W@nted Posted May 2, 2019 Author Posted May 2, 2019 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.How acurate is the climbing simulation though? It would help a lot as there are no real hills in the hoëveld...
RocknRolla Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 How acurate is the climbing simulation though? It would help a lot as there are no real hills in the hoëveld... Look, it doesn't feel like a real climb (to me) but if the trainer says 8 to 11% you sure as ****, will be kakking off on the climb and your indicated speeds drop to crawling. You should actually try and make your way to JHB and test-drive a kickr with a free zwift session (first 15kms is free) If you are keen to do this, give me a shout, I can arrange a trainer for you (elite Direto) but you should get the idea.
W@nted Posted May 2, 2019 Author Posted May 2, 2019 Look, it doesn't feel like a real climb (to me) but if the trainer says 8 to 11% you sure as ****, will be kakking off on the climb and your indicated speeds drop to crawling. You should actually try and make your way to JHB and test-drive a kickr with a free zwift session (first 15kms is free) If you are keen to do this, give me a shout, I can arrange a trainer for you (elite Direto) but you should get the idea.Thanks for the offer. I tried one yesterday on a mtb fitted to a kickr core. I could feel the resistance change according to the gradient, very interesting ????
Veebee Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 Trainer during the winter months will help... Zwift is fun, the races are nice and help you to learn how to suffer more.
dirtypot Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 I've been on Zwift for about a year and a half now and I love it! I ride on Zwift at least five times a week, but I do very little free riding. It's either structured training plans (which I really enjoy), 100-120km group rides on Sunday evenings (which I really enjoy) or racing (which I really enjoy). I'm doing the 365 challenge this year, so I'm riding a lot, and I've noticed my fitness take a marked leap upwards in the last four months almost entirely because of using Zwift a lot. As said earlier, it's a tool. Use it properly and you'll be faster. A new groupset might make you feel better for a while, but it won't make you any faster at all. Elite Direto FTW.
W@nted Posted May 2, 2019 Author Posted May 2, 2019 I've been on Zwift for about a year and a half now and I love it! I ride on Zwift at least five times a week, but I do very little free riding. It's either structured training plans (which I really enjoy), 100-120km group rides on Sunday evenings (which I really enjoy) or racing (which I really enjoy). I'm doing the 365 challenge this year, so I'm riding a lot, and I've noticed my fitness take a marked leap upwards in the last four months almost entirely because of using Zwift a lot. As said earlier, it's a tool. Use it properly and you'll be faster. A new groupset might make you feel better for a while, but it won't make you any faster at all. Elite Direto FTW.Great to hear thanks! Definitely leaning towards the trainer at this point????
Vetplant Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 Regarding the question whether Zwift becomes boring. Personally NO, but I have started a month-to-month subscription of Sufferfest and the change in training scenery does bring a certain level of fun. There are so many training apps these days and all of them allow you to just commit for short periods so jumping between them is easy. This would mean that you need some sort of training programming which is not specifically Zwift or one of the other training apps. Again, plenty of options between getting an actual coach to structure things or going for something online. I would go for a actual coach with a good reputation and Zwift and the Kickr product that you can afford. Happy shopping.
Bruce D Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 Why don't you get both.... If you just using the gym for the watt bike cancel your gym and take the monthly gym fees towards Zwift on a monthly repayment. Then put your money towards the group set. Best of both worlds, happy days...
W@nted Posted May 2, 2019 Author Posted May 2, 2019 Why don't you get both.... If you just using the gym for the watt bike cancel your gym and take the monthly gym fees towards Zwift on a monthly repayment. Then put your money towards the group set. Best of both worlds, happy days...Yes I would cancel the gym membership to cover the zwift fee, but I still need to buy a smart trainer.
madbradd Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 Zwift really is good. It's much easier (especially in winter) top hop on the trainer for 60-90m than to go out for a ride. You will also save on winter kit as you only need bib and jersey for winter even when it's really cold. Zwift has a few aspects:1. "Gaming" aspect keeps the "just ride" or recovery workouts interesting (lots of carrots to chase)2. Workout mode (Including group workouts) where you can use one of Zwift's pre-defined workouts, or build your own. These are MUCH better for building fitness than riding in traffic.3. Online racing - These don't only look hard. They ARE hard. There are leagues and all sorts where you can race various types of races against people all over the world. It certainly keeps things interesting.4. You don't only have to use Zwift - you can use Rouvy, TrainerRoad and a bunch of other apps for your training. A new GS will be cool for the first few rides. The trainer will be fun for longer (in my opinion). I'd try pick up a second hand Kickr (Gen1/Gen2) or similar rather than a Core though. Direct Drive for the win!
riteshm Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 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”.For me Zwift is still exciting however indoor training is mentally challenging. As you already use a wattbike you should be fine. Zwift is more immersive, especially the group rides / races.In workout mode its not so exciting. The routes are fun. Regarding climbing, you can set the trainer difficulty from 0% to 100%, to scale the feel of the climbs. Default setting is 50%, so a 10% hill will feel like a 5% hill. Power is not impacted; just the 'feel', as your cadence is impacted.
Muttley Posted May 2, 2019 Posted May 2, 2019 As others have said, I'd also go for the trainer - It's been one of the best investments I've made plus the Mrs now no longer minds if I buy cycling related gear as it's a "healthy thing" I went for the Kickr 3 cos it works with most bikes and I like what Wahoo are doing in terms of innovation in this market (Climb, Headwind etc). It actually makes training enjoyable (at times) and flipping hard (at times) - I've actually sworn at my trainer
W@nted Posted May 2, 2019 Author Posted May 2, 2019 Record/Chorus to Ultegra Lol I know. The new campy groupsets are just too expensive.
W@nted Posted May 2, 2019 Author Posted May 2, 2019 Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like consensus is buying a trainer for the long term benefit????????
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