Oct 29, 2024 at 03:23 PM
Indie Velo becomes Training Peaks Virtual
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/10/trainingpeaks-acquires-indievelo.html
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/10/trainingpeaks-acquires-indievelo.html
Indoor Training, and Virtual Racing (ZWIFT)
Oct 29, 2024 at 05:24 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxKFo0IvWCY
Nov 12, 2024 at 02:05 PM
How do you get the kissena kit in zwift ?
Nov 12, 2024 at 02:54 PM
Message Patrick with your user ID and i think he gives you a code.Mark Taylor said:How do you get the kissena kit in zwift ?
Nov 12, 2024 at 06:06 PM
I am toying around with an indoor setup for this winter, looking for some advice from fellow small apartment dwellers.
I live with my GF in a 1bd, and I think having a bike set up constantly is going to be a non starter for her. I was looking into the Kickr Rollr as it seems like a pretty easy setup, and I hate having to deal with removing and re-installing my rear wheel. Does anyone use the Rollr and have any strong opinions?
I live with my GF in a 1bd, and I think having a bike set up constantly is going to be a non starter for her. I was looking into the Kickr Rollr as it seems like a pretty easy setup, and I hate having to deal with removing and re-installing my rear wheel. Does anyone use the Rollr and have any strong opinions?
Nov 12, 2024 at 06:35 PM
I don't own or have ridden the rollr. The roller is possibly the bigger of all kickr setups, and one that cannot be moved easily. I would suggest that of all the Wahoo trainers is the less small apartment friendly.
I have a dedicated bicycle now, but before, I would store my kickr in a closet, and take it out every time I wanted to ride indoors (including removing the rear wheel, connecting a computer to a tv, etc)
Another important callout is that the rollr does not have a power meter. You will need a power meter on your bike. It will not work at all without a power meter on the bicycle. Reviews also mention that is does not perform well on structured workouts.
Hope this helps.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/02/wahoo-kickr-rollr-trainer-review.html
I have a dedicated bicycle now, but before, I would store my kickr in a closet, and take it out every time I wanted to ride indoors (including removing the rear wheel, connecting a computer to a tv, etc)
Another important callout is that the rollr does not have a power meter. You will need a power meter on your bike. It will not work at all without a power meter on the bicycle. Reviews also mention that is does not perform well on structured workouts.
Hope this helps.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/02/wahoo-kickr-rollr-trainer-review.html
Nov 12, 2024 at 08:49 PM
Have a similar problem. The only place I can ride indoors is my small bedroom. In the winters, I keep my bike on the trainer (Kickr Core) but luckily the bike can rotate backwards (rotating via the cassette) when I'm not riding it so you can have the bike vertically with the saddle resting against the wall. I've found this is the best solution for me. Still takes up space, but at least reduces the footprint and gives you some walking space.MaxBucksbaum said:I am toying around with an indoor setup for this winter, looking for some advice from fellow small apartment dwellers.
I live with my GF in a 1bd, and I think having a bike set up constantly is going to be a non starter for her. I was looking into the Kickr Rollr as it seems like a pretty easy setup, and I hate having to deal with removing and re-installing my rear wheel. Does anyone use the Rollr and have any strong opinions?
Nov 12, 2024 at 10:57 PM
I wouldn’t recommend the roller, it’s really not great. Most of the other ones do have foldable legs, so I used to store my Elite in a closet when not using.
Nov 13, 2024 at 02:31 AM
A trainer doesn't extend the footprint of a bike by too much, so if you already store your bike on the floor (ie. leaning up against a wall), then just keeping a trainer next to it shouldn't take up too much space.
Nov 13, 2024 at 12:45 PM
Dump the GF 
Nov 15, 2024 at 05:52 PM
I have the Kickr Snap which is the wheel on version & the cheapest one. I bought it when I wasn't sure how seriously I would be getting into riding indoors. Low and behold... here I am upgrading to a Tacx haha.
