
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
It’s all Ed Pavelka’s fault. You remember, Ed. He’s the founder and original editor/publisher of this here RoadBikeRider e-newsletter and comprehensive online resource for roadies. Ed’s retired from writing and publishing now and riding just as much as ever.
Ed and I go way back. We first met during the Putney Bicycle Club’s Route 9 weekly time trials around about 1978. That was a nice flat out-and-back 10-miler right next to the Connecticut River dividing Vermont and New Hampshire. I worked at the bike shop that sponsored the club, West Hill Shop. Ed worked at VeloNews, which was based in Brattleboro at the time.
Fast forward a few years and Ed was running Bicycling Magazine. He hired me to open and be the technical editor for their new west coast office in Soquel, just outside Santa Cruz, California where I live. Then, when he needed an editor for RBR’s Tech Talk column, he reached out to me again.
Suffice to say that I owe Ed a lot, certainly for the employment and even more for the opportunities and the mentorship that elevated my game from bike mechanic to cycling journalist.
Ed Says Give Zwift a Try
So, you can understand why when Ed tells me something, I listen. His most recent advice – about a month ago – was that I should join the virtual cycling world Zwift. If you’re watching the Tour de France on NBC TV, you’ve probably seen the ads.
I was a Star Trek Next Generation TV show fan and got a kick out of their ultimate virtual reality on the Holodeck. So, I was eager to try virtual riding, yet when I looked into Zwift a few years ago when my cycling pal Mike Andalora started raving about it, I couldn’t figure out how to connect devices to appreciate its full features.
I told Ed that and he strongly recommended the specific setup he uses since for him (and me, too) it made all the connections between the various components automatic. Plus, provides the best virtual reality cycling experience.
Ed uses a Tacx Neo 2T smart trainer with an Apple TV 4K connected to the TV for the display. Plus a Polar H9 heart rate monitor strap: https://amzn.to/2QZBpwi. And, finally runs the Zwift Companion app on an iPhone.
Going For It
Ed’s never steered me wrong, so I went for it and copied his complete setup. I signed up for full access to Zwift, which is $14.95 a month. Here’s a photo of my new pain cave.

My previous unsmart trainer (a Kurt Kinetic Rock & Roll Pro – about $670 when I reviewed it years ago https://www.roadbikerider.com/kurt-kinetic-rock-and-roll-pro-ru-trainer-d1/) has been replaced with the $1,399 Neo. It’s so smart, it immediately connects to Zwift to display on the TV screen and on the iPhone app all the data you expect for just riding, whatever training you wish and full-on racing. The only thing the trainer can’t provide is heart rate. The Polar heart rate strap takes care of that via its bluetooth connection.
Notice the large fan. This is a must. Also, I have a table within reach for the TV and Apple TV remotes plus hydration and food. For easy access and viewing, I can connect my iPhone to my bike because I have a Rokform mount, which I reviewed a while back: https://www.roadbikerider.com/rokform-pro-series-ultra-light-iphone-6-bike-mount-and-case-d2/. The only problem is that it’s in the sweat zone so if I’m dripping, I put the phone on the table with the other stuff.
You don’t need to copy our exact setup. There are lots of different ways to Zwift. Here’s a good video that walks you through basic to extreme setups (least to most expensive). You’ll see that you can go even further than our setup even. For example, there are devices that lift the front of the bike when you’re climbing. And, even newer is a device that lets you steer. You don’t need these extras to ride but they will add to the virtual reality.
Observations After a Month Zwifting
If you’re an expert Zwifter you probably don’t need to keep reading. But, it would be great if you’d weigh in with a comment adding your best tips and advice to help new Zwifters or those just thinking about trying it.
How Real is It?

Well, it’s not up to the standard set on the USS Enterprise’s Holodeck in Star Trek, but I have to say that Zwift’s virtual world completely convinces me I’m not pedaling in place on a trainer. So much so that I’ve ridden for over 3 hours on a single ride, and pretty much lost myself in the experience – exactly the way I can outside.
