Debating subscribing to Zwift for the coming winter months and just want a quick sanity check on what I need to buy before I sign up.
I currently have:
A "dumb" turbo
A road bike on said turbo
ANT+ cadence sensors, speed sensor and a HRM.
A reasonably modern PC and an iPad
WiFi and power in the garage
A large fan.
I therefore need:
A USB ANT+ stick if I use the PC
Zwift downloaded onto the PC
Or if I want to use the iPad:
New Bluetooth sensors
The Zwift app
Is that correct?
You can definitley use zwift like that
for a "meaningful" power reading your trainer needs to be on their compatibility list, or else you choose a model from their list and pretend that's what you're using. The power reading won't be accurate and I think you may struggle to race at higher categories without actual power readings (though I may be wrong on that bit)
You are correct.
I initially used a many years old Tacx dumb trainer and set the resistance lever for the turbo to that recommended by the most similar looking one in their list. my performance seemed OK & indeed when I swapped to a new Tacx Flow Smart, my power levels didn't change by much.
I've used Zwift for almost a year and am yet to race. I've done a couple of group rides, but found them a bit weird as you have to control your pace a bit too much.
I might sign up to a race here & there through the winter, but find this requires more organisation than I have currently managed to muster!
I find the workouts on there are very good, but have only started doing them since getting a 'smart' trainer, so don't know if they would be particularly easy to do on a 'dumb' trainer.
No contract, so worth a go anyway and see how you get on.
My turbo is on the compatibility list so that's fine. I don't think I'm fussed on the level I'll be racing at, I just want a more entertaining way of riding than doing GCN intervals.
So whats the cheapest 'clever' turbo? I'm intrigued by this, as the turbo alone has never really done it for me. Training sessions etc. sound good, is a dumb old turbo OK for that or pointless?
Question I've been meaning to ask ... is do you need a pc? As I've only got the work laptop. Has any used a hdmi pc stick thing?
Thanks for any help.
brassneck - MemberSo whats the cheapest 'clever' turbo? I'm intrigued by this, as the turbo alone has never really done it for me. Training sessions etc. sound good, is a dumb old turbo OK for that or pointless?
Cheapest is probably the Tacx Flow Smart. Can be had for around £190 - less if you can get discounts through British Cycling etc.
I had some initial niggles, but have now been using mine for almost a year and it's fine. For my meagre power outputs, it is plenty good enough & the 6% max gradient simulation isn't a problem. I just have the hill simulation in Zwift set to 50%.
If I keep using Zwift, I will probably upgrade at some point to something a bit more expensive - but the Flow Smart will hopefully do for another year or two.
tod456 - MemberQuestion I've been meaning to ask ... is do you need a pc? As I've only got the work laptop. Has any used a hdmi pc stick thing?
You need to be able to store the program, which isn't small. And you need something with half decent graphics capability.
You can also use an ipad I think.
Ok thanks, I'll try the laptop then! Was hoping a £50 pc stick would be up to the job 🙁
The minimum specs are daily well discussed online. But basically an i3 CPU and anything higher than an Intel hd4000 should get it running. That being said lower spec equals less graphics quality and frame rate. ... Which if it is stuttering can be a little annoying.
Yeah youve got it right there.
Cheapest "smart trainer" I found was the Tacx Flow 2240 from Halfords at £200 (BC discount took it down to £180 :-)).
I believe there's an Android version of Zwift on the cards for the near future too 😀