Zwift
 

I am wondering if anyone has tried ZWIFT and if so what are your thoughts and experiences?

I am curious but not prepared to spend a lot of money to get started. I have a very basic, cheap stationary bike and a set of rollers. Any insight on the easiest, cheapest way to get set up on ZWIFT?

Experiences: http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...if-so-how.html

You need a powermeter for rollers.

For the cheapest option available you need an ant+ dongle and an ant+ speed sensor. Supported trainers list: https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/a...Zwift-support-

I love Zwift!! you don't need a PM, you can use Zwift power. They are adding more routes soon, and I like that I can do group rides, ride with friends, etc., and never leave the house.

One thing that's held me back.. you need a laptop computer that meets some basic configuration requirements to run Zwift.. As it is, my chromebook won't work, an older lenovo that I have doesn't meet req's, and my current windows power computer is a desktop model that I obviously can't mount on my handlebars.

I was just heading down to the basement now and thought Zwift might help it be a little less boring. Sadly my laptop is 32 bit and they don't support that any longer.

You don't need a laptop. I use a desktop. Use a USB extension cable to get the dongle close enough to the bike sensors and control the game with a smart phone app. It works perfectly.

Isn't there a monitor view suggested or desired?

I'm using an Alienware Alpha console with a monitor - works just fine.

The Zwfit site is VERY self-explanatory as to minimum and desired component requirements, it even has a FAQ section that answers most questons.

cheers

I use Zwift and it's better than watching tv while ridin indoors. I try to find my local bike shop and ride with them at least once a week.

Its not about the processor really it requires a video card that supports the latest version of OPENGL, 3 I think. Older laptops with onboard intel graphics won't work. You can download it for free and try to run it in just watch mode to see if it will work.

Here's the link for minimum computer configuration:
https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/a...nts-for-Zwift-

I use Zwift and it's been great. After a few solo rides I joined up on the Pacific Wake Up ride and find it is a lot more fun to ride with a group. There are also various workout modes available too.

Here's the calendar for Zwift group rides/races: www.zwiftcalendar.com

And check out the unofficial users manual here: Zwift User Manual - An Updated Guide - TitaniumGeek

As mentioned above, with rollers its hard to get a good experience as they don't have a nice resistance profile Zwift can use to calculate watts. Watts are what move your avatar in Zwift. There is an "unsupported rollers" setting where you'll get to try things out as long as you have an ANT+ dongle and a speed sensor on your bike.