Trainer or groupset

[W@nted]

Hi

 

So I would like to hear some opinions on what item to blow some money on later this year.

 

My situation: Building fitness and racing mtb and road. Want to get competitive in the VA bunch. So my current race bike has a 10 speed Campag groupset on. Mixture of record and chorus. Shifting is not as crisp anymore, as the group is more than 10 years old.

 

I am itching to buy a 11 speed ultegra R8000 groupset, which looks and shifts great. This is option 1.

 

During the winter I spend time on the local gym’s wattbike to build fitness. But I have gained interest in this whole zwift thing... That said, option 2 is buying a wahoo kickr core and joining zwift and keeping my word existing groupset.

 

Advice?

[Duane_Bosch]

I can't offer any advice but I'm MAD for a smart trainer and Zwift setup myself when the funds are sourced.

[RyanAW]

Have you tried running new shifter cables and cable outers? Old isn't always bad

[s14phoenix]

Buy the trainer. then slowly fix or change the items causing the shifting issues. Are you sure you don't just need new cables and housings to sharpen up and fix the issues?

 

The investment in your own fitness if you correctly use your own trainer is massive. However you also pay to go to gym so you are lucky enough to maybe not need the trainer as you use their equipment.

 

Generally good maintenance and possibly a new chain and cassette could change the shifting issues and make the bike ridable.

[RocknRolla]

Structured power training will benefit a whole lot more than a new grouppo on the bike.

[W@nted]

I can't offer any advice but I'm MAD for a smart trainer and Zwift setup myself when the funds are sourced.

It does look good and fun. How good is it as a training tool though? Does the novelty wear off? I am scared it is just a “gat jeuk”.

[W@nted]

Have you tried running new shifter cables and cable outers? Old isn't always bad

Yes I replaced the cables recently. There is some play in the lever itself, but not major. Look, it till shifts great, just not as smooth as the new shimano groupsets.

 

The lack of maintenance on the gym’s wattbikes is a concern for me though and I would prefer training at home on the zwift.

 

I am leaning towards the trainer, as I can live with the current groupset.

 

Is there some feedback from long time zwift users? Do you lose interest after a while or is it really good for building ftp etc?

[RocknRolla]

It does look good and fun. How good is it as a training tool though? Does the novelty wear off? I am scared it is just a “gat jeuk”.

 

I am pretty unmotivated when It comes to training. (even married to a coach does not change this) and with the help of Zwift, my outdoor riding has gone from strength to strength. It's a tool, and with all tools, it's about how you use it. 

I often find myself not lus for the local loop, that I have ridden hundreds of times, and consider a quick blast of Zwift, with some exciting variety, and always some-one to chase (even if they don't know you are chasing)

[W@nted]

Structured power training will benefit a whole lot more than a new grouppo on the bike.

This makes sense. Wattbike gets a bit boring after one hour as well.

[Pure Savage]

Groupset would look much better on instagram than the trainer.

[W@nted]

I am pretty unmotivated when It comes to training. (even married to a coach does not change this) and with the help of Zwift, my outdoor riding has gone from strength to strength. It's a tool, and with all tools, it's about how you use it.

I often find myself not lus for the local loop, that I have ridden hundreds of times, and consider a quick blast of Zwift, with some exciting variety, and always some-one to chase (even if they don't know you are chasing)

This is exactly what I am hoping to get from zwift. We only have one out and back loop to safely train on using the road bike, so more options would be more than welcome

[Duane_Bosch]

It does look good and fun. How good is it as a training tool though? Does the novelty wear off? I am scared it is just a “gat jeuk”.

I can't say. I've never tried one but I've got a mate who's panic training for Sani and his fitness has gone through the roof.

 

He kind of explained it as telling zwift he had to be able to do (insert goal and date here) and it designed a training program for him. He does stick to it pretty religiously.

[W@nted]

Groupset would look much better on instagram than the trainer.

Maybe I should post some instagram pics of the classic groupset???? Many questions from newbies on what groupset is is...

[RocknRolla]

Zwift has the option of structured work-outs, and training plans. you can also free-ride, and make up your own route as you go. There's flat roads for ambling along, and some serious climbing to be done.

[HairyLegs]

This is exactly what I am hoping to get from zwift. We only have one out and back loop to safely train on using the road bike, so more options would be more than welcome

Also, if you want to save the monthly fees for Zwift, look at "Maximum Trainer". Also has lots of training programs, but doesn't have the VR of Zwift.

[W@nted]

I can't say. I've never tried one but I've got a mate who's panic training for Sani and his fitness has gone through the roof.

 

He kind of explained it as telling zwift he had to be able to do (insert goal and date here) and it designed a training program for him.

I watched some videos of the zwift races. It looks hard! It has to be good for race fitness building and is more exciting than intervals on the wattbike