Here’s a screenshot of the most amazing Zwift ride I’ve done so far. I’m on Alpe Du Zwift, which is Zwift’s copy of the famous Alpe d’Huez climb. Keep in mind that a smart trainer like the Neo is constantly changing the effort it takes to pedal. It even simulates the feeling of riding over dirt roads or wooden bridges – you feel it in the pedaling and hear a change in how the bike sounds. Also, when you fly downhill you can barely pedal and the trainer keeps the wheel spinning just as it would outside.
It was a tough workout getting up the 22 segments to the top of the 3,766-foot TDZ climb. I made the mistake of not drinking enough and had dropped 8 pounds afterward. That’s about 5% of my body weight. I just didn’t realize how challenging Zwift’s virtual reality is.
It’s not like riding a trainer alone in your house. In Zwift there’s a list of riders on screen. They’re with you on whichever course you choose. So as I crawled up the mountain I was being passed by faster roadies from around the world, and chasing the few I could catch. As riders go by you and you them, you see their name, the flag of their country and how many watts per kilogram they’re putting out. It’s all highly motivating.

Today’s ride I wanted something for recovery. So, I chose the route called Sand and Sequoias in Zwift’s most popular virtual cycling world, Watopia. Here I spun easily on the mostly flat roads. But I couldn’t resist and tested my legs on the Fuego Flats sprint and Titan’s Grove King of the Mountain climb for time. That way, I’ll be able to see if I improve the next time I ride the loop.
When you start these timed sections, Zwift makes a chime noise and suddenly you see a timer pop-up on screen showing your elapsed time compared to the previous riders. You can ignore it, but it’s going to time you regardless.
Is it Worth the Monthly Fee?
You have to decide this on your own. So far, for me, I’d say absolutely, and the main reason is because the world of Zwift is full of new and cool places to ride (one expert said they currently have 108 different routes). Yes, they’re just virtual rides, but like I said earlier, they feel real – at least to me (that’s the part you need to figure out for yourself).
Zwift’s value is in more than the routes, though. Always having others to ride with – even if they’re just avatars on the screen – is motivating. Plus, there are group rides to join (at all hours since riders are around the world), workouts and racing at every level.
You may have seen the virtual Tour de France on Zwift that took place earlier this year. It’s pretty incredible that Zwift pulled that off and it tells you something about how realistic it is if it worked for true professional riders.
Besides the Trainer, Do you Need a Special Bike or Particular Gearing?
No. Part of the genius of Zwift is that they seem to have thought of everything and from what I can tell, are quick to address users’ needs and requests.
You can ride whatever bike you like. And, thanks to being able to adjust Zwift’s difficulty setting from within the program, any gearing will work. That’s one of Ed’s best tips to me.
It’s important because you might live where the roads are pancake flat and not have the gearing for Zwift’s hills or mountains. No worries. Just set the slider to easier on the difficulty scale, which is like putting on a much larger cassette. Here’s a video explaining this feature:
What Are my Tips for Rookies?
Double-up on the shorts
Apart from what I’ve already mentioned, I’ll add a tip from my coach Mark Edwards. It has to do with the likelihood that due to the game and social aspects of Zwift, you’ll probably end up riding significantly longer than you did on your “dumb” trainer.
This puts you at greater risk of chafing from so many additional pedal strokes. Coach Mark’s tip, which I find really helps, is wearing two pairs of shorts. Choose shorts without excess padding so as not to add to your leg reach.
Save the bike
Speaking of the damage trainer riding can do, you’ve got to protect your bike and components from sweat. It will work its way in between parts and cause serious corrosion quickly. Consider using an accessory often called a “sweat net,” such as this https://amzn.to/35a9cv0.
You may need more coverage, though. Don’t let sweat get onto your front wheel, crankset handlebar or levers. You can inspect your bike after a session to make sure you’ve protected everything in the sweat zone.
Prepare to be confused at first
Also, I think beginners should expect to have to go through a learning curve getting everything setup and learning how the game of Zwift works. I’ve only just begun but I’m learning fast thanks to Ed’s help and that of many YouTube experts.
