I’d like to get a cheap computer to use while I’m on my turbo, I only really want speed, distance and possibly cadence measured. What would people recommend? Do I literally need a cheap £10 one?
Going to wait till after Christmas and hopefully upgrade my turbo so it’s a Zwift compatible one but I want something cheap and cheerful until then.
Speed and distance is easy, for cadence you need an extra sensor.
Speed and distance - a cheap wired computer with a magnet on your wheel will do that. For cadence you need a cadence sensor (essentially the same thing, but it sits behind your cranks and measured when the crank comes past). I don't know if the cheap computers can work with the cadence sensor.
Alternatively you could get a speed and a cadence sensor (Ant+ ones), and Ant+ dongle and use your phone (assuming you have an ok smartphone) or a tablet/laptop as the computer on your turbo.
I don't use Zwift but I think it might work with your current turbo anyway. If you can tell it your speed, it has something they call 'virtual power'. They know how different turbos react under load (the power curve), so as long as Zwift knows your speed, it can also tell you your power. If your turbo is not on the list, try a couple of different ones, one might be similar. Obviously that doesn't allow Zwift to control the turbo, eg the resistance won't increase when the road goes up etc. For that you need a 'two-way smart' turbo.
