Using an Exercise Bike on Zwift
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- čas přidán 2. 04. 2020
- I've been trying to find a way to stay active in the event that running outside becomes unavailable, and so I had been thinking about an exercise bike. But I also wanted to try to use it on zwift. I know I'm not the first to figure out these processes, but I wanted to put together a video using things that are readily available today on Amazon*
Indoor exercise bike
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Wahoo speed and cadence sensor
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Wahoo tickr
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Mat under the bike
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*note: I think the bike that I used is now of limited availability on Amazon, given the current global situation
disclosures: the bike, sensors, and mat are products that I purchased with my own money. No one is paying me to make this video or to use these products or services. No one will get a chance to preview any of my footage or thoughts before the video goes up in CZcams.
Thanks for watching! Leave a comment to let me know you stopped by!
Biking footage shot on:
GoPro Hero 8 Black (paid link)
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Sony a6300 (paid ink)
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Disclosure: It's 2020, so I think we all know how affiliate links work at this point, but for regulatory compliance or affiliate program purposes, I must state that affiliate links do not increase cost to you, but:
I may earn commissions if you purchase items from Insta360 via my affiliate links.
"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Also, you do not need to use these links. You can also search for these same items in amazon or on any search engine/shopping site of your choice and buy/research them that way.
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In lieu of a charity runner of the week, my wife and I will be donating to our local food pantry.
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Thank you for creating this video! You purchased the same exact equipment that I also have saved in my Amazon bucket and wanting to use it on Zwift to stay motivated. KEEP RIDING!!!!
Love it!! Got a bike for myself earlier in the week and Wahoo cadence and speed arrives on Monday. Plan to do the exact same!
i hope you enjoy!
For the speed sensor, do you put it on top or next to the tyre axle?
thanks, still looking for an available spin bike in Canada, but this helped me set up an old generic exercise bike a neighbor was throwing out a year ago. Still trying to figure out the wheel size.
Slowly becoming a triathlete. YES!! Join us!
I have just about exact same setup. I have the Sunny bike with the star on the fly wheel. I mounted the speed sensor in a horizontal position like on a real bike on that little bit of ledge the wheel provided. Held it on with the sensor holder and 2 hair rubberbands. I'm using the 20 in wheel size in zwift but really don't know what is best. In a short amount of time, i have managed to hugely increase the length of time i want to ride compared to before zwift.... cuz riding the spin bike sucked. Now riding is fun and challenging.
Thanks for reminding me about Zwift. I have a treadmill and Concept2 in my "pain cave" when I want to get a break from running. The Concept2 gets the most use these days as it gives an awesome full-body workout. I don't think there's a direct Zwift Rowing setup but I will investigate it further and see if I can join in the fun!
i'm not sure how they would do it, but zwift rowing would be interesting, like if there were people in rivers or canals alongside the bikes and runners
@@kofuzi Yeah, it would be neat. I've looked at it a little more and there doesn't appear to be a true setup that works...yet. Until then I'll keep rowing since it's such a great workout.
Have been thinking about this since the start of lockdown and you have just provided so much good information! The only question I have - for the clearance (speed) what clearance do you have? and what do you think you need? Would be really helpful to know.
@kofuzi
Referencing what you said at 8:53
The speed sensor does not matter where on your axle it is placed. Think of it like a clock that ticks 1 number every full rotation. No matter where on the wheel it is placed 1 full rotation will still take the same amount of time to complete.
What actually matters when calibrating a speed sensor for your bike is the "wheel diameter" the reason for this is. The wider your wheel the further you go forward for 1 full rotation of the wheel.
How speed sensors calculated speed is through doing a calculation of: speed = distance over time.
You input a fixed distance e.g. wheel diameter (flywheel in yourcase) divide it by the time it takes for one rotation.
How zwift actually calculates power is some "dumb" (analogue) trainers have a set resistance that has been tested by the zwift company. E.g. at 10kph you need Z power to maintain that speed and they do that for multiple points up to maybe 60kph and give you a rough estimation of your power output that way using their own data or the manufacturer's data.
Considering your using an exercise bike and not a trainer the data displayed on zwift may or may not be widely inaccurate however it 100% would not be reliable.