It's about the same weight as the Kickr Core and it folds pretty easily. I store it out of the way next to my desk when I'm not using it. You'd want to have a dedicated trainer tire or wheel with a trainer tire vs your normal road tires (they will wear out quickly). Trainer tires are cheap (about $40) and should last a good while. Mine's in great shape still after >1000 miles indoors over the last year.
That does mean dedicating your rear wheel to indoor use unless you want to mess with changing tires when you want to ride outdoors, otherwise buy a cheap or used rear wheel to be your dedicated indoor. But, that means swapping the wheel which you don't really want to do.
I like the Kickr Snap for what it is. Pretty accurate and great for structured workouts on zwift.
It's about the same weight as the Kickr Core and it folds pretty easily. I store it out of the way next to my desk when I'm not using it. You'd want to have a dedicated trainer tire or wheel with a trainer tire vs your normal road tires (they will wear out quickly). Trainer tires are cheap (about $40) and should last a good while. Mine's in great shape still after >1000 miles indoors over the last year.
That does mean dedicating your rear wheel to indoor use unless you want to mess with changing tires when you want to ride outdoors, otherwise buy a cheap or used rear wheel to be your dedicated indoor. But, that means swapping the wheel which you don't really want to do.
I like the Kickr Snap for what it is. Pretty accurate and great for structured workouts on zwift.
Nov 18, 2024 at 07:00 PM
My Kikr died; wouldn't spin down, or even do the double secret "factory spindown". After a very frustrating week of correspondence where they'd reply every other day, or longer - I got an email promising a new kickr in 4-5 days after I'd shown a photo of the power cord on the broken kickr cut.
Fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed.
Nov 19, 2024 at 08:48 PM
@MaxBucksbaum Did you figure out what to get?
To me, the Kickr Snap seems to have teh smallest footprint. I'd rather a heavier flywheel and wheel-off, but in terms of space, the Snap seems easy to put under a bed or in a closet or between half your handlebar and the wall.
Looking in to a smart trainer myself. Might have another 6 weeks before I can ride outside.
To me, the Kickr Snap seems to have teh smallest footprint. I'd rather a heavier flywheel and wheel-off, but in terms of space, the Snap seems easy to put under a bed or in a closet or between half your handlebar and the wall.
Looking in to a smart trainer myself. Might have another 6 weeks before I can ride outside.
Nov 19, 2024 at 09:41 PM
I've had the Kickr Core for around 5 years and never had any issues, highly recommend.
FYI I tried the Training Peaks Virtual app last week. Interface is similar to Zwift but is a bit more customizable, graphics not as slick and I'd say the overall UI/UX not nearly as smooth or crisp. Kind of like going from an iPhone to Android. Bike and kit selection also significantly sparse vs Zwift if you care about that sort of thing.
I calibrated the trainer before and it seemed to integrate the TP session no problem but that said, it felt way harder effort wise (watts) than on Zwift or outdoor, I mean like 20% harder. Will try again with my power meter on to compare.
If you pay for TP then the app is free, saving you > $250/year (no Zwift), so you can buy some more Kissena swag = a win.
FYI I tried the Training Peaks Virtual app last week. Interface is similar to Zwift but is a bit more customizable, graphics not as slick and I'd say the overall UI/UX not nearly as smooth or crisp. Kind of like going from an iPhone to Android. Bike and kit selection also significantly sparse vs Zwift if you care about that sort of thing.
I calibrated the trainer before and it seemed to integrate the TP session no problem but that said, it felt way harder effort wise (watts) than on Zwift or outdoor, I mean like 20% harder. Will try again with my power meter on to compare.
If you pay for TP then the app is free, saving you > $250/year (no Zwift), so you can buy some more Kissena swag = a win.
Nov 19, 2024 at 09:49 PM
Of the Wahoo products, the kickr core has the smallest footprint. BTW We can get a very good price thru Ride Brooklyn.
