#Zwift ride

[hojetsala]

The bike that rides on the Internet

- my review of the Zwift Ride -

The days get shorter, the weather wetter and colder and every day it becomes more and more of a struggle to get up at the asscrack of dawn just so I can ride my bike to work for a commute of roughly 50k both ways. A thing I usually love doing. A thing I need to be doing to get my cracked marble of a brain to cooperate with me. But now, as they say, I have bike at home. This has been my experience with the bike that now lives in my home.

I went back and forth on wether to get a home trainer quite a bit. I dont have a bike for it, its expensive, I dont have the space, I dont know what to do with it when its summer again, I worry it will make me too lazy to ride outside.

Well, some of those problems I still have.

But it took very little persuasion by friends ("You could get it if you want it") for me to take the plunge on both the trainer and the bike for it. I got the Kicker Core and the Zwift Ride and I have been having a time ever since. Mostly a good time.

Recieving the thing was a bit of a war. It comes in several boxes, two of which weigh over 25 kg and I live on the fourth floor. Alone. Not the Ride's fault I suppose. I did eventually get it up the stairs and set up, where I hit the first real snag.

The chainring was bent. Which I only noticed once I started pedalling and the chain kept dropping off. Searching around online I gathered I could probably return the thing and get a new one, but. 25kg. Fourth floor. Alone. Not to mention the packaging is so complex and huge I dunno how I'd ever get it put back together.

I still tried contacting support about it, which was the next snag. They have an "AI" chatbot with a few rote answers and thats it. No phone number. I wrote an email to support@zwift.com and have yet to hear back. Judging by the forums, this is a common problem. If something goes wrong, you are on your own. That and the lack of quality control (the chainring was definitely not damaged in transit) are the major downsides I found.

Now to the upsides. The online community is really good. I immediately found posts and videos detailing how I could swap out the chainring myself (and find the correct one). It was easy and I learned some new things about bike anatomy. And I felt great about myself. I booked it as a win.

Then I set it up. This was straightforward enough. Bikefitting a bit less so. It comes with a table for your height with suggestions on how to set everything up, but this seems kinda off. Or maybe I just have weird proportions. I am still fiddling with it. But thats ok. Adjusting the height of the stem and the seatpost is fairly easy. Adjusting the reach of the handle bars I find more difficult as they tend to get stuck a bit. But I am managing.

And then I was off!

The Ride itself is remarkably stable and solid. I am quite a heavy person, especially for a cyclist, and never do I feel wobbly or unsafe. This thing is pretty damn bombproof. It's also quite comfortable and the saddle is good for me. I got some clipless pedals for it and that feels great. Very secure, even when I go all out.

For me personally, who has never ridden a home trainer or even a road bike before, there was a definite learning curve. I got a bit of motion sickness at the start from being stationary and looking at the game, but that has cleared up when I pushed through it. I can now go further every time I ride. I feel like I am getting more comfortable in the position. Admittedly, the position is as relaxed as I can make it. I might make it more aggressive as I get stronger on it.

Zwift itself is fun. It's nice to look at if you like the graphics and there is a good variety to the maps. And there are dinosaurs to find. :) I am really getting into the workouts. They are fun, easy to follow, and tough as nails (at least for me). Its also nice to always have other people around! But Zwift definitely reminds you that comparison is the thief of joy. Damn these people are strong its not even funny.

I thought I was comparatively good on the bike, I rode a lot outside this year. Indoor riding is hard. Hard hard. For some reason, on the indoor trainer, I dont coast. Not that you can't, I find that I just don't. I pretty much go full gas, all the time. And no matter how fast you think you are going, other zwifters will blast past you like you are standing still.

When Zwift tells you to "close the gap", don't. It is a trap. There will always be another gap.

But they are quite encouraging too.

Before I got it, I was definitely worried that I wouldnt use the Ride enough to justify the cost. This has not been the case. I find I really look forward to going zwifting and I do it when I can. I am having a great time overall, even if the effort often leaves me pretty wiped out and I might have to watch out not to overdo it. What do you mean I cant do sprint workouts every day of every week? lol.

