Zwift connects wirelessly to your devices (smart trainer, HR monitor, cadence sensor, etc) via ANT+ or Bluetooth. While iOS, AppleTV, and Android users can only use Bluetooth, ANT+ is the most common method among Windows PC users.
ANT+ USB sticks (sometimes called “dongles”) plug into your computer, allowing it to talk to your devices using the ANT+ protocol. Here are the top sticks we’ve used and recommend:
Works just as well as other dongles, for a fraction of the price. If you need an ANT extension cord, grab this bundle instead!
While you’re at it, get a USB extension cable. They’re cheap, and allow you to move your ANT+ stick as close to your trainer for the strongest possible signal. The AmazonBasics cables work well and only cost ~$7. If your cable needs to be more than 3 meters long, get an active USB extension cable.
Did you know that you can Zwift in 3D? The right equipment and a few keystrokes will add a new dimension to your ride.
We can’t find this officially documented anywhere, but Zwifters have posted about the hidden feature on forums and the Zwift Riders Facebook group.
How do I do it?
You’ll need a TV, monitor, or projector that can display 3D content in a side-by-side format, connected to a computer running Zwift. 3D TVs are hard to find these days, but you can still get your hands on 3D-enabled projection systems and computer monitors.
To turn on 3D mode in Zwift, press Ctrl-Shift-3 on your PC or Mac computer. It’s best if you do this once you’re paired and you see your avatar in the chosen world. Activate “side by side” 3D on your display. Put on your 3D glasses and you’re ready to ride! To turn off 3D mode in Zwift, just press the same key combination again.
What is it like?
It’s pretty cool! And it has some very distracting glitches. But let’s start with the cool.
The first thing I notice when I put on my glasses is that my avatar seems closer, and riders and runners are popping out from the road. Certain other things have a strong 3D effect, too. With each “Ride On,” a shiny blue thumb spins around in midair like I’ve flicked it with my fingers. Someone gets a PR at a banner ahead, and Zwift throws confetti at me. A small flock of birds flies toward and above me. Riders’ names jump out from the bottom of the screen as they approach.
The effect on the rest of the world is more subtle, and it seems to move deeper in instead of popping out. The road stretches out ahead, and things like bridges and buildings in the distance look far away. (The illusion does have its limits, and a mountain scene on the far horizon can look like a flat background.) The roadside trees in the Titans Grove forest look nice, and so do its dinosaurs, but what makes me say “whoa!” is a large overhanging branch moving toward me.
Different camera views also change the experience. First-person view is immersive, but I think the view from below (press 5 on the keyboard) showed off the 3D the most. It gives a good perspective on roadside objects as they get closer and whiz by. Pressing “0” in any view and moving the camera around is a fun way to play with it.
Zwift’s log files say my average frame rate dropped by 10-15 FPS compared to my last ride on the same computer, down to about 35 FPS. It’s not clear how much of that is due to 3D mode.
What doesn’t work?
Some of the graphic effects cause issues, and there are sometimes artifacts on the horizon. Rain, snow, and dust are fine. But the heat haze in parts of Watopia’s desert and volcano areas turns into a flat, shimmering wall. Roads inside the volcano are unrideable. But that’s not the biggest problem.
While the Zwift worlds themselves look impressive in 3D, the user interface… doesn’t. Menu screens and sidebars are cut in half. The top bar is split into two halves that are in the wrong place, overlapping with the data display and maps. Chat bubbles appear in the middle of the screen. Most of these things are semi-transparent and some are too large. Oddly, navigation icons at intersections didn’t appear at all.
I could ignore this at first, but later I used the Minimal UI hack to get those distracting graphics out of the way. Much better, and more immersive!
When I looked at the images Zwift was sending to my TV, this all started to make sense. Here’s why.
How does it work?
