Discussion
Ive had one for 5 weeks.
Not that long ago I had an FTP of 4.5W/kg and was something of a weapon in the mountains.
I prided myself on never ever having used a turbo and exercised rules #5 and #9 throughout the winter.
A couple of winters ago I noticed that our local roads were being gritted a lot less than previously in foul winter and around Christmas just gone realised that I was pretty much the only one of our clubs winter hardcases who hadnt broken a collar bone.
This combined with some low grade injury and illness resulted in me gravitating to the back of the grupetto on club rides and usually falling off the pack.
So clearly something had to be done!
Despite it being summer I had a full diary for June/July with minimal proper riding opportunities and so brought my purchase forward from the planned October kumquat fisting.
First FTP test is sub 3W/kg which came as no surprise so the only way is up.
Ive ridden it almost exclusively in erg mode on Zwift doing the 6 week 'beginner' FTP builder. This was initially very easy but the tail of it leaves me with sore legs afterwards so must be doing something??? There appears to be plenty on Zwift to hold my attention, a brief free ride demonstrated the shifting glitches Ive read about but I wasnt too bothered by this, in erg its absolutely fine.
Due to rammed diary Ive only really had one opportunity to go for a real bike ride which I didnt actually do after being distracted by a work phone call which then chewed into my ride time. I certainly do NOT plan to only ride inside.
Zwift is a can of worms, however I can do an hour from the program without it feeling like torture so I'll stick with it for now. I havent bothered with the Wattbike apps workouts as they look a bit dull although need to grab an ANT+ dongle to get the pedal stroke analysis on phone whilst running Zwift on a laptop.
So early days here and my main conclusion is that I wish Id done it sooner
Cheers
Not that long ago I had an FTP of 4.5W/kg and was something of a weapon in the mountains.
I prided myself on never ever having used a turbo and exercised rules #5 and #9 throughout the winter.
A couple of winters ago I noticed that our local roads were being gritted a lot less than previously in foul winter and around Christmas just gone realised that I was pretty much the only one of our clubs winter hardcases who hadnt broken a collar bone.
This combined with some low grade injury and illness resulted in me gravitating to the back of the grupetto on club rides and usually falling off the pack.
So clearly something had to be done!
Despite it being summer I had a full diary for June/July with minimal proper riding opportunities and so brought my purchase forward from the planned October kumquat fisting.
First FTP test is sub 3W/kg which came as no surprise so the only way is up.
Ive ridden it almost exclusively in erg mode on Zwift doing the 6 week 'beginner' FTP builder. This was initially very easy but the tail of it leaves me with sore legs afterwards so must be doing something??? There appears to be plenty on Zwift to hold my attention, a brief free ride demonstrated the shifting glitches Ive read about but I wasnt too bothered by this, in erg its absolutely fine.
Due to rammed diary Ive only really had one opportunity to go for a real bike ride which I didnt actually do after being distracted by a work phone call which then chewed into my ride time. I certainly do NOT plan to only ride inside.
Zwift is a can of worms, however I can do an hour from the program without it feeling like torture so I'll stick with it for now. I havent bothered with the Wattbike apps workouts as they look a bit dull although need to grab an ANT+ dongle to get the pedal stroke analysis on phone whilst running Zwift on a laptop.
So early days here and my main conclusion is that I wish Id done it sooner
Cheers
lauda said:
Took the plunge and ordered an Atom last night. My reasoning was that I’d like to do some more structured training as I’ve plateaued over the last year or so and it would be good to have something in the garage for when the weather is really terrible or I’m alone looking after the kids and can’t get out.
My wife has also started cycling recently so I managed to convince her that she’d enjoy using it too...
I’m interested to see what my power numbers are and also how inefficient my pedal stroke probably is. I’ll report initial impressions next week after it’s been delivered and I’ve had a play with it.
Interested to hear how you get on with it. I have been hovering over the Wattbike Atom "add to basket" button for a whileMy wife has also started cycling recently so I managed to convince her that she’d enjoy using it too...
I’m interested to see what my power numbers are and also how inefficient my pedal stroke probably is. I’ll report initial impressions next week after it’s been delivered and I’ve had a play with it.
So, quick first impressions. The unit itself is nicely made and is very stable, even when sprinting as hard as you can. The downside is that it weights a lot (about 45kg apparently) so isn’t portable, although there are little trolley wheels on the front so that you can tilt and roll it around.
