Alternatives to Zwift for IDT?

[HdB]

Hi SwissVan

 

Please tell me more about uploading the outside rides....i used Rouvy for a while but the program was not that user friendly for me...   . Will i be able to replicate a hill repeat indoors? I do not have power meter on bike. I use a Garmin Edge 800 head unit with speed and cadence on on bike and then HR strap.....How realistic is the ride on the IDT i have the Kickr Snap?

There is a separate program, that you can create the routes with. You can manually create them, or import a gpx/fit file of another ride.

 

Sometimes the gradient changes are a bit wonky if you import one though - I cannot remember if there is a built-in tool to smooth the elevation a bit, or if I used something else.

[SwissVan]

Hi SwissVan

 

Please tell me more about uploading the outside rides....i used Rouvy for a while but the program was not that user friendly for me...   . Will i be able to replicate a hill repeat indoors? I do not have power meter on bike. I use a Garmin Edge 800 head unit with speed and cadence on on bike and then HR strap.....How realistic is the ride on the IDT i have the Kickr Snap?

 

As HdB says below, you can ride a route and then upload the gpx files to rouvy and create your own personal route. This can be stored in rouvys DB of rides and anyone can ride it at any time.

So yes you could ride a real hill repeat session, download the gpx files and then ride it again on the IDT with rouvy. 

 

You can also manualy create a route using rouvys create / edit route maker. Ive tried this a few years ago but tbh it takes time and is not as accurate as using the actual gpx files.

 

Having downloaded some of my rides onto rouvy and having ridden them in real and on my IDT (Cycleops powerbeam), i find the IDT rides are slightly easier from a gradient perspective compared to the real ones. But its close enough. Obvisoully the IDT rides don't take other factors such as weather, road surface or traffic features into account...well not my powerbeam.

 

There is a separate program, that you can create the routes with. You can manually create them, or import a gpx/fit file of another ride.

 

Sometimes the gradient changes are a bit wonky if you import one though - I cannot remember if there is a built-in tool to smooth the elevation a bit, or if I used something else.

 

I think there is a way to smooth the created routes, but as mentioned above creating a route takes to long and is a bit finicky so i never invested much time into it.

[Dexter-morgan]

Ok All Rouvey users, how about a race(flatish) one evening, lets say, 18:30, PM me then I will arrange the rest.

[ChrisF]

I have done the Zwift 7 day trial.  I love the "free rides", with all the other riders on the road.  I can ride my own pace, but also push myself to try and keep up with a faster rider when I am up to it.

 

At this point I am not interested in the "structured training programs".

 

 

 

Many of the alternative software options are advertised based on its "structured training" programs....  Not that easy to find information on their "free ride" options.

 

 

I have downloaded "VirtuGo" .... my first try had electronic issues, both connectivity and the system rebooting mid-ride.  After re-booting the NUC-pc the system worked "okay".  BUT, the NUC-pc does not have the graphics capability to do justice to this program !  The images are "jerky" to put it mildly ....  And the system also periodically drops the hart rate monitor and/or the cadence sensor .... I would have to stop peddling to go into the program to re-link everything ....  Given the jerky graphics (pc issue, certainly not a reflection on VirtuGo) I was not motivated to try and find a solution to the sensor link issues.

 

 

 

Based on interweb reviews I now need to decide between testing Rouvy of FulGaz ....

 

 

I would appreciate first hand feedback from those that have tried these packages, especially regarding :

- pc requirements and graphics (will it be okay on a basic PC, I am okay with low resolution but want it smooth)

- "free ride" options and functionality

 

 

PS - I will most likely subscribe to Zwift in a few weeks time, but would like to test a few more options before making up my mind .... that said, no use downloading a 10 to 20 Gig package if the NUC-pc cant do the graphics justice ...

 

 

[Madone69]

Price increase on Zwift - VAT being added from mid July 2019

so an increase of close to R32 can be expected now.

[Dexter-morgan]

Price increase on Zwift - VAT being added from mid July 2019

so an increase of close to R32 can be expected now.

