Originally Posted by
chaadster
Zwift does not "just use the power curve of an approved trainer." It will take powermeter ANT+ output, so actual power.
But yes, estimated, or virtual-power is always problematic, for TrainerRoad, Zwift, or whomever tries to provide it.
In the end though, it's up to the user to decide if they want to lie to themselves and be a cheater, or if they want to be a serious and decent person and make the effort to set up their trainer as accurately as possible.
When I was using Z-power, it was high, as I had an old wired Powertap against which I could check. The problem is that I don't think most virtual power users have a meter to baseline against, so we have to accept a certain degree of inaccuracy when accepting Zpower or any virtual power numbers.
zwift is just a game though, so what's really at stake? Not much. If they ever do take it to another level, it's easy enough to restrict competitions to real power. But would you trust someone to not futz with calibration or some hack in order to gain advantage? I would not...but it's a game. If you want to be a mensch, you've still got to take it to the races, or at least the road.
yes yes, my wording was not the best. i know that zwift is compatible with power meters as well as virtual power. in fact im planning on using my power meter and a ant+ stick.
My concern isnt whether someone is going to "cheat", because most of the time they dont realize the virtual power is way off ( see my example), so yes it would be a more level playing field if some races are restricted to power meter users, so that zwift doesnt think someone is doing 380 watt, when its really 220. after all, the point of playing a game is to win right.