I've been shopping for weeks for a cheap power meter and the added complication that spin bikes have square tapered bb so it could only be PM pedals. In addition, most pedals are SPD-SL and not SPD like the current shoes that I have so I was resigning myself to spending some $$$. To make matters even more complicated, my kids also want to get into zwift so that would be more hassle moving the pedals and more money buying shoes or a SPD-SL pedal platform adapter. Yeah, I've spent way too many hours trying to figure things out. This pretty much solves it all! Thanks a lot for reviewing the app since my main concern was its accuracy.
What a great video. I’m personally not that worried about the accuracy, as I’m a complete novice that just wants to try an alternative to running a couple of times a week with indoor cycling. This solution seems to make Zwift and transferring data to Strava much more accessible without incurring significant costs. Thank you!
It seems to me that the major problem with the application is that there is no way you can accurately adjust the resistance on the spin bike to the incline percentages as you ride along in Watopia unless you’re on a very flat course. I thank you for spending the time snd effort checking this out for us. I’m going to try it out myself. I think, in time, these kinds of Apps will get smarter and smarter and will be designed to take in more data over time and learn to adjust to each human individual as far as heart rate and patterns of heart rate response. I also think that there will be better calibration between the two in the future. With more heart rate data points and interaction, the App might one day be able to indicate to the rider to turn the spinner bike resistance up or down depending on data from Zwift. Of course that will be up to the rider. That’s the direction I see things like this going. GREAT VIDEO! GREAT JOB!
This is really really really awesome! I love that this can solve my problem of not having a power meter for cheap. Thanks a lot. Edit: mentioning delay, it will be the same always. So then it's acurate, it jyst displays it a tad late in game but that's always a thing unless you use crazy expensive gear. Like I always have a bit of a delay in my gps speed readings for example. There will always be a delay.
Much more affordable option vs pedals at $499 (saw your other video about that) thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing more - just founds your channel today!
This is awesome. I'm a professional longboarder and do 4 hr rides on the treadmill whenever it's snowing, using a powercal, which does the same thing, but I only have one functioning powercal now, they're all old and breaking, so this is gonna save me.
This is a fantastic solution if you have multiple bikes like I do. I have several mountain bikes and a few road bikes that I alternate from regularly. Having a power meter for all of them or constantly changing pedals or cranks isn't practical. So having such an application would allow me see my data after road riding, a dirt jumping session or hitting the local trails. Even though I have access to smart trainers, being able to get power data from outdoor rides without a power meter is really useful. Thanks heaps for this great content!
Great video and very informative. I have a question now though, nothing to do with the app. How do you get to the screen that shows your ANT+ and ble is connected. I also have a Samsung.
First: that is exactly what I needed recently for my spinning bike! I tried several rides with the speed sensor, but that was bad. Thanks a lot, I will try that soon! Very interesting. But wouldn't a Cadence sensor be the perfect complement?
Great workaround spending on power pedals. This is great reaction for a cheap set up and i will buy a heart rate monitor to simulate a close to realistic power readings. Thank you friend. Really informative for a beginner covid era indoor cyclist. .
@@TwoWheelCruise Are you aware if i can link a smartwatch instead of spending $ on a heart monitor strap. I tried a fitbit was was not "compatible" with the HR2VP
Hi, my app doesnt have the Broadcast ANT on it? I'm on an Iphone. Any ideas please as Im using Bluetooth to connect the heart monitor but cant then pair with the PC for Zwift. Thanks
We have a Proform studio 22 bike and had I know it would not be easy to use other applications I may have decided on a different smart trainer here in Canada.
Can i use it on my phone? Insted of laptop? I zwift there. Can i link it to strava? Or my garmin app? Is there other places i can use it? Also do you have any info on how to make a training plan. 2x a week rides. One for vo2max and one for lactate threshold chrz.
Hey, thank you... Do you know if I could use just 1 smart phone or tablet for both apps? Or do I need the HR2VP app on 1 device and zwift open on a separate device ? I was hoping I could just do it all on 1 iPad tablet with both apps running
Hi, I have a few question of radio connections in your system. What type is your HR monitor e.g. ANT+ or Bluetooth ? And is your mobile phone connectible ANT+ ? Which protocol do you connect between your PC & mobile, ANT+ or Bluetooth? And why you put ANT+ device into your PC's USB? Tq.
