Additions needed for tacx flow trainer

[Trigger369]

Hi all . Looking to buy the tacx flow trainer and get into zwift.
Can any one that uses this trainer tell me exactly what else I will need apart from the trainer and laptop. I read that I will need an ant+ dongle and extension cable . Many thanks .

 

[Jason]

The minimum your require

Turbo (dumb or smart)
speed/cadence sensor
HRM (no mandatory but helps to know how hard your working in the absence of power meter)
USB ant + dongle (to read the sensors above)
zwift on your pc/laptop
The USB extension cable just brings the dongle nearer the bike (i don't use one as the distance is about 3 feet,and works well)

 

[Red17]

Got the same trainer and it will work with just the dongle and extension lead for zwift.

I also connect a heart rate monitor - its not necessary to run the programme and ride around on Zwift, but if you are doing any of the races some of them will exclude you from the results without heart rate data (although you can still take part).

 

[dpm]

If its the Tacx Flow Smart (like I have) ;

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/flow-smart-t2240-turbo-trainer-800-watts-id_8345488.html

then I'm using it with Zwift on my macbook just using a bluetooth connection, which works great.

I think that on Windows you need an ANT+ USB dongle to use Zwift with it.

Alternatively, if you have a relatively recent iPad or iPhone you can run Zwift on there just using bluetooth.

 

[Trigger369]

Would this usb dongle be the thing I am looking . It doesn' say ant+ but its the only thing I can get here without ordering online . Thanks
https://brain-images-ssl.cdn.dixons...MIyvPequfS2AIVdBbTCh0-HwJ4EAQYASABEgLHgfD_BwE

 

[dpm]

Do you have a link to the page that image came from?
I'd guess that its not - it looks like a bluetooth or USB dongle.

If you want to buy in a store I think that your best bet would be a bike or sports specific store. Evans Cycles sell this one, which will work;
https://www.evanscycles.com/bkool-usb-ant-EV185390

 

[Trigger369]

Got the smart trainer thisevening and just orderd the ant+ usb stick and usb extension cable online. So will have to wait a few days on that coming .
Thanks for all your replies folks