# Can you eliminate Zwift Ride BIke Freehub? **URL:** \ **Category:** Zwift Equipment\ **Created:** [April 9, 2026, 1:43am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/can-you-eliminate-zwift-ride-bike-freehub/667699 "2026-04-09T01:43:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Theodore\_Hoerr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/theodore_hoerr/32/518272_2.png) [@Theodore\_Hoerr](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Theodore_Hoerr)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 1:43am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/can-you-eliminate-zwift-ride-bike-freehub/667699/1 "2026-04-09T01:43:51Z")
About five months ago, I was hit on my road bike in NYC and suffered a severe spinal cord injury. I am recovering and purchased a Zwift Ride bike to help with my recovery. My problem is that the Zwift ride bike has a free hub that simulates a traditional road bike. I was hoping this bike worked more like a traditional exercise bike that has a good deal of resistance when you pedal backwards. Due to my injury when I pedal this bike, my spasticity causes me to slightly engage the free hub on every pedal revolution. With a traditional exercise bike there is enough resistance when pedaling backwards to overcome this. Any advice on how I can eliminate the free hub ? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Southworth](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/paul_southworth/32/538336_2.png) [@Paul\_Southworth](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Paul_Southworth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 9:22am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/can-you-eliminate-zwift-ride-bike-freehub/667699/2 "2026-04-09T09:22:02Z")
There is a fixed gear adapter for Wahoo trainers that will prevent freewheeling. As far as I know this is the only product on the market designed for that purpose: [Wahoo KICKR Fixed-Gear Adapter – Velobike](https://www.velobike.co.nz/products/wahoo-kickr-fixed-gear-adapter) However there are a couple problems with the idea of using it with the Zwift Ride: 1. If the gear is fixed (no freewheeling) it may cause the chain tensioner on the frame to disengage. Unlike a track bike which has a horizontal dropout designed to adjust the distance between the cog and chainring for optimal chain tension, the Zwift Ride has a spring loaded tensioner for that purpose, and it expects that the chain will move backwards freely. 2. The fixed gear adapter I linked above comes with a 10mm bolt-on axle like you would use with a track bike. The Zwift Ride uses a 12x142mm thru-axle. Can that adapter be made to work with a thru-axle? That’s a question for the manufacturer, but it might work. I think you might be stuck with the design of the bike as it is. If you’re within the 30 day return period you could send it back and get a spin bike instead. Alternately you might sell the Ride frame, keep the trainer, and put a track bike on the trainer using one of those Velobike adapters. That would be a better quality system than most spin bikes, but it would be a bit of a project to build it. ---
**Author:** ![shooj](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/shooj/32/91371_2.png) [@shooj](https://forums.zwift.com/u/shooj)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/can-you-eliminate-zwift-ride-bike-freehub/667699/3 "2026-04-09T22:17:54Z")
Hi @Theodore_Hoerr welcome to Zwift forums and Zwift more generally. Shuji at Zwift HQ here. We worked really hard to make the Zwift Ride frame + trainer combo one that suits a great range of indoor cyclists’ needs but there are use cases where it’s not ideal, As Paul mentions, there are possible modifications you could make to a smart trainer, but locking down a part that’s designed to coast freely comes with downsides for the equipment and potential physical risks to you. I see you’ve contacted our Support Team already - please respond to Daniel’s response, so they can process your return. I will add that [Zwift supports some brands of indoor exercise bikes](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/compatible-trainers-BkPlq7gr#Indoor_Bikes) that may suit your needs and allow you to enjoy Zwift during your recovery. Hope this helps!