So for me, it was definitely a good investment, despite the snags. I am having a good time, I now use my daily "Youtube and Podcast" time a lot better, I get to keep riding through the winter. The cost is significant and should definitely give people pause. But I feel like it's not too much for what it is and I am definitely very happy with it.

I still don't know where I will store the damn thing in the summer though.

Cons of the Ride

non existant support by Zwift

very questionable quality control

the adjustable bits can sometimes get a bit stuck

Pros of the Ride

good online community.

very solid and stable

Quite comfortable, and saddle/ pedals can be easily swapped out

Widely customizable to your proportions

Looks snazzy if you like that kind of thing

Cons of Zwift

Graphics are a matter of taste, objectively not the highest quality

The gamification is rather minimal. Pretty much only leveling and occasionally buying new bike bits and cosmetics. Again, taste

Pros of Zwift

Very active community with events going on all the time

good, fun workouts of many different levels

training plans of different levels too

interesting routes with varied scenery

dinosaurs :)

[dimensionsvelo]

Le Zwift Ride Smart Frame est disponible

Si vous avez déjà un smart-trainer compatible avec le Zwift Cog, Zwift commercialise le Ride Smart Frame. Le châssis qui permettra de les transformer en smartbike ! Pas de secret, le Zwift Ride Smart Frame est la même chose que le Zwift Ride, mais sans smart-trainer ! On dispose de toutes ses fonctionnalités mais avec un choix de home-trainers plus larges. Le Zwift Ride Smart Frame est vendu 800…

[wouteke]

matjefreddy zwift event highlights

during their gay ass couples ride they answered some questions from chat ^_^ first of all. im scared

did we know that????? ALSO everyone in the ride was laughing abt this and mathieu didnt even say anything to defend himself 😭 😭 😭

LIKE 😭 GIRL STAND UP. anyway

very [clenches fist]. more under the cut

Start of the ride:

mullet adds 20w... not everything is about science you know!

+ had to include this one just for the smile 😭

people were also CONSTANTLYYYY talking about freddy's dad 😭😭 how are you the third most important guy in your own two-person zwift

had to defend himself 😭😭

buuut i think he doesn't mind all the attn on matje c:

+ setting realistic goals LMFAO

watopia chat.. seems like freddy may not be enjoying belgium much lolol

very true wisdom

other random q&as - freddy's fave pizza is pepperoni and he had waffles for breakfast... no comment on matjes breakfast. somebody also asked freddy if he needs a new skinsuit every race since his custom one is white and he said yes LOL

most of the questions were for matje but they were a bit boring as one might expect 😭 he said he wants to do mtb next year, gravel worlds will be his last race until cx but they haven't started any cross planning yet. he also said that the gravel course is "nice" based on his recon and he has a custom grail for it

there he is ...

anyway that's about it 😭 it may be cringe to not even DO the actual zwift and just watch the replay but what can i say. their little back and forth negging is so married couple it makes me ill

[zuzkana]

Ride time

[thegreypedaler]

[borekdothu]

50km

Három hét kihagyás után mivel is lehetne letesztelni, hogy még élek-e. Gondoltam, nem satnyultam még el annyira, hogy ne bírjak lenyomni egy ötvenest. De sikerült? Igen. A tervezett időn belül? Igen.

[exitrowiron]

I’m still bike training 5-6 hours a week to get ready for my cross Pyrenees trip this August. I hired a coach and he creates bike workouts that are downloaded to Zwift. I ride my Kickr trainer in Erg mode and Zwift and the Kickr automatically change the resistance to match the workout.

I am in a “build” phase of this month’s training and the workouts are very, very challenging. I can only sustain a few minutes above 160 beats per minute and 171 is as high as I can go. My Garmin watch was not impressed this morning.

