Zwift indoor virtual reality trainer

Can't make my mind up between Zwift and TrainerRoad, so have decided.

At least until Spring, when I might consider going outside again.

Im using zwift as I get it free for two months with strava premium which should cover the worst of winter.

Anyone else find the zwift workouts insanely tough? The trainnerroad plans were always super tough but was just about able to finish them. No way could I finish a zwift workout, struggle to finish half of one.

Buy a bigger fan?

Have you done a separate FTP test on Zwift? I found that the Zwift test estimated mine slightly lower than TrainerRoad ( despite accurately measuring my tyre circumference ).

with or without PM?

with or without PM?

Without, although it would make no difference, as all you're doing is following a workout based on whatever Zwift/TrainerRoad 'thinks' is the correct number ( despite not being as accurate as a PM ).

I don't know if Zwift and TrainerRoad give slightly different power curves for the same trainers though. There's got to be a small discrepancy somewhere, as I can't see them trying to outdo one another on who can make the toughest workout :-D

Yep, I am not 'accuracy' nazi btw. I don't care much either. I will eventually get stages at some point if I feel the need otherwise HR does the job for me. I had a PM, it made me a better cyclist as in I understood data and how to interpret it. Then sold it after careful monitoring of PM and HR relation and riding with and without.

Could you post pic of your trainer with the larger flywheel? I've recently acquired a Kurt trainer (magnetic) was wondering if the larger flywheel will make any difference.

Yep, I am not 'accuracy' nazi btw. I don't care much either.

Consistency is the main thing, innit :-)

Could you post pic of your trainer with the larger flywheel? I've recently acquired a Kurt trainer (magnetic) was wondering if the larger flywheel will make any difference.

Will grab a pic later today.

They are 50-ish quid now. http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;product=24896;menu=1000,5,69;mid%5B376%5D=1;orderby=2

How much of a difference did it make for you?

Despite not being a true power reading, it's very useful to have a consistent figure to work alongside your HR. I've found that varies a fair bit with the temperature.

fan isnt the issue here, I just cant produce the watts!!

@BareNecessities I'm using a power meter so it is what it is

a similar trainerroad workout does 20secs @ 150%ftp vs zwift which is 30secs @ 200%ftp

Have you been following training plans? They don't seem to involve the more sadistic workouts TrainerRoad has to offer.

30secs @ 200%ftp

Ah yes, this one? It was pretty brutal.

The Wringer

How much of a difference did it make for you?

The Kinetics have a decent sized flywheel already and the stock Road Machine was a major improvement on my old Minoura. However, having used the add-on flywheel for over a year now, I don't really like how the trainer feels without it.

Not tried the magnetic trainer, so can't be sure what difference it will make to that. Best off using your current set up for a while and seeing how you like it.

@amey - with & without.

How much pinch of salt would I require to take the FTP in zwift seriously? I dont have a powermeter, just old school speed and cadence sensor and HR monitor. Also the 'power' seems to be stuck at 400w .. wouldnt go higher for some reason.

Also Kurt flywheel is quite good for inertia/road like feel! Might 'upgrade' to the larger one. What mat is that @BareNecessities ?

What mat is that @BareNecessities ?

That's just my shed floor, which is these - Interlocking foam mats

Unless you mean the rubber mat in the background, which is something similar to this, but about 20-25mm thick - Rubber gym mat

The interlocking one .. ta! Me going through your shed thread = your time spent on bikeCAD

How much pinch of salt would I require to take the FTP in zwift seriously?

cool, ta

I used trainnerroads virtual power before I got a powermeter. It worked for training, seemed to be fairly repeatable but totally inaccurate. As soon as you start getting interested in power its a slippery slope and you will end up with a power meter eventually.

For what its worth, my virtual power ftp was about 50w out

If you're using a dumb trainer with a resistance curve that Zwift do not support, then 400w is the max limit you can put out.

My TR FTP was 50w too low.

Group chat is really annoying but just discovered you can turn it off in settings.

Dunno, someone said a funny earlier that made me chuckle. Message popped up saying that he paused for a minute then upon starting again his KICKR wasn't sending data to his PC. First response "you need to KICKRstart your KICKR".

As I said, it made me chuckle.