My distances/speed seem way off from real life

(Steven Truant) #1

Hello,

I have been using my zwift setup for the last week, and its been a ton of fun, but I can’t figure out why the data is so off the real world.

Usually when I bike in RL, I average about 30km in an hour. I normally go at a pretty good pace, but nothing to strenuous, I am a very casual rider (as of now!). I never really pushed myself as I like the long rides (3+ hours) and try and pace myself. I also live in BC, Canada, so tons of hills.

In zwift though, I am biking crazy hard, harder than I ever have in RL, not stopping for a downhill coast or a break for an entire hour workout, legs have never hurt like this before, then at the end it says I only did 15km! No way!

I even cheated the last workout by dropping my weight from 90kg to 70kg, but that only gave like an extra 2km.

I know the fluid2 with a speed sensor isn’t perfect, but I didn’t imagine it being off by almost 2x. Its really frustrating going so slow!

Am I doing anything wrong? Or is zwift just not worth it unless you have a power meter or smart trainer?

Trainer: Fluid2
Speed Sensor: https://buy.garmin.com/en-CA/CA/p/146897
Tire size set correctly in zwift to 700x25

(Vincent W.) #2

Hey Steven, when using Zpower and estimation with your Fluid Zwift is calculating your speed based on it’s own in game physics. So it’s not going to be a verbatim representation of your outside workout. Here’s more info on Zpower: https://support.zwift.com/en_us/-setting-up-a-classic-trainer-rollers-(zpower)-SydJRJrm

(Steven Truant) #3

it’s not going to be a verbatim representation of your outside workout.

I didn’t expect it to, but I thought it would be better than 50% error. It’s not even close. It’s not fun killing yourself on the training and biking so incredibly slow in game.

(Paul Allen) #4

What virtual terrain were you riding on? If you are going up an incline within Zwift your in-game speed will drop.

Speed within Zwift for ZPower is calculated by taking your rear wheel speed and the know power curve of the trainer you selected on the pairing screen and that is converted to watts, with those watts, your weight, in-game virtual elevation changes, in-game bike selected, and in-game drafting your Zwift speed is determined.

What watts are being displayed within Zwift?

My in-game speed and IRL speed are extremely close.