Note to add. Love the video.
It's nice to see your enjoying your indoor cycles and also welcome to the indoor club. I hope you carry on zwifting for months to come.
Also a second note. Just train to HR rather than even paying any attention to z power. You may actually benefit more by doing some 30 second sprints sprinkled into your weekly bike rides.
a lot of people have explained this to me, and it is now finally starting to stick. i think.
i know the numbers won't be accurate, but if there is a time to forgo data for community, now is the time. i just hope that everyone realizes that i'm not trying to win anything in zwift.
Thanks for sharing. I did use gym bike and wahoo sensor.. But sometimes the speed up and down feel funny. Did yours too?
Hi there! I am wating for my sensors to arrive, thanks for the tips.
What size of wheel you use to config speed sensor?
Thanks!
Do you happen to know the actual size of the wahoo sensor? I need to know if it would fit on the flywheel with the spin bike I have (schwinn IC Pro).
Nice video. Can you give us an update? Is your set up working any better or worse? Any additional thoughts or tips?
This is awesome vid!! I’ve been trying to figure out how to us Wahoo on my spin bike. Cuz I do triathlon. Hope you swim and get into tri. See u on Strava ;)
I've been looking for an ergometer with Zwift support for 1-2 weeks, but can't find anything in stock nearby. Maybe i have more luck with the wahoo sensors in mind.
Now I have another great cycling channel.
I saw something cool in development. A company called shift is making remote bluetooth resistance adjuster. Looks pretty slick. It's marketed to peloton users but it just slips on the top of the resistance knob and a motor turns it based on what zwift thinks resistance should be. Looks like it's going to be pricey at around $300
Hi there...I put the wahoo speed sensor on the little outside to where you placed it.Could it be the reason why my device wont get paired with the laptop..
Not sure if you'll see this, but some thoughts about stuff you mentioned with the setup:
- The speed sensor just measures the rate (i.e., number of times per minute) that the wheel completes full rotations. This means that the exact distance from the center of the axle doesn't really matter. To get speed, it multiplies the number of rotations by the circumference of a normal tire (giving distance, which can be divided by the time interval to get speed). Normally, based on your specific tire and wheel size, you would 'calibrate' the speed sensor simply by inputting a value representing the circumference of your specific wheel-tire combination.
- Since an exercise bike like this is so different from a "real" bike, it will be hard to make it super similar in feel with the inclines and declines on Zwift. The approach you mentioned of finding groups of other riders and keeping pace with them is probably your best bet for 'calibrating' the difficulty; you can try to find resistance settings that require you to put in a moderate/reasonable effort level while keeping an even pace with the group.
good luck and happy cycling!
Thanks for the tips!
Nice intro track - turned it up loud on headphones to drown out the sound of my children :-)
Same here
I am running into the same problems. Do you have all three linked or should I try something different. I use the apple tv
For the speed sensor, is it okay if put it on the side of the wheel rather than on top of it?
How often do you have to change the batterie oft the speed sensor?
Love the MKBHD shirt
it's words to live by
After I soldered leads to my wahoo blue BC, I ran an AA battery pack to the sensor. And after I soldered in new reed switches, it works exceptionally well now. I still kick it every now and then, but it is relentless and just works. may not work so well here, but I really would like to get the Sunny bike or Keiser M3i. :)
do you need to buy ant+bluetooth cable to pair to zwift?i have garmin cadence and speed sensor it wont pair on zwift
enjoy the good fun...if you get serious later you can get a smart trainer so that you can enjoy zwift even more so just have fun indoor and enjoy the good workout
I had the same problem with Stryd power meter setting up my son’s dumb trainer and bike. I finally found a thread that you have to disconnect Stryd from bike by selecting Run instead. Then you can go back to selecting bike and this should keep it from jumping back.
ah, interesting
Hey thanks so much for sharing this! What did u do in order to replace the "long run" of the week?
