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Your Vortex must be calibrated in order to give Zwift proper power readings. Calibration is a fairly painless process using the free Tacx Utility app (available on iOS and Android).
Note: this guide below uses the iOS app. I assume the Android version is similar.
Before you begin: make sure you’ve inflated and warmed up your tire. Read why here >
Step 1: enable Bluetooth on your phone, open the app, and connect to your trainer. You will see a green checkbox at the top-right once it is connected.
Step 2: click the menu bar (3 lines) at the top-left and choose “Calibration”.
Step 3: The app will prompt you to start pedaling and speed up to 30km/hr, then stop. This “spindown test” lets the app sense how much tension is on your tire.
Step 4: if you’re anywhere between the two white lines (figure 1), you’re all set. If you are outside the white lines (figure 2) you will need to adjust the tension accordingly then calibrate again.
That’s it! Now just turn off Bluetooth (or at least disconnect from the trainer in the app) so Zwift can work properly.
There was an error during calibration
Note: if you receive a notice that “There was an error during calibration” there are two probable causes:
- Your trainer’s tension is way too loose or way too tight. Try adjusting it and re-calibrating.
- Your trainer’s firmware is out of date and not speaking properly to the app. Update the firmware then try again.
Hello, If I am between the two white lines (figure 1), my wheel is sliping. (100psi. Trainer tyre). What the problem?
if the trainer tyre is the correct psi and you have calibrated ok, i find that the tyre gets either dirt or greasy or just condensation, de-greasing or cleaning the tyre and contact surface of the trainer does the job !
I can pedal all day but it will not calibrate. So what do I do?
I’m having the exact same issue, up to a couple of weeks ago I had no issue calibrating but I’ve just spent nearly 2 hours of pedalling on and off loosening, tightening, heating tyre with an hair dryer it just wont calibrate
Great info! Thanks.
At this moment calibration looks differently, as a result you just recieve a message about ending the calibration and notification about repetition one once a month at least
whatever I do it always states TOO LOOSE, any ideas anyone, the tyre is not warmed up
I had this, check the tire setting notches on the unit/position block. Mine were all sheared and couldnt get the right tension.
In his review of the Tacx Flow Smart, DCRainmaker said that it’s MORE accurate if you calibrate on a COLD tire (that it somehow auto-adjusts as the tire heats up). Has anyone else heard this, and does it apply to the Vortex? https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/04/tacx-flow-budget-smart-trainer-in-depth-review.html
How long would you expect spin down to take, just so I know if I roughly in ball park.
tacx utility calibration seems to suggest I’m too loose but I’m fairly squishing the tyre already.
Hey guys – mine is just to the left of the Too tight White line. My cadence numbers are noticeably lower currently, but power is good. When I loosen it to try and get to the centre, the power goes down drastically, and it sometimes even struggles to get to the 30km/hr in the calibration (must be tyre slipping?). Not sure what the best solution is!
The Tacx utility is no longer available, it has been replaced by the Garmin Training app and works only with Bluetooth trainers. Therefore, I can’t verify the firmware version on my Tacx Vortex who use ANT and use Zwift.