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  • Get Started
    • Create Zwift Account
    • How To Get Started On Zwift
    • Zwift Course Maps
    • How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More)
    • Women’s Racing on Zwift
    • Links Every Zwifter Must Have
    • More “Get Started” Posts
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Training & Nutrition
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    • Zwift Hacks
  • Reference
    • How Zwift Works
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    • RoboPacer Calendar
    • Climb Portal Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Game Updates
    • Smart Trainer Index
      • Current Models
      • Exhaustive Trainer List
    • Achievements & Unlocks
      • XP Basics for Riders
      • XP Basics for Runners
      • Kit Unlock Codes
      • Master List of Badges
    • Frames & Wheels
    • Routes & Maps
      • Master List: Routes
      • Master List: Climb Portal
      • Master List: KOMs
      • Master List: Sprints
      • Master List: Rebel Routes
      • Downloadable Watopia Map
      • Printable List of Routes by Difficulty
    • Speed Tests
    • Tiny Races
  • Women
    • Race Calendar
    • Why race?
    • Women’s Teams
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  • Shop
    • Watopia Map and Other Posters
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    Home Blog Page 484

    Fully automated Zwift login on Mac OS X

    • Zwift Hacks
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 17, 2015
    0

    Fully automated Zwift login on Mac OS X

    Here’s a hack for Mac users which allows you to create a single icon that will log you into Zwift, with no human interaction needed. It will put in your email, password, click the “Start Ride” button and away you go!

    HOWTO: Fully automated Zwift login on Mac OS X


    Zwiftcast Episode 2

    • Interviews
    • News
    Simon Schofield
    -
    December 17, 2015
    0
    Zwiftcast Episode 2

    Zwiftcast Episode 2

    I interview Karissa Minn, Ted King, Ray Brown, Kevin Abt (Wahoo) and more. More about this episode >

    Learn more about the Zwiftcast at Zwiftcast.com.


    Zwift Ride Calendar (Teamup)

    • Getting Started
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 16, 2015
    0

    Zwift Ride Calendar (Teamup)

    This community-managed calendar can be easily accessed from www.zwiftcalendar.com


    Using Your Vortex Smart On Zwift – Step By Step

    • Computers
    • Getting Started
    • Trainers
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 15, 2015
    7
    Using Your Vortex Smart On Zwift – Step By Step

    Using Your Vortex Smart On Zwift – Step By Step

    zwiftStep 1: Install Zwift

    You’ll need to download the software from Zwift.com, install it, then run it and create a free account. Warning: installation can take an hour or more.

    vortex-squareStep 2: Prep Your Vortex 

    Besides just getting your bike set up on the trainer, you’ll need to make sure the firmware is up to date and make sure you are properly calibrated.

    Step 3: Install ANT+ USB dongle (or Use Bluetooth)

    suuntoPlug the ANT+ dongle into your computer, ideally using a USB extension cord to ensure good reception. (Learn more about dongle options.)  Try to place the dongle within a few feet of your trainer.

    More and more Zwifters are using Bluetooth instead of ANT+ to connect their trainers. You can use Bluetooth through the Zwift Mobile App, or even use your computer’s built-in Bluetooth if you are a Mac user.

    Step 4: Pair Up

    Once you fire up Zwift and sign in you’ll be taken to a pairing screen. Click Search in the “Controllable Trainer” box (bottom right) and click the trainer it finds. This will automatically pair the trainer as your Power Source and Cadence meter as well.

    paireddevices

    If you want to use a different cadence sensor for improved accuracy you’ll need to click unpair, then search for your cadence sensor to pair up.

    If connecting via Bluetooth you will need to click the Bluetooth icon at the top-left.

    Step 5: Ride On!

    Got problems? See the Tacx Vortex Smart and Zwift Unofficial Guide for help.

     


    My Vortex Smart cadence readings are not accurate

    • Trainers
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 15, 2015
    0
    My Vortex Smart cadence readings are not accurate

    My Vortex Smart cadence readings are not accurate

    This is a common complaint among Vortex users. There is no solution to this problem except to use an accurate cadence sensor mounted on your bike (such as a Wahoo RPM) paired with Zwift. That’s what I do!

    In comparing my Garmin cadence numbers to the Vortex I find that sometimes the cadence is off significantly (50rpm instead of 90) and sometimes it’s quite accurate. The method Tacx uses to sense cadence is simply unreliable. (See this page on Tacx’s site for an explanation of how they compute cadence.)

    Since the Vortex senses cadence based on changes in your pedal pressure, the smoother your pedal stroke, the less accurate the Vortex’s cadence numbers become.

    If you don’t have another cadence sensor, this is better than nothing. But if you’ve got a different one mounted on your bike, I recommend using it.


    Help! My Vortex Smart isn’t changing resistance on hills!

    • Trainers
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 15, 2015
    3

    Help! My Vortex Smart isn’t changing resistance on hills!

    This is a common issue new Vortex Smart owners encounter–I know I did! I thought I had done everything correctly–I unpacked my Vortex, plugged it in, updated the firmware, calibrated it, then fired up Zwift and paired it up. But when I started riding the hill of Watopia I found myself thinking, “Is the resistance not changing, or am I just in really good shape?”

