Zwift on Basic Rollers (with a Speed and Cadence Sensor)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- The most basic setup for rolling along on Zwift - A set of rollers with a speed sensor. Today I see how the 'Unlisted Rollers' stacks up with my Tacx Rollers while using a dual ANT+/BLE speed and cadence sensor
Links:
Tacx ANT+/Bluetooth Speed & Cadence Sensor (Amazon): amzn.to/2GfPLFX
Please subscribe to support this RUclips channel: bit.ly/3aUph9W
-----------
Web: shanemiller.net
Instagram: / gplama
Strava: / strava
Twitter: / gplama
RUclips: / gplama
-------------------
Thanks for this video. I finally have a few answers to unsupported rollers and no power meter which is the combo I've been using for years.
It's fun to ride the rollers. Just ignore the watts and don't follow the avatar when making turns.
I'm surprised RUclips only suggested this video two years afterward! I'm been considering getting my bike set up on a trainer again after moving interstate, and have been considering a simple set-up like this. My Tacx Vortex Smart is currently out-of-action and so I was quite interested to see the accuracy of a speed + cadence sensor, in case I have to use that method myself.
Great content as always!
I used zwift with rollers and a powertap, hr and cadence sensor for the past 3 winters. It took sprinting really hard to get my avatar out of the saddle so I would always be sitting up climbs even at a relatively high power. I switched over to a trainer and was bored out of my mind so went back to rollers. I am pretty sure the data is off because I was able to get some good numbers and placement in a few races. Even with the data off I found rollers way more fun. Maybe I'm not getting the same workout I would on a trainer but the fun factor means I am more likely to use it more often and more workouts is better than less.
Crashed several times off my rollers riding along with you on "LAMA RIDES: Henley Beach to Glenelg." Navigating roundabouts without looking away from the screen is about impossible; as is Shane stopping in traffic, while I have to keep pedaling. I enjoy the rides.
This looks like a great solution for someone who hypothetically had their Smart Trainer taken by their daughter & their Mrs would kill them if they spent any more money on cycling paraphernalia.
What a great solution. Hypothetically I mean 😅
Another great solution video. I love these off the wall idea videos.
✨🙏🏼✨
LMFAOOO
Their daughter could be doing worse things 😉
So glad I've got magnetless sensors. I've been zwifting for a couple weeks with only heartrate, speed and cadence. Having used a power meter on the generic trainer I have, I've generally got the wattage within about 5-20 watts depending how much power I'm putting out, it becomes less accurate as you increase power however with my set up I can rarely even hit 800 watts before spinning out so there shouldn't be too many racers out there worried.
I use rollers on Zwift. I started with that setup but ended up purchasing a used Powertap wheel. I'm loving it.
I use rollers with a resistance in the rear drum (sportcrafters overdrive rollers). The actual full set rollers. I use a stages lt side only. It seems to work just fine (of course I know no different). One day I’ll get a smart trainer. But for now it gets the job done on those cold and snowy northern Indiana days!
Thanks Shane! I have a dedicated roller bike where I turn off the GPS on the head unit and use my HR, cadence, speed/distance and the calculated power on the head unit. I always felt the power numbers were a little high, this test confirms those fears! I do have Garmin Vector 3's on my road bike, so I have a basis for that conclusion.
I miss the warning sign "Riding on rollers is not as easy as Shane makes it look like" 🙄
Thank you. Here in Truckee California it's time for rollers.
Truckee is a great place! I hope to get back there one day soon!
I use those same rollers on TrainerRoad with Garmin speed and cadence sensors. No magnets. Works for me. I prefer the simplicity of TrainerRoad. No frills.
Have you had a problem with static? I love em but get shocked everytime I ride on it
I have been using this set-up, but didn't like the power maxing out at 400W, making sprint finishes impossible. Although that was probably for the best, sprinting on rollers when exhausted is crazy dangerous, as my snapped gear shifter and burnt carpet will testify! I used a towel under the rear rollers to add a little extra resistance and bring it somewhere close to reality.
