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 trip. The entire premise revolves (actually) across the Zwift Cog which is accessible as an replace for present Hub trainers, or comes full with the brand new Zwift Hub One.
The place the unique Zwift Hub would run an ordinary 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 nearly present 24 totally different speeds, that are optimized to your entrance chainring(s) to offer a constant really feel from bike to bike.
Why Digital Shifting?
At this level, you’re in all probability questioning why you’ll need digital shifting. We definitely have been. However as you break it down, it begins to make a number 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 vary out the cassette if in case you have a number of bikes you wish to use on the coach with totally different drivetrains. Zwift says the Cog is suitable with most bikes with 8-12 pace drivetrains (sorry Ekar followers, 13-speed just isn’t supported at the moment), which implies you may simply pop your bike on the coach and trip with out having to swap cassettes. Zwift states that whereas 11-speed cassettes have been the preferred choice for the HUB, 54% of Hubs have been offered with different pace cassettes highlighting the necessity to cowl a number of drivetrains.
1 x 24 Pace Digital Drivetrain
Clearly, you continue to need gears for digital driving packages like Zwift, so the Cog supplies 24 totally 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 likely be displayed on the display so the place you’re 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 extra decrease gears. Should you’re driving a 2x entrance chainring setup, it’s beneficial that you just trip within the smaller ring.
Since there aren’t any bodily gears to shift forwards and backwards between, Zwift claims that the digital shifting can be rather a lot quieter. Fashionable trainers have gotten fairly quiet, so at this level the drivetrain noise from a full-gas effort might be one of many loudest elements of the expertise. Hub One and trainers with the Cog must be quieter.
There’s additionally no probability of dropping a shift or coping with sluggish shifting with the Cog. Shifts are almost instantaneous (even underneath full load), and there are bumpers on both aspect of the cog to stop chain derailments.
In keeping with Zwift, the Hub will mechanically calculate the true gear ratio of the bike mounted to it at first of each trip utilizing cadence and flywheel pace. That implies that even bikes with small chainrings can have the right in-game gearing that may forestall spinning out on flats or descents. This setting will solely happen at first of each trip, and it’s what permits the entire totally different bikes to really feel the identical on the coach.
How one can Get Digital Shifting on Zwift
To start out, you’ll must be sure to’re working the most recent Hub firmware – model 5.2.0 or later (With the Zwift sport off, launch the Zwift Companion App and go to extra > {hardware}. Choose your Hub and replace firmware). You’ll additionally have to be on the most recent Zwift sport construct – model 1.49 or later. Digital shifting will activate by default if in case you have the Zwift Hub paired with the fitting firmware and a shifting machine linked. If it isn’t working otherwise you wish to flip it off, yow will discover 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 a substitute, you’ll have a alternative of the Zwift Click on, the Zwift Play controllers, or each. Zwift Click on is a small, easy button pod that you may connect nearly anyplace. It may be used on aerobar extensions, dropbars, flat bars, and extra.
Should you’re working a dropbar bike, you may 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 might be paired on the identical time.
Pricing & Availability
Beginning at present, you should 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 superb? You may as well buy the Zwift Hub Basic with a cassette of your alternative (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 can promote for $79.99. This equipment is simply suitable with the Zwift Hub, and installs with out particular instruments.
Trip on.
