zwift - anyone disappointed?

[vqdriver]

curious to hear some responses before putting down for a laptop/trainer/tv streaming setup.
since i don't have apple devices lying around or a power meter this would all be new. but it beats not riding my trainer at all so it's still in the back of my mind.

[thegunner]

nope. been on it since the beta.

i've found it allows me to hit my training goals during the miserable winter (yes it's still a trainer, but it's much better than just following a power progression and suffering).

[dsimon]

IM still figuring it out I think if I do like it it will be for the freedride/jump in a group ride thing. But I like sufferfest more for structured training.

[ergott]

I'm all in, using a Macbook so I have more control over world choice (Zwiftpref) and other stuff. I can execute a structured workout in ERG mode if I want and I can also pick a route for an extended ride. Yesterday I did the Pretzel Reverse for a 2:30 ride indoors complete with over 4500ft of climbing. Nothing like that available to me outdoors due to weather and local terrain.

[belopsky]

I just ride in zwift and watch Netflix or Plex. I've done erg mode in the past but just prefer to ride and chill

[htwoopup]

I don't like Zwift because the graphics make me think of Pacman or something. Think they are very ugly.

But since your question is really about streaming....

But I do use films of rides...either Tacx films in their app or Veloreality. The Tacx stuff I run off an iPad but the Veloreality runs only on Windows. So I run it on the "windows" side of my MacBook Air.

But to do the streaming there is an app I downloaded for a very few bucks onto the windows computer called Air Parrot which lets it stream to my not so old Samsung TV or an Apple TV.

[vqdriver]

Originally Posted by belopsky

I just ride in zwift and watch Netflix or Plex. I've done erg mode in the past but just prefer to ride and chill

that's what i'm doing now, just netflix or stream espn, when i'm on the trainer.
but if i'm being honest, i'm watching something to distract myself from the boredom. at least my 1up trainer is quiet.

[DfCas]

I tried Zwift and didn't really like the competitiveness and video game quality of it. I prefer to ride tacx films on an iPad and climb the famous euro climbs or spring classic courses.

Smart training elevates everything for me to an enjoyable level but i'm not a racer so hardcore training does not interest me,just riding for fitness is all I'm interested in.

[dan_hudson]

Very happy - as mentioned here often, has been a game-changer for me staying on a trainer in the dark/cold months

Regarding equipment if starting from scratch... might look at Apple TV as the host. Even the fancy 4k version is less-than $200. Combine it with a low-rent HDTV and you'll likely be way cheaper + have better performance then a tablet. Downside of Apple TV is not being able to choose your own world as mentioned by Ergott.

Hardware part-2. Zwift really does seem to have an Apple bias. Be sure to understand the extra hoops you need to jump thru regarding connectivity if going with Windows as a host. As for Android, works great for the Companion but still no support for the full program.

[HugoBear]

I love Zwift, it is what has gotten me back into riding.
No worries about getting hit by a car, weather, etc.
Yeah, the graphics are cheesy but I don't care at all.
Zwift has been the single best thing for my riding.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by HugoBear

I love Zwift, it is what has gotten me back into riding.
No worries about getting hit by a car, weather, etc.
Yeah, the graphics are cheesy but I don't care at all.
Zwift has been the single best thing for my riding.

i'll see Zwift and raise you CVRcade...

[dem]

I'd probably fit into "disappointed" - despite having done 2500 virtual miles on it.

The trainer is still punishment for not making myself ride outside, but it is still better than nothing.. so I keep waffling back and forth on continuing my sub (especially after they raised it to $15/month)

As it is, I subbed in November and plan to keep it through Feb. Ive been on it off-and-on since the Beta days too.

I find being on a structured training plan with a goal event in the early spring helps me more than Zwift. If you're cross eyed from doing over/under intervals, you ain't paying much attention to the video game anyways.

[sailorboy]

Originally Posted by vqdriver

that's what i'm doing now, just netflix or stream espn, when i'm on the trainer.
but if i'm being honest, i'm watching something to distract myself from the boredom. at least my 1up trainer is quiet.

Same here. After being on it for about a month I've realized the best way for me currently, is to run it on my iphone to control the resistance changes or do structured workouts but otherwise I don't care for looking at the app on my macbook. I'm much happier watching netflix or a cross race and occasionally glancing down at the phone to look at my power level.

full disclosure; I'm not the most 'techy' person so I'm probably not using it to it's full potential. My plan is to subscribe until the weather gets better then ditch it until next year. If they were smart they'd offer a special price to entice me to do a yearly subscription but I haven't seen that yet afaik.

[saab2000]

$15 per month is a small price to pay if it keeps me active in the winter. It's not perfect but I'm a satisfied customer. I use an iPad via Bluetooth from my Kickr.

They need to allow more user flexibility with the worlds and they need to expand them. Both of these I'm sure are in their future. Additionally, they need to do something with the explosive user growth. It's frustrating riding with 8000 of my closest friends in a pack where the avatars are constantly running through each other like ghosts. This needs to be filtered somehow.

It's a very good video game if that's how you imagine it and for $15 I'm pretty happy but I hope they keep working on it to improve and expand it.

[HugoBear]

Originally Posted by saab2000

$15 per month is a small price to pay if it keeps me active in the winter. It's not perfect but I'm a satisfied customer. I use an iPad via Bluetooth from my Kickr.

They need to allow more user flexibility with the worlds and they need to expand them. Both of these I'm sure are in their future. Additionally, they need to do something with the explosive user growth. It's frustrating riding with 8000 of my closest friends in a pack where the avatars are constantly running through each other like ghosts. This needs to be filtered somehow.

It's a very good video game if that's how you imagine it and for $15 I'm pretty happy but I hope they keep working on it to improve and expand it.

I agree.
It should have better analytics. Garmin connect analytics were so much better.
They will need to step up their game but I guess it hasn’t hurt their growth yet....