WOW you’ve got amazing skills
Nice video ! Concerning the belt, the higher the distance between front and rear roller is, the higher the belt is stretched and the higher is the roller resistance. So it is another parameter to consider for the watt estimation (maybe we could select a specific belt resistance to match with the real power outpout). In my case, at 100rpm and 50km/h on my tacx roller, I had to produce 230W (information from my powermeter). I've increased the front/rear roller distance by 1 step. At the same cadence and speed, I had to produce 260W. Riding roller is a little bit frustrating, because on roller, speed vs power is not representative (the data you get to analyse your performance in Golden Cheetah or strava are cheated), or it could represent a ride in a constant negative slope.
I use Zwift with the Elite Quick-Motion Rollers and Wahoo speed/cadence sensors, but I select an Elite trainer [I think it is Qubo B] whose power profile comes nearly identical to the power profile on My E Training app that the rollers produce using the Misuro B+ sensor [use both Zwift power and MyE app to track power at same time] except at the higher watts over 300.
I have also hooked the Quick-Motion Rollers up to Zwift using just the Misuro B+ power sensor but I had to set the Misuro to a different blink than 1 to get my virtual rider to move for some reason.
Suggestion for riding Zwift on rollers - look away during the turns or approaching riders - reaction can be ride-ending.
Thanks a lot for this video ! I bought a standard roller on Ebay for the lockdown and i needed this kind of setup ! I'll like my bryton computer, cadence and speed sensors on Zwift (i hope it works). Hard to keep training during these times but thanks a lot it'll definitly do the work for the following weeks and definitly it'll give me joy :)
Does it work with you mate? im waiting mine to arrive too..
@@KamilaPutriPr Hello ! I'm waiting for it as well .. it arrives in the following days ^^ i can't tell you yet
I know people say training on these are more realistic, but burning through tires was so bad on the computrainer ... the pits.
The only case for using direct to tire trainers these days is a spare trainer rear wheel which you can break and cost.
Good job. Allowing zPower in races is very cheeky. Training on the rollers with crank based power sounds 100 per cent. Did my first ride not using Zwift smart trainer function ... and releases the trainer big league.
Thanks. HBGC.
But doing big rides on them almost sounds like wanting to simulate crashes. If safeties existed on each side ... maybe. That only exists in national training facilities.
I may qualify as a geek. I have four “trainers” including a 1st gen NEO. And several bikes with different set ups for winter riding. I live in Canada so it is truly almost half the year. This year I got a good deal on a set of rollers. ( does that mean I have 5 trainers now?) I ride it with my Vector pedals but it isn’t required. My roller rides are just for focusing on cadence and consistency- not big power or climbing. The roller rides are my favourite thing this winter... it’s kinda like just going for a ride. Remember when we used to do that?
You should follow my Strava... just going for a ride is a common theme.
Great video! I've been thinking about getting those rolles to complement my Kickr, but would use them with Zwift getting the power from the power meter in the bike. It'd be great if you try that in a video.
Cheers!
I am doing Zwift FTP Builder Training Plan on Elite Quick Motion rollers. The hardest part is staying on the bike at low power and low cadence. Its great fun though.
I'm using Elite rollers and seem to be pretty accurate. I only know this, because at a heart rate of 150 bpm on a Watt Bike, in the gym, I am doing about 230w. This is pretty close to the Zwift estimate but accuracy may vary at different speeds. The Elite roller have 3 settings and this is on setting 2 which adds a bit of resistance.
Ha I've done quite a few races on zwift before I got smart trainer on elite rollers (higher resistance set) it was exhausting! I tried again recently and am not sure how I ever managed it. Every corner I just wanted to turn! Promptly fell off in the esses ! Lol
same here. I got nauseous riding Zwift on my rollers (tried on both Kreitlers and Elite rollers), and honestly gave it up entirely.
The video made me think about trying it out. Your comment makes me rethink it lol
Emotion rollers with resistance and a bike with a power meter is the best for Zwift or Trainerroad.
what i've found with Zwift profiles for the dumb trainers i've used is they read about 50% low, nice to see the rollers are a bit closer
OK, so bought these rollers, now what other settings aside from UNSUPPORTED work?