I’d have to go back at my Strava to verify, but I don’t think I was worried about getting in a long run at that time
@@kofuzi ok I see! Thanks for the reply! (I’m trying to find a solution while recovering from rotator cuff surgery 🤦🏻♂️)
I had a very similar exercise bike growing up. You might have fun trying a duathlon in the future.
i'd also like to try biathlon, but i know very little about skiing and even less about shooting
Watching on my indoor bike :-)
nicely done
To heck with steeple chase, you're 1 step away from the Wonderful World of Triathlon - those Triathlon Taren collaborations are rubbing off on you haha.
I’ve got a lot of things to try when this is all over with, I think
Hi, would u describe how u connect your trainer to zwift? I’ve got 50 rpm with 1% gradient but the speed keeps on around below 10 kph 😭
I have the same setup but i think watts are not being calculated correctly. Can you help setting it right?
Great video... What would you suggest if I want the resistance also controlled by the zwift app?
Would like to know the same
You would need a smart/auto trainer
OMG seeing you complete a 70.3 would be fucking awesome
Is it possible to add power meter pedals on your spin bike ??
Multi sport athlete 😤
70.3 starts here! from boston qualifier to age group winner, the story of kofuzi (legend of the modern world)
garnica8
How has this bike been holding up for you ? Any issues with it ?
When I got injured I tried the workouts on GCN CZcams channel (global cycling network). There’s some good ones on there.
People have been sending me links to some good ones
Hi, could I elect to not use the heart rate monitor, and still accomplish everything else using Zwift? I just don't want anything attached to my body.
Nice recap, for those with a dumb trainer wahoo has a single cadence speed sensor that you can buy instead of two separate sensors. That being said unless you have the wahoo specific trainer than the wattage is based on speed adjusted for the hills so not 100% accurate.
A question for triathletes out there...
I'm in a similar situation, except we are hardly allowed to run at all in France, and I did get myself a smart trainer.
What sort of workout would best transfer to running ? Building FTP, working on base, other... ?
My goal race this year is Paris Marathon (hopefully in October)
No different to running really. Some sessions focus on speed, others long endurance etc. I like sweetspot training but again, like running you've gotta mix it up.
Has anyone looked into building a DIY smart controller so that a spin bike together with power meters would work like a smart trainer with up/down shifting, drafting, hills etc control of the resistance?
how do you feel your legs vs running and overall cardio workout? I think bike is more efficient, because it pumps legs more. maybe not as much stretching and contraction, but bike seems to be better for leg fitness. also, since sitting on the bike won't work lower back and glutes, I don't sit on bike, I actually removed the seat, because I stretch on it my back by leaning completely being behind the bike while pedaling and having arms completely stretched, so I do all spinning standing and only short heavy resistance trips (my health is not optimal for long cardio I can't even burn fat due to lack of cortisol due to medical malpractice) also, long low resistance biking burn muscles. so, if you wanna simulate running, and make your body more balanced I suggest standing only on the bike, which I guess you won't hear from many people. by standing I mean that you can lean forward, backward, also changing the back angle and simulating you sit on it, while actually not sitting if it makes sense. the seat on the bike defeats the purpose and is there for people to rest, but I dont suggest spinning while seated. also, others suggested to get power meter pedals, which are quite expensive tho, but they provide the best feedback of your work for bike apps.
I think you are conflating cardio workout and leg fitness in your analysis, but I hear what you are saying
@@kofuzi yes, I want to build power while not losing more muscles I lost due to artificial cortisol I never asked for wreaking havoc in my body for months and now my body don't produce enough and built insulin resistance. I would also buy longer crank arm for longer range on movement
I cant seem to get my speed sensor to register the right speed on a JOROTO spin, please help.
Love your use of Zwift with an exercise bike, as you say the numbers won’t be right but who cares and if at least they are consistent you can still monitor your personal progress
Just looking to have fun and stay sane!
Is this something you know about? I’m looking at maybe getting a pedal power meter for an exercise bike, which in my brain would produce reliable measurements because force applied to the pedal should be pretty consistent from an outdoor bike to an indoor bike. Otherwise I may just break down and get a smart trainer.
I did my 3rd marathon last fall, may do another this year. I usually run 50-80km a week and bike 3-5 hrs on other days.
Love the MKBHD shirt!
