MyWhoosh vs Zwift

[ColinJ]

Take a few rounds with the Zombies, that should get your heart pumping.

I think this would be better for heart rate boosting...

 

[ColinJ]

Take a few rounds with the Zombies, that should get your heart pumping.

If we get ice-free days here over the winter I can easily get my heart pumping outdoors - I have multiple 10-20% climbs less than 15 minutes from home. The trainer is mainly to keep me busy when the weather is awful.

Also... I think zone 2 makes a lot of sense but I find it hard to stick to on my local rides. Multiple junctions, pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, roadworks and constant changes in gradient! This is an example where I gave up and just rode how I felt like rather than trying to keep to 140-ish W:

 

[ColinJ]

I had put a new saddle on the bike to try to solve the genital numbness that I suffered on my first decent test ride. It helped slightly and I got out of the saddle for 15-20 seconds every 5 minutes, which also helped, but I was still worryingly numb after an hour. It has taken a couple of hours for the problem to ease! I can't go on like this so I will have to have a serious think about what is causing it. There must be something in the setup that isn't right... I didn't used to have this problem on my sessions on the old turbo, and I don't suffer anywhere near the same discomfort out on the road either.

Er...

I took a tape measure to the bike and found that the saddle was 2+ cm above my usual saddle height! I don't remember messing about with it but when I went to lower the saddle to the correct height I spotted a faint pencil line on the seatpost indicating where I needed it to be! I must have been experimenting with saddle height at some point in the distant past and forgotten to put it back down. I've now put the original saddle back on and copied the setup from my best bike.

I found that standing in erg mode at constant power feels weird because the trainer suddenly boosts the resistance to compensate for the reduced cadence. I want to stand regularly to ease potential numbing issues but not have those abrupt changes in resistance, so I have created a simple 1 hour zone 2 workout using the MyWhoosh workout generator. I will do a 5 min ramp up from 90 W to 140 W, then 10 blocks of 4 min 45 sec at 140 W and 85 rpm cadence, followed by standing for 15 seconds to do 120 W at 60 rpm. Finally, a 5 min ramp down from 140 W to 90 W. My custom workout should prompt me to stand just before each easy 120 W interval. I have also entered target cadences but I am not sure if the app does anything with those; it might be useful for other future workouts if it did.

I'll try another 1 hour session this evening and see how I get on.

 

[ColinJ]

Take a few rounds with the Zombies, that should get your heart pumping.

Ah, I see! I hadn't noticed the zombie pursuit option before so I assume that this was in a recent update? It looks like it might be fun. I will try it out one rainy day.

I've now put the original saddle back on and copied the setup from my best bike.

This setup felt better as soon as I got on the bike, and... (unsurprisingly!) it was much easier getting my leg over the lowered saddle!

I have also entered target cadences but I am not sure if the app does anything with those; it might be useful for other future workouts if it did.

Next to the cadence readout it displays a red triangle pointing upwards if one's cadence is 5 or more rpm less than target, and a red triangle pointing downwards if it is 5 or more rpm greater than target.

I'll try another 1 hour session this evening and see how I get on.

A BIG improvement! I was able to do my 1 hour workout without being stopped by numbness. There was still some residual discomfort by the end of the session though so I will try the cheapo cutout saddle again in this new position and see if that helps.

Even though the major part of the workout was only at 140 W, that did feel like a bit of a slog towards the end, but 120 W felt too easy. I think I might change it to blocks of 4 min 30 sec at 140 W, alternating with 30 seconds at 125 W.

I had put alerts in the workout telling me when to stand. They need to be brought forward a few seconds so I see them before I need to react.

I was playing a 75 minute mix on YouTube Music but it froze after 45 minutes. I will have to see if that happens again next time. I didn't want to stop and mess about with the tablet so I did the last 15 minutes just listening to the noise of my fan!

I am finally getting there with the turbo setup. I am sorely tempted to splash out on a bluetooth gaming controller now to operate virtual gears etc.

I must remember to give TPV a go on the next Free 4 All Tuesday.

 

[cyberknight]

I have read that mywhoosh only supports smart turbos that are direct drive ?, i am toying with the idea of getting a second hand smart trainer to start using it as i thought that the cost of zwift compared to mywhoosh for free might balance out the price but im not sure whether a smart trainer thats wheel on will work ?
Currently have a dumb / classic trainer that works with zwift using speed and cadence sensors which i know is not ideal but at least i get a work out .

 

[Milzy]

I have read that mywhoosh only supports smart turbos that are direct drive ?, i am toying with the idea of getting a second hand smart trainer to start using it as i thought that the cost of zwift compared to mywhoosh for free might balance out the price but im not sure whether a smart trainer thats wheel on will work ?
Currently have a dumb / classic trainer that works with zwift using speed and cadence sensors which i know is not ideal but at least i get a work out .

Just buy a direct mount and be happy & keep everyone else happy that your data is accurate. Or you may as well be on a dumb trainer watching old pro racing videos.

 

[Brusgaard]

I have read that mywhoosh only supports smart turbos that are direct drive ?, i am toying with the idea of getting a second hand smart trainer to start using it as i thought that the cost of zwift compared to mywhoosh for free might balance out the price but im not sure whether a smart trainer thats wheel on will work ?
Currently have a dumb / classic trainer that works with zwift using speed and cadence sensors which i know is not ideal but at least i get a work out .

MyWhoosh will work with any trainer that supplies watts, and also from a speed/cadence sensor. However, most events will not accept speed sensors etc., and for the preimum events (where there is money involved), only a few select trainer models are allowed, and you also need a second power source.
But if you want the best experience, buy one of the trainers on their supported list, as these most likely have been tested and applied the correct power profile in the software, so should be OK'ish in accuracy and control.
Scroll to the bottom of this page: https://mywhoosh.com/docs/what-devices-are-compatible-with-mywhoosh/

 

[cyberknight]

Im not bothered about races or events , yes i have already seen the approved list but i doubt my budget will stretch to a direct drive turbo .The list only seems to show recommended devices but only shows direct drive stuff.