Most 3D (three-dimensional) content is made up of a pair of similar 2D (two-dimensional) images–one for your right eye and one for your left. Zwift places them side by side, but you may also see “top and bottom” and other formats. 3D displays typically combine these into a single picture in one of two ways:
With “passive 3D,” the left and right images are displayed on alternating lines of pixels. Polarized 3D glasses (or special screens) filter each image to the eye that’s supposed to see it. This is what 3D movie theaters use.
With “active 3D,” which my TV uses, the left and right images are broadcast one at a time and switch very quickly. The 3D glasses alternate blocking the right and left eyes at the same rate. Each side is visible only when that eye’s image is showing.
The two side-by-side images are supposed to be near duplicates, with small differences to create the illusion of depth. But on Zwift, while the riding environment is doubled, the UI overlay isn’t. It stretches over both the left and the right images at once, meaning the display can’t convert it properly to 3D. I’ve seen reports of this working fine for others in the past, so it may be a glitch that’s easily fixed.
Should I try it?
At the moment, I wouldn’t recommend racing or doing a structured workout in 3D. But if you just want to ride around Zwift, it’s a cool and different way to lose yourself in our favorite virtual worlds. You’ll probably want to limit your time if you’re prone to motion sickness.
We’ve heard that a UI redesign is on the way, so maybe that glitch will be fixed soon. In the meantime, the Minimal UI hack can hide the HUD so nothing gets in the way of your 3D Sasquatch hunt on Alpe du Zwift.
It’s no secret that Zwift racing is exploding worldwide. We’ve got the UCI planning an eSports worlds in 2020, world tour pros participating in races, and Zwift’s own CEO talking about the Olympics in 2028.
And while today’s Zwift racing experience is far from perfect, it’s worth taking a step back to appreciate what Zwift and its community have built in just a few short years. Think about it: right now, any cyclist can sign on and race their guts out against a global list of competitors.
It’s a brave new world, and there’s much to love about it. Here are my top 10 reasons to love Zwift racing.
#1: Stiff Competition
I live in a small Northern Californian town, and while our cycling community is dedicated, it’s also tiny. It’s easy to get deluded into thinking I’m something special as I snatch Strava KOMs from a short list of competitors.
But Zwift racing humbles me. If ever I’m feeling especially gifted, one race up Box Hill puts me in my place. And that’s a good thing.
#2: Keeping the Rubber Side Down
In just the past few years, several of my local riding buddies have sustained major injuries while on the bike. Some from vehicles, some while racing. Sometimes the cyclist’s fault, but often not.
I chose to stop crit racing last season after yet another dicey finish with riders wiping out just ahead of my front wheel. Especially in crits, it’s only a matter of time before you crash, no matter how skilled of a bike handler you may be. For me, the risk just isn’t worth the podium t-shirt.
Zwift is an crash-free zone. Go as hard as you want. You might avoid that 15-year-old chopper outside, but inside you can half-wheel him to your heart’s content. Pure, risk-free bliss.
#3: No Charge
No more race entry fees–Zwift races are free!
In my case, most outdoor races became an all-day affair: driving 2 hours to San Francisco or Sacramento, racing, eating lunch out… a guy could burn through $100 easily. And while my team covered most of those costs, what I couldn’t get back was the time it took to make it all happen–and time is money. Speaking of which…
#4: Time Efficient
There’s no more efficient way to race a bike than Zwift. No traveling to the race track. Just kit up, hop on, and go!
You’ve also got a lot of flexibility with Zwift races: no longer are you stuck racing the one date and time slot for your category on a Saturday or Sunday. Now you can make the schedule work for you! Decide which time works best, then race at that time. There’s almost always one available. Let’s talk more about flexibility…
#5: Have It Your Way
Zwift racing has a much larger universe of options than outdoor racing. Where my outdoor calendar basically has one doable race every week or two, March-August, Zwift has multiple races every day, year-round, and those races vary in terrain, length, and field size.
I can pick the race that fits my schedule. I can pick a race that uses a course which suits me. (Or, if I’m feeling masochistic, I can pick a hilly route and get my butt kicked!) I can ride TT races, double draft events, or chase races. So many options!