Zwift tries to make the inherently boring experience of riding a bike trainer a little more exciting. You can chat with other riders, give kudos and even go on group rides (none of which I have any interest in doing). They also reward time in the app by advancing riders to higher and levels based on miles ridden. At each level you get points which can spend to get flashier wheels, or a special jersey or helmet. As you can see in the pic I just earned some special bike gloves. This is entirely wasted on me. I’ve never ridden by another biker, noticed his jersey and realized or cared what level the rider has achieved.

Despite the Garmin’s advice to chill on the couch, we XC skied for an hour with my niece and her SO. It is pretty warm and the tracks haven’t been groomed but it was fun nonetheless.

[skinks]

the power of having your own curated workout playlist. also the power of competition. I’ve been using a zwift indoor cycling trainer that connects you to thousands of other people also cycling online in real time, and while my heart will always belong to riding solo outdoors, there really is something to be said for seeing a frenchman catching up to you on a hill just as grimes’ kill v maim comes on that turned me into a panting swearing quad hulk monster. eat my virtual dust

[mylifelessonslog]

Wicked day today. Got plenty of sleep last night. Had turned my alarm off to allow myself to sleep through until I was topped up. What made this even better was the fact that I had a rest day yesterday where I only done yoga as exercise. Very nice!!

Despite the curry, tarts and chocolate I had yesterday I was primed for today. I had the long zwift ride for starters. Managed 53 miles and another pb for average watts over an hour. What was great was that my ass made it the entire way through and at the end after the session where I continued for my own milage I managed to slam out some sections and get some great times and efforts. I was very pleased!! Lots of sweat and heat, even in this cold spell!

Apres cycle, I caught up with a couple friends over the phone, ate some big lunch/breakfast and then prepd to walk into town.

Went to the gym in town. Ran 10km on the treadmill. Done really well here. Slow warm up to 6 min kms. Then kept it there until I sped up more for the last km. I did think of going to 15 km but the fact is I don't need to and I was already tired enough. Truth be told, I was tired before I arrived- but a Coca-Cola and snickers got me back on track.

The best thing about today's run was that it was the first run in a bloody long time where I had zero niggles in my legs. Strong strong strong run and extremely comfortable. Few more of these and then when it's not icey out I'll be bringing it up a bit. Very pleased with myself. The transition back to off-road and steep up/downs is still going to be difficult but easier as long as I can run.

I then walked home via a bit of sunset. Cooked up some tasty tofu and rice again. And then gave into some haribo and m&ms. Need to top those calories up after the massive burns!

I'm now ready for another lengthy sleep. Should be able to get a comfortable 8 hours in.

Loving life.

[puncheur]

switching between being on cyclblr and talking cycling w my dad all holiday has been a RIDE. everyone on here talking about getting mvdp pregnant meanwhile the top things my dad detests in life includes:

the dutch

alpecin-deceuninck

riders who ride in white shorts

ppl w vanity plates on their cars

zwift

anyways he has Thoughts&Opinions on mvdp as i have learned

[hiimles]

Have you found a peloton to ride with, in your new homestead?

The only ride is on Thursday evening. So, no. I ride with Zwift on a trainer in my garage. Turns out, just because I live in the mountains my dislike for climbing didn’t go away.

[freebeatfit]

Affordable Spin Bike

Looking for an affordable spin bike that's as close to the Peloton experience as possible? Want something that goes beyond just cycling, offering plenty of versatility and convenience? Look no further than the freebeat Spin Bike. This innovative bike combines high-quality engineering with thoughtful design, providing everything you need to push yourself physically. Whether you're a cycling enthusiast or a yoga lover, a busy professional or an everyday woman, the White Indoor Bike has something for you.

​But what really sets this bike apart is its benefits over the Peloton. With 12 resistance levels and a comfortable, customizable seat, the White Indoor Bike delivers a smoother ride than its competitor. Plus, it comes equipped with an LCD display screen that tracks essential metrics like time, distance, calories burned, and speed. And with the ability to sync with popular fitness apps like Zwift and Kinomap, you can explore virtual courses and compete against cyclists from around the world.

