Stages SB20 - Zwift Cockpit

-

 My Zwift Cockpit (with updates)


























What's Here?

  1. Stages SB20 Smart Bike
  2. Left iPad: Stages Cycling App.  Shows virtual gear, L:R pedal balance, 1s Watts and Cadence
  3. Right iPad: Zwift app. iPad 9th generation - all that's currently needed for optimum Zwift performance
  4. Wireless charger for iPhone with on/off switch. Useful for showing the Zwift companion app in group rides
  5. Garmin Computer.

Why a Garmin Computer?

Zwift automatically records speed, distance, cadence and power. Much of this is based on Zwift's internal physics model that includes calculations for road surfaces, hills and wind resistance. Nice but it doesn't include:
  • L:R balance and pedalling dynamics data.
  • Data that Garmin uses for TSS and IF metrics plus ongoing V02 Max estimates.
  • Warm-up and warm down segments. I do a lot of Zone 2 training.  My warm-up and warm-down is a significant part of my workout. I want to see this data.
I use a Garmin computer to record all my workouts, winter and summer. The power and cadence numbers recorded by a Garmin computer for an event/workout are identical to Zwift's.  Speed and distance are different. Garmin doesn't see hills or other modelled elements. Here's what the Garmin computer records
  • Same metrics for all indoor and outdoor rides.
  • Analysis, with the same tools, in a consistent manner, all year long.
  • Records warmups and cool-down works segments.  Most app like Zwift just record the "main event".  Useful when tracking things like Z2 efforts.  

Garmin Computer Setup

To monitor workouts controlled by another app, the Garmin (530/830/1030) steps are:

 Menu > Training > Indoor Trainer > Free Ride. 

This sets the Garmin into a passive mode where it just records what happens next. If you then open an app like  Zwift or TrainerDay, the Garmin computer records the workout.

 To ensure smooth recoding, it is a good idea to always start the Garmin computer first. Use the normal START/STOP button (lower right) to start and stop recording.

Garmin Profiles

To make this operation easier, you can create a profile using: 

 Menu > Activity Profiles > Create New

This creates single button shortcuts. 

For example, I have profiles for INDOOR, outdoor ROAD and outdoor TIME TRIAL. To select a profile on the Home Screen, press the SELECT > button (top right) and pick a profile, or press the START/STOP button (lower right) to start the last used profile.

Who is right? Garmin or Zwift?  


Saving to connect.garmin.com

I use the free connect.garmin.com service for saving all my workouts. In return, I get consistent TSS, IF and ongoing V02 Max calculations.  I can also download any associated TCX file for further analysis. 


Intervals.icu and Golden Cheetah

I use the free Intervals.icu and  GoldenCheetah.org tools to analyze data and plan future workouts.  Each pulls data directly from connect.garmin.com.

Overkill?

More data = more power.  More power = more speed in Zwift. Literally and figuratively.

=== UPDATE October 2023 ===

I have added cushier handlebar tape and Zwift Play controllers.  



Here's how I made these controllers attach more firmly ZWIFT PLAY CONTROLLER - Better Fit .

The SB20 "blip" buttons are now on the top bar.  Each is extended with rubber pads that extend through the bar tape.




The buttons are configured to work consistently with the Stages Dream Drive 1 x 25 virtual gearing. 

Left buttons switches to a (-) smaller gear.  The right buttons switch to a (+) higher gear. 

For a deeper dive on how all these devices work together, see my post Wireless is Good - and Complicated. 

=== UPDATE March 2024 ===

I wrote my own iPad app that shows gear, cadence, L:R and HR with easy-to-read numbers and hi-res history graphs.  It replaces the Stages Cycling app I had been using previously for gear display.

Features include:
  • Key riding metrics are displayed in large fonts that are colour-coded relative to FTP and max HR so you can read them at a glance.
  • No more jumpy power numbers like we see in most apps. With some intelligent filtering, the Stages power meters are both rock-steady and responsive.
  • Set favourite gears with a single touch. Useful for sprints where you (should) have an optimal sprinting gear.  
  • Selectable audio tones for each gear shift. Includes different sounds for higher, lower and multiple gear changes. Also has special sounds for gears set as favourites.
  • Graphs for power and heart rate follow the thresholds used in Zwift. No jagged data traces thanks to smart filtering.
  • Works on older iPads running iOS 15.0 and higher. Great way to give life hand-me-down devices.
  • Battery Test function shows battery levels for all supported Bluetooth devices with a single press. Includes Stage power meters (and others) along with most heart rate monitors. Great for pre-race checkups.
Finally I got what I was looking for. The app is called GearView.


⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

GearView for iPad and iPhone is available in the Apple App Store. 