#6: Teamwork
Since my outdoor race team was so small, I rarely got to experience teamwork on race day. But on Zwift, I often have teammates in races, and we can communicate via Discord and ride strategically.
Racing is fun. But working as a team in a race: that’s next-level fun.
#7: Data
Like any good cyclist, I love data. And racing on Zwift gives me a window into race data which I simply never get outdoors. Suddenly I can see my competitor’s power numbers and heart rate data. I can see their historic performances. Thanks to ZwiftPower, anyone can drill down and really learn about the competition so they can ride more strategically.
#8: Weather Be Damned
Who cares if it’s cold or wet outside? I control the climate in my pain cave, so my race day isn’t dictated by Mother Nature.
#9: Family Fans
I love having family and friends on-sight to cheer me on for a Zwift race. Outside, the best they could do was yell something incomprehensible as the group flew past on the crit circuit. But when I race on Zwift, they can stand near, watch the action, and cheer loudly. It really does help!
#10: Pushing Limits
I still remember my first few Zwift races, because they were a revelation. I was just beginning to race outdoors, and Zwift showed me that I had a lot more to give than I’d been giving.
There’s something about being in your own home that lets you push harder. It’s not needing to worry about making the call of shame when you bonk 40 miles out–it’s not being concerned with threading the needle in the finishing sprint. Leave it all on the mat, because after your Zwift race you can fall off the bike, crawl to the shower, and wash up.
Pushing it to the max builds fitness for sure, but it also builds mental toughness and helps you surpass self-imposed limits, even in outdoor riding.
What about you?
Got more reasons to love Zwift racing? Share them below!
As part of our push for more Discord in the Zwift community I’ve put together this simple tutorial. Following the simple steps below will get you started using the Discord voice chat app while Zwifting.
But before we get to the meat of the tutorial, I wanted to share this video–one of my favorites in the Zwift universe. Here you can watch TeamODZ’s Justin Wagner finishing the big Zwift Team Worlds 2017 race. You can hear his interaction with teammates via Discord, making this a perfect example of audio chat bringing the Zwift experience to the next level.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN – HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
All you need to get Discord working is the device to run it (your mobile phone or computer), a microphone, and speakers. A standalone phone will do the job, but isn’t ideal due to poor speakers and mic positioning.
The most common setup is to run Discord on your mobile phone, using hardwired or Bluetooth earbuds with a built-in mic.
I don’t like a lot of cords hanging around, so I use true wireless Jaybird Vista earbuds. Love ’em. (The Tarah earbuds are much cheaper and also work well, but they have a connecting wire.)
STEP 1: INSTALL THE APP
Discord runs on mobile devices as well as Windows and Mac. Installation is simple: just search for “Discord” on your mobile device, or visit https://discordapp.com/ on your computer and click the link to download the app.
STEP 2: CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
Just click “Register” and enter your email and desired password. Easy!
STEP 3: ENTER THE INVITE CODE
To join a Discord server you must have an invite code.
Click this link from the device you’ve installed Discord to, or just enter “zwiftinsider manually into Discord to join our server: https://discord.gg/zwiftinsider
CONGRATS, YOU’RE IN!
Just click the “Join” button and you’ll be logged into the Zwift Insider Discord server.
STEP 4: HERE’S THE TRICKY PART
Discord automatically places you in the text chat channel, which isn’t where you want to be. Click the hamburger menu (3 lines at top-left) to view all the channels on the server. Scroll down and pick a chat room under Cycling Chat Rooms, then click “Join Voice” to join the audio chat.
YOU’RE ALL SET!
Once you see yourself on the list of other users in your chosen voice channel, you’re all done. As long as you have your microphone and earbuds/speakers hooked up correctly, you’re good to go.
