I'm actually in the middle of setting up a proper zwift station, ive been using a tablet on the wattbike until now but im going full rig with a 4k monitor. I am very tempted to get something like a Kickr. Does it put much strain on the bike ?
The Indoor Riding/ Zwift/ TrainerRoad etc. Thread
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I've never used a Peloton but they quote crazy high numbers of people who have kept their sub going beyond the obligatory duration which I presume is 12 months. I don't think they are lying but it is an impressive number so plenty must enjoy it. It seems restrictive to me and again presuming but if you cancel your sub can you do anything with the bike?
There are alternatives to Zwift if you fancy a change which I think is a big advantage. I tried Rouvy, quite liked it for a change of scenery although far, far less users so world isn't as populated as Zwift. Photo realistic graphics though compared to zwifts rather crude cartoons although I'd say if you are noticing the scenery then you aren't pushing hard enough
Depends how hard you go. I have a Trek Madone and had that pinned in a wheel off trainer. When giving it some big revs back when I was 95kg I could see the frame moving beneath me and I really didn't like it. Upgraded to a smart bike and that thing is solid as a rock.
I've been reading reviews on the Atom v2. Seems to be lag with ERG mode but I wonder as a non-pro whether it would even affect me. However, it is the most affordable. The tacx + looks great and has the incline/decline function but eye watering price tag.
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Did my 2nd race last night. I didn't really prepare for it as by the time I got home from work/nursery run I had 15 minutes to get dressed and set my laptop up before the start. I got on with 5 minutes to spare and tried to warm up the best I could.
It was the route in Glasgow that climbs up both sides of a KOM. One side is gravel and the rest of the course is paved. I decided to use a gravel bike for the course which made things interesting as most people looked to be on road/tron bikes. The lead in was purely tarmac so the first few KM I had to push a lot harder to keep up. I started ~36th and by the time we got to the gravel section I was ~80th! Though once we hit the gravel I was quite content with my choice as i was able to make up significant positions. The trade off was I had to push really hard on the tarmac descent and ascent and as long as I could keep within distance of those ahead, i knew I'd make the positions back up during the gravel climb.
Ended up finishing 22/94 people. Was trying to get into the top 20 but the group ahead were just a few meters too far ahead for me to catch. Quite happy with the result despite not being prepared for the event. Finished 22/94 on the road but ZwiftPower classified me as 14/54 once riders had been disqualified. 22/94 sounds more impressive though
It was the route in Glasgow that climbs up both sides of a KOM. One side is gravel and the rest of the course is paved. I decided to use a gravel bike for the course which made things interesting as most people looked to be on road/tron bikes. The lead in was purely tarmac so the first few KM I had to push a lot harder to keep up. I started ~36th and by the time we got to the gravel section I was ~80th! Though once we hit the gravel I was quite content with my choice as i was able to make up significant positions. The trade off was I had to push really hard on the tarmac descent and ascent and as long as I could keep within distance of those ahead, i knew I'd make the positions back up during the gravel climb.
Ended up finishing 22/94 people. Was trying to get into the top 20 but the group ahead were just a few meters too far ahead for me to catch. Quite happy with the result despite not being prepared for the event. Finished 22/94 on the road but ZwiftPower classified me as 14/54 once riders had been disqualified. 22/94 sounds more impressive though
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ZwifterBikes
Calculate the best bike in Zwift for any route based on your level, drops, weight and power. Compare bikes side by side with detailed splits. TRON calculator. Developed by Thor Gabrielsen
zwifterbikes.web.app
If you set your level, sweat drops it will tell which bike is the best for different routes. You can also input the bikes you have and it will tell you what to use from your garage.
Generally in Zwift I find:
Canyon aeroad 2021 with zip 808 is fastest for tarmac on generally flat races
Canondale evo with arc 1100 dicut wheel for big climbs.
If you unlock the meilenstein wheels, then use these for all big climb races. I am only level 28, so there may be some higher unlocks, but the rider makes 99.5% of the difference.
The biggest differences come between the surface types - road, gravel..etc. as you found having a gravel on smooth tarmac will lose significant time. If you are on the correct bike type the differences between the best and 50th choice will be 1-2s over a 30 minutes. So generally best to save up drops for the bikes you will use long term and not overthink it.
Aeroad the best until you get to unlock the Cervello S5 at L27.
zwiftinsider.com
To be honest though, when you look at their test results, Buffalo bike aside, there is very little in it between best and worst. A few seconds over 34kms but its all about marginal gains!!
zwiftinsider.com
Zwift Shopping Guide: What To Buy from the Drop Shop at Each Level
Know where to spend those hard-earned Drops!
zwiftinsider.com
To be honest though, when you look at their test results, Buffalo bike aside, there is very little in it between best and worst. A few seconds over 34kms but its all about marginal gains!!
Zwift Speed Tests: Frame Ranking Charts
Detailed performance data for all Zwift road bike frames.
zwiftinsider.com
Yeah typically I'll use the Aerorad and the ARC dicut wheels on most routes. I may change the ARC wheels to the Zipp 808 if it's a flatter route.
Climbing routes and I use the cannondale evo + lightweight wheels.
Only bikes I've bought have been the Cannondale Evo, Canyon Aeroad and the Specalized Crux. Saving my drops up for the Canyon Speedmax TT bike then after that I'll get the S-Works Aethos and eventually a disc wheelset. Though I'm only level 23 so those other bikes are a fair way away yet
Another 13Km of climbing left until I get the Tron bike then I'll probably do Ride Italy.
