How to set up
What you need to start riding such as Internet set up, Devices set up, Equipment set up and related FAQs.
Internet Setup
Dustland Rider is an online game, so you will need stable Internet/Wi-Fi at all times. We recommend bandwidth of 3Mbps or higher.
Devices Setup
For iOS:
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
Note: Devices that do not meet requirements might NOT be able to install at all, or NOT be able to enjoy stable game experience. Based on "Very Low" graphic, "NO" shadow, and "NO" anti-alias, 50% camera scale |
Note: Based on "Low" graphic, "Medium" shadow, and "NO" anti-alias, 100% camera scale |
For aOS:
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
Note: Devices that do not meet requirements might NOT be able to install at all, or NOT be able to enjoy stable game experience. Based on "Very Low" graphic, "NO" shadow, and "NO" anti-alias |
Note: Based on "Low" graphic, "Medium" shadow, and "NO" anti-alias, 100% camera scale |
For PC:
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
Note: Devices that do not meet requirements might NOT be able to run, or NOT be able to enjoy smooth game experience. Based on "Very Low" graphic, "NO" shadow, and "NO" anti-alias, at 1280x72 |
Note: Based on "Low" graphic, "Medium" shadow, and "NO" anti-alias, at 1920x1080 |
For Mac:
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
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Equipment Setup
| Equipment | Required | |
|---|---|---|
Indoor Bike Trainer | Non Smart Trainer (aka Dumb Trainer): Use with Speed or Power Sensor Smart Trainer: Equipment has a power sensor built in. Resistance Sensor also built in to feel the feedback of the world on your legs. | |
Indoor Spin or Smart Bike | Non Smart Bike / Spin Bike: Use with Speed or Power Sensor Smart Bike: Equipment has a power sensor built in. Resistance Sensor also built in to feel the feedback of the world on your legs. | |
Speed Sensor Or Power Sensor (aka Power Meter) | Speed sensor is the cheapest sensor you can buy to play Dustland Rider. It is not as accurate as a Power Meter but it will get you moving! Power Meter is a preferred option over the Speed Sensor. They are a little more expensive but more accurate and will help you better understand your riding effort. Note: A Smart Trainer has a built in Power Meter, you do not need to buy one separately. | |
Heart Rate Sensor | Optional | To better understand your effort it is advised to have a heart rate monitor. Note: Dustland Rider currently only supports chest strap as heart rate sensor. |
Cadence Sensor | Optional | To better understand your riding economy it is advised to have a heart rate monitor. |
Bike Computer | These are mainly used for outdoor riding information display and navigation and are not required indoors. The game will provide this display. |
What are the possible connection sources?
Bluetooth or ANT+. For PC or Mac players only: A USB ANT+ dongle helps you receive signals from sensors that use this protocol to transmit to Rider. It is a Garmin protocol (available from Amazon or Garmin stores) and many bike devices support this. If you are in a space with multiple active Bluetooth devices this might be a better option.
What are the more popular speed and cadence sensor options on the market?
Here’s some of the more popular speed and cadence sensor options for your reference:
| Model | Transmits Power Data (ANT+) | Transmits Power Data (BLE) |
|---|---|---|
Garmin® Bike Speed | ||
Garmin® Speed Sensor 2 and Cadence Sensor 2 | ||
Garmin® GSC10 | ||
Wahoo BlueSC | ||
Bryton Smart Speed/Cadence Sensor |
How do I know if my setup works with Rider?
The most important thing to check is whether or not your bike trainer has a power or speed sensor. Smart bikes from Stages and Wahoo are tested and proven compatible.
For street bikes, the two things you need are:
A thru-axle (TA) to attach the bike to the trainer so that it’s fixed on the ground.
An external speed sensor that you can attach to your bike’s rear wheel to monitor your performance
Step-by-step set up tutorial: Tacx classic wheel-on trainer
Always check your bike manual for safety advice and compatibility for indoor riding.
We are not liable for any injuries or damage caused while playing the game.
How to put my bike on a trainer?
The way you put a rim brakes bike on a smart trainer is slightly different from a disc brakes bike.
Wheel-on trainers: These trainers attach at the axle of your bike’s rear wheel.
Rim Brakes:
If your bike has rim brakes, you’ll likely need a trainer skewer to get your bike set up.
Disc Brakes:
If your bike has disc brakes, you’ll want to look into purchasing a thru axle for your rear wheel so it connects easily to the trainer.
Direct drive trainers
To connect your bike to a direct drive trainer, you have to remove your rear wheel entirely and set your bike directly on the trainer’s built-in cassette.
Click here & here to refer to how to put a bike on a direct drive trainer.
How to adjust gears on the bike ?
There are many kinds of different terrains in Dustland Rider challenging the players, so if you know well how to adjust your bike gears based on terrain will help you to be more comfortable and efficiently pedaling on these various terrains without experiencing tired or muscle soreness.
High gear for downhill
You need a high gear to ride a downward slope because at that moment the resistance is low. The highest gear on your bike is the largest chainring in the front and the smallest cog on your cassette (rear gears)
Middle gear for flat road
For a flat road, the middle gear is ideal. For beginners in biking, it is also best to keep the bike in middle gear.
Low gear for uphill
When uphill with your bike, a lower gear is advisable because base resistance increases when going uphill. The low gear on your bike is the smallest chainring in the front and the largest cog on your cassette (rear gears).
I feel like my legs are spinning too fast and I’m going slow.
If you are using a Smart Trainer, increase your Base Resistance while on the connection screen. You can also access this feature via the Advanced Setting on the Settings>Controls menu. If you are not using a Smart Trainer then manually adjust the resistance of your trainer.
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