Thanks! Words to live by
kofuzi Yaaaasssss! 🙌🏼
Any reason you chose not to use the Polar arm band heart rate monitor?
i'm using wahoo speed and cadence sensors. i figured i'd go for the trifecta.
How does the speed sensor work when the cadence and flywheel RPM are linked together on a spin bike? What I mean is, on a real bike, assuming your riding a flat for example, if you have a higher gear at a given cadence your speed will be much higher than the same parameters in a lower gear? Ie the resistance on the spin bike isnt taken into account when calculating speed....... lower the resistance, spin away and blitz everyone........
that's precisely right. a limitation of the spin bike system
I thinking spd pedals and cycling shoes are a good addition to your workout. Being clipped in makes it not Quad dominant. If unclipped you rely on gravity and have a constant downward force. Being clipped in creates a pulling motion that works the posterior chain and balances leg muscle involvement.
would it be weird to buy that kind of shoe just for use on spin bike?
kofuzi it’s actually recommend, most spinners use cycling shoes as we sit, stand then sit again( on and off the saddle). It creates better balance from those position changes and makes sure that the force is from the ball of the foot consistently. Also cycling shoe soles are hard with zero flex so there is maximum energy transfer compared to when there is cushion from athletic shoes that absorbs some of the force. Try a spin class. Peloton has a free trial, I believe 90 days. You don’t need the peloton bike. Just needs an iPad. Or smart phone that can mirror to your smart tv. Cadence sensor syncs to peloton app
kofuzi also i think it would be a great video to see “Kofuzi tries spinning” or “Kofuzi tries Peloton”
Does swift support other speeds and cadence sensors more budget?
If you are on a budget, you can use the moofit Bike Cadence and Speed Sensor Bluetooth & ANT+ which are compatible with zwift for about $39 combo. Right now on Amazon Prime Day, they are available for $31.97 for Prime members.
Hi Level 2 Zwifter, welcome to my world. Sincerely, Level 35 Zwifter.
It’s fun to be here. Thanks for having me. Sorry for accidentally cheating pretty much the entire time.
1. Do u use power meter?
2. Any issues on climbing?
1. for running, yes. for this bike setup, no.
2. yes, and they are discussed in the video. if you have a specific question, i will try to address it the best i can.
Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling! 🚲Soon you will be starting your own Ko's Cycling Ylog CZcams channel!
i'm going to need more hours in the day
I know you said you don't care about numbers but maybe keep an eye on used power meter pedals on eBay. You'll be able to ditch the speed and cadence sensors while getting accurate data for your workouts. They don't make flat power meter pedals but you can purchase cheap adapters to convert them from clear only to platform. That way you won't need to buy cycling shoes. I suggest Powertap P1s.
i've looked at those on amazon, and they cost about double what my spin bike costs. i'll keep an eye out on ebay.
Its really nice that you started using Zwift, you can do heart rate workout and stay in the zone BUT the whole point of Zwift is that you can simulate the road feel with a smart trainer. I know I know its not cheap, but its a really good investment. Without a power meter you dont know what is your real effort is, just imagine you go out for a run with a heart rate strap you go home and you didnt use a GPS.
edit: btw, dont change the resistance when you go uphill because zwift wont notice that, it will slow your speed down when you go uphill anyway.
i'm not interested in an investment. when my running routes reopen, i will be giving this bike away to whoeever is willing to carry it out
Cycling will do wonders for your running
that's what i hear. that's what i hope
Power Pedal with would be a much better choice. maybe more expensive though
What do you think about wearing a Buff as a fabric "mask"? It is impossible to get real masks right now. Plus, Buff makes kids sizes as well as adults. Looks like the CDC is now recommending masks, even if only fabric, when out in public. Your thoughts?
i've been doing it for a while. not for medical purposes, per se.
Nice MKBHD shirt :)
I am having the same problem when I pedal my avatar does not move how did you fix it.
problem for me was my stride footpod
get the Ant + sensor plus cable on zswift website and plug into your laptop. avoids bluetooth connections issues
This? On top of the wahoo as well? Or just this? www.zwift.com/shop/product/ant-bundle
@@PuertoRocCutie23 This plus the wahoo speed and cadence sensors.