Nov 20, 2024 at 08:59 PM
I think I am going to go with the kickr core. Also found out my Dad one that is 4-5 years old that he doesn't use since he got the kickr bike, so just going to snag that one from him and ship it out here
Nov 21, 2024 at 01:11 AM
Is there a way to build an Erg mode ride without paying for any indoor training service?
I'd love to set up some TABATA and 30-30 style workouts where the resistance is adjusted for me.
I'd love to set up some TABATA and 30-30 style workouts where the resistance is adjusted for me.
Nov 21, 2024 at 03:08 AM
There are ways to do that with most bike trainers, as they all work through ANT+, but I don't know how satisfying the experience would be. At least for the Elite Direto XR there's an app called My E-Training which looks like it's either free or $20 per year. Never used it though.
One caveat on interval workouts: Erg mode usually isn't the best at very short and very explosive intervals: it needs to handle a very sudden and very big power increase and set resistance accordingly while making sure that you can keep your cadence up. I find most real sprint intervals shorter than 15 seconds not to be very satisfying on Erg mode, but then again those are the ones that are easiest to do without erg mode.
One caveat on interval workouts: Erg mode usually isn't the best at very short and very explosive intervals: it needs to handle a very sudden and very big power increase and set resistance accordingly while making sure that you can keep your cadence up. I find most real sprint intervals shorter than 15 seconds not to be very satisfying on Erg mode, but then again those are the ones that are easiest to do without erg mode.
Nov 21, 2024 at 06:34 PM
Was about to add somewhat similar comments than those from Lennart.
The easiest way to do a workout indoors is to connect Training Peaks to Zwift. Then the TP workout simply appears on Zwift when you login, you select it and you ride it
Alternatively:
Zwift has tons and tons of workouts already, there might be one that is close to what you are looking for (that way you don’t even need to connect to TP)
you can create workouts on the zwift UI itself – this is not a widely used feature, expect it to mostly suck (I created one, years ago, for work)
The UI and workout experience on Zwift alone makes the price and initial setup worth it – almost everything else I discuss below is possible, but not as good in comparison
If it must be free:
Zwift has a 14 day free trial
MyWoosh is a competitor to zwift and fully free (I have never used it)
This is a UAE company, they sponsor the team and Pogi
Connect it to Training Peaks and off you go
Like zwift it has plenty of already available workouts you can select
Training Peaks Virtual might be worth checking out
Most trainers have an app than control the trainer, some allow workouts – no one uses this, expect it to suck
Similarly, a Wahoo cycling computer (like the bolt) can control a Wahoo trainer -- so if you get the structured workout to the cycling computer, the trainer will follow the workout – no one uses this, expect it to suck
Re: Erg and short intense Intervals
On virtual platforms, like zwift, you have two ways to execute a workout “ERG” and “SIM”
Erg the trainer sets the resistance to an exact wattage and keeps you there
On Sim you set the resistance, usually by shifting, and try to hit the desired target watts (like the outside world)
Zwift is somewhat smart and when on “workout sim mode” it will set a constant resistance (approx the same of a 3~4% gradient) so you can more easily adjust your effort (your avatar still moves faster/slower depending on gradient, power, etc)
Zwift, and most platforms, allow you to switch mid workout between ERG and SIM
Short high wattage efforts, like 30/30s or 15/15s are better on SIM mode, because it’s hard to predict exactly what the target wattage is. These are often hit them as hard as you can.
If you can set the right targets and hit them, then ERG will work great – or if they are short but more chill, for example, over-unders 30 seconds at 95% FTP followed by 30 seconds at 110% of FTP – ERG would be awesome, set it and forget it.
That was a lot, and not sure why I felt the need to type it all out. Hope it helps.
TLDR: Consider paying for zwift, it is not perfect or for everyone, but you are highly likely to enjoy it, will make all of this easier, and that may be worth the price.
Nov 22, 2024 at 01:51 AM
@eloy
Thanks. totally worth it to me.
