Stupid Zwift questions thread

I’ve got a random Latvian following me, she gives me a ride-on every ride

(That wasn’t meant to sound so wrong)

scotroutes - I'm using an i5 based Intel NUC, about three years old. Works fine and is bolted to the back of the monitor on the VESA mount.

Has anyone worked out how to consistently get an Apple watch to connect to use as a hr?

I'm using a Macbook connected to my trainer and iPhone with Zwift companion app.

First time it worked, second time it didnt.

Has anyone worked out how to consistently get an Apple watch to connect to use as a hr?

I’m using a Macbook connected to my trainer and iPhone with Zwift companion app.

First time it worked, second time it didnt.

I've given up trying. I am using iPad for Zwift (as MacBook can never find my turbo) and Companion running on iPhone. I've tried the various guides and YouTube tutorials but watch usually says Unpaired. Very occasionally it will work for a minute or so before giving up. I don't have the patience for it.

From what I can see the connection is meant to be be watch to phone, phone to companion, companion to Zwift (via shared Wi-Fi network). The order or connecting devices is important but, as I say, I can't make it work reliably. If you work it out I'll be interested to know.

From what I can see the connection is meant to be be watch to phone, phone to companion, companion to Zwift (via shared Wi-Fi network). The order or connecting devices is important but, as I say, I can’t make it work reliably. If you work it out I’ll be interested to know.

That was my understanding too. I just got it to work again correctly whilst "watching". I'll try again on a ride and let you know.

Novice Zwift racing questions!

On race day, I click the link from my calendar (on either the macbook or the companion app?) and that takes me to the race right?

How early in advance can I join the link?

If, say I join 15 mins before, does it put me in some virtual holding room (I've seen some people on turbo trainers??) where I can warm up whilst connecting my Apple watch etc?

Thanks!

Hi @vanilla83 not quite.
Enter the game normally, as if you are going freeriding. Get paired etc, and get right into the game. You have to be in game to join a race. It's quicker, but not essential, to choose the world you'll be racing in (if it's available that day).
Shortly before the race, a join event button will pop up. Press that to get into the virtual holding room on virtual turbo trainer you've seen, the start pen.
If you don't press it, it autopresses itself with a few minutes to go.
The start is a manic sprint. Spin up with 10-15 seconds to go because everyone launches like that on zero. It'll settle. Hang on until then if you can.

Is anyone zwifting on an old small factor office PC (optiplex, HP prodesk etc, ebay is flooded with them) with a nvidia gpu?

I want to get one and put a 1050ti GPU in it but there's masses of info out there ranging from "definitely won't fit or work in any of them" to "will be fine in any of them". If you are doing it, can you share what machine you put what GPU in?

I'm not on facebook, where reliable information on this issue apparently resides.

@savoyad thats really helpful thanks!

Doing that then means I don't have to re-pair when I join the event then?

I’m not on facebook, where reliable information on this issue apparently resides.

Not sure about that statement - Facebook is a lot of things but worse than here for a source of reliable information - start a post about it perhaps to capture the attention of the non-zwifting IT nerds?

Zwift makes weird demands on hardware though @robbo1234biking, so outside zwift chat helpful answers are swamped by otherwise correct ones about better/cheaper/more sensible gpus for squeezing into these machines which don't, alas, work well with zwift. I see a future where my wife is mysteriously inclined to joining the zwift pc master race group on facebook.

I am happy to post up a specific question if you have one @savoyad? There is a guy who does a lot with the hardware side of things on the Facebook group who would likely know the answer.

I really just want to know which of the SFF units will work with a 1050ti - particularly want to know for
dell optiplex 7010
hp prodesk 400 G1
HP G4

It would be nice of you to ask @robbo1234biking. There are so many variants, and which I'm interested in depends what's about to finish on ebay from day to day, almost like making the choice is a new hobby rather than an actual attempt to buy something. I fear you'll get "it depends" (what year? what serial number on the PSU? Is it version 2.54a or b?) answers, at which point feel free to just tell me to do my own research!

@robbo1234biking @savoyad I'd be really interested in understanding this as well. I currently take my laptop into the garage for Zwift, so a relatively cheap setup that could sit there permanently would be really interesting

I am awaiting joining the group. Once they have let me in I will ask the question and post the (sensible) responses here.

Here's a left field question. My adult daughter is using my zwift account to do a few work outs but as mentioned in a previous post is pedalling my 13st instead of her 9st. Her partner wants to have a go tomorrow and is the same weight as me and I will set him up on a course my daughter has already ridden. There's already been a bit of banter on who is the fastest so is there a way of re-calculating my daughters time on Watopia KOM based on her 9st weight?

