confused:

Looks like my Wiggle HR monitor doesn't like it's new battery though....

https://www.strava.com/activities/6707358411
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Drafting still silly, 3-4 riders can’t pull away from a pack rolling less watts. Rewards just sitting in and waiting for the finish.

I’ve never seen the ghost, steam roller or anvil power ups, are these disabled by default?
 
Managed a sub 9 hour vEveresting solo on zwift, although mistakes were made, namely the gearing I used at alpe pinch points. Not really sure what it cost me time wise in the long run. Including the downhills with time off the bike and then spinning, averaged 241w at 71.9kg for the duration. As always, you are pleased but want more.

If anyone is thinking of trying it who hasn't, I can recommend and offer up some tips even if it has become a meme at this point with gearing and trainer difficulty at silly levels.
 
Drollic said:
Managed a sub 9 hour vEveresting solo on zwift, although mistakes were made, namely the gearing I used at alpe pinch points. Not really sure what it cost me time wise in the long run. Including the downhills with time off the bike and then spinning, averaged 241w at 71.9kg for the duration. As always, you are pleased but want more.

If anyone is thinking of trying it who hasn't, I can recommend and offer up some tips even if it has become a meme at this point with gearing and trainer difficulty at silly levels.
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No thanks :D

Great achievement though, well done. Have many rest breaks?
 
Vandle said:
No thanks :D

Great achievement though, well done. Have many rest breaks?
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Only quick toilet breaks on the downhills and to stretch the legs. Eating mid to late on whilst climbing wasn't great, but once you've been so fatigued before you've started retching at food whilst eating, everything is easier as you remember :D
 
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