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Fenix 6, Wahoo Kickr, Zwift - Training Status and VO2 Max

A.P
over 4 years ago

I’m using a Fenix 6 along side Wahoo Kickr and Zwift for indoor training. The way I current have things set up is:

Garmin Fenix 6: Record activity in Virtual Run mode which broadcasts heart rate to Zwift. In Garmin connect I only get Time, calories, heart rate and training effect data (no VO2 max)

Zwift: gets heart rate data from Fenix 6, power data from kickr. Upload Zwift workout to Strava. 

Is there any better way to do this? I want to make use of Training status and get Cycling VO2 max. I understand that cycling VO2 max needs power data which the Kickr can provide but The Fenix 6 can’t read from the trainer when in virtual run mode as it only broadcasts hr and records basic HR data for training effect.

If I use indoor cycling workout will I lose the ability to send HR data to Zwift?

any thoughts or comments on best workflow much appreciated! Thanks!

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    There is a 'Bike Indoor' activity which also broadcasts HR and you can connect the Kickr as a Smart Trainer.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    For me the best way is to record the activity in parallel using the Bike Indoor as suggested.

    I have a heart rate monitor that I can connect to Garmin and Zwift. The indoor trainer can be controlled by Zwift by FE-C and at the same time broadcast the signal via ANT+ to the watch.

    You will end up with two activities in your connect, but only the one recorded by your Garmin device will bring the data of training status, load, IF, TSS, NP...

    Hope it helps!

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to crt_hun

    Thanks will give this a try - do I need to select 'Free Ride' option so only Zwift controls the trainer?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to A.P

    In my case I did not have to do anything else but to connect via ANT+ to the Trainer and press start at the same time I started the Zwift activity (after calibration). Garmin uses ANT+ for the FE-C protocol to control the Indoor trainer, but it seems that as long as there is no signal coming from the Garmin to control it, it won't matter.

    Another user suggested, as you say, to select the Free Ride option. In my case it was really not necessary since it was able to record power without interfering.

    If anything I said is not very clear please let me know. Happy to help.

    Also, when you record the power signal with the Fenix, can you please let me know how stable your power signal looks like? I had some issues while using FE-C to control the trainer (relatively constant dropouts). That seemed to get better as I was only receiving the signal from the power and not trying to control the roller.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to A.P

    Do NOT connect the trainer as a trainer while using zwift. This will cause problems while using zwift at the same time. Connect Power Sensor and Speed Sensor instead seperated. This way you are sure the fenix will ONLY collect the data and does not try to regulate sth.

    I am doing the same. This way the watch will get all the data, calculates v02, ftp and such and also zwift will control everything.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to EnormoDerClown

    This is in fact not necessary, see my answer above. As soon as you connect the trainer via ANT+ it will be connected as trainer and there is no way to change it.

    In my case works without a problem. Garmin will no try to regulate anything if there is no protocol to be sent from the watch to the trainer. One just need to be sure that there is no workout protocol selected.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 2063492

    That is not correct, at least for me. I am connected via ant+ with the seperation as i mentioned. If i connect as trainer i had ERG Mode problems 2-3 times. I think this happened if i connect garmin before zwift. After i  connect without trainer mode it is working perfect and never happened again.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to EnormoDerClown

    Maybe that could be a thing, I always connected first to Zwift and then Garmin. It might be also indoor trainer related as maybe they cannot broadcast in parallel.

    One alternative could be, if possible, to use Bluetooth to connect to Garmin since FE-C is not possible then.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 2063492

    I just do it this way for now, while using a indoor training app. More safe for me  :-D Sometimes if i do a "garmin workout" i connect the watch in trainer mode directly, but normally i disabled the trainer and enable the seperated connections. 

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    You need a HR Strap - they are way more accurate anyway... make sure its dual bluetooth and Ant+ like the new garmin or myzone... When you select Bike Indoor.. free ride the fenix 6 will take cadence and power from the smart trainer, HR from the strap and calculate your vo2 max.