Recommendation: Use Push to Talk
In voice channels, Discord has two different input modes:
Push to Talk: you have to push a button in order to transmit your voice across the channel
Voice Activity: when Discord detects that you’re speaking, it transmits your audio across the channel
In Zwift land, it is generally considered good practice to use Push to Talk, so people only hear you when you’re actually speaking. If you set it to “Voice Activity” (which is the default setting) your noisy fan, trainer, or gear shifts may be detected as audio input and broadcasted across the channel.
Push to Talk ensures you’re only transmitting audio when you want to be!
Input mode options
Push to Talk enabled (click gear at top-right to change input mode)
The good folks over at Elite have rolled out what we believe is a first: a direct drive trainer with a regular price of $699USD!
The Elite Zumo was announced almost a year ago, and has been selling for £399 at Halfords in the UK for a while. The Halfords Zumo page says it is “manufactured exclusively for Halfords.” But it sounds like that is changing, with Shane Miller saying the trainer is going to be available in wider markets.
We expect to see it available in the USA for $699 soon, but it’s not even listed on Elite’s website as of today.
Basic Specs
Maximum wattage: 1340W @ 40km/h, 2200W @ 60km/h
Realistically simulates slopes up to 12%
Power measurement accuracy to within +/- 3%
Compatible hubs QR 130-135x5mm and Thru Axle 142x12mm
Does not ship with cassette
Standard Bluetooth and ANT+ compatibility
Low noise level
Why It’s Special
The specs above aren’t anything special when stacked up against other direct drive trainers. Units like the Tacx Neo, Wahoo KICKR, or even Elite’s own trainers have better accuracy and max power specs. And they should–they cost more!
(That said, Shane Miller’s review below shows the Zumo performed very very well in terms of power accuracy.)
But here’s what is really special about the Zumo: this is the lowest-priced direct drive trainer to ever hit the market. (The Tacx Flux S is the closest competition price-wise at $749USD).
Seeing a new pricing floor is good for consumers like us. As manufacturers realize efficiencies and compete on price, we are the winners.
The Zumo is $100 less than Elite’s Suito, which may actually be its closest competition given that the Suito has slightly better specs and ships with a cassette.
More Details
Check out DC Rainmaker’s in-depth review, and watch Shane’s Lama Lab Test review below:
Team Fearless 3rd Annual Women’s Team Championships Coming Soon
Team Fearless has announced they are once again hosting their Annual Women’s Team Championships! This isn’t your average race, it’s meant to test your resilience and endurance. Each category gets to crown its own Champions, so this race is for all ability levels.
Last year they had nearly 140 participants and a hot lap.
This year will be even bigger and better and will include sprint and QOM
points!
Date and Time
Saturday Dec 14 2:30 PM EST (7:30 PM GMT, 11:30 AM PST, Sunday Dec 15 6:30 AM AEDT)
Route Details
Race will be held on the Sand & Sequoias route, with a different number of laps based on category.
Cat C & D will be completing 2 laps each, with B doing 3, and A doing 4. The thought is that all categories should be finishing around the same time.
Race Categories
A: 3.7 w/kg FTP or higher 4 laps (51.54 miles or 82.95 km with Lead-in)
B: 3.20-3.69 w/kg FTP 3 laps (39.05 miles or 62.85 km with Lead-in)
C: 2.5 to 3.19 w/kg FTP 2 laps (26.56 miles or 42.75 km with Lead-in)
D: 2.49 w/kg FTP and under 2 laps (26.56 miles or 42.75 km with Lead-in)
The Teams
Teams will consist of 3-5 women working together to get their team across the finish line.
While only the top 3 finisher’s points (per team) are counted, every racer matters as their placements “steals” points from those below them. (See the rules for a full explanation.)
If you aren’t already on a team you’re encouraged to be proactive and reach out to a trade team of your choice. A list of teams is available here: Zwift Teams.
Other team options are listed in the full rules below.
There’s a simple brake hack for anyone using a keyboard on Zwift: just hit “A” to bring up the pairing screen. This immediately applies the brakes, stopping you within a few seconds.
To get out of the pairing screen and return to riding, hit the Escape key. Easy!
