I’m looking for a treadmill to put in my pain cave that will easily and effortlessly connect with Zwift in the most seamless way possible. Ideal price range is $800-$1000. I’m not concerned about max speed, incline/decline, etc. - I really just want one that has the most bells and whistles regarding Zwift and Bluetooth connectivity. I don’t need or really even want a video display on the treadmill either - I have a TV mounted on my wall to project Zwift on.
Also - will a treadmill operate like a smart trainer (think ERG mode)? If there are hills, elevation, etc. in a Zwift running route, will my treadmill adjust itself accordingly or no? I’ve never used Zwift for running - only indoor cycling in the winter. Thank you.
I have a SOLE F85 and super happy with it.
It connects via Bluetooth super easy and have never had any issues.
I have not seen a belt that adjust the speed/incline based on Zwift.
I imagine no company will make this, as it is simply to dangerous. A too unfit/overweight person on a too fast belt could be mortal.
I have a sole F63 and love it. I did a lot of research and it’s definitely one of the best treadmills you can get for the money. It has the same motor as all the treadmills that are 2x more expensive. But, it’s cheaper because it doesn’t have any of the fancy tech to drive up the price. There isn’t a TV screen but if you have a iPad, it connects directly to Zwift in like 2 seconds. The only negative is that the treadmills is a bit slow to increase pace. Although that only becomes a issue if you are doing super short intervals. Otherwise, it’s great.
As to your second question, almost zero treadmills adjust incline automatically with Zwift. So, you would basically just using Zwift to guide your workout and to have something to stare at besides a wall. I also have a Garmin HRM and Stryd foot pod which connect to zwift along with my treadmill. I suggest adding both if you really want to get the most out of your treadmill/zwift experience.
As to your second question, almost zero treadmills adjust incline automatically with Zwift. So, you would basically just using Zwift to guide your workout and to have something to stare at besides a wall. I also have a Garmin HRM and Stryd foot pod which connect to zwift along with my treadmill. I suggest adding both if you really want to get the most out of your treadmill/zwift experience.
This is how i think about it. Buy a treadmill that gets up to speed well, is durable, and feels good. then use a stryd + HRM to connect with zwift.
I have a SOLE F85 and super happy with it.
It connects via Bluetooth super easy and have never had any issues.
I have not seen a belt that adjust the speed/incline based on Zwift.
I imagine no company will make this, as it is simply to dangerous. A too unfit/overweight person on a too fast belt could be mortal.
When you say it connects via Bluetooth does that mean that if you change speed on the treadmill it changes speed in the game? As in no need for a footpod or stryd?
I have a Horizon 7.0 AT and it connected to Zwift great for a few months and now we can’t get it repaired. The Bluetooth doesn’t work to either transmit to Zwift which we used or receive from speakers which we didn’t. Do NOT recommend even though on paper it meets the specs you are asking about
Yes, the sole treadmills with bluetooth connect directly to the game. So, the pace in the game matches whatever you have on your treadmill and the game changes with it. You don’t need a foot pod. I only use the foot pod so i can also get cadence.
Yes - that is correct. Zwift is displaying (and recording) the speed of the belt. No need for any other hardware. It does not map cadence.
As mentioned, Zwift cannot control speed of the F85, for the reasons mentioned.
For sake of maybe saving a few bucks I’ll suggest the runn pod. Its worked really well for me on the peleton (this part not saving a few bucks but wife very much wanted it) but would work with any treadmill. Running zwift through phone or pad the runn pod communicating treadmill speed, incline and cadence to zwift. Then can find a cheaper (no BT) treadmill or secondhand options…
I have a sole F63 and love it. I did a lot of research and it’s definitely one of the best treadmills you can get for the money. It has the same motor as all the treadmills that are 2x more expensive. But, it’s cheaper because it doesn’t have any of the fancy tech to drive up the price. There isn’t a TV screen but if you have a iPad, it connects directly to Zwift in like 2 seconds. The only negative is that the treadmills is a bit slow to increase pace. Although that only becomes a issue if you are doing super short intervals. Otherwise, it’s great.
As to your second question, almost zero treadmills adjust incline automatically with Zwift. So, you would basically just using Zwift to guide your workout and to have something to stare at besides a wall. I also have a Garmin HRM and Stryd foot pod which connect to zwift along with my treadmill. I suggest adding both if you really want to get the most out of your treadmill/zwift experience.
This is the real question, why would you base a treadmil purchase on Zwift? I got the Zwift Run Pod for Christmas to pair with our Nordictrack Commercial 750 Treadmill, which is an excellent treadmill. I never use Zwift for running. It’s boring af. The treadmill grade will run at 0% despite the screen grade varying. Essentially you’re running flat and the screen says otherwise. There are workouts on Zwift which someone might find useful. For my Z2 runs I liked that HR was displayed with large graphics on the screen. Basically you throw on headphones and go, but it’s very basic. I didn’t find it to be the most useful training tool relative to using my Tacx Neo 2T and bike, which is a way better experience imo.
I dont think any of the devices, including the Runn sensor, communicate incline to Zwift. Just speed.
Just one other Fyi to the original poster- Zwift does not do any kind of speed adjustments for running based on in-game incline either like they do for cycling. It just takes whatever the speed that is being sent and allows your runner avatar to go that speed. This translates into people running 6 min miles up the Alpe
I dont think any of the devices, including the Runn sensor, communicate incline to Zwift. Just speed.
Just one other Fyi to the original poster- Zwift does not do any kind of speed adjustments for running based on in-game incline either like they do for cycling. It just takes whatever the speed that is being sent and allows your runner avatar to go that speed. This translates into people running 6 min miles up the Alpe
I was wondering how runners would sometimes pass me during climbs when I’m on a bike. Does zwift send over the elevation gain to Strava for activities where one runs up the alp?
No, elevation is not recorded in Starva. I have a Horizon AT 7.4 treadmill and always run with 1-2% elevation on the deck and the that elevation is not recorded in the Strava app.
