Old 01-08-21 | 09:51 AM
  #18  
msu2001la's Avatar
msu2001la
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 1,502
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Originally Posted by dmanthree
True, but can you Zwift by just adding "power" pedals? Never used a Peleton...
Yes. This would also be way more accurate than the device being discussed, though adding power meter pedals to your Peloton is a very expensive setup that would still leave you with a single-speed bike and manually controlled resistance. You'd have to really love riding your Peloton bike to add $700 pedals (and a second screen) just to ride it on Zwift.

This device seems to work by sending estimated power based on resistance to Zwift and also allows Zwift to automatically control the resistance on the bike, so it basically turns an otherwise "dumb" Peloton bike into a "smart" trainer. It also looks like it simulates gearing by also adding/removing resistance. They show Zwift running on the Peloton screen, but I don't think that's possible without hacking the unit. So, the end result is going to be a very expensive setup with accuracy that is not going to be anywhere near as good as a basic wheel-on smart trainer setup, with a messy second screen setup.

The weird thing about a Peloton bike is that it has the ability to be a really awesome Zwift machine, or even a direct competitor to Zwift. It has a built-in power meter and measures resistance. It connects to bluetooth, has a built in CPU and a nice huge screen, etc. Peloton is a closed platform though, and doesn't broadcast any info outside of its own network. I've also never understood why Peloton doesn't have a more sophisticated resistance control (like an ERG mode), or provide automatic resistance control for "scenic rides". It'a a nice spin bike, but comes with a tightly controlled closed platform aimed squarely at participating in spin classes and really nothing else.
msu2001la is offline  
Reply