BikeErg and Zwift connection question

[Suerevans]

Hi everyone

I’ve just received my lovely new BikeErg and was hoping to connect it to Zwift.

I have downloaded the Concept2 app and it sees the bike just fine, I can see it in my Bluetooth connections. But when I open Zwift, it doesn’t see it.
I have checked in the Zwift forum and followed the instructions, it just doesn’t appear for me to connect to it.

Can anyone help me please? I assume it’s something really simple that I haven’t done, but I can’t see it

Thanks, Sue
(Oh and sorry if this is the wrong place to post this question. I wasn’t sure whether to ask here or in the apps one, but that seemed to be mostly about rowers!)

[Slothful1]

Hi Sue

What are you using to run Zwift - a PC / Mac or a mobile device (iOS / Android)? You need to find a way to connect the PM5 to Zwift, and the Concept2 app won't help there. The Concept2 app just gives you additional information while you're riding, and makes it easier to upload to the logbook. In my case I'm using a Garmin ANT+ dongle attached to my laptop to connect to the PM5. I also run the Concept2 app at the same time, so all can work together.

There is a way to use the Zwift Companion app to be the bridge between the PM5 and the main Zwift device (I think this used to be needed when you're only running Bluetooth and not ANT+, but that might have changed in recent months).

My guess is that you probably can't connect to Zwift via Bluetooth if the Concept2 app is already connected to the PM5. Try connect to only your Zwift device via Bluetooth and see if this helps.

Let us know how you go.

Dave

[EV_Simon]

Also worth pointing out that Zwift are advising people not to upgrade to the latest Windows 10 release as it's broken the bluetooth stack and Zwift, instead they are recommending using Ant+ instead of BT.

[MrSanderz]

I have always used the ANT+power profile on the BikeErg and via an ANT USB dongle on my PC it always worked well.

[wildrover]

I'm using Zwift on an iPhone X. To connect, I first start Ergdata and connect it. Then I start Zwift, which doesn't 'see' the PM5. So I turn the wireless on the PM5 off and then on, and I can connect in Zwift. After my workout, I have recorded it both in Ergdata and Zwift. Not a very elegant solution, but I haven't found any other.

[Carl Watts]

When is Concept 2 going to give Zwift what they need to be able to connect the PM5 Directly to the PC via USB and run Zwift the same as RowPro ?

Currently its a real mess, even for the BikeErg. Really have no intention of even trialing Zwift until they sort out the hardware interface and drop the "Bridge" device required.

Perhaps you guys that are trying to use Zwift should be sending e-mails to Concept 2 and Zwift and try to get them to work together in providing the PM5 USB interface protocol to get the PM5 communicating directly to Zwift on the PC.

With a few smarts within Zwift would then enable both BikeErg users and Erg users to run Zwift.

[EV_Simon]

When is Concept 2 going to give Zwift what they need to be able to connect the PM5 Directly to the PC via USB and run Zwift the same as RowPro ?

Currently its a real mess, even for the BikeErg. Really have no intention of even trialing Zwift until they sort out the hardware interface and drop the "Bridge" device required.

Perhaps you guys that are trying to use Zwift should be sending e-mails to Concept 2 and Zwift and try to get them to work together in providing the PM5 USB interface protocol to get the PM5 communicating directly to Zwift on the PC.

With a few smarts within Zwift would then enable both BikeErg users and Erg users to run Zwift.

Carl, I have an ant+ dongle and Zwift and my BikeErg work flawlessly, I would actually prefer RowPro to use a dongle rather than trailing a cable.

Not sure what "issues" you have experienced but both Zwift and BikeErg have never been a problem for me on the PC, even when using the Zwift Companion as the bluetooth passthrough.

[Carl Watts]

Apparently the BikeErg can connect to Zwift no problem wirelessly it's more the Erg that has no direct compatibility with Zwift at all that is the problem. Personally I still prefer a USB connection not only does it supply power it's more reliable than wireless and I already have way to much wireless to contend with already with the Ant+ heartrate strap and the Bluetooth Ergdata and with the PC on Wi-fi as it is.

Perhaps someone could help me out here if you have both a BikeErg and a rower. Swap the monitors over and does the BikeErg version of the PM5 work on the Erg ? Sure your going to be disadvantaged using it with Zwift but hell the connection would be easier.

