Old 11-27-16 | 06:59 PM
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Lightchop
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 62
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From: Northern Chicago Suburbs

Bikes: Trek Domane S 5, Trek 1.1, Trek 8.2 DS

What do I need in order to do virtual rides?

I've made the decision to get an indoor trainer and would like some guidance. I made the decision for a few reasons:

- Too cold/icey to ride outdoors in winter
- I would appreciate the luxury of not having to go to the gym
- I have been told the glory stories of being able to do some very cool virtual rides. This sounds like loads of fun.

A few cyclists I trust have pointed me to the Wahoo Kickr, so I think I will go that route. I like the idea of the wheel-off trainer.

Thing is, I currently ride a bottom-of-the-line Trek 1 series, with basically no gizmos. I use RWGPS on my phone to track my outdoor rides. Hence I dont have a power meter, cadence sensors, etc, etc, etc.

If I go with the Wahoo Kickr, I want to have the full effect:
- power meter
- cadence, speed
- be able to see/watch my virtual ride
- anything else I am missing?

I've got PCs, Ipads, you name it. But no bike hardware. The Wahoo website is awfully confusing. I would love some guidance on what hardware and software/apps I would need to be able to get all the metrics (power, cadence, other?) and be able to do the virtual french alps - and in fact I'd love to do a virtual ride of some of the centuries & fondos I recorded this year with RWGPS.

Could I ask you to share what hardware & other bits I'd need to accomplish this? I'd have a preference for lower entry prices, and in a perfect world these would also work on the bike when on the road (with some app).

My limited research on power meters, etc tell me they are very expensive, and the Wahoo website is geared towards people who have some pre-existing sensors, apps, etc.

ps - I do understand I'd likely need to sign up for Zwift to do the virtual stuff.

Thanks.
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