Ready to take your indoor cycling to the next level? Follow these steps to get started with the White Indoor Bike: first, adjust the bike to your height and secure your feet in the pedals. Next, choose a workout program that fits your fitness level and goals. Transform your indoor cycling experience with the White Indoor Bike.

[monterplant]

TrainerRoad & Zwift: Together at Last!

By integrating TrainerRoad’s proven workouts into Zwift, you’ll never have to choose between structured training and virtual fun. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll be on your way to stronger, faster rides—no matter which platform you prefer! Continue reading TrainerRoad & Zwift: Together at Last!

[govindtbrc]

Turbo Trainer Market: Driving Growth in At-Home Fitness Equipment up to 2033

Market Definition

The turbo trainer market includes indoor cycling devices that let cyclists train on their own bicycles indoors by connecting the rear wheel or drivetrain to a stationary unit. Turbo trainers offer an efficient way for cyclists to stay fit and train regardless of the weather. These devices come in a variety of models, from simple manual versions to advanced smart trainers that feature power measurement, app connectivity, and adjustable resistance.

To Know More @ https://www.globalinsightservices.com/reports/turbo-trainer-market

The Turbo Trainer Market is estimated to expand from $3.2 billion in 2023 to $5.5 billion by 2033, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%.

Market Outlook

Turbo trainers have become very popular among cycling enthusiasts and professional athletes, mainly because of the increasing trend toward indoor fitness and the need for year-round training options. These trainers offer a flexible platform for structured workouts, providing resistance that mimics outdoor cycling conditions. The market has grown significantly, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people turned to home fitness solutions.

A key trend driving market growth is the rise of smart turbo trainers, which connect to apps like Zwift, TrainerRoad, and other fitness platforms. These trainers offer interactive and immersive training experiences, allowing cyclists to join virtual races, group rides, and structured training programs. This level of engagement has made turbo trainers popular with both casual cyclists and professional athletes.

The growing focus on health and fitness is a major factor driving demand for turbo trainers, as more people look for convenient ways to stay active indoors. Additionally, technological improvements like better power accuracy, reduced noise, and a more realistic road feel have increased the appeal of smart turbo trainers. The market also benefits from the rising popularity of e-sports and virtual racing, which has boosted demand for connected indoor cycling solutions.

However, challenges remain, such as the high cost of advanced turbo trainers, which can limit their appeal to budget-conscious consumers. Some cyclists may also find indoor cycling less enjoyable than outdoor riding, even with the interactive features. Despite these challenges, the increasing demand for home fitness and training solutions is expected to continue driving growth in the turbo trainer market.

Request the sample copy of report @ https://www.globalinsightservices.com/request-sample/GIS26187

[cyclebarb]

Virtual Indoor Cycling Classes: A Transformative Fitness Experience

In recent years, virtual indoor cycling classes have revolutionized how fitness enthusiasts approach their workouts. These classes bring the intensity and community vibe of traditional cycling studios directly to your home, combining convenience with a high-energy workout. With their rise in popularity, virtual cycling has become a preferred choice for those seeking an effective cardio routine without the need to step outside. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, virtual indoor cycling classes offer numerous benefits that cater to various fitness levels and lifestyles.

The Rise of Virtual Indoor Cycling Classes

The fitness landscape has seen a significant transformation due to advancements in technology and shifting consumer preferences. Virtual indoor cycling classes emerged as a solution for those looking to stay active in a convenient and accessible way. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, as fitness enthusiasts sought alternatives to crowded gyms and in-person group classes.

These classes are powered by live-streamed or pre-recorded sessions, led by professional instructors who guide participants through challenging workouts. Many platforms also incorporate interactive features, such as leaderboards, live chats, and virtual group rides, to foster a sense of community and competition.

Benefits of Virtual Indoor Cycling Classes

1. Convenience and Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of virtual cycling classes is the ability to work out on your schedule. No more rushing to make it to a class or dealing with commute times. Whether it’s early morning, midday, or late at night, you can hop on your bike and join a session that fits your timeline.

