Kettler cross trainer and connector for Strava/ Zwift etc.
Discussion
Hello. I have a Kettler cross trainer (One of the older ones but good quality) that has what looks like a Monitor connector on the front. Is there any way to connect this up to a cable so it can talk to apps like Zwift etc? I will take a picture of the connector if requested... thanks.
From what I can work out online, Zwift needs a bluetooth or Ant+ signal to get information from your trainer.
Both are wireless, so unless I'm missing anything (I found Zwift's own website less helpful than third party ones for this) your plug in connecter will not work.
When you say a monitor type connector, I assume you're referring to a D -type connection (with rows of pins inside a shield that is vaguely D-shaped), which I expect makes it quite old school.
For a better answer I suggest find out what communication language or protocol the cross trainer uses to communicate with whatever it expects to find plugged in to the other end of that cable, and then research compatibility of that language or protocol with whatever software you decide on because they will all be different.
Both are wireless, so unless I'm missing anything (I found Zwift's own website less helpful than third party ones for this) your plug in connecter will not work.
When you say a monitor type connector, I assume you're referring to a D -type connection (with rows of pins inside a shield that is vaguely D-shaped), which I expect makes it quite old school.
For a better answer I suggest find out what communication language or protocol the cross trainer uses to communicate with whatever it expects to find plugged in to the other end of that cable, and then research compatibility of that language or protocol with whatever software you decide on because they will all be different.
I've used Zwift for cycling but not running so the following is slightly guess work.
If you are using it for running in Zwift, Zwift doesn't control the speed, resistance or gradient automatically like it does with a cycling smart trainer.
Instead the treadmill or a sensor you wear, such as a run pod or watch, transmits a speed to Zwift. I don't know how well these sensors would work on cross trainer without foot impacts.
A list of supported sensors is here:
https://support.zwift.com/en_us/supported-running-...
If you are using it for running in Zwift, Zwift doesn't control the speed, resistance or gradient automatically like it does with a cycling smart trainer.
Instead the treadmill or a sensor you wear, such as a run pod or watch, transmits a speed to Zwift. I don't know how well these sensors would work on cross trainer without foot impacts.
A list of supported sensors is here:
https://support.zwift.com/en_us/supported-running-...
frisbee said:
I don't know how well these sensors would work on cross trainer without foot impacts.
I’ve heard tales of people strapping sensors to the cross trainer flywheel and fiddling with various settings to kid zwift into thinking there was running movement. Never done it myself.Quick google brings up this .. might be worth a watch, he presents it pleasantly and it looks like a well thought out thing.
https://youtu.be/HTXNA3i4BfY
Edited by bigandclever on Wednesday 21st April 18:56
kiseca said:
From what I can work out online, Zwift needs a bluetooth or Ant+ signal to get information from your trainer.
Both are wireless, so unless I'm missing anything (I found Zwift's own website less helpful than third party ones for this) your plug in connecter will not work.
When you say a monitor type connector, I assume you're referring to a D -type connection (with rows of pins inside a shield that is vaguely D-shaped), which I expect makes it quite old school.
For a better answer I suggest find out what communication language or protocol the cross trainer uses to communicate with whatever it expects to find plugged in to the other end of that cable, and then research compatibility of that language or protocol with whatever software you decide on because they will all be different.
Yup its a female DE9 connector and the cross trainer is a Kettler Ergometer CTR1...Both are wireless, so unless I'm missing anything (I found Zwift's own website less helpful than third party ones for this) your plug in connecter will not work.
When you say a monitor type connector, I assume you're referring to a D -type connection (with rows of pins inside a shield that is vaguely D-shaped), which I expect makes it quite old school.
For a better answer I suggest find out what communication language or protocol the cross trainer uses to communicate with whatever it expects to find plugged in to the other end of that cable, and then research compatibility of that language or protocol with whatever software you decide on because they will all be different.
I've got a CTR 1. It must be at least 15 years old. I've also got wahoo -> apple TV -> zwift
The connector was to run some proprietary software and updates from a PC. I never bothered
I'd be astonished if there was any way of interfacing this with zwift.
To give Kettler credit they still have spares available and my machine is still going well
The connector was to run some proprietary software and updates from a PC. I never bothered
I'd be astonished if there was any way of interfacing this with zwift.
To give Kettler credit they still have spares available and my machine is still going well
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