Assembly was dead easy and just involved fixing the pedals and tri-bars/device holder. The app is also slick and easy to use so getting everything up and running and linked to Zwift was a piece of cake. There’s a large range of adjustment and I’d be surprised if anyone other than a midget or a giant couldn’t get a setup that they’re happy with. There is an online tool where you put in the measurements from your own road bike and it gives you the settings to replicate on the Wattbike. I haven’t done this yet as I’m planning a proper bike fit in a few weeks time so will replicate that setup.
Pedal feel is really nice and significantly better than any static bike I’ve used before. Gear shifts have a slight delay to them but nothing major and it doesn’t spoil the experience in any way. There is some noise, especially if you’re really pushing on but it’s no worse than a washing machine so isn’t too antisocial, even if you’re in a flat.
There are some good fitness tests, training programmes and replica climbs on the Wattbike app but I’ve mainly used Zwift, which I hadn’t used before. I’m liking it and finding it much more interesting than just riding a normal exercise bike (I had worried I might get bored not actually being out on the road). The only problem I’m finding is that on Zwift rides where I’m supposed to maintaining specific watts, the reading is all over the place and I’m constantly either over- or under-target.
Main plus is that it’s just so easy to jump on it and go for a quick blast at times when I otherwise wouldn’t have ridden. Although I really need to buy a fan as it’s currently in my conservatory (which is hotter than the sun) and not having any moving air to cool me down means I finish a session looking like I’ve just got out of the shower.
Overall, I’m really pleased with it and I think it’s going to get a lot of use, especially in the winter when the wind or cold is really bad. And I’m hoping to see some performance improvements too once I get my teeth into some of the training programmes.
Assembly was dead easy and just involved fixing the pedals and tri-bars/device holder. The app is also slick and easy to use so getting everything up and running and linked to Zwift was a piece of cake. There’s a large range of adjustment and I’d be surprised if anyone other than a midget or a giant couldn’t get a setup that they’re happy with. There is an online tool where you put in the measurements from your own road bike and it gives you the settings to replicate on the Wattbike. I haven’t done this yet as I’m planning a proper bike fit in a few weeks time so will replicate that setup.
Pedal feel is really nice and significantly better than any static bike I’ve used before. Gear shifts have a slight delay to them but nothing major and it doesn’t spoil the experience in any way. There is some noise, especially if you’re really pushing on but it’s no worse than a washing machine so isn’t too antisocial, even if you’re in a flat.
There are some good fitness tests, training programmes and replica climbs on the Wattbike app but I’ve mainly used Zwift, which I hadn’t used before. I’m liking it and finding it much more interesting than just riding a normal exercise bike (I had worried I might get bored not actually being out on the road). The only problem I’m finding is that on Zwift rides where I’m supposed to maintaining specific watts, the reading is all over the place and I’m constantly either over- or under-target.
Main plus is that it’s just so easy to jump on it and go for a quick blast at times when I otherwise wouldn’t have ridden. Although I really need to buy a fan as it’s currently in my conservatory (which is hotter than the sun) and not having any moving air to cool me down means I finish a session looking like I’ve just got out of the shower.
Overall, I’m really pleased with it and I think it’s going to get a lot of use, especially in the winter when the wind or cold is really bad. And I’m hoping to see some performance improvements too once I get my teeth into some of the training programmes.
I have done 90% of my training on mine since last October, there is a new firmware upgrade out so get that. I am using Fulgaz which prepared me well for Marmotte last weekend. I will be back on it this week.
If altering saddle height/position be careful with fixings as a bit chocolate. There is a good group for owners on Faceache.
If altering saddle height/position be careful with fixings as a bit chocolate. There is a good group for owners on Faceache.
lauda said:
There are some good fitness tests, training programmes and replica climbs on the Wattbike app but I’ve mainly used Zwift, which I hadn’t used before. I’m liking it and finding it much more interesting than just riding a normal exercise bike (I had worried I might get bored not actually being out on the road). The only problem I’m finding is that on Zwift rides where I’m supposed to maintaining specific watts, the reading is all over the place and I’m constantly either over- or under-target.
I found it took a little bit of practice to dial up a particular wattage to start with but didnt take long to tune inThere was a bit more of a knack to quick spikes or surges but once again I got the hang easily enough
You have got it in Erg mode and not freeride on Zwift workouts havent you?
ALawson said:
I have done 90% of my training on mine since last October, there is a new firmware upgrade out so get that. I am using Fulgaz which prepared me well for Marmotte last weekend. I will be back on it this week.
If altering saddle height/position be careful with fixings as a bit chocolate. There is a good group for owners on Faceache.
Having only ridden inside for 5 weeks - I have an excuse honest - Im keen to hear about your Marmotte schedule.If altering saddle height/position be careful with fixings as a bit chocolate. There is a good group for owners on Faceache.