2. Customizable Workouts

Virtual cycling platforms often cater to a range of fitness levels. Beginners can start with low-intensity rides, while advanced riders can push their limits with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions or endurance rides. Many programs also allow you to adjust resistance levels and follow personalized training plans, ensuring your workout aligns with your goals.

3. Motivation Through Engaging Content

With upbeat music, energetic instructors, and immersive virtual environments, these classes keep you motivated throughout the ride. Some platforms even simulate outdoor routes, allowing you to "cycle" through mountain trails, city streets, or scenic coastal roads without leaving your home.

4. Affordability

While traditional gym memberships or boutique fitness studios can be costly, virtual cycling classes are often more affordable. Many platforms offer monthly subscriptions that grant access to a wide variety of classes, making it a cost-effective way to stay active.

5. Community and Connectivity

Virtual cycling classes often replicate the camaraderie of in-person group workouts. Features like live leaderboards, shared playlists, and virtual high-fives create a sense of belonging and friendly competition. Even when cycling alone, you feel connected to a broader fitness community.

Setting Up Your Virtual Cycling Space

Creating a comfortable and efficient workout space at home is crucial for a seamless experience. Here are some tips to get started:

Invest in the Right Equipment: While any stationary bike can work, many users prefer smart bikes or cycling trainers that sync with virtual platforms for a more interactive experience.

Choose the Right Platform: Popular platforms like Peloton, Zwift, and others offer diverse classes and features. Research and find one that suits your preferences and goals.

Optimize Your Environment: Set up your bike in a well-ventilated space with sufficient room to move. A fan, water bottle, and towel will help keep you cool and comfortable during intense rides.

High-Quality Audio and Visuals: A good pair of headphones or speakers and a screen for streaming classes can enhance your overall experience.

How to Get the Most Out of Virtual Cycling Classes

To maximize your results, it’s essential to approach virtual indoor cycling with intention and consistency:

Set Clear Goals: Determine what you aim to achieve—whether it’s weight loss, improved endurance, or stress relief—and tailor your workouts accordingly.

Track Your Progress: Many platforms offer performance metrics like calories burned, distance, and power output. Use these insights to monitor your improvement.

Stay Consistent: Establish a regular workout routine. Even 20-30 minutes of cycling a few times a week can lead to noticeable results.

Engage with the Community: Participate in challenges, join group rides, or interact with fellow riders to stay motivated and accountable.

Why Virtual Indoor Cycling Stands Out

Unlike other forms of exercise, indoor cycling offers a low-impact yet high-intensity workout that’s easy on the joints while delivering significant cardiovascular benefits. The addition of virtual platforms enhances the experience, making it more engaging and accessible. Whether you’re chasing a leaderboard rank or simply looking to improve your fitness, virtual cycling classes provide an effective and enjoyable solution.

Exploring Cycling Brands and Platforms

When diving into the world of virtual indoor cycling, you’ll come across a variety of brands and platforms. For example, CycleBar is a well-known name in the boutique cycling studio space. While their focus is on in-studio experiences, other platforms like Peloton and Echelon dominate the virtual space with expansive libraries of on-demand and live classes.

The Future of Virtual Indoor Cycling

As technology continues to evolve, the future of virtual indoor cycling looks promising. Innovations such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and AI-driven personalized coaching are poised to redefine the virtual workout experience. These advancements will make workouts more immersive, interactive, and tailored to individual needs, further bridging the gap between home fitness and traditional studios.

Conclusion

Virtual indoor cycling classes have transformed the fitness landscape, offering a dynamic, convenient, and engaging way to stay active. With options to suit every fitness level and lifestyle, they empower individuals to achieve their health goals from the comfort of their homes. By combining cutting-edge technology with the essence of community-driven workouts, virtual cycling is more than just a trend—it’s a fitness revolution that’s here to stay.