For all that use Zwift ride and wahoo systems…I have a few questions.
I’m ERG mode, resistance runs flawlessly and I can hit whatever rpm and power targets needed.
Level mode: I have to stay on level Gradient 0 (first option) because anything higher is too hard. My RPMs do not get above 80rpms, it’s a slugfest lol.
I did the half Monty and the 20min was tolerable but I’m not thinking of the full frontal and if this is feasible slugging it out at low RPMs. Worried it will just wear my legs out as I’m use to 85-90rpms.
Anyone else experience this? Is this just what it is between the 2?
What type of trainer are you using? Are you on the latest firmware of it and have you done a spin down calibration if needed?
Also, what gears do you have? That is, what are your front ring teeth count and rear cassette range?
Edit: never mind, I see you are using the Zwift Ride which is a single speed.
The bottom line is that the Zwift Ride is really not designed for level mode in SYSTM and using level mode is a workaround that will allow you to do some things (like Half Monty or Full Frontal) but it’s not ideal.
You can ride almost all the SYSTM vids and no vids using ERG mode. While some of the vids work better in level mode, they’ll work best if you have a range of real gears to work though.
So this similar workaround works for me using Zwift Play controllers and a Kickr.
No need for Ant+ dongle.
Because Kickr can support multiple BTLE connections you can give trainer control to Zwift on a flat route (Tempus Fugit), and to completely eliminate any gradient you can also turn trainer difficulty to off. This would allow you to use this workaround on any route in Zwift.
Simultaneously run SYSTM via computer (I use a MacBook) but toggle trainer control and elevation off on the settings screen.
I opened Full Frontal and tested this. I am able to use virtual gearing from the Zwift Play, and by varying my cadence and virtual gearing accordingly, I could then complete all 4 tests from Full Frontal with valid results.
If you don’t have AppleTV AND a computer, I imagine it would work the same running Zwift from a mobile device and SYSTM from the computer.
@Glen.Coutts Good summary! If using Apple TV you would need a 3rd device for the Zwift Companion app that remains open to the companion app. I made the mistake of switching apps during a test and lost connection to my HRM and the Click.
would that still be the case for the Zwift Ride? I mean, for me, the Kickr takes 1 BTLE connection and then the Zwift Play each require their own BTLE so I have to use the Zwift Companion app, but if Zwift ride only needs 1 BTLE and the Kickr uses the other one, then the Zwift companion app wouldn’t be required, would it?
So I tried it and it works flawlessly but the odd thing. I turned Zwift off and Apple TV off and it still worked? I was able to go through all level and feel resistance and record power. Had it paired through phone and phone acting as bridge between the two at first. Only settings I changed were the ones in the photo. Clicked off first box and one time I clicked off the 3 green box
strange. that is sorta the opposite of what I did.
I had Zwift controlling resistance and SYSTM I toggled off the green for trainer control. So I wasnt using Level mode in SYSTM, SYSTM was just acting as a “reader” of the power from my Kickr.
It doesnt completely (though kinda does) surprise me that it continued to work for you after turning off Zwift though. Once an app grabs control it often doesnt let go even after being turned off.
I am intrigued by your pics though as that wasnt what I was suggesting. I was thinking you should be able to bypass Level mode completely but I sorta see where it might be useful in fitness testing for full frontal. Definitely warrants more exploration.
@Wattsup21 You are referring to the SYSTM levels and not the virtual “gears” in Zwift correct? It does make sense that levels in SYSTM continues to work if Zwift is not running. Were you able to control the levels with your controls on the Zwift Ride or did you use the screen?
Edit: maybe it’s both. Like how using a geared bike, they recommend trying different SYSTM Levels for FF while using your gears to find the right gear/cadence/power combo. So, with the Zwift ride virtual gears working like a regular geared bike WHILE using the different SYSTM Levels in the same way. That really would be the ideal!!
Correct, I’m referring to manually changing the levels in Systems. I did not change gears using zwift while it was running or off. Only thing I did with Zwift was connect everything besides controllable box.
That would be clutch ASF and I hope they integrate that in the future! But I manually changed the levels in system and found the level I need for sprinting, etc as you suggested.
Yea, it was weird. I tried the way you said but it didn’t work for me (well it did) but my power was not showing in systems and also, I could see my virtual gears in Zwift, and I could change the trainer difficulty. In fact TD was not even an option. I will double check tomorrow to make sure it wasn’t because I had the controllable off. But it wasn’t until I turned controllable off in zwift and power of in systems. Then level worked flawlessly. I was in the first level (0) spinning like crazy.
So that’s when I started to switch things around. I’ll be honest, I didn’t have a lot of time at the moment to do a deep dive but I was curious to try your steps and see what’s up and this is where I gotten. I’ll do more test and try to take down more detailed notes and photos.
Sorry if anything is not clear, this is all new territory for me. I just like wahoo systems so much, I want it to work lol.
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