Did you really do 90% of your training on the Atom and if so what did an average week look like?
When Ive done the Marmotte I built up to approx 12h total over three rides each week for the month before
What did you do in June?
numtumfutunch said:
I found it took a little bit of practice to dial up a particular wattage to start with but didnt take long to tune in
There was a bit more of a knack to quick spikes or surges but once again I got the hang easily enough
You have got it in Erg mode and not freeride on Zwift workouts havent you?
Yep, I've definitely got it in ERG mode. I think perhaps I just need to practice a bit more!There was a bit more of a knack to quick spikes or surges but once again I got the hang easily enough
You have got it in Erg mode and not freeride on Zwift workouts havent you?
I have basically done 1.5 - 2 hr rides/sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then a 2.5-3 hr session on a Saturday so probably less than 7hrs a week. Couldn't do more than that due to work and family commitments,
Bought the Atom in Oct/Nov had a hard first 6 weeks and was ill Dec, training recommended Jan. I have done some outside riding, 5 days in Tenerife (500km, 13k m climbing), Mayflyer Sportive and a 100miler in the Surrey Hills with 2500m climbing,
In the last fortnight I did a few outside rides, a flat 120km / 4hrs.
My mate who I went with has been doing the sort of volume you talk about, I could never squeeze in 12hrs a week! He was doing lots of Atom at home, gym intervals on an old Wattbike and then a 100miler each weekend for the last two months!
I still beat him over Galibier, however, that was more to do with his descent times of Glandon and Telegraph! He is only 67kg FTP 325w, I am a fat 80kg, FTP was 295 at some point in March, I didn't really keep the intervals up that much, instead was more focussed on longer sessions at 230-250w.
They are a great tool, and I aim to actually loose some weight now before next year, I wouldn't mind dropping 5km and maybe do Majorca 312 or say Paris Roubaix.
Bought the Atom in Oct/Nov had a hard first 6 weeks and was ill Dec, training recommended Jan. I have done some outside riding, 5 days in Tenerife (500km, 13k m climbing), Mayflyer Sportive and a 100miler in the Surrey Hills with 2500m climbing,
In the last fortnight I did a few outside rides, a flat 120km / 4hrs.
My mate who I went with has been doing the sort of volume you talk about, I could never squeeze in 12hrs a week! He was doing lots of Atom at home, gym intervals on an old Wattbike and then a 100miler each weekend for the last two months!
I still beat him over Galibier, however, that was more to do with his descent times of Glandon and Telegraph! He is only 67kg FTP 325w, I am a fat 80kg, FTP was 295 at some point in March, I didn't really keep the intervals up that much, instead was more focussed on longer sessions at 230-250w.
They are a great tool, and I aim to actually loose some weight now before next year, I wouldn't mind dropping 5km and maybe do Majorca 312 or say Paris Roubaix.
Sebo said:
What are people's experiences with respect to:
1. The time it takes to change gear
2. How long it takes in ERG mode to change resistance on something like Zwift?
thanks for the write-ups above
1. A firmware update this week has sorted this issue and mostly got rid of the permanent '4' indicator too. Note mostly1. The time it takes to change gear
2. How long it takes in ERG mode to change resistance on something like Zwift?
thanks for the write-ups above
2. Ive never had an problem with this, see my post above
Cheers
Couple of months in and Im still very happy
Its convenient, quick and easy to jump on and has a decent footprint so doesnt use too much space
It syncs in seconds with ipad or laptop
The Wattbike workouts look OK however I signed up to Zwift and initially did their 6 week FTP program
I liked how it was strict and made me make the effort, if I had latitude to miss a few workouts I probably would have done
Some if not most workouts in the program felt easy and I could probably have skipped the first 2 weeks however have increased my FTP by 0.5W/kg
The next step up in the Zwift program looks tougher but now summers here would be difficult to accomplish and still get to ride my bike so I'll save it for winter. In the meantime I am picking workouts from Zwift in the 60-90 minute region which are certainly tougher than the FTP beginners program.
So its a win for me.
Id pondered a Pro for a couple of years but am glad I waited for the Atom to be released even though it wasnt initially on my radar
Sure Zwift isnt for everybody but its working for me and I appreciate other options are available
Ive mostly used it for workouts however the Zwift gearing glitches are vastly better after the recent Wattbike frmware update and in fact arent even worthy of mention, they just work as youd expect
Cheers
Thought I would drop back in and here and give an update on my ownership experience in case anyone is interested.