ANT+ HRM can be connected to multiple devices so it is a good solution to get heart rate both in Zwift and in HR2VP. If your HRM is both Bluetooth Smart and ANT+, you can connect it to your iPad / Android device with HR2VP over Bluetooth Smart and to Zwift on laptop over ANT+.
The power can be used to estimate VO2 max on the Garmin device technically but it makes little sense since you should enter the FTP as a parameter for the app.
Both distances are virtual, there is no right answer. For the same energy spent in real world, you won't make the same distance if you are cycling 10% uphill or on the flat with back wind. The same happens in "virtual worlds"...
Thanks for the answer, I can't connect it though. I've tried with Zwift as well. Your video is very clear and the process should be straight forward and simple which makes me doubt whether I have the right equipment or not . My HR monitor is Polar H9 and ant + receiver is Taope USB ant+ dongle. (I don't have speed sensor for the bike)
@@EmiliaMili Your setup should be ok but you need to enable ANT+ broadcasting and check if your Android Smartphone is ANT+ native here: www.thisisant.com/directory/filter/~/60/~/
*Is the avatar on the screen syncing with your pedaling speed? In other words as you increase/decrease speed, does your avatar do the same?* _If YES, then I'm shopping for a heart rate monitor._
I don't understand why the speed meter is not enough? If you add more resistance to your bike, you will slow down if you pedal with the same cadence. Isn't that normal and expected? Isn't it the same as if you're cycling up a slope, it gets steeper, thus you slow down your cadence? I'm new to this so I'm probably missing some theory but I don't understand why a speed meter is inaccurate in Zwift.
I'm struggling to get a stable power output from the app. Can't understand what I'm doing wrong as the Bluetooth HR chest strap maintains a solid connection and heart rate throughout. Any help appreciated, thanks.
@@bipr Hi, thanks for the reply and help offered but I've gone with a couple of sensors now instead. Much easier and it works perfectly but I still like this method, now I need some decent cycling shorts! :)
It is probably ANT+ only, you need to get a Bluetooth smart heart rate monitor such as the Wahoo TickR which can handle multiple connections at the same time.
Thanks. The app doesn't work with Apple Watch. App doesn't even connect to Apple Watch. Or did I miss anything? Has anyone connected app with Apple watch?
This is something i struggle with in general on fitness apps, but you just need to be reviewing your post work starts and monitoring your heart rate data and zones (which zwift or strava tracking would do post ride) and adjust your heart rate zones on this heart rate power meter app accordingly say every month or so.
I have question..pls don't laugh but I don't understand..I jave a heart monitor with strap and I have the app HR2VP on my phone and Zwift on my tablet and all I can conect is the heart rate in the game and no power connection..what I am duing wrong ? Thank you for your help
What is your HR monitor ? If it is Bluetooth LE only, you need to start HR2VP first and select your HRM before starting Zwift. Otherwise, once connected to Zwift, you cannot see it anymore...
Try to lower the max and resting HR parameters. Wait a bit until your heart rate get high enough during exercise. If you want to see power under 50W, you can enable GPS (outdoor mode)
I have the speed sensor from wahoo but on my spin bike monitor I see the speed going around 35 km/h and ons the speed sensor on Zwift is around 25...so this heart sensor will be more accurate? Thank you
The speed alone is not enough because you need to know the resistance to guess power. And Zwift has no information about Spin bike resistance...The app HR2VP estimates power directly, which is why you can use the resistance level of your spin bike that best suits you. You don't have to worry about it.
Heart rate monitor will never be even close to a powermeter. Yor pulse will fluctuate from day to day depending of sleep, what you have eat, work (stress) and so on. The pulse will also get higher while you exersize due bodyheat increase - which mean your workload will be lower thru the training compered with measured power.
Yes, that's true. There were examples of it changing from me talking as well. I just wanted to show an interesting alternative that would allow more people to ride on ZWIFT, not necessarily for serious training.
