Zwift Chat

[Whorty]

I'm all for a bigger gap between places, also at the top. BUT remember those at the top actually have a shot at gaining sprint/prime/KOM points. That means that the lighter riders in the front could go for KOMs and heavier rider for other primes. Us outside the front group/top DO NOT. Whether you want to go for those points is of course up to your individual power and tactics (burning of matches), but at least you have the option. However, you still have to stay with the front group after that to get high finishing points (in the races with finishing points for others than the top 10). So yes, you could end up with more points from sprinting/climbing in the "top-10 races", pretty much like the bonus seconds and points you get in real world races like TdF. But real world league (stage) races are based on your finish time - not on your placing on a particular stage (sans the bonus seconds). In TdF you can finish in a very big group of riders, and everyone gets the same finish time as the first of them to cross the line. On Zwift everyone will get a different time and thus placement/points.

Having a sprint on every lap makes it more interesting, as sometimes small groups form after a sprint, trying to break away from the bunch. Otherwise the front group would just stay together in one big pack lap after lap until the finish line, as seen in so many races.

In the IRL races, if you are dropped (i.e. not with the first 10-15 riders) early on, your race is done regarding points - sometimes within the first 5 minutes, and if not for the team competition, there is no incentive to finish, let alone race.
In the DBR / Feltet.dk leagues, points were given to the 60 (DBR) and 30 (Feltet.dk) first riders across the line, and the points were given regardless of how many riders finishing. In that way, you were rewarded for actually finishing (all) the races instead of just doing the ones which suited your taste/weight/fitness/whatever. That is one way to entice people to actually show up for the races - if they care about the team competition!

Like others have said, Zwift should really highlight the sprints in game better, so that people know they are coming. On BKOOL you can setup the race with points of interests etc. and name them "Sprint 1", "Sprint 2" etc. Then you get a popup saying how many meters until that POI, like the ones you get in Zwift when approaching the official sprints/KOMs. As it is now, people have to read AND understand the ZP/ZC description for a particular race. Judging from the posts here, it is often not very clear...

I certainly think points in the IRL races should go deeper to encourage racing to the end for all.

I think maybe at the moment the primes get too many points compare to the finish position - in stage 2 I took the first sprint and I think 2nd on the first KoM, then sat up and rode with Tim finishing minutes behind the winner yet I came 2nd in the ranking. Doesn't quite feel right in some ways although it's helping me stay in contention so maybe I shouldn't complain too much DBR similar though - Michael could finish behind me yet score miles more points due to the primes so maybe that's just the way these leagues run and we need to play the game

 

[Brusgaard]

I certainly think points in the IRL races should go deeper to encourage racing to the end for all.

I think maybe at the moment the primes get too many points compare to the finish position - in stage 2 I took the first sprint and I think 2nd on the first KoM, then sat up and rode with Tim finishing minutes behind the winner yet I came 2nd in the ranking. Doesn't quite feel right in some ways although it's helping me stay in contention so maybe I shouldn't complain too much DBR similar though - Michael could finish behind me yet score miles more points due to the primes so maybe that's just the way these leagues run and we need to play the game

If finishing time was part of the points-equation, you would probably ride harder to finish in a good time, As it is now, if you are enough ahead of other riders, and not really a chance of catching those in in front of you, there is no reason to ride harder.

 

[Brendan Parker]

I think maybe at the moment the primes get too many points compare to the finish position

On the button this bit for me 👍🏼

 

[IrishAl]

I think all of the points made are very valid. I guess any scoring system is part of the game, and Thus the way to win is to play the game Regardless of whether it’s rewarding for finishing position or prime points. If I recall the first race in this series had primes on 4 of the 6 times through the finish line and no breaks formed. There were complaints from some quarters that 4 primes as too many. Unfortunately race organisers can’t keep everyone happy.

I hope more riders come back to the IRL races in the autumn. We knew the Monday time slot wasn’t ideal - you have the DBR established slot at 6pm, and TFC have a good set up.

 

[Alongo]

View: https://youtu.be/24p0wC4ljrg

Specialized just launched the new Tarmac SL7 , it’s taking the R and D to new levels and makes you wonder if bike can get any better. It’s a bit out of my league but an amazing bike. Very interesting video from Specialized going through the history of the S Works and the R and D behind it .

 

[Whorty]

I think all of the points made are very valid. I guess any scoring system is part of the game, and Thus the way to win is to play the game Regardless of whether it’s rewarding for finishing position or prime points. If I recall the first race in this series had primes on 4 of the 6 times through the finish line and no breaks formed. There were complaints from some quarters that 4 primes as too many. Unfortunately race organisers can’t keep everyone happy.

I hope more riders come back to the IRL races in the autumn. We knew the Monday time slot wasn’t ideal - you have the DBR established slot at 6pm, and TFC have a good set up.

Would be good if Zwift could configure it similar to the tours .... so points for the KoM and sprints but these points don't count towards the GC ... however, the sprints, KoM and final sprint do give time bonuses. Each leader (whether KoM, Sprint, GC) could wear their respective jerseys the following week then the rest of the group would know who is who. Would need Zwift to do something so never going to happen, but that would be cool

 

[CXRAndy]

My business colleague has just bought a KTM road bike.

Very nice Di2 racey with 45mm carbon wheels Dura ace groupset. bloody light

I looked it up £5k new






He bought it £1000 ebay

 

[BurningLegs]

Got the power meter installed and tested tonight. Thanks for the heads up about the hollow tech tool @Alongo - picked one up this morning, got it fitted at lunchtime then did a test ride this evening.

A few observations:

• You can’t have some sensors connected directly and some through companion app, it’s one or the other. I was hoping to have trainer and PM connected directly to ATV then HRM via companion but I will need to pair all via companion (unless I switch to 4iiii HRM)
• There is no noticeable lag or difference in performance when sensors are paired via companion app compared with direct pairing
• Sensors stay paired when the app is in the background and when the device (iphone)

My test ride was only 15 minutes (no motivation or time for the Alpe - new sofa arriving tomorrow moving furniture around!)

Pleasantly surprised with initial feel and power numbers. I did the start of Watopia’s hilly route and was able to climb at 5.0-5.5w/kg spiking to 6.5 out of the saddle. Still planning to do “my” FTP test up the Alpe, but that will probably be Thursday now.

 

[BurningLegs]

I looked it up £5k new
...
He bought it £1000 ebay

Likely to be nicked then?

 

[Brusgaard]

Specialized just launched the new Tarmac SL7 , it’s taking the R and D to new levels and makes you wonder if bike can get any better. It’s a bit out of my league but an amazing bike. Very interesting video from Specialized going through the history of the S Works and the R and D behind it .

Think they used the same team as Apple to do the commercial/presentation.

Waiting for the Hambini teardown of the bike/frame before buying anything.

 

[CXRAndy]

Likely to be nicked then?

He went to collect it from the fella. He had high end motorcycles, cars and a nice house. He was just selling some of his toys

I think its this model Revalator Prestige

 

[CXRAndy]

Waiting for the Hambini teardown of the bike/frame before buying anything.

He only seems to rate 'Look' bike frames

 

[Brusgaard]

He only seems to rate 'Look' bike frames

Not unless you mean "rate high".

 

[<Tommy>]

https://youtu.be/24p0wC4ljrg

interesting video from Specialized going through the history of the S Works and the R and D behind it .

Think they used the same team as Apple to do the commercial/presentation

I think the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle of these two positions.
I still have the S-works SL5. So a couple of versions older than this one. And it’s still a fantastic bike. I’ve thought about selling it from time to time but every time I ride it it still siuprises me how responsive it is so I don’t really see the point of replacing it. I have other bikes so I can direct compare them and the bottom bracket and crank arms are so stiff on my tarmac it makes you feel like you’re squeezing the most out of the effort you put in. The two more recent versions claim to be more aero as well as stuffer so if half of the marketing is true they must be great fun to ride.
Specialized are a monster of a brand aren’t they. They clearly put a ton of money into promotion. But I think they put loads into the design too.

 

[Whorty]

My business colleague has just bought a KTM road bike.

Very nice Di2 racey with 45mm carbon wheels Dura ace groupset. bloody light

I looked it up £5k new






He bought it £1000 ebay

Feck A lot of very expensive bikes have been purchased over the past few months .... can see many hitting the bay of 'e' over the next year as the bikes gather dust in garages