[robbiejd]

Works right out of the box with my Mac. Here's a quick video showing my Zwift experience with the BikeErg:
https://youtu.be/QbVXspY76YQ

Happy to answer any questions

[Garyvrck]

I too am trying to get this to work but am running into the following issues - any suggestions would be most appreciated …

I want to run Ergdata on my iOS device (iPhone or ipad) to get automatic syncing to the logbook. I'd like to run Zwift on the same device.

I can successfully connect Ergdata on my device via Bluetooth to my PM5 and do a training session / sync to the logbook.
I can successfully just run Zwift on my device, connect via Bluetooth to my PM5 and do a Zwift session.

However I can't seem to do both of the above at the same time on the same device! If I start Ergdata first, then when I launch the Zwift app it never sees the PM5. If I turn off/on wireless on the PM5 as was suggested earlier, then Zwift works but Ergdata doesn't have a connection any longer. It seems as though only one app can have the Bluetooth connection to the PM5 at a time.

Any suggestions?

One final question … I have a laptop that I could connect to the PM5 via a direct USB cable. But the Zwift PC app won't recognize the PM5 when I connect it via a direct USB cable - is that by intent or am I missing something here as well?

Perhaps the only way to get Ergdata and Zwift working together is to use Ergdata via Bluetooth for my iOS device, and an ANT+ wireless USB dongle plugged into my PC laptop???

Many thanks in advance folks!!
Cheers,
Gary

[Slothful1]

Perhaps the only way to get Ergdata and Zwift working together is to use Ergdata via Bluetooth for my iOS device, and an ANT+ wireless USB dongle plugged into my PC laptop???

Many thanks in advance folks!!
Cheers,
Gary

Hi Gary

I've been using this setup for around 18 months without trouble. I can switch away from ErgData on the phone to use other apps (e.g. messages or music apps) while riding, and it still keeps updating in the background. I would guess that trying to run both apps on the same device isn't possible because only one can access the Bluetooth connection at a time. I'm using a Garmin Dualband Heart Rate monitor which broadcasts to both the PM5 and the laptop (and my Garmin watch) at the same time, and all works seamlessly.

Dave

[Garyvrck]

Thanks Dave.

Yes I picked up an ANT+ USB dongle for my PC today and all is perfect - Ergdata is running on my iPhone 8 via Bluetooth, my Polar OH1+ heart rate monitor is connected via ANT+ and is seen in both Ergdata and on the PM5. And I now have Zwift running on my laptop via the ANT+ dongle. Heart rate showed up in Zwift as well.

I hit Just Ride on my PM5 once Zwift was loaded and hit the PM5 Menu button to end the ride when I was finished. Ergdata then synced my workout to my Concept2 Logbook while Zwift recorded my ride details in its own app.

Pretty slick overall - I think I'll subscribe to Zwift for a couple of months.

Cheers,
Gary

[Slothful1]

Glad to hear you got up and running quickly. I also do the same thing with the Just Ride option, although for the Holiday Challenge I needed some extra metres, so I chose 100km on the PM5 and then picked the route up the Alpe in Zwift to use up that amount of time. But generally the logbook is filled with random number rides. I definitely wouldn't use the BikeErg as much as I do without the Zwift option.

Dave

[Garyvrck]

As a follow-up, in addition to Zwift, I've successfully been using TheSufferFest over the past week as well. I think I actually prefer Sufferfest as it seems to be more geared around training videos vs social riding. After you complete their fitness test (Full Frontal), the videos are tuned to your abilities which is pretty cool.

Regardless of the app though, and I've just discovered there are many out there, I find that it's way more interesting to ride in these connected environments vs watching tv or just listening to music. I'll definitely get a lot more use out of my BikeErg over the winter months as a result.

[ltwe7531]

Hi everyone,

I purchased the BikeErg a week ago and have been using it to connect to Zwift via my iPad. The connection works fine, I can connect the BikeErg to Zwfit via bluetooth and I also connect my Polar H7 to Zwift.

Today I noticed an issue with the PM5 Erg data vs the Zwift data. I completed 27km distance on the BikeErg but Zwift only said I completed 21km. Watts and RPM all seemed to be accurate just the distance was so far off. I can't seem to find any other feeds or support tickets on Zwift about this issue.

Has this happened to anyone else or any advice? Have I missed a setting or something?

Thanks for your help!

Lauren