Time to cancel and use Rouvy for which I have paid the year in advance,

[JohanDiv]

Jip, I'm also considering canceling now after waking up to that lovely email.

The price was already a bit steep to begin with, this might just have been the final nail in the coffin..

[HdB]

Based on interweb reviews I now need to decide between testing Rouvy of FulGaz ....

 

 

I would appreciate first hand feedback from those that have tried these packages, especially regarding :

- pc requirements and graphics (will it be okay on a basic PC, I am okay with low resolution but want it smooth)

- "free ride" options and functionality

Rouvy is a lot lighter than Zwift (and I would assume Virtugo), even if you use the "Augmented Route" stuff. It worked quite well on my previous PC, which struggled with Zwift.

 

For the route videos, your wifi and internet speed will probably be more important, but you can always download the video ahead of time if you know which route you want to do.

Since users can create their own routes with video, the quality can vary quite a bit.

 

For free rides, you can ride whichever route, with or without video, and have the trainer adjust according to the gradient of the route. There is a "free ride" option too, with no video, and you can then adjust the wattage or gradient manually.

[Job]

I am using Zwift and recently joined Trainerroad as well. In all honesty when I look at the value for money between the two I think Zwift is still better because of the virtuals, training programs, races and you can also build your own workouts. I tried Virtugo but its just nowhere near Zwift. I am willing to take the R32.00 Vat increase with a pinch of salt. At some stage I think I will drop Trainerroad and use Zwift to build my own structured workouts on Zwift.

[ChrisF]

I am using Zwift and recently joined Trainerroad as well. In all honesty when I look at the value for money between the two I think Zwift is still better because of the virtuals, training programs, races and you can also build your own workouts. I tried Virtugo but its just nowhere near Zwift. I am willing to take the R32.00 Vat increase with a pinch of salt. At some stage I think I will drop Trainerroad and use Zwift to build my own structured workouts on Zwift.

 

Rouvy is a lot lighter than Zwift (and I would assume Virtugo), even if you use the "Augmented Route" stuff. It worked quite well on my previous PC, which struggled with Zwift.

 

For the route videos, your wifi and internet speed will probably be more important, but you can always download the video ahead of time if you know which route you want to do.

Since users can create their own routes with video, the quality can vary quite a bit.

 

For free rides, you can ride whichever route, with or without video, and have the trainer adjust according to the gradient of the route. There is a "free ride" option too, with no video, and you can then adjust the wattage or gradient manually.

 

Thank you for the input.

 

My brief exposure to VirtuGo was not "successful" .... the connection issues, the jerky graphics .... no thanks, wont try it again on the NUC pc.  And Zwift works PERFECTLY on the NUC pc.

 

 

Did the install of Rouvy last night.  After the setup and pairing it was a bit of a let down to realise that no routes were installed ... okay, okay, I now understand their approach and reasoning.  Will download a "video", and also an "augmented route" and try that as well.

[shaper]

I have used Virtugo extensively for the last 5 months or so first as a beta tester and currently still use it.  Beta had glitches in dropping connections especially on HRM, but since it has moved out of beta have not had any issues and the latest update has a lot more features.

 

Check min spec requirements as this is why you may have dropouts http://community.virtugo.com/t/minimum-hardware-requirements/28

 

I have a Kickr Core with Garmin HRM, speed and cadence sensors connected via Ant+ on a Win10 laptop.  I am on Virtugo 3 times a week.  I use it extensively for the structured workouts as to me free riding routes is just junk miles and wasting your time when you could be doing structured workouts to build fitness, endurance and FTP.  To date have done the training plans "All Rounder", "Time Trial", "Criterium" and am currently half way through "Climber".  

 

As an early adopter and beta tester, I still have free use of the software until end of October, but will likely subscribe once my free trial period is over.

 

If you are looking for software for structured workouts rather than just riding routes without the monthly fee, perhaps take a look at PerfPro https://perfprostudio.com/Default.aspx which has a once off payment of USD100 and you can have up to 3 riders, so you and your wife/other half can train without incurring any further costs.  There is a full workout library so can create your own plans, else import any of the training plans freely available on PerfPro.

 

Edit:  Perfpro will also import courses if you do want to free ride.

[ChrisF]

Thank you Shaper

 

Pretty sure the NUC pc does not have the right graphics card for VirtuGo.  But this is what I had spare from a previous project ...

 

 

As a Tri-athlete you certainly need a structured program

 

 

While I represent the other extreme of their client base .... the ou-toppie that does 20 to 60km on a weekend on the local trails, and commute 4 to 6 times per week when my work and the weather allows.

 

As winter set in I felt my fitness levels dropping, thus got the trainer setup purely be able to simulate my short commute rides. .... at least that was the idea.

 

Turns out I enjoy the free rides on Zwift enough that I often ride 2 to 3 times the distance I would have commuted.

 

 

clearly our goals are on the opposite ends of the spectrum.  And it is amazing that these tools allows both us to meet our needs.     In fact, I got it "just to stay in shape", and by week two I am already pushing past my previous limits ... going to be interesting to see the effects of this when next I head out to the trails. 

 

 

 

PS - YES, I am aware of the irony of buying a "trainer" just to do "free rides" ...  

 

PPS - HOPING that VirtuGo and the other options get enough of the Zwift client base that Zwift has to relook their pricing model ... full price for the full package, but a base price for the "base package" ..... hey, we can hope ... 

[shaper]

Glad you are enjoying, but seems an expensive buy to get a Kickr Core and road bike just to replace your commute rides??

 

Consider using it for what it is intended.... and less with the ou-toppies comment, some of us are 54 and still mixing it with the youngsters 

 

As to Zwift re-looking at their price model           

[RobertWhitehead]

Please also consider Sufferfest, its a completely different approach than any of the others mentioned. 

There's a few things I like about it:

• You can download the videos and only use the internet when you save the file onto their server
• The customer support is really good, been using it for over 6 years and no issue I've had has not been resolved
• It's cheaper than Zwift
• It has more than just spinning - it has yoga, strength and tri videos

Here's a nice article comparing a few: https://completetri.com/zwift-vs-sufferfest-vs-trainerroad-vs-peloton/

I have done the Zwift 7 day trial.  I love the "free rides", with all the other riders on the road.  I can ride my own pace, but also push myself to try and keep up with a faster rider when I am up to it.

 

At this point I am not interested in the "structured training programs".

 

 

 

Many of the alternative software options are advertised based on its "structured training" programs....  Not that easy to find information on their "free ride" options.

 

 

I have downloaded "VirtuGo" .... my first try had electronic issues, both connectivity and the system rebooting mid-ride.  After re-booting the NUC-pc the system worked "okay".  BUT, the NUC-pc does not have the graphics capability to do justice to this program !  The images are "jerky" to put it mildly ....  And the system also periodically drops the hart rate monitor and/or the cadence sensor .... I would have to stop peddling to go into the program to re-link everything ....  Given the jerky graphics (pc issue, certainly not a reflection on VirtuGo) I was not motivated to try and find a solution to the sensor link issues.

 

 

 

Based on interweb reviews I now need to decide between testing Rouvy of FulGaz ....

 

 

I would appreciate first hand feedback from those that have tried these packages, especially regarding :

- pc requirements and graphics (will it be okay on a basic PC, I am okay with low resolution but want it smooth)

- "free ride" options and functionality

 

 

PS - I will most likely subscribe to Zwift in a few weeks time, but would like to test a few more options before making up my mind .... that said, no use downloading a 10 to 20 Gig package if the NUC-pc cant do the graphics justice ...

[ChrisF]

Glad you are enjoying, but seems an expensive buy to get a Kickr Core and road bike just to replace your commute rides??

 

Consider using it for what it is intended.... and less with the ou-toppies comment, some of us are 54 and still mixing it with the youngsters 

 

As to Zwift re-looking at their price model           

 

Skuus, Oom 

[shaper]

Another alternative is Maximum trainer with ERGdb, 1000s of workouts with direct integration

 

https://ergdb.org/integrated-inside-maximum-trainer/