Originally Posted by
WhyFi
Got in the first trainer ride of the year. Trainer feels much smoother and more quiet than previously (different bike & wheels). Also the first ride with actual power rather than virtual power - it's been 7 months or so, but I don't get the impression that the virtual power was too far off. Anywho, getting in the work felt good and the trainer experience itself was good enough that I think that I can resist the urge to buy a smart trainer for another year.
When I borrowed a friend's powertap wheel to "verify" the virtual power in Zwift a couple years ago, it was remarkably close. Yea, I had to pick a trainer model that isn't the one I'm actually using, but once you find one in the ballpark (for me, about ~10 watts off), the power curves are pretty well modeled so as you increase effort the virtual power does stay pretty close to your real power.