One of the most helpful is the GPLama, Shane Miller. When I called Tacx for help setting up my Neo trainer, they actually sent me to one of Shane’s videos. Here’s a link to his extensive video library. If you have a question, he has probably answered it: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShaneMillerLama/videos.
What’s great is that Zwift is so popular all the information you need to become an expert is readily available online. For example, google the recovery ride I mentioned and you’ll find this, which tells you everything you need to know: https://zwiftinsider.com/route/sand-and-sequoias/.
Zwift is video game-like
Know that Zwift is virtual reality cycling, plus it’s also a game. What this means is that there are lots of things you win as you ride more and tick off the different Zwift levels. For example, today I made it to level 10 and suddenly a pop-up on the screen told me that I had unlocked the Tour of Italy Challenge. I had to look up what that meant on the zwiftinsider.com site above.
In closing, I hope this Zwift overview is helpful and that if you give it a try you enjoy it as much as I do. With how quickly Zwift has become popular – and how impressive Zwifting is, I’m expecting even more amazing virtual cycling to come in the not too distant future. And I’m looking forward to being part of it.
If you leave a comment with any questions, I’ll do my best to answer it.
Welcome to the club. I took the plunge near the end of the 2018/2019 winter season. The weather was bad enough to keep me inside, but the snow conditions weren’t good enough for fat biking outside. I was getting so bored in the gym that I wasn’t keeping up with it. Zwift saved that winter, and this past one, as well as giving me an inside option during the corona-crisis.
I laughed out loud when you described your set up. Mine only differs in two details. I have the previous model of the trainer (Neo2, no T), and I replaced my fan with one that has a cheap remote control. Everything else is the same right down to the table. One piece of advice on the Neo. Get the Tacx app for your iPhone and use it to check for trainer updates every month or so. As far as I know this is the only way to know when they publish an update.
Thanks for the tip on the Tacx updates, Kirk. Appreciate it,
Jim
Great job, Jimbo. There’s so much going on with Zwift it’s tough to cover in a single article. You’ve got a good handle on it after just one month.
I’ll add a couple things that might help newcomers.
First, Zwift’s “worlds” really help keep it interesting. Usually there’s no boredom more boring than the boredom of grinding away on a trainer. But with Zwift you can ride scenic 3D courses in the U.S., Great Britain, Austria and France as well as in Zwift’s wildly varied and challenging Watopia. Besides Zwift’s rendition of Alpe d’Huez the new French routes also include the butt-kicking climb of Mont Ventoux.
Second — a question many RBR readers will have — what’s the carryover from Zwift to the road?
Jim’s been Zwifting for one month and I just finished my third month of one or two session per week, so we’re really just beginning to see results. My Zwift totals are 1,449 miles including 63,009 vertical feet. My training log already shows a significant (for me) improvement in the average speed of road rides, typically 1-1.5 mph faster for distances up to 80 miles. Hey, at 74 I’ll take any and all minor miracles.
One thing’s absolutely true: On my own I never come close to the heart rates and wattages Zwift engenders, thanks to its myriad challenges and the competitiveness of riding with strong roadies from around the world.
Maybe Jim will update us on the performance benefits he’s deriving after a few more weeks.
Hey Jim,
You omitted to mention the O2 bottle by your bike required to survive the extenuating Zwift sessions ! :))
Pierre, Quebec
Too funny 😉 thanks for the laugh, Pierre.
8 lbs = 13% of your weight? I think you better call your doctor…or your math teacher!!
Ha, ha, good catch Tony. Definitely need a math teacher. About 5% is what it should say.
On chafing. It’s not just spending more time but more time seated. One thing most trainers don’t emulate is out of saddle riding so you tend to spend more time on the saddle and stay in the same position. Last winter I got a saddle sore–something I’ve never had problems with. Move around a bit–and use plenty of chamois cream or the equivalent.
Thanks for making that point and the tips for prevention, Chris!
Jim
I think the other thing is that the bike is rigid, not free to move side to side as it naturally does on the road, so there is more side loading on the contact area.
