Zwift cheap n quick

[zmc99]

Hi guys, cycling newbie here. Unfortunately not getting enough real cycling and need some indoor cycling

Wanted to find out what the cheapest / best way for me get zwiftt setup at home.

I have the following equipment

Road bicycle

Garmin 520 edge

Ipad 2/ Iphone 7 / asus gaming laptop

And offcourse a hdtv and wifi.

 

From my understand what i need to add to the list is only an indoor trainer but i Might b wrong.

Thanks in advance

[Bosbrommer]

Hi there. Yup, you are almost good to go. I would recommend getting a bluetooth smart trainer. I use the Tacx Bushido Smart and works perfectly with my laptop/iphone and ipad for some zwift action. Edge 520 can also control the trainer remotely for resistance etc. If you dont mind a smaller screen you dont need a full TV.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thisismyotherbike]

Smart trainer is certainly the way to go here. I'd get the Tacx Vortex. If you wanted to go direct drive, the Tacx Flux is all you'll ever need. Love the Kickr and Neo, but with the Flux out they are overkill now.

 

I assume you are using the HR strap that was bundled with your 520? From there you'll need an ANT+ USB dongle to use your laptop and TV. To use with your iPhone you'll need either the iPhone ANT+ adapter or a bluetooth HR strap like the Wahoo Tickr. iPad2 unfortunately won't run Zwift.

 

In my preferred setup you're in for:

Tacx Flux smart trainer (R10,500 to R12,000)

ANT+ USB dongle (R300-R900)

Yoga mat or gym flooring tiles (R200-R600)

Huge cheap metal fan (+-R500)

 

Hope this helps! Went through the same exercise myself last year. A proper IDT setup is totally worth it, has done wonders for my training

[NotSoBigBen]

I've yet to see a 'cheap' SMART trainer setup .... to my mind at least?

 

#OutsideisFree 

[carrera4s]

The CycleOps powerbeam will work as well:

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/248179-cycleops-power-beam-pro-ant/

[Cav']

Buy this:

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/249465-tacx-vortex-smart-indoor-trainer/

[dexterdent]

I have just gone through this process myself and am enjoying Zwift with the following setup:

 

I ordered a Tacx Satori Smart from chainreactioncycles, total cost ended up at about R4k. CWC have it at just over R4k and would probably be a better choice:

 

http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/tacx-t2400-satori-smart

 

What's nice about the Satori Smart is that it outputs Power over ANT+ (probably self-simulated but seems very accurate).

 

If you wanted to go cheaper you could get a very basic trainer (just check it's supported on the zwift site - I think it's called z-power) and a speed-cadence sensor.

 

After this, I bought a USB dongle and trainer tyre (critical IMHO, it reduces noise and wear) from sportsworld for just over R1k.

 

Everything is working great and I'm happy with the setup. 

[Veebee]

Buy Cycleops, get great local support and lifetime warranty.

 

https://www.bicyclepower.co.za/product/magnus-electronic-indoor-trainer/

[Pall Catt]

You dont really need a smart trainer. Those things are damn expensive. Zwift can accommodate non-smart trainers too. I have the Cycleops Fluid 2 (bought second hand) and then all you need is a speed sensor on your back wheel and then depending on whether your speed sensor is bluetooth or ANT+, you just need to enable it to communicate with your laptop. I have a little ANT+ dongle which I bought online (unfortunately in SA you dont really get cheap ones).

 

Zwift have taken a range of non-smart trainers and done lab tests on them to determine what power outputs are required to achieve certain speeds on them and so then it interprets the speed of the wheel and projects power data from that as well as then factoring in your weight etc to simulate a speed on the virtual terrain.

 

It's not perfect but it works well and its way cheaper than smart trainers. My speed sensor is actually one of those Garmin speed/cadence sensor 2-in-1 things and I have my heart rate monitor also on ANT+ and so all this communicates with the dongle on my laptop and after the ride I have all that data to look at. I've also done FTP tests on that setup at home and then on a wattbike in the gym and found that the Zwift projections of power are actually pretty accurate in comparison to the wattbike.

 

Edit:
I would say take a look on the zwift website for which trainers they have done their tests on and can project the power data for and try get one of those.

[Slowbee]

do the headunits determine the resistance on the roller?

[peds]

if you don't want to buy an expensive smart trainer, a normal one would work with Garmin speed and cadence sensor. Would be a cheaper option but obviously you would need to work out your own resistance when climbing etc. wont be as accurate as a smart trainer.

 

this might help you or someone else following this thread.

[Veebee]

You dont really need a smart trainer. Those things are damn expensive. Zwift can accommodate non-smart trainers too. I have the Cycleops Fluid 2 (bought second hand) and then all you need is a speed sensor on your back wheel and then depending on whether your speed sensor is bluetooth or ANT+, you just need to enable it to communicate with your laptop. I have a little ANT+ dongle which I bought online (unfortunately in SA you dont really get cheap ones).

 

Zwift have taken a range of non-smart trainers and done lab tests on them to determine what power outputs are required to achieve certain speeds on them and so then it interprets the speed of the wheel and projects power data from that as well as then factoring in your weight etc to simulate a speed on the virtual terrain.

 

It's not perfect but it works well and its way cheaper than smart trainers. My speed sensor is actually one of those Garmin speed/cadence sensor 2-in-1 things and I have my heart rate monitor also on ANT+ and so all this communicates with the dongle on my laptop and after the ride I have all that data to look at. I've also done FTP tests on that setup at home and then on a wattbike in the gym and found that the Zwift projections of power are actually pretty accurate in comparison to the wattbike.

 

Edit:

I would say take a look on the zwift website for which trainers they have done their tests on and can project the power data for and try get one of those.

 

Fluid2 is now almost R6k. Put in abit more and get a smart trainer that will be much better for interval training and zwift.

[BicyclePower]

Hey guys, out of interest..... what would be a good deal on a Fluid 2 trainer with a dual ANT+ / BLE speed & cadence sensor ?? I am sure we can put together a bundle if there is enough of a demand.

 

The drastic price reduction of smart trainers however always makes it hard decision between a Fluid with speed / cadence and the like of a Magnus @ R9 995.00 

[thisismyotherbike]

If you wanted to pull the trigger on a Vortex Smart, there's a great deal today:
 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/168335-cwc-online-flash-sale-26-may/page-2

[Johan1983]

I have a Normal Giant Mag Trainer (Blue) and a Garmin Edge 500

Any luck for me?

[Dexter-morgan]

Go to https://maximumtrainer.com, some software, does not need the Power meter but you would need a ANT+ dongle.