I don’t think you have been screwed by Zwift but what gave you confidence in the first place? They have never manufactured a trainer, just rebranded another firm’s budget product with a few changes, landed in litigation with a previous partner (Wahoo), then settled and made up with that partner, replaced the Hub Classic with the Kickr Core… the writing was on the wall about this for a while.
On the other hand they seem to deal fairly with people in the support process, including for warranty replacement of Elite trainers which they don’t sell anymore. Doesn’t seem like you’ve been exposed to a lot of risk here.
Thanks Paul, I don’t particularly understand the politics of the turbo trainer world , but can see where you are coming from now I am up to speed.
As someone fairly out the loop , what I saw was a well known brand selling a turbo trainer with their own intellectual proper (hub one) so assumed some ongoing investment. I guess that’s the difficulty for big brands people have certain expectations. I doubt I am alone in that feeling.
How will virtual shifting on the Kickr Core Zwift One work with the Play controllers that already frequently disconnect as shown by the messages on screen? I’m interested in moving to a direct drive trainer but the shifting needs to be flawless 100% of the time.
For best reliability, don’t use a product that has a virtual shifter, especially not one paired to a computing device. A trainer that used a wireless shifter paired to the trainer where the manufacturer controls the hardware and software on both sides would be more reliable. Better yet a wired shifter like you see on smart bikes.
The one salient point about the Zwift trainers with virtual shifters is you can put a normal cassette on it and then the virtual shifter is optional.
I won’t be changing the cog size but just use a bigger cog than 14t on my cassette. That should eliminate any compatibility issues.
I own an early version of the core and that has always been the case. Perfectly quiet in small gears and shaking up the whole house when shifting into bigger gears. Definetly a hardware issue. Probably the flywheel being slightly unbalanced causing the vibrations when it gets up to higher revelations. It’s the third or fourth replacement unit though and I gave up at some point (warranty period has long expired by now) . I’ve been stuck in ERG-mode for the past years. You can image how much I welcome virtual shifting
Will there be a firmware update for the Tacx Neo 2T, too?
Has Zwift or someone else already some info on this? Or is there some kind of exclusive partnership with wahoo, so they will be the only ones with Zwift virtual shifting?
According to what I’ve read, Zwift is open to working with the other companies to make it happen but it’s down to the trainer companies to make that bit of code for the trainers software.
It is great when it works but there is no workaround when Virtual Shifting is On and any of the Zwift Play controllers disconnects. It is game over…
I joined a race today and all seemed OK (Kickr Core + Zwift Play) and Zwift shown gear 12. When the race started and I wanted to shift to harder gear, none of the controllers reacted even if they were connected just prior. Gear stuck in 12. The only way out was to leave the race. Close the Zwift app (Android) and start it again.
I think that there should be some workaround available if Zwift Play connection is lost like:
Keep searching and reconnect to the same one in background
Or turn the virtual shifting off and switch to manual shifting (it does not solve the problem for folks with the Cog)
Or add controls to Zwift Companion App to be able to shift in there (this is probably the easiest way)
Not a problem for free rides or group rides but it is a total showstopper for races.
@shooj
Why do you recommend using only the 14t supplied cog, but indicate that it’s fine to use whichever cog you’d like on a full cassette? When I ride in ERG, I use the small chain ring, and whichever cog gives me a straight chain line. I also like the small ring in ERG mode because it reduces the flywheel effect. If I use the small chain ring and a small cog, I get noticeable vibrations on my Kickr. Not sure if it’s chain angle or just the small cog,
So, when I switch to virtual shifting, I’d like to use my small chain ring (as a 1X) and a single larger, maybe 23t rear cog. Why is this not OK?
Shooj answered that lower down in his reply. It’s about compatibility with a very wide range of bikes and drivetrains. So if you’re not bothered about that then it shouldn’t be a problem for you to use a different cog.
Guys I’ll apologise If I’ve missed it but I can’t find an answer anywhere:
I have an 8-speed bike and it’s killing me during races, I just want more gears.
My wahoo kickr core has been updated and says I can use virtual gear changing.
What I can’t find out is, do I need to buy both the zwift cog AND the zwift controllers?
If the answers no, am I right in saying that both these items do basically the exact same thing, except the controllers also allow for in game functions too?
You need to buy the zwift play controllers, and only those.
Virtual shifting will work with your existing cassette on the trainer, use your bike shifting to select whichever gear gives you the straightest chain, then the zwift play controllers for virtual shifting.
It was announced it’s coming but no date. Earlierbin this thread shooj said later this year and DC did soon… So who knows?! I’m looking forward to it though as I have a kickr.
Hi @Ben_2V. We are glad to know about your valuable interest in getting a Zwift Cog compatible with your Kickr Core. We have heard all your needs and we are working on them. Please stay tuned to our official channels like Zwift Shop and zwift.com for exciting upcoming releases.
. What is the ETA to have it supported?
cant wait using the cog on a KICKR 