Awesome, well presented and schmick presentations, have watched many now. Like how you cut to the chase and are actually self aware on screen. nice work subscribed
If you're using these with a power meter, then you don't have to worry about selecting the speed/unsupported part at all. Just pair to that and you're good. That's about it really. If you don't have a power meter then the numbers from the speed sensor will be consistent enough to train with (just keep tyre pressure consistent, and don't put on 10-20-30kgs - both impact roller speed)
thats why my matey with an unsupported turbo puts in pro numbers ;)
Sad that it caps out at 400 watts, but lets be honest, I wouldn't do more than 350 for my ftp. Closer to 250? 300 max? Yeah. So it'll be good and I'm up zwifting. This is worth it. Next investment? Power meter!
Edit:
I have tried out the wahoo kickr bike in a shop once (normal clothes and plat pedals) and I was doing a whopping 550-600 watts straight out of nothing. I wasn't ready for that🤣.
Yeahhh...my cheap roller even just use triple ex inner tube. It's a little hard to pedalling but it good 4 train. Use a dumbel, 1-5kilos as burden, ride on iron bike. No matter in strava your trained looks weak but When u on a road, ride alloy/ carbon bike u train will be effect, fly like superman. Happy cycling.
hey It's really great video! just have some questions at 1:58 what is that app? is it the zwift?
Wahoo Fitness app.
I have homemade rollers. It has a lot of resistance, so probably it is more accurate than the setup shown in this video.
Time to pull out the camera and show us. We're interested in what's good.
Been riding on zwift with this setup for 4 months now and having a great time with it, its a shame the zpower watts are way higher than the watts you actually produce.
Zpower can be accurate... it depends on the setup. Had I let 20psi out of my tyres on these rollers the power numbers would have been closer together.
I'll give it a try thank you for the response, it would not really be a problem if the watts would not be capped at 400.
What app are you using to check if the sensors are detected?
does this replace a spinning bike or is it more for balance and control of the bike that one use this?
Would it generate more accurate data if you connect all (power meter, hr monitor, cadence & speed sensors) to zwift and use a roller?
No. Just a power meter on the bike is all that is required for accurate power.
I don't have a smart trainer but really wanna give Zwift a try. Heck, the sensors seem cheap enough to give it a go until I can justify buying a supported trainer.
Hi Shane, did you think that the "ride" felt more realistic with the lateral movement on the rollers? Thank you for your efforts, Tim
Hello! I really liked your video! Today i started using zwift with this type of roller and bluetooth cadence and speed sensors, and I noticed that my power was way too high. As you said, lowering the tyre pressure can make a more realistic meassure. Would it be nice if i also reduce the tyre diameter? Thanks a lot!
If you require accurate power then the best option is to get an on-bike power meter.
@@gplama Thank you!
Can I determine my bike efficiency using the tacx sensors?
What about a classic trainer that is suported by Zwift? Like the Elite Novo Force? Would be nice to see this metrics compared with other. Tks!
It's hit or miss with miss being more probable. Long story short: random numbers.
I dont know if they will be that random, in theory the Zwift team tested these trainers and made their power curve, so it should be closer to real than the one tested in the video.
I don't think they tested anything. They rather used power curves provided by manufacturers and third party sites. But how they obtained them doesn't really matter. Elite has problems with providing proper power curves even for their "smart" trainers. Production tolerances of resistance units are all over place and it's inconsistent from unit to unit. Another thing is lack of any calibration method, like spindown, which is absolute necessity for estimating power of wheel-on trainer. Hence me calling results of such power calculation random. I saw zPower of Elite trainers being 70-100W off.
You are probaly right, and thats why i didnt bought the Elite Qubo Digital, i saw so many people talking about how wrong the readings where, so i keep it cheap with the novo force. Tks for the talk!
I have the Qubo Ant+, i use a power meter typically for my workouts etc. but I was curious as to how accurate the trainer is. Similar to how Shane does, I used the power through the smart trainer and Zwift, i used my power meter with my Garmin. I was very surprised at how close it was. Hardly scientific but was interesting.
