I’d love to hear from users about the drawbacks of the QZ app. For just $5, it seems like a no-brainer—eliminating the need for the Zwift-Wahoo deal to upgrade trainers for virtual shifting. With that in mind, you’d think people would be adopting this app in droves. What’s holding it back?
I don’t feel like I need virtual shifting. I’ve never used it so maybe if I tried it I would change my mind but at the moment, I’m good.
In general, since 80% of my rides are structured workouts, shifting isn’t particularly important. However, the remaining 20% often includes climbs, which is a different story as I ride TT bikes with a 1x drivetrain. Over the years, I’ve refined how I adjust trainer difficulty while riding to better match my cadence and power output during climbs. Instead of using my trackball mouse, I’m drawn to the idea of using buttons for this purpose I’m just hesitant to go all-in on buying Zwift controls and investing the time to set them up, if the app doesn’t function perfectly 100% of the time. Time weights more than the 5 bucks and controls.
I thought about trying that app, but then Elite announced they’d be making virtual possible with their trainers. I may or may not get a Click and try out virtual, but if I’m being honest with myself, I really don’t have any issue shifting the old fashioned way.
I suspect most people just don’t know about it, and it can be somewhat complicated to set up because it has a million options to support all kinds of different devices, which is great as a swiss army knife app that solves many problems but may hinder adoption.
Have you tried it, Paul?
I purchased the app to check it out, and your statement significantly understates the actual number of options available! LOL
I have but I don’t really need it. I just wanted to be able to answer questions about it since I keep recommending it to spin bike and treadmill users. One of the great things about it is that @Roberto_Viola puts a lot of work into support, and you may very well need it. I suspect he has added or retained a significant number of customers for Zwift through this work, largely by fixing equipment compatibility problems that Zwift have not put the effort into fixing.
Let me know if you have any questions on PM
@Roberto_Viola Is there a way to run the Windows version that supports Direct Connect or even ANT+? BLE has never been as reliable for me…
do you mean DC to the trainer or DC to zwift? DC to zwift it’s already implemented
If I want to use the QZ App for virtual shifting instead of pairing my trainer (or power meter) directly to Zwift via DC or Ant+, I need to pair the QZ app via my iPhone using BLE… so my question was, whether it’s possible to use a Windows version of the QZ App that leverages DC or Ant+…
please let’s move the discussion in private because zwift admins don’t like this topic, thanks
I suppose they’re not too thrilled about a third-party solving problems for their customers that they couldn’t fix themselves.
I bought the QZ App a few days ago, virtual shifting works perfectly with my Kickr V4 and Zwift Play controllers. I get the gear indicator in the zwift app, everything. This does not feel like a workaround at all. It’s the best $6 I ever spent. Garman: “We won’t!”, Wahoo: “We can’t!” Roberto in Italy: “hold my beer!”
The only downside, as others mentioned, is the App has a lot of features and settings. It’s also being updated quickly, so a lot of info online is out of date. With that said, I fiddled with it for a couple hours, trying different things, it’s actually really easy setting it up once you know where all the settings are.
I can’t recommend this app enough if you want to try virtual shifting before you invest in a new trainer. As it is, I see no need to upgrade, QZ works great. Bravo Roberto!
I will print this post and I will attach to my wall!
Thanks! You made my day!
do you get the tactile feedback in the shifters when you use your Play controllers on Zwift?
Yes I do.
I have never tried the native virtual shifting in Zwift as my Kickr V4 does not support it, but I can’t believe it’s any different than what I get in the QZ app, with tactile feedback, and gear indicator in the Zwift app. I can also change the 24 gear ratios to anything I want in QZ, I’m not sure that’s possible in Zwift.
so you feel the little buzz in your fingers on the shifter when you press the shift on either R or L shifters?
I ask because from what I’ve seen elsewhere, you dont get that.
Yes, the little haptic buzz. One thing to keep in mind, this app gets updated frequently, it’s VERY possible you are looking at outdated posts. I saw stuff that said you lose all other functionality in the controllers if you use them with QZ for shifting, that may have been true at one time but not now.
Oh, I’m using version 2.18.9 of the QZ app for Android. I’m running Zwift on a fairly powerful gaming PC.