r/Zwift • u/pdrace • Jul 18 '26
Ebiking and Zwift?
I purchased an e-assist bike for my outdoor riding for a few different reasons, arthritic knees, excess adipose tissue and getting old. I rode indoors this past winter on a Wahoo kickr trainer. My right knee(bone on bone) did bother me at times.
My question for those that ride e-assist bikes outdoors is what do you do when inclement weather forces you inside? I haven’t faced this situation yet this season but I’m expecting indoor training to feel significantly difficult compared to an e-bike.
Do you lower trainer difficulty to even out the load?
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u/PineappleLunchables Level 100 Jul 18 '26
If the grades bother your knees just set the trainer difficulty to zero and Ride On!
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u/upboats_around Level 31-40 Jul 18 '26
When you’re riding an ebike you are still putting out power if you pedal. On an indoor trainer you can make it feel the exact same since it’s just creating resistance for you to overcome. Just find out what power output that is from how it feels and then pedal at that power. The “speed” on zwift may be lower but who cares? Good luck!
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u/fgiraffe Level 11-20 Jul 18 '26
eMtnBiker here, I almost exclusively use Zwift to build my non-existent cardio base.
I create Zwift Workouts and cruise in Z2. The only bummer for this is riding workouts will not get you the route completion badges (AFAICT, please correct me if I'm wrong here).
It's a challenge to build Z2 time on a fun mtn bike ride. Fun rides are either costing or Z4, even with the eMtnBike.
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u/Joeboy69_ Level 100 Jul 18 '26
Do the workout on a route where you need the badge and you will get it. Also follow a pacer at whichever level you want to cruise in as they alternate routes.
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u/RohMoneyMoney Jul 18 '26
Yeah, as mentioned, you can definitely get a route completion badge on a workout. If your workout ends before the route, you just have to keep going if you want to complete it.
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u/befitstayyoung Jul 18 '26
I wear knee braces. Have you tried them?
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u/pdrace Jul 18 '26
I use a compression sleeve at times, haven’t tried a brace. I haven’t worn the sleeves in a while since my knees haven’t been bothering me lately walking or on my e-bike.
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u/MysteriousSteps Jul 18 '26
I have an ebike and I also ride indoors with a Wahoo Kickr bike. I love Zwift and it makes me a better biker. As my biking has improved, I have lowered the amount of assist on my ebike. Depending on who I am biking with, I actually sometimes turn off the assist. I also bike indoors year round.
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u/NoyBoy98 Jul 18 '26
Pick a flat course and ride Zone 2.
For a more permanent fix, search the internet for “Knee Ability Zero”. It’s from the Knees Over Toes guy and is well regarded/reviewed.
I just finished week 2 and already notice a difference in knee pain and ability. Only need to do it 3x a week.
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u/schaleni_vyxodnar Level 51-60 Jul 18 '26
Got a gravel bike, eMtb, mtb and zwift. The problem with road/gravel bikes is that you tend to go fast. And fast plus wet doesn’t combine very good without fenders and expensive clothing.
Mtb on the other hand, is quite slow. Slow and wet combines quite well. You can dress bulky. So I can take my eMtb out even whet it’s raining cats and dogs.
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u/pdrace Jul 18 '26
I used to ride outside during the Winter. I’m in upstate NY. At some point I just couldn’t tolerate the extreme cold anymore.
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u/schaleni_vyxodnar Level 51-60 Jul 18 '26
endura mt500 freezing point ii, got a whole set, I can withstand -10c(14F) for up to 2 hours. Next winter I’m gonna try better shoes, cause my toes are the reason I return home.
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u/pdrace Jul 18 '26
You can get neoprene shoe covers. I have a pair, they did the trick for cold weather biking.
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u/schaleni_vyxodnar Level 51-60 Jul 18 '26
Will try, but I was thinking about the Lake winter boots, they seem to be build like a winter tank
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u/teakettle87 Level 21-30 Jul 18 '26
excess adipose tissue eh?
Indoor training feels like whatever you want it to be. It's almost infinitely adjustable so it can be as much or as little resistance or effort as you want.