EDIT
tried it with my dumb trainer with sensors and it works, not accurate for sure but its worth a play with to see if i like it .

 

[Milzy]

Im not bothered about races or events , yes i have already seen the approved list but i doubt my budget will stretch to a direct drive turbo .The list only seems to show recommended devices but only shows direct drive stuff.

EDIT
tried it with my dumb trainer with sensors and it works, not accurate for sure but its worth a play with to see if i like it .

I’ve seen TacX neos for £200.

 

[cyberknight]

I’ve seen TacX neos for £200.

seeing as im working 6 days a week a lot just to pay the bills spending £200 on a second hand turbo might not go down to well.

 

[oldandslow]

MyWhoosh will work with any trainer that supplies watts, and also from a speed/cadence sensor. However, most events will not accept speed sensors etc., and for the preimum events (where there is money involved), only a few select trainer models are allowed, and you also need a second power source.

I hope Zwift doesn't go that way. We have an inter-club TT series with local clubs each winter. I'm still riding an old single-speed on a wheel-on trainer. I've solved the virtual shifting issue with that set-up. Zwift pretends there's a hill and pretends I need to pedal harder to get up it. I pretend I've used a virtual shifter. Since a virtual shifter doesn't actually change gears, it doesn't matter that I don't have any. Everyone is happy.

Even my fans are virtual, since nature provides.

 

[ColinJ]

It has been a grotty wet day here today so I decided to do another turbo workout, this time intervals rather than zone 2.

I have some little local climbs that IRL I like to power up as road intervals. The problem is that I can't do what I like in between them because of having to then do fast descents, stop at junctions, battle traffic and so on. I thought I would create an idealised workout based on what I would do on my local roads if I could...

I hit a problem - the PC-based MyWhoosh workout creator doesn't seem to let me define the power of the intervals properly (I can't set them high enough because they disappear off the top of the editor). Like this...

I came up with a workaround - create the structure of the workout and export that to an XML file, manually edit the power values of the intervals in that, then import the modified file.

I ended up with this:

<workout_file>
<author>ColinJ</author>
<name>Colins 43 minute intervals workout</name>
<description/>
<sportType>bike</sportType>
<durationType>time</durationType>
<tags/>
<workout>
<Warmup Duration="180" PowerLow="0.45" PowerHigh="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="120" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="15" Power="2.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="45" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="15" Power="2.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="225" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="75" Power="1.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="225" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="15" Power="2.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="45" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="15" Power="2.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="210" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="45" Power="1.95" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="150" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="15" Power="2.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="45" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="15" Power="2.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="225" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="75" Power="1.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="225" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="15" Power="2.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="45" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="15" Power="2.50" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="210" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<SteadyState Duration="45" Power="1.95" pace="0" Cadence="95"/>
<SteadyState Duration="150" Power="0.75" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
<Cooldown Duration="120" PowerLow="0.698" PowerHigh="0.446" pace="0" Cadence="85"/>
</workout>
</workout_file>

I am about to go and test it now. I will report back later!

 

[cyberknight]

I hope Zwift doesn't go that way. We have an inter-club TT series with local clubs each winter. I'm still riding an old single-speed on a wheel-on trainer. I've solved the virtual shifting issue with that set-up. Zwift pretends there's a hill and pretends I need to pedal harder to get up it. I pretend I've used a virtual shifter. Since a virtual shifter doesn't actually change gears, it doesn't matter that I don't have any. Everyone is happy.

Even my fans are virtual, since nature provides.

View attachment 787574

i have got mywhoosh working with a classic trainer with a speed and cadence sensor , classic turbos are listed in the set up section but not on the supported main list .TBH so far i prefer zwift but i have only had one session so far .

 

[ColinJ]

I am about to go and test it now. I will report back later!

I, er... AAAAAAAARGH!

I have now discovered that:

• Power figures taken from isolated segments of road rides are ideally not to be used crammed together on turbo workouts.
• It is vital not to let cadence drop too much during intervals. Yes - I encountered the dreaded 'Turbo Spiral of Death'! I must investigate if there is a way of limiting how deep the spiral can go. I might be able to manage a few seconds at around 600 W to get the cranks spinning again, but I can't just magic up a kilowatt.
• I still haven't completely sorted out the numbing issue... Not as bad as it was, but still not great.

My legs gave way on the 3rd interval and I ground to a stop. I had to reduce trainer workout difficulty to 80% to be able to carry on. Even then, things weren't quite ideal.

Before I do this workout again I will recalculate the interval intensities, durations and separations to make the workout more manageable.

There was a glitch in the system during one of the zone 2 segments between intervals. The trainer suddenly ramped up to what felt like maximum resistance. My reaction was panic & "WTF"!! I looked up at the display and saw that my cadence was being displayed as low 30s, but it was actually high 80s to low 90s. That led the trainer to miscalculate the resistance. I reckon it was in reality trying to get well over 1,000 W from my poor old legs!

Despite all that, I still quite enjoyed the session. I will try to do one or two a week from now to the spring, plus two or three zone 2 workouts. If I stuck to that regime on top of six or seven hours a week outdoors, I think that I would get significantly fitter through the winter instead of losing 25% of my fitness like I normally do.

At the moment, I am happy playing about on MyWoosh. I will give TPV a go on the next free Tuesday access. I will probably keep my two month Zwift free trial in reserve while I evaluate the other 2 platforms.