With 30-30s, I was thinking of a VO2 micro-interval effort I was doing on rollers, which was more 115%-85% of FTP. It was really hard to keep the wattage consistent, which might be part of the reason to do it, but my reading suggested that ergometers could be set up to do so.
Thanks. totally worth it to me.
With 30-30s, I was thinking of a VO2 micro-interval effort I was doing on rollers, which was more 115%-85% of FTP. It was really hard to keep the wattage consistent, which might be part of the reason to do it, but my reading suggested that ergometers could be set up to do so.
Nov 26, 2024 at 04:27 PM
i use trainerday a lot on my phone when i'm feeling lazy. It's super simple. I just set it to my z2 wattage and just lock my phone and ride for an hour and maybe watch a show on my laptop. set it and forget it. the ease and convenience really fills a niche for me.mugwump said:@eloy
Thanks. totally worth it to me.
With 30-30s, I was thinking of a VO2 micro-interval effort I was doing on rollers, which was more 115%-85% of FTP. It was really hard to keep the wattage consistent, which might be part of the reason to do it, but my reading suggested that ergometers could be set up to do so.
Nov 28, 2024 at 10:09 PM
New Kickr arrived (well, refurbished) as promised. Have to say I'm pleasantly surprised.
Dec 03, 2024 at 03:16 AM
I've done three rides now on the Snap (thanks Mark!).
I'm using Trainer Day some and playing around with resistance through my Wahoo head unit and experimenting with routes on my head unit.
Trainer day is a bit of a disappointment. The "free" version appears to provide a ramp test. I was excited to try it, but after warming up for 15 minutes, I realized that I needed to pay for the premium version to get it. Alas. But at $3.99 a month, it's pretty hard to turn down for a few months.
A question for those who are on a Wahoo but not on the Systm: when/how do you do the spin-down test to get the power accurately measured? Do you do it at the start of a ride or interrupt your training routine 10 minutes in and go over to the Wahoo app? Or can you pause your workout in whatever app you're using, spin down, and get the thing zeroed out?
I'm using Trainer Day some and playing around with resistance through my Wahoo head unit and experimenting with routes on my head unit.
Trainer day is a bit of a disappointment. The "free" version appears to provide a ramp test. I was excited to try it, but after warming up for 15 minutes, I realized that I needed to pay for the premium version to get it. Alas. But at $3.99 a month, it's pretty hard to turn down for a few months.
A question for those who are on a Wahoo but not on the Systm: when/how do you do the spin-down test to get the power accurately measured? Do you do it at the start of a ride or interrupt your training routine 10 minutes in and go over to the Wahoo app? Or can you pause your workout in whatever app you're using, spin down, and get the thing zeroed out?
Dec 03, 2024 at 02:18 PM
Anyone interested in the Zwift Racing League? https://www.wtrl.racing/zwift-racing-league/
Looks like Round 3 of the "season" starts in mid-Jan. Not totally sure how it works, but looks like we get 8-10 folks on a roster with the expectation 6 will be available for a weekly race against other teams to earn points that accumulate week-over-week. Could be a good way to break up indoor training.
I believe I am a Category "C" rider at the moment. I'll find out more details, but sending out a feeler!
Looks like Round 3 of the "season" starts in mid-Jan. Not totally sure how it works, but looks like we get 8-10 folks on a roster with the expectation 6 will be available for a weekly race against other teams to earn points that accumulate week-over-week. Could be a good way to break up indoor training.
I believe I am a Category "C" rider at the moment. I'll find out more details, but sending out a feeler!
Dec 03, 2024 at 03:10 PM
It's probably not the most accurate, but if I'm riding the trainer consistently, I do them once every couple weeks or so (if I'm just hopping on because it's gross outside but I'm predominantly riding outside, I'll warm up for 10 minutes then do one).mugwump said:
A question for those who are on a Wahoo but not on the Systm: when/how do you do the spin-down test to get the power accurately measured? Do you do it at the start of a ride or interrupt your training routine 10 minutes in and go over to the Wahoo app? Or can you pause your workout in whatever app you're using, spin down, and get the thing zeroed out?
