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Falls without injuries, worlds that change at the touch of a button, new equipment every day - that's only possible in dreams, or in the virtual world of Zwift. The indoor training platform thrives on the large number of users (1.5 million paying users), who turn roller training into a social event - and cater to the human play instinct more skilfully than any other software. A mountain bike course has also been available on Zwift for the first time since autumn 2019. And the American company, which has entered into a partnership with the Cape Epic, promises even more content for mountain bikers in the future: more off-road trails, more specific training programmes for bikers and more in-game MTBs.
The perfect setup for roller training
As an example, we show here which accessories are available for the Roller training at home and which gadgets ensure that indoor training feels even more like a real driving experience.
1. all Smarttrainer are equipped with a power meter as standard. However, not all trainers come with boost adapters as standard - check the scope of delivery! We have in BIKE 2/20 Nine smart roller trainers from Wahoo, Tacx & Co. tested. You can download the detailed comparison test at the end of the article as a PDF for 2.49 euros.
2. Smartphone or laptop (Bluetooth-capable)
3. ANT+ stick (e.g. here in the Rose online shop)
Laptop or smartphone with training software and smart trainer can communicate with each other via the Bluetooth or ANT+ wireless connections. For the usually more stable ANT+ connection, an ANT+ stick is required, which is plugged into the laptop's USB port. ANT+ sticks are not usually included with the smart trainer. To make your smartphone ANT+-capable, all you need to do is download a corresponding app free of charge. All smart trainers equipped with a power meter are ANT+-capable as standard.
4. Floor mat (e.g. here in the Rose online shop)
5. Fan (e.g. here at Amazon)
This is how Zwift is structured
With its level system and freely playable content (clothing, bikes, tracks), Zwift is modelled on classic games such as Super Mario. The selection of mode, track and clothing is simple, only the overview of challenges and awards is hidden in the menu.
The routes on Zwift
You can currently ride for weeks on end in five worlds and on several tracks per world without the tracks repeating themselves. Real tracks include the Olympic and World Championship courses in London, Richmond and Innsbruck. Those who prefer jungle landscapes, deserts, volcanoes and beaches will find what they are looking for in the largest Zwift world, Watopia. Those who like futuristic visions can ride through a spacey New York. Cool: Zwift has been the only platform with an MTB course called "Repack Ridge" since autumn 2019. Prerequisite: You have to download the Zwift app on your smartphone (see below).
Driving with the Zwift software
The large number of classifications and the training sessions alone or in a group provide constant variety. The offer is rounded off by an event calendar with training rides or races around the clock. However, all events are run faster than advertised - newcomers should bear this in mind when making their selection. There are also numerous Training plans lasting several weeksbut which demand a lot in terms of scope and intensity.
Reward system with Zwift
If you ride a lot, you collect a lot of points and can therefore level up in the game. On the one hand, this unlocks new sections (the Alpe d'Huez copy Alpe du Zwift, for example, is only available from level 12). On the other hand, the user can buy bikes, accessories and clothing with the experience points earned, which are called "drops" in the Zwift world. More about the so-called Zwift Drop Shop. You can currently win three mountain bikes at Zwift: the Specialized Epic, the Scott Spark and the Canyon Lux.
Info
Price: 14.99 Euro/month
Languages: German, English
https://zwift.com
Nine smart roller trainers in a comparison test
- Elite Suito (Price: 599 Euro)
- Elite Direto X (price: 729 euros)
- Tacx Flux 2 (Price: 799 Euro)
- Wahoo Kickr Core (price: 799 euros)
- Kinetic R1 (price: 999 euros)
- JetBlack Whisperdrive (price: 999 euros)
- Saris H3 (price: 999 euros)
- Wahoo Kickr (price: 1199 euros)
- Tacx Neo 2T Smart (Price: 1299 Euro)
To find out which of the nine smart trainers is the quietest, which displays the most accurate wattage values and which provides the most realistic riding experience, read our comparison test from BIKE 2/20, which you can download below as a PDF for €2.49. A comprehensive A market overview and detailed tests of almost all smart trainers can be found here at TOUR Magazine.
Repack Ridge - the MTB trail on Zwift
To be able to ride your first MTB route in Zwift on your smart trainer, you need to have the Zwift Companion app (for iOS and Android) installed on your smartphone in addition to the training software on your laptop. It is then best to mount the smartphone on the handlebars with a suitable holder and pair it with the software. This is the only way the app can transmit the rider's steering movements to the software and avoid obstacles.
Fitting a Sram or Shimano 12-speed cassette on a Smarttrainer: Is that possible?
As a rule, all current Smarttrainers are supplied with a Shimano HG freehub. This freewheel fits all 8/9/10/11-speed cassettes from Shimano and the NX Eagle sprocket set from Sram. If you want to fit an 11-speed or 12-speed cassette from Sram - with 10 teeth on the smallest sprocket - you need the XD freehub. This is available from the three largest suppliers Tacx, Elite and Wahoo for retrofitting. Price: approx. 50 euros. The Micro Spline freehub from Shimano, which is required for the new Japanese 12-speed cassettes, is not yet available for retrofitting from any of the suppliers. However, Tacx has confirmed to us that they are working on a solution.
