Zwift Chat

[CXRAndy]

@Aleman I don't know if BKOOL can use the power from a power meter. It wouldn't be hard for them to do I'd say. If they can implement ANT+ FE-C (Fitness Equipment Control), it shouldn't be too hard to implement ANT+ Power profile as well.

Bkool used to on earlier version, but removed it. An error in my opinion

 

[<Tommy>]

The draft is huge in larger groups and easier to hold even when on the limit provided you can keep legs and lungs going. But in a recent chain gang ride where my ftp went up I was working with a group of 5 taking stints at the front and revolving back and it felt like we were on a real road. Suspension of disbelief was awesome. The desire to push on with a like minded group and not to fall off the back quite something and one of my favourite rides ever. I did fall off a few times and had to put the extra effort to get back on and then ease/recover. I am not suggesting I felt an easing in resistance as such, my eyes were glued to the screen as we moved around each other and that will have added to send of being in and out and leading the group.

Is that a yes to it being down to the size of the group that makes it better for you? I have limited experience with zwift but I like the fact in BKOOL you can feel the resistance drop off in the draft. To me that feels much more realistic to real world drafting. When you’re in a group ride on the limit in the real world, and the guy on the front drops off to leave you exposed to the wind it can feel brutal if you’re punching above your weight. I’ve found in zwift the resistance doesn’t noticeably change, just the watts vary. But maybe that’s because I have it set at 40%? It’s all still relatively new to me.... is that other people’s experience too?

What I like about zwift drafting is the fact you’re generally in much bigger groups than BKOOL.

 

[CXRAndy]

Tommy, my experience is that you have to ease off power as opposed to feeling easier. The most noticeable aspect within Zwift is the speed. Once a group of 3 or 4 get together, speed increases, possibly a little too much because it can be nigh on impossible to get back on once a gap appears of more than 3-5 metres. It does make the rider who is at risk of being dropped work hard and concentrate on the pack. I'm assuming Zwift have good performance knowledge to add such a speed increase for a pack.

 

[<Tommy>]

Tommy, my experience is that you have to ease off power as opposed to feeling easier. The most noticeable aspect within Zwift is the speed. Once a group of 3 or 4 get together, speed increases, possibly a little too much because it can be nigh on impossible to get back on once a gap appears of more than 3-5 metres. It does make the rider who is at risk of being dropped work hard and concentrate on the pack. I'm assuming Zwift have good performance knowledge to add such a speed increase for a pack.

I suppose the harder you find it to get back on, Is an indication of how close to your own limit you are riding at? I’d say that’s my experience if real world riding too.

But what about a resistance drop off when in a group? Does that not happen on zwift? If it doesn’t then adding it would make the experience more realistic. But like I say that may just be an indication of my own settings being at 40%

 

[bridgy]

Is that a yes to it being down to the size of the group that makes it better for you? I have limited experience with zwift but I like the fact in BKOOL you can feel the resistance drop off in the draft. To me that feels much more realistic to real world drafting. When you’re in a group ride on the limit in the real world, and the guy on the front drops off to leave you exposed to the wind it can feel brutal if you’re punching above your weight. I’ve found in zwift the resistance doesn’t noticeably change, just the watts vary. But maybe that’s because I have it set at 40%? It’s all still relatively new to me.... is that other people’s experience too?

What I like about zwift drafting is the fact you’re generally in much bigger groups than BKOOL.

That's what I find too Tommy and why I prefer the way drafting works in bkool. I prefer the physical cue that you're in the draft that the resistance change gives you.

I also get a lag on Zwift which can cause me to yo yo to the front and back of a group. I am getting used to it but I really have to concentrate and it feels far less realistic to me

 

[bobinski]

Is that a yes to it being down to the size of the group that makes it better for you? I have limited experience with zwift but I like the fact in BKOOL you can feel the resistance drop off in the draft. To me that feels much more realistic to real world drafting. When you’re in a group ride on the limit in the real world, and the guy on the front drops off to leave you exposed to the wind it can feel brutal if you’re punching above your weight. I’ve found in zwift the resistance doesn’t noticeably change, just the watts vary. But maybe that’s because I have it set at 40%? It’s all still relatively new to me.... is that other people’s experience too?