@@TwoWheelCruise i understand that is for making zwift work, but otherwise i would recommend cyclist without poermeter using rating of perceived exertion scale by Gunnar Borg for measuring their effort when traning.: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rating_of_perceived_exertion
@@Thomas_Ekstrom but perceived exertion does not move the avatar in Zwift. It’s a neat solution but oblivious it is not perfect, but to get someone on Zwift it’s ‘ok’ ..
It's not supposed to be. What do you expect if you're not buying a thousand dollar power meter?? And most people don't need it to be accurate because they don't know what real road riding feels like anyway. It's just like how most weights aren't accurate, you can still use them to progressively overload. Accuracy doesn't matter.
@@otallono You are stating the obvious however you can use a Garmin speed sensor also. It will provide power and let's you be part of the "game" to your point. Not perfect but hey the exercise is what matters but you pay once for the speed sensor. Cheers
Dan, you aren't obligated to watch content that doesn't interest you. I'm sure Cruise will produce many more cycling in Japan contents :) Please realize that quite a lot of people are actually interested in this kind of content as it allows the cycling community who doesn't have access to power data the opportunity to experience it cost effectively. This video is very much relevant to the channel and useful to many viewers.
This is madness..I can’t believe you’d actually endorse this. We want cheap but relatively usable this. This is not very scientific. Your heart rate lags based on the efforts you’re doing. I love your previous videos don’t get me wrong I love you. However, this is madness.
You just saved my zwifting with this information. Rollers, HRM and app. Good to go. Thanks so much!
Awesome insight! I appreciate you're time to produce this video. Thank you!
Thank you for this real world test. It seems like a great solution for a spin bike to work in Zwift.
Great stuff, thanks for taking the time to do this. So handy for indoor cycling on a spin bike. Cheers
I've been shopping for weeks for a cheap power meter and the added complication that spin bikes have square tapered bb so it could only be PM pedals. In addition, most pedals are SPD-SL and not SPD like the current shoes that I have so I was resigning myself to spending some $$$. To make matters even more complicated, my kids also want to get into zwift so that would be more hassle moving the pedals and more money buying shoes or a SPD-SL pedal platform adapter. Yeah, I've spent way too many hours trying to figure things out. This pretty much solves it all! Thanks a lot for reviewing the app since my main concern was its accuracy.
What a great video. I’m personally not that worried about the accuracy, as I’m a complete novice that just wants to try an alternative to running a couple of times a week with indoor cycling. This solution seems to make Zwift and transferring data to Strava much more accessible without incurring significant costs. Thank you!
I just switched from a speed sensor to this. So much better and more accurate. Thanks so much.
Glad it helped!
It seems to me that the major problem with the application is that there is no way you can accurately adjust the resistance on the spin bike to the incline percentages as you ride along in Watopia unless you’re on a very flat course. I thank you for spending the time snd effort checking this out for us.
I’m going to try it out myself.
I think, in time, these kinds of Apps will get smarter and smarter and will be designed to take in more data over time and learn to adjust to each human individual as far as heart rate and patterns of heart rate response. I also think that there will be better calibration between the two in the future.
With more heart rate data points and interaction, the App might one day be able to indicate to the rider to turn the spinner bike resistance up or down depending on data from Zwift. Of course that will be up to the rider. That’s the direction I see things like this going.
GREAT VIDEO! GREAT JOB!
Thank you that was an excellent video with very useful information.
Great video! Was looking into starting Zwift, but power meters are so expensive. This is a really nice solution.
This is really really really awesome! I love that this can solve my problem of not having a power meter for cheap. Thanks a lot.
Edit: mentioning delay, it will be the same always. So then it's acurate, it jyst displays it a tad late in game but that's always a thing unless you use crazy expensive gear. Like I always have a bit of a delay in my gps speed readings for example. There will always be a delay.
Much more affordable option vs pedals at $499 (saw your other video about that) thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing more - just founds your channel today!
Thanks!
This is awesome. I'm a professional longboarder and do 4 hr rides on the treadmill whenever it's snowing, using a powercal, which does the same thing, but I only have one functioning powercal now, they're all old and breaking, so this is gonna save me.