I have a road bike with a stages power meter and and wahoo speed sensor...looking for a cheap but good solution for zwifting in the winter, would rollers + my bike with the stages work well since I will have actual power, cadence and speed data? Only thing I won't really have is the change in resistance going up hill.
Yes, that'll do the job.
Shane, how about repeating the test, this time with a supported roller? Could we have better results?
There are no 'supported rollers' as such. There's smart rollers which report power/speed.... but basic rollers have too many variables for anyone to provide even a close estimate of 'power' from to call 'supported'. The answer is to use a power meter on the bike if you need real numbers from rollers.
Can you also connect Heart Rate sensor on Zwift 4K Apple TV? Or it’ll only take 3 Bluetooth signals? 1 xSpeed 1xcadence 1xapple tv remote 1xheart rate makes it total of 4 Bluetooth signals
The ATV will take two additional devices + the remote. If the speed/cadence sensor is one device then that solves the problem.
Thanks! Meaning using a power trainer that’ll merge speed&cadence in one device? Or other solution available? (Except using 4iiii)
Smart trainers are one device... where speed isn't required, only power, cadence, and control. Leaving one spare Bluetooth connection for HR.
i have just bought a second hand tacx blue motion turbo trainer and have the same kit above, but when i go on zwift my rider stays still and will not move? can any one help please
As a request do you think you can try the Elite Arion Smart B+ Smart rollers on zwift???
thx..lama
Can you use a power meter for the rollers? Would that be accurate?
Yes and yes.
You are the best! Thank you!
thanks for the video. How many real watts are required to spin the hardest gear? i've that rollers and i spin 52/11 at 100 rpm. How many reak watts was you pushing with the hardest gear? Thanks
No idea sorry. If you need more resistance then less tyre pressure will help.
@@gplama ok. Thanks
Alright, congratulations on the videos. what sensors are needed and where can I buy it? Thank you
Any good local bike shop will have the right sensors.
@@gplama thank you
using rollers AND power meter is a good alternative to smart trainer like FLUX or NEO?. Thanks :)
Rollers are very different to a fixed direct drive trainer.
Don’t have a smart trainer and been using speed sensor now that I have the vector 3 pedal. Which should I use on zwift. Power or speeed sensor? And. An both be used?
Power only.
Hey Shane - do you know the reasoning behind Tacx putting the speed sensor way to the back and then a cord up to the cadence sensor? Why not have a unit more like Garmin's CG10 or the Wahoo Blue SC where both speed and cadence are in one pod? I'd think that with the magnet for speed taking longer to tick off the miles it would be more accurate than the fast readings that would happen back closer to the hub. Plus you have the issue of potentially cutting that cable to the cadence sensor.
No idea to be honest. It’s just what they’ve gone with. Magnet closer to the hub is lower speed than further out. It travels less distance for the same time/per revolution.
Oh jeez...I'm not sure why I thought it would pass the circuit more often bach there. Duh...it goes by once a revolution if it's at the hub or the rim.
Ok so looking passed my stupidity on that point...still if the cadence sensor comes loose it's going into the spokes and getting cut off. Seems like a bad design to me. But not the point of the video.
Hi Shane. So I went into a bike shop (great shop) today to purchase a wahoo cadence sensor & speed sensor and rollers. But they told me you can’t race on zwift using these items and are better off getting a smart trainer. Reason I am asking is because on the video about it seems to work fine?
It does work fine. As shown here, with a few catches with accuracy/etc, unless you have a power meter on your bike. Time to find yourself a better bike shop.
Dodgy buggers! Cheers I’ll stick to my guns and get this set up. Thank you 👍🏼
If I used a power meter on the rollers would I be able to go over the 400W sealing?
Yes.