I’ve clocked up about 700km on it now and my wife has probably ridden another couple of hundred km. One of the reasons I got it is that both my wife and I wanted an indoor trainer and I thought it would be less hassle to have one bike we could both use than have to swap bikes over on a smart trainer. This aspect is a huge plus for the Wattbike and it takes 10 seconds to swap between our set ups and there’s no messing around with greasy chains.
I’ve done almost all of my riding on Zwift and this works brilliantly 95% of the time. For some reason, every now and again, I’ll start a workout on Zwift in ERG mode and there’s some interference in the cadence reading. So every 10-15 seconds, Zwift will register either a large increase or decrease in my cadence and adjust the resistance accordingly, making completing the workout impossible. It seems to be rectified by just turning the Wattbike off and on again (that old classic) but is a bit of a pain when you’re clipped in and wanting to get riding.
The responsiveness in changes in resistance works well but short intervals, for example 10 seconds at high watts and cadence, can be tricky and I’m only just hitting the target watts at the end of the interval as the Wattbike catches up. But I still ‘pass’ the interval and get my little star so it’s not a big deal.
I’ve enjoyed doing a couple of virtual climbs from the Wattbike app (Sa Calobra and Box Hill so far - the Colle de Finestre is available but looks terrifying!) although you don’t have an avatar rider and just have to watch your progress line moving along an elevation profile graph.
Having been an avid outdoors rider (and vocally critical of indoor trainers in the past...) I’m now a convert. I’ve seen my FTP increase by about 40 watts in the last couple of months and this has had a bigger impact on my speed when riding outside than the 8000km of mainly junk miles I clocked up on the road last year.
I guess the main question is what the Wattbike offers that a much cheaper smart trainer doesn’t. Convenience is the primary answer, especially with two users under one roof. There’s also no wear and tear on the components of my road bikes when I use the Wattbike.
Being someone who doesn’t mind paying extra for that convenience, to me it represents decent value for money. Others are likely to take the view that it’s an expensive novelty gadget that does nothing more than an alternative set up at half the cost and I can totally see where they’re coming from. But I love mine and I’m really glad that I bought it.
I’ve clocked up about 700km on it now and my wife has probably ridden another couple of hundred km. One of the reasons I got it is that both my wife and I wanted an indoor trainer and I thought it would be less hassle to have one bike we could both use than have to swap bikes over on a smart trainer. This aspect is a huge plus for the Wattbike and it takes 10 seconds to swap between our set ups and there’s no messing around with greasy chains.
I’ve done almost all of my riding on Zwift and this works brilliantly 95% of the time. For some reason, every now and again, I’ll start a workout on Zwift in ERG mode and there’s some interference in the cadence reading. So every 10-15 seconds, Zwift will register either a large increase or decrease in my cadence and adjust the resistance accordingly, making completing the workout impossible. It seems to be rectified by just turning the Wattbike off and on again (that old classic) but is a bit of a pain when you’re clipped in and wanting to get riding.
The responsiveness in changes in resistance works well but short intervals, for example 10 seconds at high watts and cadence, can be tricky and I’m only just hitting the target watts at the end of the interval as the Wattbike catches up. But I still ‘pass’ the interval and get my little star so it’s not a big deal.
I’ve enjoyed doing a couple of virtual climbs from the Wattbike app (Sa Calobra and Box Hill so far - the Colle de Finestre is available but looks terrifying!) although you don’t have an avatar rider and just have to watch your progress line moving along an elevation profile graph.
Having been an avid outdoors rider (and vocally critical of indoor trainers in the past...) I’m now a convert. I’ve seen my FTP increase by about 40 watts in the last couple of months and this has had a bigger impact on my speed when riding outside than the 8000km of mainly junk miles I clocked up on the road last year.
I guess the main question is what the Wattbike offers that a much cheaper smart trainer doesn’t. Convenience is the primary answer, especially with two users under one roof. There’s also no wear and tear on the components of my road bikes when I use the Wattbike.
Being someone who doesn’t mind paying extra for that convenience, to me it represents decent value for money. Others are likely to take the view that it’s an expensive novelty gadget that does nothing more than an alternative set up at half the cost and I can totally see where they’re coming from. But I love mine and I’m really glad that I bought it.
lauda said:
Being someone who doesn’t mind paying extra for that convenience, to me it represents decent value for money. Others are likely to take the view that it’s an expensive novelty gadget that does nothing more than an alternative set up at half the cost and I can totally see where they’re coming from. But I love mine and I’m really glad that I bought it.
Cheers for the balanced feedbackI see there's an updated version.
I'd be interested to see whether there is a removable battery pack option for those of us who don't have power to our garage...
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/wa...
I'd be interested to see whether there is a removable battery pack option for those of us who don't have power to our garage...
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/wa...
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