    The solutions to this issue are usually simple:

    Solution 1: Update Firmware

    If you don’t have at least firmware version 3.1.7 installed on the trainer Zwift will be unable to change resistance on hills.

    Solution 2: Disconnect Bluetooth

    Zwift cannot control your Vortex’s resistance via ANT+ if you are connected to it via Bluetooth. Strange but true. So while you need to connect to the Vortex via Bluetooth to calibrate it, you’ll need to disconnect it from your phone’s Bluetooth in order for it to respond to inclines properly in Zwift.

    UPDATE: thanks to the June 2nd Zwift update you may also control your Vortex entirely using Bluetooth via the Zwift Companion app.

    Solution 3: Pair as Controllable Trainer

    Make sure you pair your trainer as a “Controllable Trainer” (bottom-right of pairing screen) AND as a power meter (top-left of pairing screen). You need to do both for it to function properly.


    What to do before calibrating your Tacx Vortex Smart

    • Trainers
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 15, 2015
    0

    What to do before calibrating your Tacx Vortex Smart

    There are two things you should do before calibrating in order to ensure accurate power readings.

    First: Inflate Your Tire

    Tacx recommends 7-8 bar (~100-120psi). To keep things simple I try to keep my tires at 110psi, which is what I ride at in the real world.

    Why does it matter?

    Your Vortex will calibrate accurately at any reasonable tire pressure, but unless you want to calibrate before every single ride you’ll want to decide on a consistent tire pressure to maintain. Otherwise, if you calibrate at one pressure, then hop on and ride at another pressure days later, your power readings will be off.

    Second: Warm Up Your Tire

    Ride for at least 3 minutes at a decent power level so the rubber is warm. If your tire is especially cold you’ll want to go longer. I recommend a 10-minute warmup.

    Why does it matter?

    As your tire warms up it becomes more pliable, effectively reducing the tension of the tire against the roller. In terms of power numbers, what this means is if you calibrate with a cold tire, the Vortex’s power numbers will be significantly higher than normal once the tire warms up.

    (I experienced this myself accidentally in a race once: my numbers were ~60 watts higher than they should have been, because I calibrated on a cold tire! For a while I thought I was just having a really good day, but when Zwift wanted to update my FTP to 60 watts higher than it had previously been I knew something was afoot.)


    Updating your Tacx Vortex Smart firmware

    • Trainers
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 15, 2015
    0

    Updating your Tacx Vortex Smart firmware

    Your Vortex is a computer, and sometimes the code which runs that computer needs to be updated. Keeping your Vortex’s firmware updated helps to ensure your trainer is functioning optimally.

    Note: you don’t need to check for firmware updates on a regular basis–the free Tacx Utility app does this for you when you run it, so whenever you calibrate your Vortex it will also check for updates.

    IMG_8034Required Update

    While firmware updates are somewhat “optional,” your Vortex won’t work with Zwift until you install at least firmware version 3.1.7, which is the update that allows Zwift to talk back to the Vortex to adjust tension to simulate inclines.

    Note: most Vortexes being sold now already have this firmware version installed, since it was released July 2015.

    Updating Your Firmware

    Updating the firmware is an easy process. The app may prompt you to update the firmware, or you can click the menu bar (3 lines) at the top-left and choose “Update”.

    If an update is available the app will reboot your trainer, upload the firmware, then prompt you to unplug the power cord and plug it back in.

    Once you’ve done that you should see a screen confirming that your trainer is running the latest firmware.

    IMG_8037
    Update finished, time to reboot
    All set!
    All done

    Calibrating your Tacx Vortex Smart

    • Trainers
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 15, 2015
    12

    Calibrating your Tacx Vortex Smart

    [et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” use_border_color=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.0.90″]

    IMG_8031Your 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.

    Figure 1
    Figure 2

    That’s it! Now just turn off Bluetooth (or at least disconnect from the trainer in the app) so Zwift can work properly.

    IMG_8061There was an error during calibration

    Note: if you receive a notice that “There was an error during calibration” there are two probable causes:

    1. Your trainer’s tension is way too loose or way too tight. Try adjusting it and re-calibrating.
    2. Your trainer’s firmware is out of date and not speaking properly to the app. Update the firmware then try again.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]


    Tacx Vortex Smart and Zwift – The Unofficial Guide

    • Trainers
    Eric Schlange
    -
    December 15, 2015
    1
    Tacx Vortex Smart and Zwift – The Unofficial Guide

    Tacx Vortex Smart and Zwift – The Unofficial Guide

    1The Tacx Vortex Smart is, in my opinion, the best “budget” smart trainer for your money on the market today. Like all smart trainers, though, it has some idiosyncrasies that can make things confusing for users.

    Here are posts that should answer just about any question you may have regarding using your Vortex Smart on Zwift.

    • Using your Vortex on Zwift – step by step guide
    • Updating your firmware
    • Calibrating your Vortex
      • What to do before calibrating (inflate and warm up)
    • Help! My Vortex isn’t changing resistance on hills!
    • My cadence isn’t accurate
    • Updating brake firmware (amber light of death)

    Got more questions? Post them in the comments section!


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