Edit: I'm on a Kickr Core circa 2018 so no auto spin downs for this guy
Dec 03, 2024 at 03:31 PM
My refurbished Kickr no longer needs one - check you've got the latest firmware.
Dec 04, 2024 at 06:32 PM
I could be if there's more info.EricMa said:Anyone interested in the Zwift Racing League? https://www.wtrl.racing/zwift-racing-league/
Looks like Round 3 of the "season" starts in mid-Jan. Not totally sure how it works, but looks like we get 8-10 folks on a roster with the expectation 6 will be available for a weekly race against other teams to earn points that accumulate week-over-week. Could be a good way to break up indoor training.
I believe I am a Category "C" rider at the moment. I'll find out more details, but sending out a feeler!
Dec 04, 2024 at 07:20 PM
OK! Happy to organize! All who are interested in joining Zwift Racing League please read below!!
Note: Registration next season is not open yet, but please read the below in the meantime:
1. Please review https://www.wtrl.racing/zwift-racing-league/ and https://zwiftinsider.com/zrl-r14/#Routes_and_Dates for some background on how it works!
2. Season will span from Jan 14 - Feb 28, 2025 with weekly races at 7:30 PM ET.
3. We need a minimum of 6-8 riders.
4. Do you some Zwift races on your own to get a feel for your category. It's loosely based on FTP. I believe Category C is between 2.5w/kg-3.2w/kg, B is 3.2-4.0, and A is anything about that. I'm currently sitting at the high end of C, so that's where I would prefer to race. They're using this new points system now, but I believe still roughly matches these categories.
5. Please make an account on https://www.wtrl.racing/ and https://zwiftpower.com/. This will allow for me to add you to the team and for our results to automatically sync from Zwift. You will need a Zwift membership to participate!
If anyone of this sounds fun to you, please let me know! I'm learning as I go too, since I haven't done this before, but teams online rave about the community element of ZRL. Closer to the season starting, I can create a groupchat to coordinate race attendance, team strategy, etc. Thanks!
Note: Registration next season is not open yet, but please read the below in the meantime:
1. Please review https://www.wtrl.racing/zwift-racing-league/ and https://zwiftinsider.com/zrl-r14/#Routes_and_Dates for some background on how it works!
2. Season will span from Jan 14 - Feb 28, 2025 with weekly races at 7:30 PM ET.
3. We need a minimum of 6-8 riders.
4. Do you some Zwift races on your own to get a feel for your category. It's loosely based on FTP. I believe Category C is between 2.5w/kg-3.2w/kg, B is 3.2-4.0, and A is anything about that. I'm currently sitting at the high end of C, so that's where I would prefer to race. They're using this new points system now, but I believe still roughly matches these categories.
5. Please make an account on https://www.wtrl.racing/ and https://zwiftpower.com/. This will allow for me to add you to the team and for our results to automatically sync from Zwift. You will need a Zwift membership to participate!
If anyone of this sounds fun to you, please let me know! I'm learning as I go too, since I haven't done this before, but teams online rave about the community element of ZRL. Closer to the season starting, I can create a groupchat to coordinate race attendance, team strategy, etc. Thanks!
Dec 06, 2024 at 12:22 AM
Hey Eric! Thanks for organizing - the setup was kind of confusing, but we managed to have a season or two of Zwift racing during lockdowns a few years back.
I'm registered and interested!
I'm registered and interested!
Dec 07, 2024 at 03:43 AM
Awesome! Thanks for letting me know. Totally agree, definitely confusing. I will surely be learning as I go too.David Yang said:Hey Eric! Thanks for organizing - the setup was kind of confusing, but we managed to have a season or two of Zwift racing during lockdowns a few years back.
I'm registered and interested!