This is a fantastic solution if you have multiple bikes like I do. I have several mountain bikes and a few road bikes that I alternate from regularly. Having a power meter for all of them or constantly changing pedals or cranks isn't practical. So having such an application would allow me see my data after road riding, a dirt jumping session or hitting the local trails. Even though I have access to smart trainers, being able to get power data from outdoor rides without a power meter is really useful. Thanks heaps for this great content!
Nice, we developed the app for that purpous, I didn't want to invest in a power meter for my daily commute bike or my DH MTB!
That's a good point about being able to switch bikes! heck you could even get data from using an elliptical 😅
Thanks for sharing this hack. I also use a spin bike and think this would work great with trainer road.
Thank you! It works great!
good find. thanks
I'm really glad I found out about this app before buying the Wahoo Speed and Cadence for $70 in my local currency.
holy moly! you just saved me bucks bro lol.... i decided to get a power mtr by end of this week! hahaaaaaa
thank you soooo much Cruise
Go with the power meter if you want to do serious training. But this app is a great way to save money if your goal is to ride on ZWIFT.
Great video and very informative. I have a question now though, nothing to do with the app. How do you get to the screen that shows your ANT+ and ble is connected. I also have a Samsung.
The chart were you make the comparison between your power meter and HR2VP was interesting. What was the blue line and what was the green line?
Just found this app on the developers channel, great solution to use any exercise bike on zwift! Thanks for posting :)
First: that is exactly what I needed recently for my spinning bike! I tried several rides with the speed sensor, but that was bad.
Thanks a lot, I will try that soon! Very interesting.
But wouldn't a Cadence sensor be the perfect complement?
Great workaround spending on power pedals. This is great reaction for a cheap set up and i will buy a heart rate monitor to simulate a close to realistic power readings. Thank you friend. Really informative for a beginner covid era indoor cyclist. .
Glad it was helpful!
@@TwoWheelCruise Are you aware if i can link a smartwatch instead of spending $ on a heart monitor strap. I tried a fitbit was was not "compatible" with the HR2VP
Thank you
Hi, my app doesnt have the Broadcast ANT on it? I'm on an Iphone. Any ideas please as Im using Bluetooth to connect the heart monitor but cant then pair with the PC for Zwift. Thanks
I’m struggling to move from the start, I have speed cadence sensor and the ant + should I try this app as well?
Can you use a fit bit watch heart rate data instead?
would the heart rate strap work with Rouvy or Mywhoosh?
This seems like what the power tap hr monitor used to do. If it is it’ll be plenty good enough for a bit of fun zwifting.
In addition to the Powercal, you can customize the FTP settings for better accuracy.
We have a Proform studio 22 bike and had I know it would not be easy to use other applications I may have decided on a different smart trainer here in Canada.
Can both apps run on the same device? Or does it need to be transmitted from a phone to computer?
Can i use it on my phone? Insted of laptop? I zwift there. Can i link it to strava? Or my garmin app? Is there other places i can use it? Also do you have any info on how to make a training plan. 2x a week rides. One for vo2max and one for lactate threshold chrz.
Hey, thank you... Do you know if I could use just 1 smart phone or tablet for both apps?
Or do I need the HR2VP app on 1 device and zwift open on a separate device ?
I was hoping I could just do it all on 1 iPad tablet with both apps running
You need to use separate devices, it is due to the Bluetooth technology.
@@bipr No probs. Thanks for getting back to me
your resting heart rate is low, which means your cardio-vascular system is running more efficiently.
My zwift dont find hr2vp. What I could check?
Hi, I have a few question of radio connections in your system. What type is your HR monitor e.g. ANT+ or Bluetooth ? And is your mobile phone connectible ANT+ ? Which protocol do you connect between your PC & mobile, ANT+ or Bluetooth? And why you put ANT+ device into your PC's USB? Tq.
My HR monitor is ANT+. The app can broadcast both and I connected with ANT+, which is why I used the ANT+ USB receiver.
@@TwoWheelCruise Is your mobile can connect ANT+ directly? Mine is unable to connect. In the case do I need to put ANT+/USB receiver into my Android?
From their website, "If your phone is not ANT+ native compatible, you need to use an ANT+ USB stick with an OTG extension cable"
So you will need ANT+ Receiver to connect hrm to your laptop? Can you use it as well if via iPad/android the Zwift while connected to HR2VP
ANT+ HRM can be connected to multiple devices so it is a good solution to get heart rate both in Zwift and in HR2VP. If your HRM is both Bluetooth Smart and ANT+, you can connect it to your iPad / Android device with HR2VP over Bluetooth Smart and to Zwift on laptop over ANT+.