Here’s a quick video demo:
Improvement Suggestion
Oddly enough, even if you keep putting out power, your rider will not move with the pairing screen up. This has bitten me in the butt many times when I’m in a group ride and accidentally hit A on the keyboard.
My suggestion: Zwift shouldn’t apply the brakes at the pairing screen unless my wattage or cadence is at 0. This saves us from accidentally getting dropped, and shouldn’t cause any problems.
Have You Hit “A”?
Have you ever used this hack (on purpose or on accident)? What was the situation? Share below…
I’ve worn many hats after 20+ years as a self-employed tech guy. One of my favorite hats has been photographer. I’ve shot portraits, products, weddings, food, landscapes… you get the idea.
Nowadays, though, most of my photos are taken with an iPhone out on the bike. These photos really only see the light of day on my Strava profile. Some are taken so I can remember that moment in time, while others are taken so I can share the experience with my Strava followers. I upload pics from my Zwift sessions for the same reasons.
Just like “real” photography, getting a good shot on Zwift isn’t as easy as pushing F10. You’ve got to pay attention to lighting, angles, background, etc. It’s a more restricted environment, but one with plenty of possibilities. And while it may seem silly to some, pushing the limits of these possibilities is fun for many, including myself.
So here it is: your definitive guide to shooting and sharing good Zwift screenshots.
How to Shoot: the Basics
Taking the Shot
There are three ways to take a photo in Zwift:
Your computer keyboard: press F10 to snap a shot.
Zwift Companion app: scroll the action buttons at the bottom of the map screen until you see the camera (last button on the right). This is the only way to take a photo on AppleTV.
In-game action bar: in iOS/Android, just tap the screen to get this pop up.
What’s Your Angle?
The first thing you can do to make your photos more interesting is to change camera angle. The default angle on Zwift is great for zwifting, but completely uninteresting for screenshots!
On a computer, just hit a number key to change it:
1: Default 6 o’clock view 2: Third person view 3: First person shooter perspective 4: To the side front-left of the rider 5: Rearview from the right of the rear wheel 6: Head on to the rider 7: Spectator view 8: Helicopter view 9: Bird’s eye view (PC/Mac only) 0: Drone View – use the arrow keys, +, and – keys to move and zoom camera (PC/Mac only)
On Zwift Companion or iOS/AppleTV/Android look for the eyeball button to click and change the camera angle. Here’s what each camera angle produces:
Light Up Your Life
Any photographer worth their screen cap will tell you lighting is always a top concern. Photography is just capturing light, after all. Zwift shots also require good lighting, but for most shots it basically comes down to the difference between your rider being in the shade (bad) or full light (good).
Here are two samples for you. Notice how the second picture of each pair is much more interesting, as the subject of the photo is well lit.
Runner is shaded, not good
Runner is lit, very nice
Rider is shaded, not good
Rider is lit, very nice
Of course, the lighting challenge on Zwift is that you can’t move lights around to get the look you want! And some courses like New York have a lot of foliage or buildings which create spotty shade.
If you’re really chasing a good shot, you may need to flip a u-turn or take multiple shots to get one where your avatar is lit the way you’d like. The good news is, you’re not having to pay for extra film!
Advanced Shooting Tips
Using the Drone Camera
If you want a real pro Zwift pic, you’re going to be on a computer with a keyboard so you can hit 0 and move the camera yourself.
Tapping 0 puts you in “drone view” where you can use your four arrow keys to move the camera up, down, left and right. Additionally, hitting the – or + keys will zoom in and out.
Once you get comfortable with this setting it is very easy to use, and that’s good because the angle of your shot can make all the difference. I’m partial to low angles, taken from near street level. Here’s an example:
I’ve found in drone mode the camera doesn’t usually want to go low if you just hit the down arrow. But if you hit the up arrow first for a bit, THEN down, it will go lower than it would before! Give it a try.
