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Written by: Andreas-Maxence Vallières Ihm Imagine this: Winter is well settled; your interest for indoor cycling has never manifested itself, your motivation and enthusiasm are both gone. Cycling at home is dull.
The training base that you bought, following a sincere resolution, collects dust. Worse, you announced it on Kijiji...
Yet, more and more people are becoming indoor cycling enthusiasts. Some people practice indoor cycling as their only sport.
How do they do it?
Simple: with Zwift
You've heard the name: Zwift. Friends, parents, Facebook, Instagram; the Zwift application is becoming more and more popular. The name is ubiquitous in the world of cycling, so it has been made a verb.
"Tonight I'm zwifting, what about you?".
The App has surpassed Sufferfest, B-kool, TrainerRoad and others in popularity because of its video game style. The integration of challenges and goals for all, interactive races for those who want to and especially the possibility to interact with other people in real time makes it so appealing. It is a virtual and interactive world in which you connect with real people.
The formula is simply brilliant. What's more, Zwift is constantly improving its platform and fortunately: you have to go out of your wallet 25$ each month to enjoy it.
However, it is possible to interrupt your subscription without any fees, penalties or other unpleasant surprises and this without losing our progression in the world of Zwift. |
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Use Zwift, no matter what equipment you have on hand. |
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It is possible to use Zwift without breaking the bank. No need for a power sensor or an intelligent training base. If you're not sure you want to get into indoor cycling at full throttle, why not use your old gear first?
Do you have a training base that dates back to before the internet era? Perfect!
Rollers? Why not!
The development of digital technologies today allows you to accomplish with few means what could only be done with state-of-the-art equipment 10 years ago.
Indeed, a simple speed and cadence sensor (with Bluetooth and/or Ant+ connectivity) is enough to start your adventure on Zwift. Of course, your computer must be equipped with the Bluetooth function. Otherwise, an Ant+ antenna that plugs into a USB port will allow your computer to receive signals from your speed/cadence sensor.
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| How to connect yourself, connect your equipment and start riding.
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Before diving into the world of Zwift, you must first create an account and set up user settings:
Zwift website
Create your account
What you need to know:
zPower: This is the concept that Zwift has developed in order to allow the use of their platform to users who use a classic training base and a set of speed and cadence sensors.
The estimated power (zPower) depends on the data received from your speed/cadence sensor and your weight. When you create your account, you will be asked to enter your height and weight.
zPower therefore determines the speed at which your avatar moves according to your weight, height and the route you take.
It is important to make sure you set the parameters correctly to get a true-to-life experience.
Find out more about it::
zPower
Using a classic trainer (non-smart)
Connection: Connection to Zwift is made via Bluetooth or Ant+.
In some cases, it may be necessary to use the Zwift Companion app to connect the sensors.
For more information about the app: Zwift Companion Zwift Companion
(Note that the Zwift Companion app is available for iOS and Android).
The welcome screen will ask you to connect your sensors.
Once your sensors are connected, you're ready for your first Zwift session!
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Using a regular training base and zPower, you need to make sure you choose and calibrate your resistance unit correctly. In short, the pressure the unit exerts on your tire will affect the accuracy of the estimated zPower.
There are several possible settings depending on your training base. These are almost all listed in the Zwift catalog. Simply choose your model, adjust the tension adjustment and you're done.
article de Zwift Here's an article from Zwift on how to adjust the settings for your drive base.
Even so, your avatar may be moving at a speed that doesn't seem real. (If it's too good to be true... it's too good to be true).
You will need to calibrate the force exerted on your tire by the resistance unit of your training base.
An often used method is the "Spin down" method, which consists of driving up to 30km/h and then stop pedaling. Your wheel should not turn for more than 5 seconds. If it spins longer, you will need to add a little tension on the tire and remove it.
Once that calibration done, you are ready to ride away and discover the virtual roads of Zwift
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