Can this be used to calculate cycling vo2 max on garmin devices?
The power can be used to estimate VO2 max on the Garmin device technically but it makes little sense since you should enter the FTP as a parameter for the app.
Hi is a few days that i use the app, and everything is ok but why there is a big difference about kilometers im HR2VP and Strava? Thank you
Both distances are virtual, there is no right answer. For the same energy spent in real world, you won't make the same distance if you are cycling 10% uphill or on the flat with back wind. The same happens in "virtual worlds"...
Thanks for your video! Please does it work with Rouvy?
Yes it should work with Rouvy as well, feel free to contact us if you need some help.
Thanks for the answer, I can't connect it though. I've tried with Zwift as well.
Your video is very clear and the process should be straight forward and simple which makes me doubt whether I have the right equipment or not . My HR monitor is Polar H9 and ant + receiver is Taope USB ant+ dongle. (I don't have speed sensor for the bike)
@@EmiliaMili Your setup should be ok but you need to enable ANT+ broadcasting and check if your Android Smartphone is ANT+ native here: www.thisisant.com/directory/filter/~/60/~/
Thank you so much!!! I finally managed! 🤩🤗😄 best thing ever!
*Is the avatar on the screen syncing with your pedaling speed? In other words as you increase/decrease speed, does your avatar do the same?* _If YES, then I'm shopping for a heart rate monitor._
Yes, if he puts more power on the pedals, he increases his hearth rate and he gets faster
I don't understand why the speed meter is not enough? If you add more resistance to your bike, you will slow down if you pedal with the same cadence. Isn't that normal and expected? Isn't it the same as if you're cycling up a slope, it gets steeper, thus you slow down your cadence? I'm new to this so I'm probably missing some theory but I don't understand why a speed meter is inaccurate in Zwift.
I'm struggling to get a stable power output from the app. Can't understand what I'm doing wrong as the Bluetooth HR chest strap maintains a solid connection and heart rate throughout. Any help appreciated, thanks.
Probably due to parameters. You can smooth output in Settings if you prefer. Send us a couple of graphs per mail so that we can help you...
@@bipr Hi, thanks for the reply and help offered but I've gone with a couple of sensors now instead. Much easier and it works perfectly but I still like this method, now I need some decent cycling shorts! :)
My resting heart rate is 46, no meds and 70 yrs old. It tends to make BP high went low but BP drops when heart rate is 60 and above.
Any idea My Garmin Heart Rate monitor can’t connect with this application or with Zwift !
It is probably ANT+ only, you need to get a Bluetooth smart heart rate monitor such as the Wahoo TickR which can handle multiple connections at the same time.
Thanks. The app doesn't work with Apple Watch. App doesn't even connect to Apple Watch. Or did I miss anything? Has anyone connected app with Apple watch?
How can you mesure your progression (lower HR higher power) while using this app?
This is something i struggle with in general on fitness apps, but you just need to be reviewing your post work starts and monitoring your heart rate data and zones (which zwift or strava tracking would do post ride) and adjust your heart rate zones on this heart rate power meter app accordingly say every month or so.
You have to change your rest hr and ftp after some time
What’s the maximum wattage you can achieve? Thanks
It probably depends on your ftp
Can i just use my heart rate monitor with zwift only without the power source or treadmill?
Yes this is the idea, the app will compute and broadcast power...
Anyone used this setup for Peloton FTP rides
It can't use my apple watch heart rate?
I have question..pls don't laugh but I don't understand..I jave a heart monitor with strap and I have the app HR2VP on my phone and Zwift on my tablet and all I can conect is the heart rate in the game and no power connection..what I am duing wrong ? Thank you for your help
Hi you need to enable BLE broadcasting in HR2VP Settings. Are they iOS or Android phone and tablet?
@@bipr hi,thank for your replay.
I have android phone samsung and samsung tablet
@@Nicolae8607 Most Samsung devices are ANT+ compatible. Did you tried to select ANT+ scanning and enable ANT+ broadcasting too?
