First: I’m aware that Peloton bikes do not transmit power - unfortunately it’s the only choice I have at the moment for indoor rides. What I’m wondering is, can I use the Xert player to coach me thru the workout, as I manually adjust the wattage on the Peloton bike?
It looks like the Xert player on iOS will happily tick along keeping track of the time and target wattage, even when not receiving any data from sensors. The Peloton app captures the workout data - power, HR, etc. So after the workout, can I upload the Peloton results to Xert? This is what I do today already with TrainingPeaks, primarily thru the RunGap app. It looks like RunGap supports Xert, too, so I’m thinking this process will work with Xert (Pelton captures → RunGap syncs from Peloton to Xert → Xert uses the data to update progress).
I know I won’t get anything fancy like Smart Intervals, and the wattage is going to be a jumpy compared to a smart trainer in ERG mode, but like I said, it’s the only indoor setup I have at the moment.
Problem is that it’s a shared bike in my apt gym. They have 5 bikes total: 4 Peloton and 1 recumbent so the Pelotons are my go to. But I can’t swap gear on them.
Im going to give it a shot on my next indoor ride and will share how it goes.
Manually adjusting in Peloton isn’t too bad - and makes me focus on my effort so I keep the wattage near the prescribed range and breaks up the monotony of indoor riding. Also I did notice that since Xert syncs with Strava and Peloton syncs with Strava, the detailed ride data is automatically collected - no need for RunGap.
Meanwhile, I’m asking my gym to invest in a smart bike setup.
Looks like you have a solution to get data to Xert via Strava, post-ride.
If you also want ‘live’ data during a workout there is a device you can buy to broadcast data, but I believe it only works for original Peloton, not the + version. Apparently very easy to install / remove though. Also have heard mixed reports re: accuracy of Peloton power meters, depending on the bike
Looks interesting! I figure the Peloton isn’t super accurate but I ride the same one every time so at least I’m getting consistency in my inaccurate data.
Ok, did my first Xert workout today, using the Peloton Bike. Details on my setup below, for anybody who stumbles across this thread later.
The one thing I did notice and wonder about: since the Xert app isn’t getting any power readings, it appears as though it’s setting each interval at the high end of whatever range it thinks I should use. That is, since my MPA is never dropping (since each segment has 0 watts), it keeps the power for the following segments at the upper bound. Does that sound correct? For example, in the app it would show the upcoming interval at something like 270 W, but then when the interval started Xert would set the target 70-80 W higher than that.
For today’s ride (Iron Man 45), the intervals were all short 15s bursts so not much of an issue. But wondering how that will play out when there are longer high intensity intervals. Is there a way to configure the app so it just uses the middle of the range? Or do I just hang on and tough it out?
My Setup for those who have a Peloton and are trying Xert:
Xert app on my phone (iOS): played the workout - receives no power or other HR data but does tell me target Watts and the timer for segments.
Peloton Bike using “Just Ride” feature, HR tracking on my Apple Watch via Peloton watch app. I manually dialed in the resistance on Peloton and then did my best to maintain target W.
At end of ride Peloton syncs to Strava, Strava to Xert, all automatic. I ended up with 2 workouts - the Xert app recording (which had no data) and the Peloton ride, which had everything.
I deleted the Xert file since it was pointless. The Peloton ride had the MPA analysis, power profile, advanced analytics. I’m an Xert newbie obviously but it seems like it worked!
Some SMART workouts include dynamic power intervals tied to your signature which require generated power feedback from the trainer/power meter.
Since you can’t do that you should choose an alternate workout that doesn’t include that type of interval or export the SMART workout as an ERG file which dumbs it down to %TP format using your current fitness signature.
Next import that file back into Xert (as %TP) and add it to your Personal folder for selection on EBC.