Support: https://gearviewsupport.blogspot.com/

Have questions? Contact: support@GearView.online 







 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stages SB20 - Drive Belt Adjustments

-
Image
 STAGES SB20 DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT  Stages includes belt adjustment tips in their support note on fixing SB20 noises:   Flywheel Making Noise . Several people have mentioned these instructions are incomplete. I’ll try to help . I wish this process was easier. Good news: With practice, you can complete all adjustments in less than 30 minutes. TWO GOALS Adjusting the drive belt accomplishes two things: Align the belt to ride as much as possible in the centre of the drive cogs. This reduces friction and positions the front axle perpendicular to the drive belt. Don’t be too worried about this step. The SB20 manufacturing tolerances aren’t perfect. Getting the front drive wheel roughly aligned and generally perpendicular is about all we can expect to achieve. Get belt tension right. Optimal tension means quieter running and no slipping during hard efforts. For most of us, this is a trial-and-error process.You want tight but not too tight. For me, this is measured as a 1 cm def...
Click to Read

Stages SB20 - What's Inside?

-
Image
The Stages SB20  indoor smart bike was released in 2020. Let's take a look at the electronics that enable it  on platforms like Zwift.com and TrainerDay.com. An external power supply routes power to different bike components through a series of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The bike also includes two battery powered crank-based power meters. Here's an overview the basic functions: USB Board - Wedged vertically under the phone tray. It powers 3 USB ports. Upper Board - Fastened horizontally under the phone support rail. This System On a Chip (SoC) handles wireless communication and controls the bike itself. Switch Board - This wire distribution board sits inside the aluminum handlebar stem. It routes connections for the brake level controls  and under handlebar tape "blip" shifter buttons.  Lower Board - This mainly analog circuit board is attached to the flywheel / electronic brake unit. It controls bike resistance and sends power to other PCBs. Power Meter...
Click to Read

SB20 - Clicking and Rubbing Noises

-
Image
Just about everyone who rides indoors will eventually hear clicking or scraping noises. Some noises are inconsequential. Others can represent a serious issue.  Let's take a look at some of the most common noise complaints with the Stages SB20 smart bike. Parts Before getting started, here are some key SB20 part names : Flywheel Rubbing against Plastic Cover Manufacturing variances, heat and wear can cause the right plastic cover to make rubbing noises as the flywheel spins. These noises persist after pedalling stops. You can eliminate the problem by trimming the right plastic cover as shown above. Flywheel Cogs Rubbing against Front Cover Fastener Adjusting drive belt tension can move the front axle forward causing it to rub or scrape against the metal fasteners holding the front cover in place.  To verify: Remove the front cover. Look at the front cogs. Do they rub against the front cover fasteners when pedalling . Note: Removing the front cover can cause noises to stop. Th...
Click to Read

What is Erg Mode and Why Can it Suck?

-
Image
Free Riding is Easy Let's start with the relationship between resistance , cadence and power (watts) when doing an indoor free ride (sometimes called sim mode ). Free riding follows a simple formula:  Power in watts  =   How hard you push   ⨉   How fast you pedal   Your indoor bike offers constant resistance when you stay in the same physical or virtual gear. Pedal at a constant RPM and you get a consistent number of watts. If you then pedal 10% faster, you produce 10% more watts.  Pedal 10% slower, you produce 10% fewer watts. 📣 Free Riding Summary: When simulated riding conditions stay the same, pedalling faster produces more watts. Pedalling slower produces fewer watts. And don't forget: There is one way to go faster in Zwift.  Produce more watts 💪.    If only indoor riding was always this simple... Erg Mode When doing structured workouts, Erg mode is popular. It allows you to produce a desired number of watts whether y...
Click to Read

SB20 - Both Power Meter Cranks have Failed - Now What?

-
Image
When your Stages SB20 smart bike is working normally, the built-in power meter cranks provide power and cadence data to apps like Zwift . Behind the scenes, they also provide the data that lets the SB20 regulate resistance when running in Erg mode. Some riders also add 3rd party power meter pedals .  They can work very well.   It surprises many people that Erg mode requires the built-in Stages power meters even when 3rd party power meters are in use.   For more information on SB20 erg mode , see: Erg Mode with a Stages SB20 Smart Bike . Question of the Day 📣 Question:  If my Stages crank power meters fail a nd I have another set of 3rd party power meter pedals , can I still use my SB20 bike?  The Short Answer: You can still do free rides and races in Zwift and other apps. You will not be able to use Erg mode.  ------------------- Urban legend: Erg mode still works with 3rd Party Cranks   Some people report that Erg mode still works when they use ...
Click to Read

Batteries and SB20 Power Meters

-
Image
Today's question: How does battery level affect SB20 power meter measurement? Let's do a deep dive and find out! Replaceable Batteries The Stages SB20 power meters have replaceable batteries. An advantage: No degradation of built-in batteries as the power meters age. A disadvantage: No ability to top up batteries to 100% whenever you wish. Battery Life CR2032 button cell batteries are used in the SB20 power meters. Stages says they should last 150-200 hours . Let's verify this claim with bench tests and torque measurements. Estimating Remaining Capacity The StagesPower  app, and others like BT Inspector, report battery capacity. They use the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless protocol to ask each power meter for a battery life estimate.   🔬It doesn't matter which app you use.  All apps report the estimate returned by the power meters. Why Battery Estimates are so Bad Many people complain that battery life estimates from the power meters show 100% most of time. The...
Click to Read