Zwift Question

[jakesmith]

Hey all
We have spin bikes in our gym and a big telly
Is it possible to join Zwift and just use it to watch the video streams of the courses for £13 a month, without any of the interactive bits. I know it won't be as competetive or dynamic but would still probably be more fun than spinning
Or could we get some of the functionality with basic blurtooth pedal sensors
I am not asking 'would it be enjoyable' but more 'would this actually physically work' or would Zwift just hold stationary as it isn't getting any data to move me forward

[Dannbodge]

Yes
You can get Zwift working with a smart trainer, power meter or a speed and cadence sensor.

You have to specify the correct trainer to get the right speed/power curve if using speed sensors but if you aren't bothered about any of that then it won't matter.

[jakesmith]

Looks like it is impossible to attach a speed sensor to a spin bike due to the design of the solid wheel
Would it work just wit a cadence sensor enough to get me moving on screen?

[anonymous-user]

You need something between the telly and the sensor too

phone / computer / apple tv

otherwise it will just be stationary

also look at fulgaz, sufferfest, bigringvr for some real video options

[HoHoHo]

I can't help with your question but surely it's not beyond the ability of any bike connected to the internet to have the option of joining Zwift or something similar.

We all have our own usernames and passwords, these good cycles are pretty hi-tech machines and the technology is pretty easy to add by way of a software upgrade I'm sure

[jakesmith]

JPJPJP said:

You need something between the telly and the sensor too

phone / computer / apple tv

otherwise it will just be stationary

also look at fulgaz, sufferfest, bigringvr for some real video options

Thanks, I've got a Windows 10PC with Bluetooth hooked up to the TV
Have ordered a £16 bluetooth cadence sensor off Amazon coming tonight will see how far I get with it!

[anonymous-user]

jakesmith said:

Thanks, I've got a Windows 10PC with Bluetooth hooked up to the TV
Have ordered a £16 bluetooth cadence sensor off Amazon coming tonight will see how far I get with it!

I think you will need speed as well as cadence

https://zwift.com/hardware

[Usget]

With a cadence sensor and a spin bike (and a HRM), I think you could use Sufferfest? I've never used it but it's workouts structured around training videos from races (eg breakaways, hill attacks etc) - seems like it would suit you better than Zwift given the limitations.

[jakesmith]

I've looked into this now and have discovered that a power meter is needed for spin bikes as otherwise the app has no way of 'knowing' your resistance
With speed/cadence I could move along but the rest of it would be pointless really from what I can make out
The easiest way to achieve this is with power meter pedals, and the cheapest from a known brand is the Garmin one which is £350 - not too bad really.

[andySC]

Try the GCN workout videos on YouTube? Free, pretty interactive as they’ll give you a heads up on cadence, relative effort etc. The ones heading up mountains are quite good with a POV riding position. Zwift without the “interactive-ness” wouldn’t be much fun and certainly not wort £13 per month.