Then put the ant+ dongle sensor under the bike as close to the wahoo sensors as possible. Maybe cover it with a plastic bag or peanut butter jar lid (with the side cut out) to protect it from sweat.
Then your good to go : )
Thank you
But...What did you pick for Tire Size? That's the question no one is answering in these setup videos.
I pick whatever the app defaults to. at the time of this video, I had zero experience with actual road bikes to use as a reference in terms of whether speeds were accurate.
I wouldn't rely on this type of setup if you want to do anything other than simply get on the app.
I think duathlon is in your future. :) Don't be swayed by the triathletes! ;)Seriously though, cycling complements running very well and evens out any muscular imbalances one may occur in just a single sport. Thanks for the review.
i wonder if i'd get dq'd from a duathlon if i had a long selfie stick clamped to the handle bars
More than likely. I know there are typically no mobile devices allowed but I think I have seen some handlebar/saddle mounted gopros before.
Kofuzi is that a MKBHD t-shirt?
yup
Could you not move that table to position the bike so you were facing the TV?
I could, but then I’d have to move a kids table full of origami and legos.
@@kofuzi Doesn't look very comfortable though looking at it side on.
Wait...I may have missed this...are you becoming a cyclist now? How hard/easy is it to transition from running to cycling?
I am trying to limit my time outside. Otherwise, I’d just be running.
You might need to raise your seat up just a little. I’ll look for you on Zwift! 👌
i have raised it a notch in subsequent rides. i'd love to get fitted at some point so i know what it's supposed to feel like
Yo!! what’s going on. Stay safe
This is a nice change. Can your avatar throw banana peels to crash other virtual cyclists like in Mario Cart?
Yes
Sorry for being nasty with details lol, but the speed is not coming from the speed sensor - the speed is calculated based on wattage (which is also an calculation based on your trainer disk rotation AND resistance) and your weight - this enable Zwift to adjust your speed on uphills and downhills. It is really a mess with dumb trainers and unless you use precisely the settings Zwift lists on their website (trainer name, wheel size, resistance level etc.) your speed (the wattage) will be off by I don't know +50-50%.
you can also get an actual power meter (starting from $400) to measure your power to get a glimpse of potential of Zwift.
I presumed the speed was not being measured directly from the speed sensor, and I specified as much when I expressed that it is an extrapolation. But I appreciate the clarification.
I know there are going to be tons of people who know a lot more than me about this. I enter this world reluctantly and humbly.
@@kofuzi I hear you, i'm also a complete newbie in this world (very expensive, I must say world) I use indoor cycling as a cross training option, once a week usually, just wondered that it would be great to hear runners perspective on Zwift, especially with some precise wattage comparison to regular cyclists, with power meter you could even participate in some races and could beat some cycling folks. Also could be very SEO friendly :)
@@nikakura I'm not going to lie, that is a relly good idea. The pedals should screw in like standard pedals do. You can find replacement power pedals for pretty cheap these days. Or pick up some used. And the pedals would double as your cadence sensor.
133 bpm is zone 2 for you? Whats your max?
i've been running with maffetone, using 130-145 as my easy run HR zone. i've never done a lab test to determine VO2 max or max HR.
@@kofuzi thanks for getting back to me.
So without knowing or at least estimating your max how did you determine this is your Zone 2?
Reason I'm asking is because it is rather high for someone your age. It Actually seems to fall smack into Zone 3 territory specially since you don't have a competitive sports background.
I think it doesn’t matter if your setup is accurate as long as you’ve got consistency from one session to the next given you’re only trying to maintain fitness. I resumed using my indoor smart trainer late last year but it has become my main source of fitness in these difficult times. I generally run the app on an iPad and watch something on CZcams on the TV because as you’ve found even with a virtual world to look around, it soon gets a bit dull.
that's pretty much what i've been thinking. i'm just looking for a way to maintain fitness but also be around others, even if only digitally
I hooked everything up but when I start to spin on my spin bike I’m not moving on Zwift
A good way to burn more Cals... goin TRI?
I’m primarily a cyclist, I use one of the high end smart trainers for zwift, but I do also run, cross training can be a great idea imo
i think you're right
Run Zwift on a computer / Mac and then launch the Zwift companion app to bridge sensors and Zwift.
