Zwift questions
- Glenn Daly
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Posts: 106
I have a Tacx Neo smart trainer connected to a laptop via bluetooth. During an hour spin today the signal dropped out twice and the rider stopped pedalling. It said the unit was connected but no signal. Same for the HRM. Reconnected after a few minutes. Is ANT+ more stable?
Regards
Glenn
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BarryR
- Offline
A weak signal can be caused by the computer being too far away or something bulky in the path between it and the sensors. Also, some computers are better than others at connecting to bluetooth devices.
Interference can happen quite easily because in any house there are many devices trying to use the same radio band (including wifi), and there are also some home appliances that can interfere with the bluetooth frequencies.
Things you can try:
- Make sure that you're not beside anything that might cause interference. For example, a wifi hub or other wifi device within a 2 or 3 metres, or a phone sitting right beside the computer.
- Use ANT+ instead of bluetooth if you can. Sometimes ANT+ is more stable. You'll almost certainly need an ANT+ USB dongle for your computer. If you haven't already got one, take a look here for information: zwiftinsider.com/ant-dongles-for-zwift/
- Put a bluetooth or ANT+ dongle on the end of a USB extender cable, to get it closer to the Tacx. Sometimes an external dongle works better than the bluetooth built in to a computer.
- Make sure that your trainer and sensors are not connecting to something else - a bike computer for example. Bluetooth devices can only connect to one computer at a time, unlike ANT+ devices which can send their data to many other devices at the same time.
Not on Whatsapp. Contact me on Signal app instead.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Glenn Daly
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Posts: 106
So this morning I tried it with the iPad mounted on the handlebars... more stable and no drop outs. Only question now is regarding the accuracy of the speed. I use a Tacx Neo smart trainer and when pedalling at a cadence of about 80rpm in 34/30T gearing it's reading about 7 - 8 km/hr when I know in the real world it's usually about 12km/hr. There doesn't seem to be any calibration options on Zwift for this model of trainer.
Any ideas / thoughts?
Glenn
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BarryR
- Offline
It's caused by the way that Zwift calculates your speed. It doesn't pick up your speed from your trainer, it calculates it from your power. It does that by combining your power data with the conditions that oppose you, including information or estimation of your weight, bike weight, aerodynamic effects, wind, drafting and gradient. So with all those variables it's not surprising that the speed that Zwift calculates doesn't come out as you might expect.
There's an article about this on Zwift Insider:
zwiftinsider.com/garmin-zwift-distance/
Not on Whatsapp. Contact me on Signal app instead.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Luke GJ Potter
- Offline
... when pedalling at a cadence of about 80rpm in 34/30T gearing it's reading about 7 - 8 km/hr when I know in the real world it's usually about 12km/hr. ...
What Barry said, but also...
The Trainer Difficulty setting is likely at the default of 50%, so you're virtually pedalling a 34-36t.
The lower your Trainer Difficulty, the virtually larger your cassette.
If you do a workout in ERG Mode, your flywheel speed can be used to simulate climbing intervals (34-30t lower flywheel speed), or flat road intervals (50-11t faster flywheels speed).
P.S. Welcome to the Neo Master Race.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Glenn Daly
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Posts: 106
Thanks Luke - I'll try change the difficulty setting to see if that changes the speed to be more realistic.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Glenn Daly
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Posts: 106
Any opinions / advice on the best way to stream it to the TV? I've tried a few options....
iPad steamed via airplay / screen mirroring to Apple TV - doesn't do 16:9 screen ratio but otherwise good.
iPhone XR streamed via airplay / screen mirroring to Apple TV - not exactly 16:9 but does take the width of the screen. The use the iPad on a holder for the companion app.
Macbook (2012) HDMI connected to TV - needs usb extension cable bluetooth/ANT+ dongle to get close to the smart trainer.
Overall - I'd say the iPhone via Apple TV is the best for my config.
Any other ideas?
Glenn
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BarryR
- Offline
The solution is obviously to get rid of the sofa and coffee table and move closer. #Priorities.
Not on Whatsapp. Contact me on Signal app instead.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Glenn Daly
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Posts: 106
But I agree... the sofa & coffee table (+wife) has to go!
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Luke GJ Potter
- Offline
You're also going to ruin the sofa and paint when you're spraying sweat.
In race situations, when your eyeballs roll into your skull, you're also going to wack your head off that metal handle.
I'd flip your trainer and bike 180 degrees. That'll give you access to your lower stairs steps as a shelf.
Then sellotape some cardboard to the end of the tablet holder's bottles section and use that as a phone holder.
It'll give you access to the driveside of the bike for adjustment
Then it's a case of getting the bike away from the sofa, so you don't get any chain lube splashing on your sofa.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Darran Kearney
- Offline
- Posts: 92
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Glenn Daly
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Posts: 106
I don't think my version of the Apple TV will allow apps to be installed. I think it's gen 1 or 2.
Glenn
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BarryR
- Offline
Not on Whatsapp. Contact me on Signal app instead.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Luke GJ Potter
- Offline
These'll keep you cool when going hard.
It seems to be a spray painted version of the ones on Amazon.
Link: www.lidl.ie/en/p/diy-deals/floor-fan/p40346
I also use this remote On/Off Plug Switch: www.amazon.co.uk/XINGYE-Wireless-Operati...ehold/dp/B07HKX5HHG/
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Diarmuid Donnelly
- Offline
- Posts: 252
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Diarmuid Donnelly
- Offline
- Posts: 252
I'm having fierce problems getting Zwift to pair with my power meter, either using an ANT+ dongle on the laptop, or using the Zwift Companion app on my phone.
If I use the ANT+ dongle, Zwift pairs with the power meter right away, but quickly reports "no signal". So that's completely useless.
If I use the Companion App, then once Zwift picks up the power meter then everythinig works fine and I can cycle away. However it can take 10 minutes or more for Zwift to pick up the power meter via the Companion app, and sometimes it needs several restarts of the Zwift program and/or the Companion app before things will work properly.
On the other hand, if I use the the RGT app, it pairs up with my power meter instantly, so this is very much a Zwift-specific issue.
Any suggestions?
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BarryR
- Offline
Hard to think of a reason why RGT would have no problem but Zwift would. If there was an issue with Zwift's ANT+ behaviour it would be common knowledge. What model of power meter are you using? (Edit: Sorry - just saw Stages in the title!)
Not on Whatsapp. Contact me on Signal app instead.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BarryR
- Offline
Not on Whatsapp. Contact me on Signal app instead.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BarryR
- Offline
support.zwift.com/en_us/power-meters-Bk7hoXWlS
Not on Whatsapp. Contact me on Signal app instead.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Diarmuid Donnelly
- Offline
- Posts: 252
Please Log in to join the conversation.