What is your HR monitor ? If it is Bluetooth LE only, you need to start HR2VP first and select your HRM before starting Zwift. Otherwise, once connected to Zwift, you cannot see it anymore...
@@bipr is working now..I had enabel the ANT+ on the HR2 App. Thank you for your help
I dont see the ANT+ broadcast option. Iphone App
Can this app work with RGT cycling?
Yes, you need to install the control app on a separate phone.
@@bipr With this app I have transmit my heart rate and power to RGT. I'm assuming it will still work even without the cadence stat?
@@psychotiik8531 yes cadence is not mandatory, it is an option
For some reason I can't get the watts to go past 50. It just stays at 50 no matter what my heart rate reading I have. Does anyone have a clue?
Try to lower the max and resting HR parameters. Wait a bit until your heart rate get high enough during exercise. If you want to see power under 50W, you can enable GPS (outdoor mode)
@@bipr Thanks. It seems to be working now.
I have the speed sensor from wahoo but on my spin bike monitor I see the speed going around 35 km/h and ons the speed sensor on Zwift is around 25...so this heart sensor will be more accurate? Thank you
The speed alone is not enough because you need to know the resistance to guess power. And Zwift has no information about Spin bike resistance...The app HR2VP estimates power directly, which is why you can use the resistance level of your spin bike that best suits you. You don't have to worry about it.
@@bipr thank you..I sent back the speed sensor and I boutht a heart sensor
Anyone having connection issues turn Bluetooth On and off before running the app.
I should have seen this video 2 years ago before I have bought 2 smart trainers.
this didnt work for me. my HR monitor wont let me connect to both apps at the same time
Yes Bluetooth connection is only one to one. You can buy the Polar H10 which has double connections. Or use the ANT+ mode if you are on Android.
Heart rate monitor will never be even close to a powermeter. Yor pulse will fluctuate from day to day depending of sleep, what you have eat, work (stress) and so on. The pulse will also get higher while you exersize due bodyheat increase - which mean your workload will be lower thru the training compered with measured power.
Yes, that's true. There were examples of it changing from me talking as well. I just wanted to show an interesting alternative that would allow more people to ride on ZWIFT, not necessarily for serious training.
@@TwoWheelCruise i understand that is for making zwift work, but otherwise i would recommend cyclist without poermeter using rating of perceived exertion scale by Gunnar Borg for measuring their effort when traning.: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rating_of_perceived_exertion
Hmm power meter $1000!?!?!?! Yeah $2 for app sounds a bit better to me
@@Thomas_Ekstrom but perceived exertion does not move the avatar in Zwift. It’s a neat solution but oblivious it is not perfect, but to get someone on Zwift it’s ‘ok’ ..
i'm pretty sure if you're singing Hime Hime, your power will go over the roof.
No doubt.
love the idea of this app but a monthly fee to use it just makes me move on.
cheapskate
It's ok but I dont think it is that accurate.....
It's not supposed to be. What do you expect if you're not buying a thousand dollar power meter?? And most people don't need it to be accurate because they don't know what real road riding feels like anyway. It's just like how most weights aren't accurate, you can still use them to progressively overload. Accuracy doesn't matter.
@@otallono You are stating the obvious however you can use a Garmin speed sensor also. It will provide power and let's you be part of the "game" to your point. Not perfect but hey the exercise is what matters but you pay once for the speed sensor. Cheers
Please do cycling in Japan. Not zwift in your home.
Dan, you aren't obligated to watch content that doesn't interest you. I'm sure Cruise will produce many more cycling in Japan contents :) Please realize that quite a lot of people are actually interested in this kind of content as it allows the cycling community who doesn't have access to power data the opportunity to experience it cost effectively. This video is very much relevant to the channel and useful to many viewers.
Lots of cycling in Japan videos coming up ;)
This is madness..I can’t believe you’d actually endorse this. We want cheap but relatively usable this. This is not very scientific. Your heart rate lags based on the efforts you’re doing. I love your previous videos don’t get me wrong I love you. However, this is madness.
shut up
Basically you can cheat with this app. Should be banned imo. (450 FTP / 200 maxhr)
Not good for racing, but good for training.