There is a tool called "Sauce" for strava which includes a "perf predictor" which allows you to calculate how you might improve your time by increasing power, decreasing weight, reducing drag etc. that might help you.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/sauce-for-strava/eigiefcapdcdmncdghkeahgfmnobigha?hl=en

@shinton
Change your weight to 17st before her partner rides so they are both carrying 4st extra. You could add a little more as you'll want your daughter to win.

I like that idea kentishman! In fact I think it should be based on a percentage increase in body weight 🙂

Do I need a cadence sensor?

I've only had Zwift a few weeks and got an Elite Zumo. When riding, the cadence barely seems to change on the screen but afterwards, in the data, it does show changes.

Is the Zumo guessing?

Would a proper cadence sensor make it more accurate?

And does it get easier?? I'm relatively fit but did the Haute Route over the weekend and its absolutely killed me!

If you want more accurate cadence @vanilla83 then you need a cadence sensor. But it doesn't matter if you don't mind. The zumo isn't exactly guessing. It's doing something cleverer than that, just not very well. It's weird that it seems different on screen to afterwards though. They should be the same data.
The haute route is supposed to kill you. It doesn't get easier but you will get quicker.

Great, thank you!

I started on Zwift last month.I was waiting since October for a Wahoo Kickr smart turbo to turn up,they're in short supply.It's a steep learning curve & I found this video a help

Ride On!!

Might be the right place to ask...

I did my first ever FTP test last Saturday, the Ramp Test on Zwift. It reported 211 Watts. I repeated it on Saturday past and got 172W. That seems (to my uneducated mind) to be a massive difference. One thing that I have changed is that I'm now connecting the Zumo to my PC via the Companion App. I'd had 2 easy days prior to Saturday.

You could try uploading the log file from your recent ride to Zwiftalizer. This will tell you if you had signal dropouts that affected the measured power.

Or you could try the TrainerRoad or Sufferfest free trial and use their tests, or even follow the standard profile for a 20min all-out effort and record it on a bike computer.

Ramp test is a "best guess", 20 minute effort is horrendous but probably more accurate IMHO.

Yeah, I was going to try an alternative test so I'll look at those too. I think there is one in the Elite App.

As it was ramping up into the 140 - 170 range I couldn't reach that power without it reporting my cadence was too high. That was despite me running in 50/11. That seemed a bit odd.

Doesn't sound right as it shouldn't be stipulating a cadence to you for a ramp test. This is something that really annoys me about Zwift - that they try and stipulate a cadence during workouts when it is a quite individual number (whats fast for you might be slow for someone else so it is all relative to your individual experience not a number that can be prescribed as one size fits all).

Why did you do 2 ramp tests in a week? Did you have doubts over the number? Join tomorrow nights STW Zwift Race - it is a TT which will take about 30 mins so you should get a good value for your 20 min power from that. I can send you a link with no obligation to race in the rest of the series!

It takes a few tries to really see what you can do for 20mins+ at your limit, but as above, I find the Tempus Fugit TTs much better to get an FTP estimate than doing ramp tests.

If you connect to Zwift with all your sensors via the companion app, apparently the last update broke it. Or something.

See here: https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-companion-release-february-25th-3-22-ios-android/539779

@BlobOnAStick reads like there's been another update already to correct the issue? Which is good as I will shortly be attempting to connect my sensors via the app for the first time as I've moved over to ATV and finally put a new battery in my cadence sensor (which takes me over the ATV 2 device limit!)

@zilog6128 oh bugger, looks like you're right.

Apologies all.

How do I get to the volcano climb in Wotopia?

you could just pick it as a route ,and ride it..?

DrP

Slightly off topic but Zwift related.

I'm overheating a lot (despite having a decent fan) so considering some new bibs to help with wicking etc.

Short list is:
- dhb Aeron Bib Shorts
- Madison Turbo Men's Bib Shorts
- Alpkit Rhythm Elite Bib Short

Any real life reviews on those? Anything else I should consider?

More fans and a well ventilated room.

@vanilla83 No help with the bibs but is it the STW races you overheat on, or all Zwift rides? I have 2 fans and can still overheat, so as said above good ventilation is key, maybe get a second fan, plus I always ditch the jersey for STW races, as you know they are a little manic 😉

@oopnorth yes mainly the STW races but also any ride with a big climb in it. I don't use a jersey at all - just bibs and wicking "string" vest.

@reluctantjumper I'm limited by where I live but have the window open right next to me plus fan in my face. Maybe I'll try opening a window on the other side of the flat to get some through flow as well.

Might just have to accept that I sweat a huge amount!! ha

@vanilla83 I think we all sweat a lot on the turbo, it's just something you need to accept. I've now got a headband to help keep it out of my eyes, it's an improvement but don't let the rest of the family see what you look like! 😀

You don't mention how many fans you have, unless you have something really strong I would suggest getting two, I can recommend the floor one from Screwfix with is about £35.