I’m toying around with different setups. Tried using the Apple TV app, and it kept picking up my stryd footpod, which then blocked my ability to pick up the speed sensor
Maybe I'm wrong, but I realize your right and left shoulder isn't at the same level, but I think it's because you put your tv on your side instead of head on
could be
Guess who’ll be signing up for their first Triathlon before the end of the year?
Still can’t hardly swim, so there’s that
What sucks about using an exercise bike instead of a Bike trainer is that the pedalling does not get harder as you go uphill or easier downhill.
It does if you adjust resistance lever
My avatar moves so slow! It sucks, I think I have the sensors way off.
Your numbers on strava look very off especially for a new cyclist (25mph?) and getting a smart trainer will fix that. However cycling is an expensive sport and there are loads of good cycling workouts on youtube that go off perceived effort and cadence (GCN) that only need a dumb trainer. I wouldn't worry about the numbers on zwift too much as you're not racing, people will get butt hurt about it but as long as you're getting a good workout/ training in does it really matter?
I’m definitely not taking it seriously. It seems to be annoying some people, which I think is a great argument for disallowing all dumb trainers on the app, not just mine.
This setup does not seem to be very accurate for the Zwift purposes - I have had some experience using Zwift (over 700 miles now) with dumb trainer - the whole point of using dumb trainer with speed sensor is that Zwift measures resistance on that exact trainer, which you have to use in your setup - so for example I have Tacx blue matic which is listed on Zwift website and to be precise I have to use 3rd resistance level
I’m not that interested in accuracy
Careful... you might just end up coming to the dark side 😉
Where do you find room to store all this gear at home? Haha
it's all in the living room. desperate times, desperate measures
Yo!
Yo!
it's a pity your not looking straight at the tv. having to always turn your head can't be good for you.
Why don’t you face the TV?
Measurements on Zwift are going to be pretty much meaningless with the setup you’ve got, but if it’s something to look at so you don’t get bored then go for it. The benefit of a smart trainer with a bike on it is that it syncs to Zwift and automatically adjusts the resistance, measures your speed and power output so you can monitor and tailor your training. You can get great workouts in with a spinning bike like yours too, check out a channel called CTXCVideos, they might be a better match for your setup with timed rides and perceived exertion targets matched to real group rides on screen, so you control your speed and resistance and make them mean something to you. Happy to talk you through it and a couple other options if you need. Happy spinning.
thanks for the suggestions. it feels like a very polite way of asking me to leave, but i will presume that that is merely my social insecurity that is inferring something that isn't there
kofuzi just trying to help man, do whatever works for you.
Dude. Save yourself all this frustration, guessing and wasted workouts and invest in a set of power meter pedals. That’s all you really need to register the proper power on Zwift. Very funny about that long intro. I was getting annoyed after the first 90 seconds. 😂
Power pedals cost 2x the cost of the bike that I purchased
@@kofuzi yes. I know. They are expensive, but what you’re really wasting is your time and that’s much more precious. The feedback they will give you and the “presence”they will provide you with are kinda priceless.
Hey @Cookiefan59. I am looking into this precise solution as i have a “spare” pair of gear in vector pedals. I was thinking of a spin bike plus these vector pedals to give me power and cadence (most apps then guesstimate speed). Have you tried something similar? I’m keen to avoid the peloton rabbit hole!
Gonna see kofuzi in ironman next!
Hey, I love your videos man...you, SJD, jamil coury, etc. inspired me to get a gopro and film some of my trail runs! If you have time, I'd love for you to check out my first video! czcams.com/video/KbWiDvA7Hrs/video.html
That’s great! Have fun out there!
haha, here we go.
HMU if you ever wanna ride together!
someone will have to tell me how that works, but i'd like to try a group ride. a lot of times, zwift kind of just pushes me through menus.
@@kofuzi I'm new to it myself, and yes, they *really* don't explain a ton of stuff. If you join the same world as someone else, it'll show the people you follow in the list, and you can hit "Ride with."
Clean your house
This _is_ clean
@@kofuzi lol