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 by way of the magic of Zwift, that cog is ready to just about present 24 completely different speeds, that are optimized on your entrance chainring(s) to supply a constant really feel from bike to bike.
Why Digital Shifting?
At this level, you’re in all probability 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 largest advantages to the Cog, is that on a direct-drive coach just like the Hub, you don’t have to vary out the cassette when you have a number of bikes you need to use on the coach with completely different drivetrains. Zwift says the Cog is appropriate with most bikes with 8-12 velocity drivetrains (sorry Ekar followers, 13-speed isn’t supported at the moment), which suggests you’ll be able to 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 offered 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 packages 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 will probably be displayed on the display so the place you might be within the 24-speed ‘cassette’. We’re advised 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 further decrease gears. In the event you’re using a 2x entrance chainring setup, it’s beneficial 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 also be lots quieter. Fashionable trainers have gotten fairly quiet, so at this level the drivetrain noise from a full-gas effort could be one of many loudest elements of the expertise. Hub One and trainers with the Cog must be quieter.
There’s additionally no likelihood of dropping a shift or coping with gradual shifting with the Cog. Shifts are practically instantaneous (even below full load), and there are bumpers on both aspect of the cog to stop chain derailments.
In accordance with Zwift, the Hub will robotically calculate the true gear ratio of the bike mounted to it firstly of each experience utilizing cadence and flywheel velocity. That implies that even bikes with small chainrings could have the correct in-game gearing that can forestall spinning out on flats or descents. This setting will solely happen firstly of each experience, and it’s what permits the entire completely different bikes to really feel the identical on the coach.
Learn how to Get Digital Shifting on Zwift
To begin, you’ll have to be sure to’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 suitable firmware and a shifting machine linked. If it isn’t working otherwise you need to flip it off, yow will discover a toggle within the settings menu.
Learn how to 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 that you could connect virtually anyplace. It may be used on aerobar extensions, dropbars, flat bars, and extra.
In the event you’re working a dropbar bike, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of 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 elsewhere – like the highest of the bars. Each the Play controllers and the Click on could be paired on the identical time.
Pricing & Availability
Beginning at this time, you’ll be able to 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 supreme? 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 embrace 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 is able to promote for $79.99. This equipment is simply appropriate with the Zwift Hub, and installs with out particular instruments.
Journey on.