What I like about zwift drafting is the fact you’re generally in much bigger groups than BKOOL.

Sise doesn’t make it better. The draft is great in a small group where you have to do your fair share of the work and is more pronounced in a larger group. I rarely ride at less than 100% so I cannot say. It’s less a resistance change more a perception. I agree with Andy’s post.

 

[CXRAndy]

It is different from Bkool to Zwift for drafting. I've become familiar to how to use it. In the real world it's more like Bkool, but instead of easing of resistance, it becomes easier, if you get what I mean. If Zwift were to take the Bkool version it would further enhance Zwift. Maybe a little mention, Zwift does seem to listen

 

[berty bassett]

riding in a pack on Zwift does take some getting used to and if the gradient changes i find i can jump to the front without feeling i have tried harder then all of a sudden they swarm pass so its catch up time - but you certainly see watts change if you get too far behind

 

[<Tommy>]

It is different from Bkool to Zwift for drafting. I've become familiar to how to use it. In the real world it's more like Bkool, but instead of easing of resistance, it becomes easier, if you get what I mean. If Zwift were to take the Bkool version it would further enhance Zwift. Maybe a little mention, Zwift does seem to listen

Yes I get what you mean Andy, that’s my take too. I just wasn’t sure if it was because of the setting I was using. It is preferable for the resistance to drop off in my opinion. In real life of course if you don’t control your speed when slotting in behind you’d end up touching wheels with the guy in front. In the virtual world we don’t have that obviously, but the resistance dropping off does bring a level of realism.

It can’t hurt to mention it to zwift. What’s the best way?

 

[<Tommy>]

Sise doesn’t make it better. The draft is great in a small group where you have to do your fair share of the work and is more pronounced in a larger group. I rarely ride at less than 100% so I cannot say. It’s less a resistance change more a perception. I agree with Andy’s post.

Really not trying to nit pick but I’m assuming the size of the group makes a difference as you said earlier, it becomes bigger in larger groups? I thought maybe this is why you found drafting easier in zwift vs BKOOL too.

The sensation of riding in a group as you described it earlier is fantastic! But it’s not exclusive to zwift. It’s even more exhilarating in the real world, when your near touching wheels with the guy ahead and behind you and takes a massive amount of trust. It’s one of the reasons I do endless laps of Regent’s Park. I’m really hoping that’s how it works out for us on the Cambridge ride next summer.

 

[berty bassett]

Really not trying to nit pick but I’m assuming the size of the group makes a difference as you said earlier, it becomes bigger in larger groups? I thought maybe this is why you found drafting easier in zwift vs BKOOL too.

The sensation of riding in a group as you described it earlier is fantastic! But it’s not exclusive to zwift. It’s even more exhilarating in the real world, when your near touching wheels with the guy ahead and behind you and takes a massive amount of trust. It’s one of the reasons I do endless laps of Regent’s Park. I’m really hoping that’s how it works out for us on the Cambridge ride next summer.

do you trust me

 

[bobinski]

Really not trying to nit pick but I’m assuming the size of the group makes a difference as you said earlier, it becomes bigger in larger groups? I thought maybe this is why you found drafting easier in zwift vs BKOOL too.

The sensation of riding in a group as you described it earlier is fantastic! But it’s not exclusive to zwift. It’s even more exhilarating in the real world, when your near touching wheels with the guy ahead and behind you and takes a massive amount of trust. It’s one of the reasons I do endless laps of Regent’s Park. I’m really hoping that’s how it works out for us on the Cambridge ride next summer.

Grrrr! I typed “does” not doesn’t! And so yes, that is why I find easier.

 

[CXRAndy]

Paul that is some pace CVR. Huge number of riders

 

[<Tommy>]

Grrrr! I typed “does” not doesn’t! And so yes, that is why I find easier.

That makes much more sense!

 

[<Tommy>]

do you trust me

I have insurance