Hi Shane. How you're doing well. I have a question regarding the powertap p1 pedals. I have them on my bike and was wondering how do you clean your bike when you have them on ? Do you usually remove them from your bike and clean it or just clean everything together ? Thanks in advance and love your videos
Everything together. No issues with them getting a little water on them. (I wouldn't recommend blasting them with a high pressure hose or anything though)
Thank you very much for your reply Shane. I usually apply a pressure that would be comparable to the one in the shower and immediately dry the pedals. Would you say that it's ok ? Powertap confirmed that I shouldn't have any issues with this cleaning method but wanted to have a second opinion from you as well. Thanks again.
My sensors say connected but my when I pedal avatar isn’t moving. Any tips ?
Zwift Support are your best bet
I use a Wahoo speed sensor on my Tacx Blue Motion. I keep wondering if 700+ euro’s for a smart trainer is worth it. (I Ride about 300 km a month on Zwift.
Yes
Could you use the garmin speed & cadence sensor on Zwift with an Apple TV?
Garmin sensors are ANT+ only which the AppleTV doesn't support (directly).
@@gplama Thanks for your reply. I assume you could use the speed and cadence sensor on the smart phone app?
@@K.mersch Same deal. Most phones are Bluetooth only (no ANT+). Best to use sensors that support Bluetooth to be compatible with everything.
How many 👍🏻 up you get on one ride? Is it TheBig day tomorrow ?
I'm new in the indoor bike training and I need some help. I have the Forerunner 235 it has the option of the indoor cycling but doesn't show distance,speed or cadence.What can I do from here? Please any help will do.I'm stuck.
magnetic, fluid, direct drive left the group
i installed speed and cadence with rollers, and zwift speed is not correct its very very slow. odnt know how to solve it
Did you solve it ? I have the same problem.
good morning! I have a roller of curlers. I can't get up to speed when pedaling ... It is very slow. I control the speed with my garmin 310xt and go at 25km / h in the garmin and in zwift at 8km / h. Any idea what it could be?
Zwift calculates speed based on power (or estimated power).
@@gplama Do you know how I can make the calculation as accurate as possible? I have both a speed and cadence sensor and I can't get it.
The best and most accurate way is to get a power meter and use that. What you have is a power estimate with a LOT of variables that means the power numbers will likely be inaccurate. gplama.com/powermeter-guide/
@@gplama I'm dead then. My group is a "campagnolo veloce 9".
I see that it is impossible then ... what I do not understand is how you managed to measure you so well, I have a similar roller. do you have a power meter?
i have wahoo speed cadence what is the best setup trainer in zwift for the best setting / accuracy for this setup.
Best would be getting yourself a direct drive trainer. If accuracy is important, there's no compromise.
@@gplama oh yes but i just spend new spinning bike. so the only way to use with the zwift is using speed cadence sensor
Hi, i using lemond trainers, can i use zwift if i only have cadence sensor?
You'll need a speed sensor on the Lemond unit or a power meter on your bike. ruclips.net/video/6UD13d66R8s/видео.html
Ok thanks for the info 👍
How to I get that app on your tv with the sensor to work ?
I configured the zwift for rollers, but the watts are very low at a speed of 30km / h on the roll, not more than 100w, could someone help me with some more suitable configuration?
A power meter or smart trainer is a much better way to solve that one. I know it's not cheap but it saves so much messing about and still getting inaccurate numbers.
@@gplama thanks Shane
What is the distance of the 2 roller in back 11inch or 10 inch??
No idea sorry. The breakout diagram might be online somewhere.
Is it possible to use with garmin edge 520 and Garmin speed and cadence sensors?
Hey Shane, nice video! Is it possible if I buy the sensors to combine them with a Tacx Grand Excel and to ride on Zwift or RGT? Or wouldn't it work?
I have no idea what a Grand Excel is sorry.
Wht bike u use in that video sir??
thanks for the video. does it work with my old garmin speed/cadence sensor which only supports ant+ or do I need one which supports bluetooth?
If you're connecting to a Zwift machine with an ANT+ receiver USB stick, yes (PC, Mac, some Android phones have ANT+ built-in)
What about calculating watts without power meter ?
If a trainer has a known speed/power curve, this is possible.
@@gplama and without ? I mean with only speed/cadence sensor as said in your title ?
