Zwift Chat

[13 rider]

It's a good job that I came back early from today's Tour de Todmorden...

View attachment 765967
... because it actually arrived at 15:14!!

I'll get it set up and try it out on TPV, Zwift and MyWhoosh.

I will no doubt be reporting back over the next few days!

🎉🥳

 

[Legs]

I hope it's as good as you wish for, after all this waiting, @ColinJ !
My smart trainer has absolutely revolutionised my fitness over the last four years - it's very compelling.

 

[ColinJ]

First report (stopped for a mug of tea!)...

The box was quite a chunky thing to lug up the stairs, but no way was it 30+ kg. I weighed it - 18 kg, so I must have misremembered it - 39 pounds!

The trainer looks well made but straight away I can see a potential point of failure which I will have to be careful with. There is a power socket on the end of a very short length of captive cable. If that got damaged, a rewiring job would be required. I would have preferred there to be a power socket so a damaged cable could be easily swapped out.

The mains lead to the power brick is quite short, as is the cable from the brick to the Victory. That doesn't really suit the layout of the pain corner so I have brought in a long mains extension lead. That was used elsewhere for charging my electric toothbrush and razor but I can charge them on the desk now instead. I have run the extension lead under the bed so most of it is tucked out of the way.

I changed my mind about using a big soft front tyre. A narrower, firmer tyre will still have enough movement on the steering block. I am just putting the other tyre back on then will refit the wheel.

Ok... back to work!

 

[Legs]

<eagerly awaits next instalment>...

 

[ColinJ]

<eagerly awaits next instalment>...

Ha ha - here you go then!

I replaced the thru-axle parts with the QR parts and then put the singlespeed bike onto the trainer.

I had already put a longer chain on the bike plus an old Campagnolo rear derailleur to use as a chain tensioner. There is no gear cable/shifter so I pushed the mech to the necessary position and screwed the endstop in to hold it there.

I also adjusted the b-screw to push the top jockey wheel further from the Zwift cog.

The Zwift cog mechanism has a 10-step adjustment for optimum chainline. As recommended, I am using my 39 tooth inner ring. Position 10 on the adjustment dial gave me a good straight line along the top of the chain.

I did a quick spin. There is a bit more transmission noise than I had hoped for. It isn't loud, probably quieter than any turbo trainer that I had used before and I wouldn't hear it with music playing, but I am going to try to quieten it a bit more anyway.

I think that I waxed the chain last year when I ordered the Victory but I might oil it now. I will just have to sleep with the bedroom door open for a couple of days until the smell of the lube disappears!

What else...?

Oh yes, I haven't put the 'rocker feet' on permanently yet but I did check one to make sure that it fits properly - it does. There is understandably some rumble from the trainer. It isn't too bad, but it would be nice to reduce that. I reckon that having the rocker feet on (cushioned by tennis balls) should really help.

When I dismounted I was immediately reminded that I have problems getting my leg over these days. Over the top tube of the bike, that is, due to iffy hips! When riding outdoors, I just lower one side of the bike to mount and dismount. That clearly isn't an option with a turbo trainer. I have a little wooden platform that I made for use with the old dumb turbo. I will be able to use that for now, but might need something higher once the rocker feet are added. I have a concrete building block in the cellar which is probably about the right size.

I am done for today and may be busy during the day tomorrow, but I should have tested the trainer properly by Saturday evening.

 

[ColinJ]

That clearly isn't an option with a turbo trainer. I have a little wooden platform that I made for use with the old dumb turbo. I will be able to use that for now, but might need something higher once the rocker feet are added. I have a concrete building block in the cellar which is probably about the right size.

Problem solved - I have a very small (2-step) stepladder which is perfect for the job. I just tried it next to the bike and it doesn't get in the way. It makes getting on and off the bike easy and safe.

I think that I waxed the chain last year when I ordered the Victory but I might oil it now. I will just have to sleep with the bedroom door open for a couple of days until the smell of the lube disappears!

Done - it stinks! Door left open so hopefully I don't get poisoned by the fumes overnight. (I am sensitive to chemical smells like that. Vape fumes REALLY bug me!) If it gets too bad I will go up to the attic room instead.

I Velcroed the Apple TV remote control onto the handlebar stem so I can use the +/- buttons for virtual gear shifting, and I attached the Zwift virtual gear shifter to the handlebar.

I am busy all day Friday but I'll see if I can find some time in the evening to have a quick blast on TPV.

 

[ColinJ]

I am using my 39 tooth inner ring.

When lubing the chain I noticed that the chainring is actually a very old but unused 40 tooth Campagnolo one that I salvaged from a donated chainset.

I did a quick spin. There is a bit more transmission noise than I had hoped for. It isn't loud, probably quieter than any turbo trainer that I had used before and I wouldn't hear it with music playing, but I am going to try to quieten it a bit more anyway.

Now I remember reviewers commenting on the noisy mark 2 cog! It is quieter than the mark 1 but noiser than a standard Shimano cog. I may replace it if the noise bugs me despite music playing while using the trainer.

Done - it stinks! Door left open so hopefully I don't get poisoned by the fumes overnight.

Most of the smell had gone by 03:30 when I went to bed after catching up on the latest Reacher on Amazon Prime.

I will try linking to TPV this evening and doing at least a short test ride.

Oops, time to go off on my social ride - catch you later!

 

[Legs]

Most of the smell had gone by 03:30 when I went to bed after catching up on the latest Reacher on Amazon Prime.

You'll be needing plenty more sleep when you're getting fit with your new toy!

 

[ColinJ]

You'll be needing plenty more sleep when you're getting fit with your new toy!

Yes - my sleep pattern has become ridiculous. Last summer I was struggling to get to sleep an hour after sunrise!

 

[ColinJ]

Smart trainer preparations, volume #37:

The steps to get on and off the bike on the turbo are a huge help! The extra cm or two of saddle height plus the inability to tilt the bike or get my leg high was making mounts and dismounts hazardous.

I dug out an old pair of SPD shoes and put cleats on them. That means I can leave a pair next to the bike and not have to be constantly carting my outdoor pair up and down the stairs.

I realised that there is a problem that I doubt that any of you would be able to guess... Something that makes sitting on the turbo bike feel distinctly odd and which I want to address. So...

Spoiler: Can you guess what the problem is?

The house is sloping!

I kid you not. Todmorden nestles in a valley that used to be a bit of a swamp and many properties were built on soft ground without adequate foundations to compensate.

Here is a classic example on the Burnley Road:

This house is one of the sloping ones, though not as bad as that.

Here is the chimney breast in the kitchen:

That's how far off vertical the edge of it is!

As a result, the turbo/bike combination is leaning noticeably. I can put up with it when pedalling easily without the rocker feet but it would probably feel pretty scary sprinting while sitting over 8 tennis balls!

I am going to put a thin spacer under the lower side of the turbo trainer legs to level it.

I connected my tablet's audio output to the pain corner's audio system and fired up YouTube Music. It sounds pretty good, but a bit bass heavy. The (directional) tweeters on the speakers are pointing at my shins! I'll tilt the speakers to point up towards me.

The reason that I tested music playing was to see if it drowned out the whirring of the Zwift cog. The music helped but I would have to crank it up stupidly loud to completely mask the sound. I might have a poke around in my junk box and see if I can find a good Shimano cog with the same number of teeth which I could swap in to see if it were quieter. (I can't quite work out why Zwift would have used a noisy cog in the first place!? )

I'm stopping to have a meal now, then I'll go back up and connect to TPV for an easy test ride.

PS Still fiddling!

I discovered that 50+ % of the noise was because the endstop screw was not long enough to push the tensioner mech far enough in. I hunted around in my junk box and found a much longer one which did the job. The noise level with free pedalling is acceptable now. I will have to see what it is like under maximum resistance on the trainer.

I also reglued the sole of one of the turbo trainer shoes. It was coming loose and a few vigorous training rides would probably have torn if off.

 

[alex_cycles]

Smart trainer preparations, volume #37:

The steps to get on and off the bike on the turbo are a huge help! The extra cm or two of saddle height plus the inability to tilt the bike or get my leg high was making mounts and dismounts hazardous.

I dug out an old pair of SPD shoes and put cleats on them. That means I can leave a pair next to the bike and not have to be constantly carting my outdoor pair up and down the stairs.

I realised that there is a problem that I doubt that any of you would be able to guess... Something that makes sitting on the turbo bike feel distinctly odd and which I want to address. So...

Spoiler: Can you guess what the problem is?

The house is sloping!

I kid you not. Todmorden nestles in a valley that used to be a bit of a swamp and many properties were built on soft ground without adequate foundations to compensate.

Here is a classic example on the Burnley Road:

View attachment 766140

This house is one of the sloping ones, though not as bad as that.

Here is the chimney breast in the kitchen:

View attachment 766141
That's how far off vertical the edge of it is!

As a result, the turbo/bike combination is leaning noticeably. I can put up with it when pedalling easily without the rocker feet but it would probably feel pretty scary sprinting while sitting over 8 tennis balls!

I am going to put a thin spacer under the lower side of the turbo trainer legs to level it.

I connected my tablet's audio output to the pain corner's audio system and fired up YouTube Music. It sounds pretty good, but a bit bass heavy. The (directional) tweeters on the speakers are pointing at my shins! I'll tilt the speakers to point up towards me.

The reason that I tested music playing was to see if it drowned out the whirring of the Zwift cog. The music helped but I would have to crank it up stupidly loud to completely mask the sound. I might have a poke around in my junk box and see if I can find a good Shimano cog with the same number of teeth which I could swap in to see if it were quieter. (I can't quite work out why Zwift would have used a noisy cog in the first place!? )

I'm stopping to have a meal now, then I'll go back up and connect to TPV for an easy test ride.

PS Still fiddling!

I discovered that 50+ % of the noise was because the endstop screw was not long enough to push the tensioner mech far enough in. I hunted around in my junk box and found a much longer one which did the job. The noise level with free pedalling is acceptable now. I will have to see what it is like under maximum resistance on the trainer.

I also reglued the sole of one of the turbo trainer shoes. It was coming loose and a few vigorous training rides would probably have torn if off.

You're running out of free days on TPV. Get on the bloody thing and use it already

 

[ColinJ]

You're running out of free days on TPV. Get on the bloody thing and use it already

I know, I know!

I am just fussy AND over-patient. I waited 4 or 5 hours to even open the box containing the trainer!

I have multiple things to do today but hope to squeeze some turbo time in mid-afternoon.

 

[Brusgaard]

I know, I know!

I am just fussy AND over-patient. I waited 4 or 5 hours to even open the box containing the trainer!

I have multiple things to do today but hope to squeeze some turbo time in mid-afternoon.

You can join the Team Lou TPV ride at 15 PM, usually 15-25 riders in that.

 

[ColinJ]

I have only just got the Victory working and I have a guest arriving soon so I probably won't do a proper test ride today but at least it is pretty much ready for one tomorrow.

Today's preparation:

• I experimented and found that I need to raise the RHS of the Victory base by the thickness of a narrow strip of timber that I had lying around. That makes the bike upright. I need a more substantial permanent fix though because that timber won't stay in place for long once I start giving the trainer a lot of oomph.
• The trainer wasn't being detected by the Apple TV box. I eventually discovered that Bluetooth was turned on for MyWhoosh but off for TPV and Zwift. It is now on for all 3. The Victory connects fine over Bluetooth. It supports connection over WiFi though so at some point I will try to switch to that for more flexibility and reliability .
• When setting up TPV I noticed that the TV was overscanning - the image was being stretched beyond the edges of the screen. For example, I couldn't see the percent symbol for the gradient display in the TR corner of the picture and some of the number was off-screen too. I eventually found out how to fix that.
• I set up my fan and was reminded that it was always annoyingly noisy! I will buy a quieter, more powerful fan, and keep this one for backup. If I am working hard enough to need 2 fans going I will probably have music playing loud and be too knackered to worry about fan noise!
• The Apple TV remote is annoying to use on the bike in 'Swipe and click' mode so I changed it to click only.
• The frame rate on TPV was only 18-19 fps, which is not very smooth. I turned the graphics detail down a bit and got the rate up to 25 fps, which is acceptable.

Hopefully, a proper test ride, and some photos of the pain corner over the next couple of days.

Right, I am going fan shopping. I don't want to spend lots of money on something fancy. Just a decent fan that doesn't annoy me.

 

[CXRAndy]

Never seen a finish to Milan SanRemo like that!!