HI, Jim. Thanks for the mention. Great article! Glad your enjoying it. I really like the variety of challenges that seem to keep me motivated. a few things I’ve learned have helped me on the real road also, such as better pacing and pedal cadence. On Zwift you can play around with your pedal strokes, for instance I notice if I apply a more constant pressure to my big toes and produce a rounder stroke I can increase my watts 5 or 10 points more. Another thing Zwift can do is draft, and if your going over 30 mph you can coast and save some gas.
OK! Well maybe we can ride sometime in the Virtual World. Thanks 🙂
Thanks for those tips, Mike . Good ones!
Jim
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the timely article on Zwift. I have been off the bike for five years due to a road accident (hit by a truck) and quite frankly a fear of getting back on the road. But I miss riding and have been thinking of getting into zwift riding. But my conditioning is gone and I would be starting from zero. Would zwift be something a new rider or someone who has been off the bike as long as I have be beneficial and not be too intimidating?
Thanks.
Hi Kevin,
Boy, sorry to hear you were hit by a truck. That’s awful. I think Zwift will be a great way to get back to riding. You are in total control of which courses you ride, how hard you push the pedals and how long you ride. You could do very short rides and still have a lot of fun and slowly and steadily get fitter and stronger. You can also make a u-turn if you see a hill coming and you’re not ready for climbing.
It’s basically a fitness video game, but you can just ride solo and do your own thing and watch and learn. I bet you like it. To me, it feels almost the same as riding outside plus there are no dangers on Zwift’s courses, so you won’t have to worry about anything like we have to out on the roads.
Happy to answer any other questions.
Jim
One thing that really helped me with my extended trainer rides in Zwift was the addition of a rocker plate underneath the trainer/bike…just the little bit of extra movement that allows has made all the difference.
The one I use is the SBR Rockr Plate, but you can buy them ready-made from several manufacturers and there are instructions on the Internet on making your own if you’re handy.
It was a game-changer for me…I went from barely making it an hour to rides over four hours (yes, Zwift has some metric & imperial century routes) and I highly recommend them, for me it was money well spent.
Good point, Lisa. Some smart trainers allow side-to-side movement. Probably Kinetic’s smart trainer is the leader in this regard, much like its Rock ‘n’ Roll dumb trainer.
The Tacx Neo 2T that Jim and I use has just enough play that standing feels pretty natural after a bit of experience.
One thing I noticed while watching the Virtual Tour de France was how much some pros stand while Zwifting. Could be for comfort reasons or simply to generate power, but it’s a good lesson for the rest of us.
Thanks Jim
Older rider coming back from a bilateral hip replacement and my physical therapist mentioned he trained on a smart trainer with Zwift. Totally blown away about his experience and feel like Rip VanWinkle, Can’t say that Zwift is for me, but good for morale. Just peddling for me., but the competitive flame still burns.
Thanks for the informative article.
Happy to hear it helped, Doug. Best of luck with your comeback!
Jim
Look for this on a future newsletter for your local bike club: “On the Wednesday club ride we’ll do the hilly A route for C-level riders that is just like Zwift XYZ course.” And then, “If you don’t want to ride with the Wednesday group, you can Zwift the XYZ course and e-mail your participation to the ride leader for credit.”
You are probably right, Maven 😉
I first saw the word “vomitron” used in reference to riding rollers years ago in an article by Ed Pavelka. Living in Denver, where the weather is usually good enough or will soon be good enough for riding, I haven’t had the need for the virtual riding experience, but coming from Ed, Zwift would be a good place to start if I feel the need for it..
I am not an Apple person…can someone describe a set-up with an Android phone, TV with Roku? Also, I wonder if a Wahoo TCKR heartrate monitor will work.
Yes, it will work with most heart rate monitors, as long as the device running Zwift will connect to it.
You can run Zwift on a laptop, a desktop computer, an Ipad and at least some Android tablets. Lots of options.
I run it on a very old Ipad that I keep on a music stand right near me where I can see it just as well as a big screen TV from across the room. It works with my Wahoo TCKR that has both ANT+ and Bluetooth, and it uses the Bluetooth signal to connect to the Ipad and thus Zwift.
I prefer FulGaz and Rouvy for VR cycling. Real ride videos not video games.
Thanks, MattK,
I need to check those out sometime,
Jim