Climbing routes and I use the cannondale evo + lightweight wheels.
Only bikes I've bought have been the Cannondale Evo, Canyon Aeroad and the Specalized Crux. Saving my drops up for the Canyon Speedmax TT bike then after that I'll get the S-Works Aethos and eventually a disc wheelset. Though I'm only level 23 so those other bikes are a fair way away yet
Another 13Km of climbing left until I get the Tron bike then I'll probably do Ride Italy.
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Just did my second run up the Alpe du Zwift. Managed 70'50". 10 minutes faster than the last time I did it. I forgot (like last time) that it doesn't show you all the segments in the little progress widget and there is that final 800m or so. Probably didn't pace it that well but I am pleased with that time all things considered.
I was on the stock bike/wheels and didn't use any power ups but I have bought a new frame and wheels now. Do they make much difference?
I did it as part of the "Road to Sky" so it doesn't show you the breakdown for just the Alpe. Is there any way to look at that?
I was on the stock bike/wheels and didn't use any power ups but I have bought a new frame and wheels now. Do they make much difference?
I did it as part of the "Road to Sky" so it doesn't show you the breakdown for just the Alpe. Is there any way to look at that?
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You can see the times with strava if you have it. If not, use the companion app as below.
Go to the more section at the bottom of the screen, then select leaderboards.
All segments and KOMs are then listed for the different worlds and routes. So just select watopia, then tour of ice and fire or road to the sky and it will show all your attempts and the times.
Thanks. I was hoping to see the breakdown of power etc for just that section though and that doesn't seem to be something I can do. I think some other apps/websites might allow it but some of them don't pick up historic data so i'm out of luck there.
Strava is the only way to do that although you wont be able to retrospectively. It has a section for the Alpe in full and segments for each individual section. If you run or ride you should really have strava. The free version is excellent although they have as of a year or so ago locked the ability to compare properly to past performances behind the subscription pay wall. The paid version is full of features and decent value, I culled mine however a while back as just had too many monthly outgoings on this sort of thing.
Speed Tests: Zwift’s Fastest* Bike Frames for Climbing
Featherlight frames for flying up the big climbs.
zwiftinsider.com
Fastest frames for climbing there but the fastest and the 9th fastest are separated by 10 seconds up the full duration of the Alpe at a constant 4wkg. Considering the fastest is a L34 unlock and the third is L9 its likely not going to make much of a difference to most people! I still always equip the best I can though, because of just reasons.
EDIT - Ive actually just put my thinking hat on this morning. If the difference between someone pushing out 4wkg for the entire Alpe section is 10 seconds. Then that gap will be more for someone pushing out less - wont it? Therefore riders at lower outputs will benefit even MORE than stronger riders. Amirite?
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Good choice. I did the same race last night and switched out to a gravel bike at the last minute. Glad I did. Ended up finishing in a lonely 6th, 30 seconds behind 5th and 40 seconds ahead of 7th. This was the biggest spread I thin I have seen over the top ten in short races like this. I was 12 seconds behind the pair in front of me hitting the second climb but caught them very, very quickly as they were on road bikes. Couldn't stick with them though. Guy behind me was catching me worryingly quickly over the last lap but presume he was on a roady as the gap widened on the climb.Did my 2nd race last night. I didn't really prepare for it as by the time I got home from work/nursery run I had 15 minutes to get dressed and set my laptop up before the start. I got on with 5 minutes to spare and tried to warm up the best I could.
It was the route in Glasgow that climbs up both sides of a KOM. One side is gravel and the rest of the course is paved. I decided to use a gravel bike for the course which made things interesting as most people looked to be on road/tron bikes. The lead in was purely tarmac so the first few KM I had to push a lot harder to keep up. I started ~36th and by the time we got to the gravel section I was ~80th! Though once we hit the gravel I was quite content with my choice as i was able to make up significant positions. The trade off was I had to push really hard on the tarmac descent and ascent and as long as I could keep within distance of those ahead, i knew I'd make the positions back up during the gravel climb.
Ended up finishing 22/94 people. Was trying to get into the top 20 but the group ahead were just a few meters too far ahead for me to catch. Quite happy with the result despite not being prepared for the event. Finished 22/94 on the road but ZwiftPower classified me as 14/54 once riders had been disqualified. 22/94 sounds more impressive though
I thought I made a mistake on the lead in as I was dropping back so fast and I couldn't keep up unless I went full gas. Though as soon as the gravel hit, I felt like I made the right choice. As long as you could keep within sight of whoever you were chasing during the descent and ascent on the tarmac side, you'd have a good chance of overtaking them on the gravel descent but especially climb.
I've got Strava but I hadn't connected it up to Zwift before yesterday. I have imported the ride manually but I couldn't see where to see a breakdown. It doesn't seem to offer much info at all on the Strava side. I can see the alpe du zwift segment on Strava but my Road to Sky import isn't registering on it. Very annoying. I just want to see my average power for the Alpe!
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It’s all there mate. This is mine from a couple of weeks ago.I've got Strava but I hadn't connected it up to Zwift before yesterday. I have imported the ride manually but I couldn't see where to see a breakdown. It doesn't seem to offer much info at all on the Strava side. I can see the alpe du zwift segment on Strava but my Road to Sky import isn't registering on it. Very annoying. I just want to see my average power for the Alpe!
If you look at the zwift insider links I posted there is a test specifically for the scurr. It’s a definite gravel bike course.