You don’t mention how many fans you have, unless you have something really strong I would suggest getting two, I can recommend the floor one from Screwfix with is about £35.

Are you actually overheating or just sweating? Sweating like hell is perfectly normal on a turbo.

I’m limited by where I live but have the window open right next to me plus fan in my face. Maybe I’ll try opening a window on the other side of the flat to get some through flow as well.

I have 2 fans. One is set up in another room by an open window puling cooler air into the flat, the second is in front of me blowing the fresh air to keep me relatively cool. I have another window open behind me that the warm, smelly air can escape from. It's certainly more effective than just the two fans firing at me!

@oopnorth good shout, that floor fan looks good. I'm not wearing a headband haha

@franksinatra bit of both. Sweating to the point that my arms look like liquid but yes overheating too.

I’m not wearing a headband haha

I used to say that...until I tried one!

Are you actually overheating or just sweating? Sweating like hell is perfectly normal on a turbo.

Volcano climb is part of "Whole lotta lava"

Speaking of which, anyone else get slightly motion giddy/sick whilst looking at the screen when riding over the wooden plank sections?

Volcano climb is part of “Whole lotta lava”

There is a specific route called "Volcano Climb", it combines the volcano flat route as well as the climb up the volcano. "Whole lotta lava" is just around and up the volcano itself, a shorter route. Both routes involve the climb.

My Zwift version updated before a ride just now. A remarkable thing happened, I finished the ride and was taken back to the route select home screen!

I can’t see mention of that in the release notes mind. But I’m sure it happened!

A remarkable thing happened, I finished the ride and was taken back to the route select home screen!

yeh, had an email about that this afternoon

@reluctantjumper cheers, I like the second fan idea next to a window. I'll try that too.

@funkybaj, yep works well! Used to drive me nuts having to restart it each time. Now if they can only fix the Apple Watch connection...

Ive just done a bit of Everesting to secure the Tron bike. Is it still the fastest/bestest?

@Kryton57 yes and no

This will help: https://zwiftinsider.com/fastest-bikes-at-each-level/

@kryton57 the best allrounder but not the best climber or descender, or flat specialist, but it's always near the top. In speed it only really get beaten by the Spesh S-works Venge but that needs to have the high level disc wheels on.

If you are doing general up and down routes then yes the Tron is the best option.

Is it possible to pair a Garmin Instinct with zwift for HRM duties?

Is it possible to pair a Garmin Instinct with zwift for HRM duties?

Should be, you’ll need to set it broadcast HR, but will depend on what you are running Zwift on - can it receive ANT+? My Vivoactive 4 only transmits ANT+, not Bluetooth, assume other Garmins are similar.

Thanks, found the broadcast and it works with my Android phone. I'll be zwifting on Windows so hopefully it'll work with that.

Nice little 3rd party app

https://enjoyfitnessjax.com/instructions-for-zwift-activity-monitor-app/

Will a 9 speed cassette fit on a Wahoo kickr core straight out of the box or will I need adaptors of some description? Also will I need a riser block for the front wheel?
Tia

I've just set up a KIKR core with an 11spd cassette, but the instructions say "use the enclosed spacer if installing a 9/10 SPD cassette."

I'm not using a riser for the front wheel.

Thanks Richard.

Has Zwift gone a Zhit recently? I noticed that there have been some upgrades! Last ride everything kept dropping out so I sulked and left for a week. Tonight only the HRM kept dropping out but then everything crashed at the end of my ride and I can't access the activity on the website to Download and import the FIT file into garmin (not that my performance was really worth saving!)

Seems generally fine for me.
Normal issues relate to wi-fi in the garage rather than Zwift itself I think.

Saw something a week or so ago about ant+ connections dropping suddenly but not suffered it myself.

I did have a massive headache trying to get Zwift to connect to Bluetooth stuff on Friday, but it worked fine yesterday. No drop-outs on the ride itself.

Cheap LED lights and electrically noisy fans can knock out 2.4GHz wifi (and bluetooth).

How do I join a pace partner mid ride? I can find them on the companion app, but how do I join them without ending the ride and starting a new one?

Thread resurrection!

I'm 67kg and ftp is 228. So 3.4w/kg.

That puts me in cat B for races. I'm pretty sure that is ridiculous. I've never raced before, plus I don't consider myself a racing whippet or anything, far from it!

Should I ignore the category thing and just start off at D and take it from there?

Gonna do my first one this evening 👍

whatever category you end up in, there will be riders far above the cat limit. Known as sandbaggers.

I am low end cat B and have my backside handed to me on the odd occasion i race in the correct cat. its the way of zwift!

I would suggest maybe go middle ground and try a cat C race and see how you get on.

