I’ve recently got back into Zwift and am thoroughly enjoying it, however always feel the wish for more stats whilst riding.
Apologies in advance for probably a well discussed question, but am relatively new to forums!
I came across Sauce and wondered what users thoughts are - am I right in thinking it is fine with Zwift that it’s used? Easy to download? Use? Any challenges/compatibility having it as an add on? I use a PC.
There is much more data than I would need or want on the screen whilst riding, but the understanding of draft (if reasonably accurate) and how many in groups ahead/behind I would find useful.
Probably worth hoping onto Sauce Discord server for more details…
Fine with Zwift that its used? I think some feel its an unfair (paid) advantage. Doesn’t make you ride quicker, but can help with decision making and such. Not sure how Zwift HQ feel about it - but no suggestion its being blocked any time soon.
Easy to download? Yep. Tho couple of hoops to jump thru for logging in.
Easy to use? Once you understand the nuances - yes. You can import other peoples profiles to get you started - but better to learn it yourself - so easier to fix when things go wrong. Adding mods (done by some clever independent devs) adds another layer of mild complexity but with a ton of great features.
Challenges/compatibility; It does use CPU resource - esp if you start adding a ton of stuff. I always found the sauce map a bit hungry.
Can sometimes be a pain if you have modals overlaying zwift menus but everyone has their own ways of managing that.
I love it and the odd time its not on I feel lost.
I find it shocking that Zwift allow an app to pull live data from races/TTs and show metrics such as rolling 5min power average, giving users a clear warning if they are risking an effort that could set a new best and potentially raise their seed score enough for a pen promotion.
Plenty of ways to game the system - sandbagging isnt new and was around long before sauce appeared. Suspect the majority are using it to enhance their experience in rides - rather than the minority who take advantage.
In addition - I’ve found sauce invaluable when I’ve used it for running - as I run without glasses and can’t read the zwift HUD - fire up Sauce - nice big modal windows and I can see my data.
Thanks Mike, really useful information. One other question - once you have it set up, does it automatically run from there or is there any configuring required each time you start Zwift?
Hi Steve.
I think like anything, it’s what you want to use the information for. To me, I like being able to make calculated judgements, as most of the time I am competing with myself and if that means getting up the ladder and competing in tougher races then that’s a good thing - no interest in deliberately underperforming to look great in an easier event. I would love Zwift to offer a few additions instead of paying for other services - like Draft %, Average w/kg riding, numbers in your group/group ahead/behind and estimated finish time - then it’s available to all.
No for the most part just need to open it like any program.
You’ll probably find you want different profiles or variations for different things.
So you’ll be forever tweaking.
Examples ZRL tonight… So Arends () super leader board will come out to grace my stream.
I swap out a few fields for TTTs.
Weekly group ride less fussed on data, but as it’s chatty I’ll use sauce chat window which is so much nicer than the zwift implementation.
But if you just want a few specific windows then no need to touch it.
Is it that shocking? They allow people to ride around at 600w+ for an hour? or change weight for climbing races?
This seems fairly minor. As the sauce discord will tell you they could do that with a garmin anyway. The bigger advantage of Sauce, along with draft, is that you can estimate every other riders fatigue levels through HR, WBAL, or their 20min effort vs historic FTP.
They do ban sauce from money races.
They probably benefit from the “2nd account” sign up and log in metrics going to investors.
just ridden the new route chaser games Makuri Madness, with sauce on a second monitor.
The new route (and profile) are not shown on the sauce map. How do I update ?
SteveK
) super leader board will come out to grace my stream.