@@gplama the watts are false
@@azac122 A speed sensor is used to measure speed, which in turn is compared to a known resistance curve of the unit. This is then converted into power estimated on that curve. The watts are estimated. There's a number of ways power can be measured. This video explains it for another trainer: ruclips.net/video/hUMS7ltQAwY/видео.html
Thanks Shane, that answers my question. Do your training zones match up at the elevated level you get with this set up?
I wouldn't really be training in 'zones' on basic rollers... there's just not enough resistance for the workouts I do. I guess in theory the zones would simply be elevated if the power estimates were higher. Too much skewing with numbers though. Easier to use a power meter as the source of truth to be honest.
Can this be used with Strava?
Ride data can be uploaded to Strava after the activity, yes.
How come I max out at 70W / 12 mph on the same rollers on my fixed gear?
No idea. Check the sensors/magnets?
Did you make the same thing with support ed basic trainer ?
is it also possible to use the free roll of Tacx and a Garmin speed sensor on zwift?
Sure. A power meter is a lot better, but a speed sensor will give you the ability to use Zwift.
@@gplama So it is synonymous only with a power meter !?
@@manuelstuefer A speed sensor will give an 'estimate' of power for Zwift to use. It may or may not be accurate enough to use for training.
@@gplama So does the speed and power measures all at the same time via the power meter?
hello i have a question garmin's sensors also work when zwift i hope to see a response again
Yes, Zwift supports ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors.
@@gplama thank you for your reaction
can setup with cadence sensor only?
No
I can contact to Zwift by garmin Computer and sensor ?
Sensor yes, not the Garmin Edge computer.
try that climbing alpe du zwift and see how fast you can go, you might break a record.
Does Wahoo censers track calories, also?
The sensors, no. The head units, yes.
is there any cadence lag? When your rpm is 75 and you go down to 65 how many seconds does sensor to process and show it?
Use ant+ connection for stable signal.
Maybe if you set the tire size lower
Will this work on a rug?
It really depends. Best on a hard surface.
this solution is usable in a spin bike?
Not really. It might work to get Zwift moving but the numbers will be well off. Power meter pedals are a better solution for spin bikes.
Question. By using these Tacx sensors we can ride on Zwift using an old conventional trainer?
Yes
You could also use any other compatible sensor, if you have it. No need to be the Tacx ones.
Have you any idea of a cheap set of sensors?
Checking Amazon, I think the cheapest known option is probably Garmin, but the ones from Onlydroid (no idea what that is or how good) are cheaper. amzn.to/2pKVrNA
Cheers!
Google is your best bet. Just look for ANT+ and/or Bluetooth Smart compatibility.
Can I use this setup with a MTB 29er???
Sure
do you still need a ant+ dongle ( or usb ) for the pc ?
If your sensors are Bluetooth, no.
connected to speed sensor but my avatar not moving, what you reckon ?
Sensor isn't close enough to the magnet (if it's one of those), or it's shagged. Try new batteries.
3:22 your wheel needs another truing session ;)
what units are you using to run Zwift there Shane?
Units?
As in PC or Mac or iPhone?
Shane Miller - GPLama yeah. Looks too small for twin pc’s there. ?
There’s two small Alienware Alphas in the Lama Lab which I use for almost everything Zwift.
In the shelf under the fan which the monitors are connected too.
Neat which app do you use to test sensors?
See My Bluetooth Device Connection Toolkit - Wahoo Fitness & LightBlue Explorer Apps (360° Video) ruclips.net/video/v_6dZbZm3BA/видео.html
Thanks
Sounds dull with hills having no effect on you or your cadence, but better than nothing I guess.
Using a Wahoo KickR and Wahoo powerlink pedals.
Prefer Rouvy to Zwift though as much more realistic in terms of scenery and realism; on zwift , you can do 50mph on the small chain ring without spinning out.
Name app in 2:00?
Hello about Garmin speed and Cadence Sensor how i can connect with swift
Best contact Zwift Support or see their website for details.
Where the WATTS COME FROM??? THANKS
Power meter on the bike.
@@gplama so it's not only speed/cadence sensor !
no use dogle?