Ultimately tho, see it as a bit of fun and a good workout, then you wont be disappointed by those ripping out 500w's for an hour 😀

How are you measuring that FTP @richardkennerley? Join zwiftpower, race in B, see how it goes, ride in the category is puts you in. Whatever: go hard from the start it'll settle.

@v7fmp zp has you in C now. Go win some races.

@savoyad - you totally correct, i was working from the cat that Rob puts me in during the STW zwift races. I dont feel so bad now! 😀

@richardkennerley, similar stats to me.

Don't bother with Cat 'D', Cat 'C' you should be at the front, Cat 'B' you'll be at the back.

I've been trying these on a Monday night "Team TFC Mad Monday Race Series (low-end categories) (B)", which is aimed at 3.2-3.6 w/kg, so gets rid of the faster riders.

Still come near the back though 🙁

P.

@savoyad FTP was initially measured at a gym I went to. It's them crept up a little over the past 2 years or so. Recent FTP tests have been done via trainer road and zwift. They've all been relatively close to each other so no anomalous jumps

Ride report! Started in cat c. Went hard from the start and led the way for about a minute, then wondered where everyone was and soon got overtaken! Kept in the pack for a while but knew straight away the pace was too quick for me.

Got dropped after a couple of laps. One group D rider caught me after a while, the rest stayed 3-4 minutes behind. I kept plugging away, then picked up on a group B rider dropping down the ranks so aimed to catch him, but he dropped out before I got him.

Finished 13 out of 18 in the end, but last in category. Although, zwift has now upped my FTP to 232! 🤓

Bonkers. Will try cat D next time, see what happens!

But you aren't cat D @richardkennerley. If you move down to cat D you are just ruining it for all the genuine Ds. You are a (fairly lightweight) B - that new FTP is pushing you into mid B even.

What course were you racing? Honestly you'll have a better experience if you join zwiftpower (filters sandbaggers from the results) and get a sense of what kind of course suit you.

@savoyad it was a flat route, volcano circuit I think. Just picked it because it was a convenient time. There was only 5 in cat C. There was no way I could keep up that pace for an entire race though, I could feel how it was easier when in the pack, but as soon as I was dropped, that was it.

I did start the log in process for zwift power let night, but there was more steps than I was expecting, I'll sort that out today.

Not bothered about doing racing for the competitive speedy, more just keeping it interesting, doing something different.

@richardkennerley

You're very light with decent power but to match your weight
You're racing with guys who also have 3+ w/kg but they're 80 or 90 kg. They'll kill you on the flat every time

Bonkers. Will try cat D next time, see what happens!

IMO being light with decent power is ideal (except dead flat races of course!) as you can usually hang on in the draft but then make some moves on the climbs. The trick is learning how to draft whilst conserving energy, and also maximising the effectiveness of powerups (if applicable).

Maybe try some Crit races? They're short & great fun and provide ample opportunity for strategy! Also some of them (Zwift HQ ones) have an "anti-sandbagging" feature which cuts down somewhat (not totally) on people racing in too low a category.

Also defo get involved with Robbo's STW Racing League which he's just announced on another thread! Great fun and normally some good racing as you'll find some similarly matched people to tussle with.

I joined a maap ride in cat c going by the numbers I'm lower end of cat. After 5 mins the red beacon was way past me and I'd been averaging 3.8 which should have put me at the top of the ride cat.

I thought Cat C in the MAAP rides series was all for women?

Nope, well they let me ride. That's not really helped my fragile male ego if true.

Not sure if this has been asked but trying to decide between Zwift and Trainerroad. I know trainer road you could shuffle workouts about (move days or shorten them from 90 to 60 minutes) but can you do this on Zwift now? Works gym is quite busy and to be honest anything more than an hour on a trainer kills me. For the flexability I'm thinking TR but if i can shorten the workouts and the timeline for the work outs is no longer ridgid in Zwift I might be tempted back to it.
I'm pretty sure in the back of my mind I know the answer from the last time I used Zwift but it keeps hiding.

Thanks in advance!

@daviek not been using zwift all that long so you'll probably get a better answer, but no one's bitten yet!

From my limited experience :

If you sign up to an actual training programme then you are given X number of workouts per week, it seems you can pick which order you do them in within the week, but once the week ticks over, you get the next lotmof workouts.

If you just flick through the individual workout menu instead, there are training programmes you can follow where you just pick the next workout from the list each time you go on.

When You're actually doing a workout, you can swipe away each segment you're on, skipping to the next one, thereby shortening the workout.

Can't say how this stacks up against trainer road, not had long term experience of that either!!

Thanks for the reply Richard, I'm also looking at the new Wahoo SYSTM set up which looks interesting and also has a 14 day trial so might give that a go.