3 ms·
I've been wondering how long it would be before something like this happened ever since e-sports cycling started. Longer than I thought it would is the answer!
by bennyelv 4y ago
I've been wondering how long it would be before something like this happened ever since e-sports cycling started. Longer than I thought it would is the answer!
I'm sure there's simpler ways as well: you could manipulate the spindown test that the turbotrainer does for calibration to make it think the flywheel is heavier than it really is, for example.
At the non-pro level cheating is absolutely rife. Mostly through people lying about their weight. In every open zwift race there are performances that would put a person in the top 0.1% of riders globally being put down by half the field!
- nradov 4y agoWould attaching some temporary adhesive weights to the trainer flywheel during the calibration test be an effective way to cheat? My Tacx Neo 2T doesn't even have a calibration process, but maybe that could work on other models. Of course that won't affect the separate data stream sent from the power meter on the bike.
- bennyelv 4y agoI've made some assumptions, which on reflection could be incorrect. My Tacx Flux does a spindown test where you spin it up to a high RPM, then stop pedalling and it measures how long it takes to stop. I guess it's actually trying to get an accurate measure of the resistance being applied. A heavier flywheel will be harder to spin up, but will also take longer to spin down at the same resistance, so maybe that doesn't make a difference. Pressing something against the flywheel would make the trainer think it's applying more resistance than it really is, so I'm pretty sure that would work.
- danceparty 4y agoThese zwift races require two data inputs, one from a power meter (pedal or crank) and one from the trainer. So manipulating just the trainer flywheel would not be enough.