Zwift is rethinking the drivetrain for coach use in an effort to suit extra bikes, supply a quieter expertise, and make it simpler than ever to hop on and experience. The entire premise revolves (actually) across the Zwift Cog which is out there as an replace for current Hub trainers, or comes full with the brand new Zwift Hub One.

The place the unique Zwift Hub would run a normal cassette for the gears, the Cog replaces that with a single gear. Then via the magic of Zwift, that cog is ready to just about present 24 completely different speeds, that are optimized in your entrance chainring(s) to supply a constant really feel from bike to bike.

Why Digital Shifting?

At this level, you’re most likely questioning why you’d need digital shifting. We definitely have been. However as you break it down, it begins to make quite a lot of sense.

One of many greatest advantages to the Cog, is that on a direct-drive coach just like the Hub, you don’t have to alter out the cassette when you have a number of bikes you wish to use on the coach with completely different drivetrains. Zwift says the Cog is suitable with most bikes with 8-12 velocity drivetrains (sorry Ekar followers, 13-speed will not be supported right now), which implies you possibly can simply pop your bike on the coach and experience with out having to swap cassettes. Zwift states that whereas 11-speed cassettes have been the most well-liked choice for the HUB, 54% of Hubs have been bought with different velocity cassettes highlighting the necessity to cowl a number of drivetrains.

1 x 24 Velocity Digital Drivetrain

Clearly, you continue to need gears for digital using applications like Zwift, so the Cog gives 24 completely different ‘gears’, that are shifted with both the Zwift Click on, the Zwift Play controllers (for dropbars), or a mix of each. Whereas utilizing Zwift, the present gear can be displayed on the display so the place you’re within the 24-speed ‘cassette’. We’re instructed that this replicates the vary of a 2 x 12 drivetrain, whereas eliminating a few of the overlap you’d usually discover on a double and changing that with extra decrease gears. In case you’re using a 2x entrance chainring setup, it’s really helpful that you just experience within the smaller ring.

Since there aren’t any bodily gears to shift backwards and forwards between, Zwift claims that the digital shifting can be rather a lot quieter. Trendy trainers have gotten fairly quiet, so at this level the drivetrain noise from a full-gas effort may be one of many loudest elements of the expertise. Hub One and trainers with the Cog needs to be quieter.

There’s additionally no probability of dropping a shift or coping with gradual shifting with the Cog. Shifts are almost instantaneous (even beneath full load), and there are bumpers on both facet of the cog to forestall chain derailments.

Based on Zwift, the Hub will robotically calculate the actual gear ratio of the bike mounted to it at the beginning of each experience utilizing cadence and flywheel velocity. That implies that even bikes with small chainrings can have the correct in-game gearing that may forestall spinning out on flats or descents. This setting will solely happen at the beginning of each experience, and it’s what permits the entire completely different bikes to really feel the identical on the coach.

How one can Get Digital Shifting on Zwift

To start out, you’ll have to ensure you’re working the newest Hub firmware – model 5.2.0 or later (With the Zwift recreation off, launch the Zwift Companion App and go to extra > {hardware}. Choose your Hub and replace firmware). You’ll additionally must be on the newest Zwift recreation construct – model 1.49 or later. Digital shifting will activate by default when you have the Zwift Hub paired with the precise firmware and a shifting system linked. If it isn’t working otherwise you wish to flip it off, you could find a toggle within the settings menu.

How one can Shift in Zwift

The shifting is digital, so that you received’t be utilizing your bike’s shifters. As an alternative, you’ll have a selection of the Zwift Click on, the Zwift Play controllers, or each. Zwift Click on is a small, easy button pod you could connect nearly wherever. It may be used on aerobar extensions, dropbars, flat bars, and extra.

In case you’re working a dropbar bike, you possibly can benefit from the Zwift Play controllers which have buttons that can be utilized for shifting full with haptic suggestions.

Need extra shift choices? Use the Play controllers on the dropbar, and add the Click on some other place – like the highest of the bars. Each the Play controllers and the Click on may be paired on the similar time.

Pricing & Availability

Beginning at this time, you possibly can purchase a Zwift Hub One coach with the Zwift Cog pre-installed and a Zwift Click on shifter for $599. Not into the digital shifting preferrred? You can even buy the Zwift Hub Basic with a cassette of your selection (8, 9, 10, 11, or 12sp) for $599. Each variations of the coach additionally embody a 1-year subscription to Zwift making it much more interesting.

Have already got a Zwift Hub Coach however need Digital Shifting? For you, Zwift will supply the Zwift Cog and Click on improve equipment which can promote for $79.99. This equipment is barely suitable with the Zwift Hub, and installs with out particular instruments.

Journey on.