Clean Is In
Unless you have a reason for displaying the various on-screen metrics, “clean” shots look much cooler. But you can only take clean shots if you’re using a computer or Zwift Companion! Shots taken using the iOS/Android versions of Zwift always include the HUD.
Sharing Your Shots
Where Pictures are Stored
If you use a computer to Zwift, but take a photo using Zwift Companion, it will be saved to the computer which is actually running the game as well as your mobile device.
If you’re running Zwift on AppleTV, your screenshots taken with Zwift Companion will be saved only to your mobile device.
On Windows, photos are stored under Photos/Zwift. Here’s what my folder looks like:
“Image Uploading” Setting
By default Zwift takes some snapshots as you ride and uploads them to Strava. You can change this behavior through the Settings menu so it only uploads the photos you take (my preference), or never uploads photos.
Important: if you choose “Never” for this setting, you will not be able to take pictures from within game on your computer! You will however still be able to take pictures using Zwift Companion.
Selecting Photos to Share
Select which photos to save to your Zwift activity and Strava when finishing your activity:
Select up to 5 photos on the ride saving screen. Click in the top-right of a photo to toggle between saving the clean version, or the version including the HUD. You may also select one photo as the “featured” photo, indicated by the star in the corner.
Changing the Strava Highlight Photo
Strava will choose the first picture you upload as your activity’s “highlight” photo. (If you’re on a computer, the photo you star when saving the activity will be the Strava featured photo.)
If you’d rather use a different shot (this is often the case), simply edit your activity, clicking the photo you want to highlight, and choose “Set as Highlight Photo”.
Your Tips Welcome
Got any other tips for Zwift photographers? Share them below!
We’ve combed the web seeking Saris H3 reviews and information, summarizing our findings so you can learn everything worth knowing about this very popular smart trainer. If you decide to purchase the Saris H3, please consider doing so through the shopping links at the bottom of this post, as this will help support Zwift Insider.
Wisconsin-based Saris announced the H3 late August 2019, and it may be the most exciting new trainer of the year. Compared to the previous version (H2) the H3 is quieter, more accurate, and fixes some overheating issues. Significant upgrades: and it retails for $200 less than the H2!
With a solid build and a price that undercuts the competition, this trainer should appeal to anyone looking to upgrade to a direct drive experience.
But it’s not perfect, and we may still be waiting on some firmware updates to give it polished (see below for more on this).
… the cadence algorithms need work any time significant power shifts are applied… But it is quieter than most other trainers, so I think for now it’ll hold it’s own.
We’ve taken a look at the best Saris H3 review videos and summarized them for quick digestion.
SHANE MILLER
Power accuracy needs improvement on SIM hill climbs and sprints (reading low)
Cadence needs work
Thru-axle clearance is a problem
Saris Mobile App needs polish
SMARTBIKETRAINERS
Solid build, good feel
Power accuracy: Overmeasured power by ~10% at high flywheel speeds.
Built-in cadence measures 2-3RPM low
Very quiet
CONCLUSIONS
The H3 is a definite improvement over the H2, and at a $999 it’s a value that may be difficult to beat. While slightly louder than the KICKR and Neo, it’s still quieter than your fan.
Clearly, there are/were some accuracy problems with power and cadence in the initial firmware release, which (sadly) isn’t surprising given our experience with new trainers in the past. Saris released new firmware Oct 29, 2019 which addressed cadence and power, so hopefully these issues are resolved.
In the end, if the cadence and power accuracy problems get fixed, the H3 will be the trainer to beat at a price point well below the competition.
Chloé Dygert on Her Younger Years and Overcoming Adversity (Zwift PowerUp Cycling Podcast #39)
When eight-time World Champion Chloé Dygert comes to chat, it’s time to listen. Her coach Kristin Armstrong speaks with her about her sensational performance at the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire, and together they peel back the layers and look at the sports-filled childhood that contributed to Chloé’s many successes. This includes record-smashing highs as well as the lows, including coming back from a concussion after years honing her mental strength.
