I’m looking to buy a trainer that is compatible with zwift. I have a cadence sensor and heart rate monitor. Can some one explain the difference between having and not having a power meter. Is it necessary to have a power meter? If you don’t have one does it take away from the experience? I’ve read that the wahoo is the best? What trainers are you guys using for zwift?
TIA
iTrain iTri
If you don’t have a power meter, you would rely on Zwift’s “virtual” power meter algorithm to calculate power based on data from your cadence/speed sensor. For purposes of Zwift, you’re likely not missing out on anything. The trade off is that you won’t have power when you ride outside and not able to measure your effort the same way or consistently.
I’ve been using Zwift with an Elite Power Fluid trainer and Garmin speed/cadence sensor (no power meter) for a couple months. I’ve been happy so far but have noticed variances in the simulated power numbers due to the fluid in the trainer heating up. Other threads have discussed a similar flucuation in effort/power with fluid trainers at length. My particular trainer requires more effort to spin in the first 25-30 minutes. After that, the fluid seems to get more viscous and the trainer becomes noticeably easier to spin. Heart rate numbers confirm my percieved change in effort to maintain the same power. I have to take the virtual/simulated power numbers with a grain of salt. In workout mode, depending on how high I have the FTP set, I struggle to hit power intervals for the first 20 minutes…or alternatively…the same intervals are too easy after the first 20 minutes.
I hear many other fluid trainers have the same fluctuation/drift. None of this keeps me from enjoying the experience or benefiting from the workout. I just need to take the fluctuation/drift into account.
Can’t wait until this turns into another Kickr vs Computrainer debate…
Seriously though:
Do you want the trainer to automatically change resistance as you go up and down hills on zwift? If yes… you need a smart trainer like the computrainer or kickr.
If you don’t want to pay the money for a smart trainer, you can opt for a non-smart trainer. You will need a cadence/speed sensor and an ant+ dongle so zwift can convert your speed/cadence to power.
I’ll try to hit these questions in order:
Virtual training was already well answered as to what will happen sans power meter. A power meter will be more accurate and consistent, so depending on your goals, it might make an important difference, or it could be irrelevant.
Does it take away from the experience? If it refers to the power meter, not necessarily. If it refers to a smart trainer, yes it might. But not as much for Zwift as it has become more of a social experience than a training experience, which is not a bad thing at all. In fact, it might be one of the more motivating apps for riding since you can group ride it.
Which is the best trainer? I’d probably go back to article on smart trainers. Wahoo is extremely popular as it could be argued they led to the programs like Zwift because of Kickr. But other makers are now on board with an open software platforms. I’ve played on Zwift with KICKR, SNAP, Kurt Kinetic, and it didn’t take away from the experience of Zwift itself, but my preference will always be a smart trainer.
My understanding is that the Kurt Kinetic has one of the most reliable virtual power curves established and many people who use them seem to be quite happy with the feel and durability.
I love how many people using ‘virtual power’ on zwift can ride 6 w/kg for extended periods of time. If only it were true.
I love how many people using ‘virtual power’ on zwift can ride 6 w/kg for extended periods of time. If only it were true.
Agreed, but that dead horse has been beaten quite a bit. Most of the people who do this probably aren’t very well grounded in terms of what makes for reasonable power figures. They probably pass many people riding on their multi use trails and don’t realize due to miscalculation they are way off base on Zwift. I’ve seen a good number of people on the Zwift Riders facebook page become curious enough to look into getting a power meter or smart trainer, so Zpower has been a sort of training wheel to bring them over. Instances of blatant abuse are pretty uncommon in my experience and I do what I can to make sure it doesn’t diminish my enjoyment of the platform.