We believe we’ve found a solution for this problem in particular that we feel confident about. It should address the use of this app. For timing reasons, you should see that implemented around March with our game release then
For broader improvements to keep hardware requirements feeling like it’s keeping the right hardware in or out of your races, we are currently working through the best way to manage that efficiently and effectively. We’ll have more info on that in the coming weeks as we learn the best solutions forward.
Appreciate the patience and the flag on this one. Thank you!
The notes for the most current release (1.33.5) didn’t include the change for the issue here, but I can guarantee 100% that it was included with this latest version and should in place now.
We’ve also made it easier to block other devices or power emulators, so if any new app or device appears in this realm we can block it without having to update Zwift.
Tested HR2VP and it’s now blocked…is there a list of devices that can’t enter the Hardware Req. Races?
There are many spinbikes with virtual power that are not accurate.
Currently besides the HR2VP, the Powercal HR straps and Elite Misuro devices are blocked.
We are working on a more broad list of forbidden devices, but there are a few difficulties.
The border between what can be considered accurate and not accurate is not so black & white. Perhaps for elite level events it is, but for a more inclusive community racing platform it can be a bit debatable. Besides that, some manufacturers make our lives difficult by broadcasting very generic device names that are hard to identify…
A PainSled / RowedBiker user alerted me that they could no longer race using the apps as of a week ago, so seems like it’s working They were quite understanding, but, FWIW here’s my reply/take on the matter:
I totally get that racing on Zwift is fun, but, yeah, PainSled and RowedBiker are absolutely not supported for racing on cycling apps, for the very reason Zwift is probably trying to filter them out. It’s just too easy to generate totally fake power numbers. I’m not sure there is much that can be done about it but am open to suggestions.
I never race on a rower so would not have noticed the change. The apps still seem to work fine for their intended use which was giving rowers access to Zwift and the other fun apps that cyclists have. Kudos for keeping the recreational / fitness users supported. These are tough, um, waters, to navigate.
Looks like power enforcement is in use in 10–20% of all races, so plenty of racing opportunities for your friend and everyone using salad spinners as well.
(Edit: Ok, that’s only the races that actually prevent you from racing with Zpower, not ones where the power source requirement is enforced by Zwiftpower instead.)
It is still possible to enter races, but PainSled and RowedBiker are now being treated as “Speed sensors” and thus getting a ZP disqualification in the final results. Happened to me yesterday in a Race London cat C event. That feels a bit harsh when you know that you are using one of the most precise power meters out there.
But I understand perfectly well that this is something I’ll have to accept. I’m using a rower, and Zwift is a cycling platform. It has been tremendous fun being able to join this awesome community and even pushing my limits in races - thank you so much for that James! From now on my choice of races will be quite limited or I’ll have to accept the DQs. At least it seems I will be able to continue rowing on Zwift, that’s a great relief. I hope it stays that way.
@DavidP thanks for all the info. Several years ago I had to stop indoor riding because of lower back problems, and now indoor rowing is my primary form of exercise. Painsled-enabled row-racing in Zwift has been revolutionary for maintaining my physical and mental fitness. I am really sad about this new change, although I understand the purpose. I don’t care at all about rankings; can the setting be changed to allow entry into any race but just be DQ’d?
Sorry to hear about your back problems Michael, and nice that you were able to “solve” the indoor riding problem through rowing.
I don’t care at all about rankings; can the setting be changed to allow entry into any race but just be DQ’d?
Unfortunately we can’t do such thing. As you might have noticed, a large portion of our racing community takes racing very seriously and DQing someone after the race is not enough. Because if you are in the race, you can actively impact the results of it, that’s why we introduced hardware restricted events.
However there is still a big portion of events in our calendar that are not hardware restricted, therefore nothing prevents you from entering those.
Hi @DavidP thanks for the quick response! I understand. Is there a way to tell whether a race is hardware restricted? I plan my workouts around race availability, so it would be great to see in Companion which races are restricted. The only note I see is category enforcement.
Yes. When the event is hardware restricted, there is an icon indication (similar to the category enforcement ones), both on the companion and/or the Zwift web site. When there is no indication it means it’s not restricted. You can also filter in the search of events.
As David pointed out, you can still “row-race” in most races, as only a few are hardware-restricted. Thank goodness, because I find that the competition factor makes me work 10x as hard in a race as I would in a group or planned workout with a pace partner, and as a former cyclist I find the race dynamics and challenge almost the same on the indoor rower as they are with indoor cycling.
FWIW, the Painsled watts conversion algorithm while using a Concept2 rower provides an extremely close approximation to my cycling performance. My FTP and race performance is identical to what it was when I used a smart trainer with my road bike (on E-motion rollers), with the expected ups and downs as my fitness changes. The obvious difference is that the rowing apps are not smart trainers and don’t adjust resistance, so unless one anticipates the hills, then you tend to get dropped on hill sprints but run higher watts on downhills (no low resistance spinning).
Having done plenty of bike racing, I do understand why some may want to restrict this type of equipment set-up (though in general I don’t understand why anyone would want to cheat, what’s the point?). I think there a case to be made that this specific setup (Concept2 erg with converted power) is legitimate (erg data is used for row racing), and in fact more accurate than a ZP cycling set-up, but I have been on Zwift since almost its beginning and I appreciate its dedication to racing fairness.
They were quite understanding, but, FWIW here’s my reply/take on the matter: