Started By
Message

Anyone here use Zwift w/ bike trainer

Posted on 4/4/20 at 9:05 pm
Posted by Polar Pop
Member since Feb 2012
10748 posts
Posted on 4/4/20 at 9:05 pm
Does anyone here use Zwift with a bike trainer?

I am thinking of getting a direct drive trainer and getting set up on Zwift. Looking for opinions, set ups, advice.
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12610 posts
Posted on 4/4/20 at 9:39 pm to
Yep. Zwift. Apple TV. CycleOps Hammer.

It took some guidance from cycling friends for me to figure out how to enjoy Zwift. But ever since last June I’ve been hooked!! Haven’t ridden outside since then.

ETA; if you have questions or need specific advice if you decide to proceed with Zwift, let me know.
This post was edited on 4/4/20 at 9:40 pm
Posted by Downtown Devin Brown
New Orleans, LA
Member since Sep 2013
1523 posts
Posted on 4/4/20 at 11:14 pm to
I was using zwift with a wahoo kickr snap. Would run zwift on laptop and connect to tv via HDMI. Worked real great. But sold my snap to a friend bc I wasn't using it often enough.
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
38691 posts
Posted on 4/4/20 at 11:55 pm to
quote:

But ever since last June I’ve been hooked!! Haven’t ridden outside since then.



That's sad.
Posted by gmrkr5
NC
Member since Jul 2009
14891 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 6:49 am to
Ive got a wahoo kickr and use zwift for indoor interval training. I’ve never cared for riding indoors but zwift makes it tolerable for me

That said, you’re probably gonna need a little luck to find a smart trainer right now. Most manufacturers/retailers are sold out and cant restock at the moment.

quote:

Haven’t ridden outside since then.


Crazy talk
This post was edited on 4/5/20 at 6:59 am
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12610 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 8:10 am to
quote:

quote:

But ever since last June I’ve been hooked!! Haven’t ridden outside since then.



That's sad.


Meh. I miss some of the social aspect and I especially miss racing. But with two kids now, the time commitment to get outdoors and do real riding is not worth it. Packing bike, driving to go ride, dealing with the risk of cars and then group rides where people want to stop too much, then driving back home. It just isn’t worth it to me at this point in my life.

I ride 7 to 9 hours a week on Zwift and I never finish a ride later than 8AM. Zwift group rides, workouts, and races keep it interesting. You can do anything from short, hard-as-hell races to long steady group rides to individual and team time trials.

The social aspect of Zwift is fun to engage in. In fact, I just got finished with leading a 2-hour steady-state ride that I lead every Sunday morning from 6:00AM to 8:00AM.

But, to each his/her own.
Posted by Polar Pop
Member since Feb 2012
10748 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 11:48 am to
I am short on time in the mornings before work, so riding a trainer is optimal but as you all know it gets old quick just "riding".

Along with my wife training for a half iron in october, her actual "road time" is limited to the weekends and im just tired of road running at 5am.
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12610 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 11:58 am to
quote:

I am short on time in the mornings before work, so riding a trainer is optimal but as you all know it gets old quick just "riding".


I think you’d like Zwift with a smart trainer. Morning rides are huge. Hundreds of people to interact with if you want to.

Even if the social aspect isn’t that appealing, there are loads of diffident challenges and courses to complete. Gradient changes to keep it interesting and varied. Group workouts or a pretty sizable workout library if that’s you’re thing (or build your own).

ETA: I sound like a Zwift salesman.
This post was edited on 4/5/20 at 11:59 am
Posted by gmrkr5
NC
Member since Jul 2009
14891 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 12:22 pm to
i dont really get into the social part... when i get on the trainer it's to get a hard interval workout in and get off of it. kinda hard to chat on the computer when your HR is 170
Posted by TigeRoots
Member since Oct 2008
8505 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 12:23 pm to
As a runner first and foremost, I'm intrigued by Zwift/indoor trainer, mostly for when it's mid July in La. and I need to get a mid day workout in, as opposed to running... that said, not sure I could remove my rear bike tire without totally butchering the derailleur, etc. Luckily I haven't had a flat yet.

That said, I think I'll bite the bullet on a set up soon, once everything is back in stock. I know there were some good deals going right when the quarantines hit.
This post was edited on 4/5/20 at 12:24 pm
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12610 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 12:56 pm to
When all of your riding is indoors, you’re not at 170HR the whole time.
Posted by gmrkr5
NC
Member since Jul 2009
14891 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 1:08 pm to
quote:

When all of your riding is indoors, you’re not at 170HR the whole time.


true

Posted by gmrkr5
NC
Member since Jul 2009
14891 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 1:09 pm to
quote:

not sure I could remove my rear bike tire without totally butchering the derailleur, etc.


ideally you have an old bike that gets relegated to trainer duty and your outside bike doesnt need to be messed with
Posted by TigeRoots
Member since Oct 2008
8505 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 1:13 pm to
quote:

ideally you have an old bike that gets relegated to trainer duty and your outside bike doesnt need to be messed with


For sure, I'd probably end up riding less with only one bike because it would either be on the trainer when I wanted to ride it outside or vice versa... and I'd just end up running instead.
Posted by Polar Pop
Member since Feb 2012
10748 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 1:59 pm to
I get bored as shite road running by myself, no interest at all. I run trails every weekend by myself or with a group and love it.

I just need something that I can do consistently during the week that I can look forward to. I think I would like the social aspect of it.

I am seeing a few TACX direct drives on FB Marketplace for $550...I just need to do my research on these units.
Posted by gmrkr5
NC
Member since Jul 2009
14891 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 2:13 pm to
quote:

For sure, I'd probably end up riding less with only one bike because it would either be on the trainer when I wanted to ride it outside or vice versa... and I'd just end up running instead.


i built up an old frame, no brakes etc to be a dedicated trainer bike.. but yea i got tired of taking the nice bike off and on
Posted by gmrkr5
NC
Member since Jul 2009
14891 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 2:14 pm to
quote:

I am seeing a few TACX direct drives on FB Marketplace for $550...I just need to do my research on these units.


TACX makes a good unit
Posted by Polar Pop
Member since Feb 2012
10748 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 4:21 pm to
How are yall operating zwift to screen? Computer to TV, Ipad?

Id like to use a spare TV that I have..
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12610 posts
Posted on 4/5/20 at 5:09 pm to
I’m running Zwift on an Apple TV hooked to a 50” TV. Works flawlessly.

I use a Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor and my CycleOps Hammer. To communicate on Zwift, sign up for events, use the Zwift Companion app.

The Apple TV setup is one of the cheapest ways to get going on Zwift and it’s really a clean setup. The downsides to the Apple TV setup are:

1. Updates to Zwift are last to arrive on Apple iOS systems.
2. The Apple TV remote sucks.
3. No keyboard - you have to use your phone to message - which isn’t a big deal to me and I message constantly on group rides.
Posted by gmrkr5
NC
Member since Jul 2009
14891 posts
Posted on 4/6/20 at 7:24 am to
quote:

How are yall operating zwift to screen? Computer to TV, Ipad?



right now i'm just using a Surface Pro with a Ant+ USB dongle. As soon as I paint that room I'm gonna put a TV on the wall and go the Apple TV route.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram