Zwift with a 'dumb' trainer

So you'd like to give Zwift a try but you only have a classic turbo trainer? The good news is that you can, and the only extra equipment needed is a small speed sensor.

A classic turbo trainer is one that has no electronics. It just has a roller and some way to adjust the roller's resistance. You mount your bike in the trainer so that the bike's back wheel is against the roller, and as you're pedalling you adjust the roller's resistance by moving a lever at the end of a cable.

Adding a speed sensor on the bike's back wheel will allow Zwift to know your 'speed' which it can then apply in the virtual Zwift world. This the only piece of extra equipment you need to get started in Zwift. Power meters and smart trainers will move your online experience up a few levels, but this is enough to get started.

There are many types of speed sensor, including ones that require a magnet on a spoke and ones that just attach around the wheel hub. Almost any of them will work, but you must check that it will be able to connect to Zwift on your computer. Sensors from Wahoo and from Garmin both have good reputations.

To use your speed sensor in Zwift, just log in to Zwift on your computer as normal which will bring you to the 'Sensor pairing' page. Near the top right is a large box for the speed sensor. Click on that, and select your tyre size. For a typical road bike the tyre size is 700x23c, so select that one if you're not sure. You'll also see your speed sensor listed here (don't forget to turn the back wheel to wake up the speed sensor). Next, you'll be asked to select your trainer type. This is to help Zwift estimate your power outpit from your wheel speed. If your particular trainer isn't listed, scroll to the bottom and select "Unlisted".

Now you're ready to ride.

More information on using Zwift with a classic 'dumb' trainer is at these links:

Zwift Insider: zwiftinsider.com/getting-started-classic-trainer/

How-to video on Zwift:

If you have a power meter on your bike then you can use it for Zwift on a dumb trainer without anything extra. When you log in to Zwift on your computer and get to the "Sensor pairing" page, ensure it pairs with the power meter on your bike. Now you're good to go.

The only difference between this arrangement and a fully smart trainer is that you won't feel the trainer resistance change automatically when the gradient changes or you draft behind another rider. Zwift calculates your speed from your power, taking gradient etc into account, so it's up to you to put out more power to maintain speed on climbs. For example, if the road tilts uphill in Zwift and you keep pedalling the same then you'll go slower. Pedal faster, or change gear, or increase trainer resistance to go faster in Zwift.