The way I look at it is that the Schwinn IC8 isn’t a turbo trainer - it’s a fixed wheel bike meant to be used in gyms and homes. I’d say also for a different type of training.
It’s a huge shame that zwift doesnt offer compatibility with these bikes, especially as schwinn advertise as much - even if it was just for separate events.
I guess for me it’s great that the bike can at least be used with Zwift and training programs - as it would be a bit boring otherwise - and Peleton isn’t my thing.
It is unsurprising that Zwift would try to do anything more than allow these bikes to be connected to the app, as their power readings are inconsistent from one another and can easily be modified.
My experience with Schwinn IC8, and their tech support, Customer Service at Nautilus Fitness International BV, is that it has presented lots of different issues with the readings - it has even shown that there is huge discrepancies in consistency in their readings across their own bikes and meters - even with their up to date firmware. Having tied two bikes with the same settings, same firmware, same details inputted after speaking to support, the readings maintained some consistency when at Tempo, however when dialing up the power the readings were incredibly different. The issue is with Schwinn.
I’ve posted a lot on here and said the same thing.
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Schwinn need to sort out their power readings so the bikes sold have the same readings. That they are consistent. They should either offer support to modify consoles, or provide customers new monitors. The app should provide updates and support. But at this stage support has told me that the settings are as close as they will ever get - which is incredibly frustrating.
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It would be great that once Schwinn sort their act out that Zwift could offer races for people on similar bikes - not sure this would even work. But you have to acknowledge that these bikes are entirely different in look, feel and performance than a turbo trainer.
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They are a good bike. Nice strong sturdy good looking at home spin bike. The readings are consistent with the bike and the user - which for me at least shows my progress and training. Meaning you can use it to get fit at home and not join a gym.
Again, The main issue that two exact same bikes with the same firmware can be different, rendering it impossible to race against friends that have the same bike. -
It’s a real shame the Schwinn don’t seem to be doing enough to improve software - their own app, and also not make it easier for users to improve settings. It’s all a bit out of date. So it relies on using other third party apps.
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Everyone using these bikes that are saying that their readings seem close - get on turbo trainer, on your bike, with a power meter, and try and keep 300-350watts for more than 15 minutes on a Zwift flat especially if you are a lightly trained cyclist. And then compare the work on Schwinn. Also try the same at hitting higher power, sprints, etc. Do a few FTPs and compare. And if you can’t do that - or you don’t care just accept that your bike probably isn’t correct, that it’s a spin bike, and that’s fine - that it’s still going to get you fitter both on and off the bike.