Anyone moved on from Zwift to find a better option? I need one that I can use with my 2014 Computrainer.
What are folks using these days that is not Zwift. So tired of Zwift for a variety reasons. I won’t air my dirty laundry here as it would be better suited for the Lavendar Room, but I would prefer if I don’t have to see the Russian flag by Russian riders (not looking to ban anyone, just not see the flag like Ironman does and most other sporting events and platforms). And I’d love to see real life graphics instead of the cartoonish scenery on Zwift. I don’t do group rides. I like that I can see real time power output since I don’t have a power meter (yet) on my bike.
I’ve been riding Rouvy for a few years now. Last year was the first time with a power meter. In years past, I had a speed and cadence sensors and it estimated power. Watts, w/kg, speed, and cadence are displayed on screen. I really like the real road look of Rouvy compared to the simulated graphics of Zwift. There are not as many races as zwift, but there are always rides you can join in progress. There is a feature when you’re choosing your route that shows the route with the most riders. If you can’t find a race, you can create one on your own. Select a course and you can pick from riders that have completed it in the past and race against them. You can see their finish time and w/kg they completed the course in so you can logically add racers. You would have to check compatibility with your set up though. I am using a very low tech setup or rollers the sensors. I added power pedals last year. I like it. Sure, I wish there were more races, but you can try it out for free for a week or two to see if you like it.
I like Wahoo SYSTM. It includes The Sufferfest, no video rides, what they call “Inspiration” - cycling focused documentaries and short films, On Location - ride some iconic routes, plus, running, mental training, yoga. Not sure if it will work with your computrainer.
First thing to answer is what type of platform features resonate most with you - gamification (like Zwift), simulation (Bkook, Fulgaz, RGT, Rouvy), structured training plans (Fulgaz, PerfPro, SYSTM, TrainerRoad, xert, etc.), racing (Bkool, Fulgaz, RGT, Rouvy, SYSTM, Zwift). Then pick.
Your wild card will be Computrainer compatibility. Not sure which of the platforms fully check that box.
TrainerRoad is the leader for pure coach-designed structured training.
SYSTM is gunning for TrainerRoad, plus it has some pretty cool accompanying content.
Zwift is the standard for gamification.
Rouvy and Fulgaz are probably the two leaders for course simulation.
I wanted to like Rouvy so much. I paid for a couple months. The issue I had was even with highly rated courses, very frequently the gradient was very off for what the video of the course showed. In Zwift, it’s dead on perfect for me. Rouvy, it was easily off by 1/8th mile sometimes.
Not to mention they went to some kind of augmented reality mess on Rouvy also I didn’t like. And I had lots of videos freeze, despite excellent internet.
First thing to answer is what type of platform features resonate most with you - gamification (like Zwift), simulation (Bkook, Fulgaz, RGT, Rouvy), structured training plans (Fulgaz, PerfPro, SYSTM, TrainerRoad, xert, etc.), racing (Bkool, Fulgaz, RGT, Rouvy, SYSTM, Zwift). Then pick.
Your wild card will be Computrainer compatibility. Not sure which of the platforms fully check that box.
TrainerRoad is the leader for pure coach-designed structured training.
SYSTM is gunning for TrainerRoad, plus it has some pretty cool accompanying content.
Zwift is the standard for gamification.
Rouvy and Fulgaz are probably the two leaders for course simulation.
Thanks for the suggestions. I believe there is a workaround to get Computrainer to talk to Rouvy. And my husband used to use TrainerRoad with the computrainer. Maybe a combination could be used like TrainerRoad for the weekdays and then something like Rouvy or SYSTM for the weekend. I’ll have to look into the other ones metioned like Fulgaz, xert, RGT.
First thing to answer is what type of platform features resonate most with you - gamification (like Zwift), simulation (Bkook, Fulgaz, RGT, Rouvy), structured training plans (Fulgaz, PerfPro, SYSTM, TrainerRoad, xert, etc.), racing (Bkool, Fulgaz, RGT, Rouvy, SYSTM, Zwift). Then pick.
Your wild card will be Computrainer compatibility. Not sure which of the platforms fully check that box.
TrainerRoad is the leader for pure coach-designed structured training.
SYSTM is gunning for TrainerRoad, plus it has some pretty cool accompanying content.
Zwift is the standard for gamification.
Rouvy and Fulgaz are probably the two leaders for course simulation.
Thanks for the suggestions. I believe there is a workaround to get Computrainer to talk to Rouvy. And my husband used to use TrainerRoad with the computrainer. Maybe a combination could be used like TrainerRoad for the weekdays and then something like Rouvy or SYSTM for the weekend. I’ll have to look into the other ones metioned like Fulgaz, xert, RGT.
PerfPro has an application that will rebroadcast Computrainer communications as Ant+. Then, you can use pretty much any application that you want. Also, you may want to charcoal out ErgVideo for real ride footage.
Veloreality software works with the Computrainer. Also basic 720p subscription for road videos is free. They have 1080p and 4K as well. If you not happy with subscription you can buy videos outright or mix and match.
I’ve used a few, but always come back to Zwift. Either they are missing features or don’t work properly. I recently tried Fulgaz and had 3 issues with it. The timer not working when on a planned session, speed being the same as the car that filmed the route (I averaged 80km/hr) and using different modes the video stuttered and froze like I was on a dialup modem. Zwift has barely changed since it’s inception and should have been blown out the water by the competition because of their inability to grow and develop their product, but it’s the failure of their rivals that has allowed it to continue to monopolize the market. To genuinely rival Zwift they need to offer something Zwift doesn’t and be far more polished.
I guess it depends what you are looking for? I am not directly answering your question, but explaining why I have not.
Zwift suits my ADD and makes it easy for me to have an indoor ride season. From April to November, my brain can’t understand how I do or would ever again Zwift. But then when I look at my Strava history, every fall/winter I ended up doing a ton of rides. And the ability to mix it up fulfills my whims, keeps it fun. I like the mix of work outs, groups rides, and various races. All with a huge community available. The variety is what I enjoy, and always climb off feeling like I put in a solid effort.
Having not really felt the need to look elsewhere, can any of the other platforms compete with that?
Are you looking for training structure, or just something Zwift-like to hold your indoor interest, that isn’t Zwift?
Most platforms have a free trial period: just try a few, and stick to the one you enjoy the most. Note also that a direct drive trainer would make all these applications a lot more enjoyable
I’ve used a few, but always come back to Zwift. Either they are missing features or don’t work properly. I recently tried Fulgaz and had 3 issues with it. The timer not working when on a planned session, speed being the same as the car that filmed the route (I averaged 80km/hr) and using different modes the video stuttered and froze like I was on a dialup modem. Zwift has barely changed since it’s inception and should have been blown out the water by the competition because of their inability to grow and develop their product, but it’s the failure of their rivals that has allowed it to continue to monopolize the market. To genuinely rival Zwift they need to offer something Zwift doesn’t and be far more polished.
Sounds like an opportunity here. I’d love to see someone come out with something better than Zwift.
I guess it depends what you are looking for? I am not directly answering your question, but explaining why I have not.
Zwift suits my ADD and makes it easy for me to have an indoor ride season. From April to November, my brain can’t understand how I do or would ever again Zwift. But then when I look at my Strava history, every fall/winter I ended up doing a ton of rides. And the ability to mix it up fulfills my whims, keeps it fun. I like the mix of work outs, groups rides, and various races. All with a huge community available. The variety is what I enjoy, and always climb off feeling like I put in a solid effort.
Having not really felt the need to look elsewhere, can any of the other platforms compete with that?
Are you looking for training structure, or just something Zwift-like to hold your indoor interest, that isn’t Zwift?
Sounds like it works well for you. I only use it to train and don’t participate in races or group rides. I’m a loner and solitary person. I usually write out what my coach gives me and stay in the range of prescribed watts for the 1 hour up to 5 hours depending on the day and ride. I do my own thing on Zwift. The other riders around me give me a mild bit of entertainment but I usually have something to watch on a different screen or I listen to music. So maybe Zwift is not the best tool for me. I might check out TrainerRoad and a few others after an upcoming race.
I’m a loner and solitary person. I usually write out what my coach gives me and stay in the range of prescribed watts for the 1 hour up to 5 hours depending on the day and ride.So… this comment could have a massive impact on the platform for you.
In a nut, you have a coach and you have been doing your own thing and bypassing the core feature that a training platform and a smart trainer do for you - manage power and the workout.
So, none of the platforms are necessary for this. You could just program your coach’s workout into a head unit and let a head unit run your trainer (if Computrainer supports that). Or, you could custom build workouts from your coach’s input in any platform that enables (or better, is optimized around) custom workouts. Or even better, get your coach to create the workouts that you can upload into your platform.
I believe you can isolate yourself in Zwift, so as not to see other riders and their flags. Perhaps that would help.
In terms of the cartoonish nature, I don’t like it either. I do dedicated workout programs riding to power zones based off FTP. I have it running on my phone. I have a TV streaming other content on a mount in front of me. That way I’m not watching a cartoon for hours. I only check my phone to make sure I’m hitting the intervals.
I use TrainerRoad. I don’t need the social aspects of Zwift. I just want to do a workout, and get feedback. They provide a description of the workout and the purpose of the workout, and a good portion of the workouts have coaching subtitles.
TrainerRoad has training plans for most race types and distances. I used their High Volume Ironman Plan for last years IM Chattanooga and had a fantastic bike (where I live I can ride 100 miles and climb 20 feet).
This year and next my coach picks workouts for me each week.
I use TrainerRoad. I don’t need the social aspects of Zwift. I just want to do a workout, and get feedback. They provide a description of the workout and the purpose of the workout, and a good portion of the workouts have coaching subtitles.
TrainerRoad has training plans for most race types and distances. I used their High Volume Ironman Plan for last years IM Chattanooga and had a fantastic bike (where I live I can ride 100 miles and climb 20 feet).
This year and next my coach picks workouts for me each week.
Yes you can make custom workouts in TR. But the appeal and strength of TR is the plans and library of existing work outs. If you don’t need those, there are cheaper ways to get a work out-like using your Garmin to control the trainer.