Stages Bike is not listed as Resistance controller (Not the Resistance is Futile bug)

Bugs and Support
1

December 20, 2025 Update: This bug is still present in Zwift Release 1.104.3

Bug Summary: Stages Bike is not listed as Resistance controller when Stages Power Meter is selected for both Power Source and Cadence.

This bug is easy to reproduce on iOS devices (iPads and iPhones) using Bluetooth.

Stages Bike Resistance Bug

Before starting, do some pedalling to wake up the Stages Power Meter cranks.

BT Fail Cranks
BT Fail Cranks1920Ă—1605 406 KB

  1. Open the Paired Devices screen. Click Power Source to continue.

  2. Select the Left Crank for Power Source.

  3. Select the Left Crank for Cadence.

  4. Since Left Crank selected for both Power Source and Cadence, Stages Bike is not listed.

    Note: If Stages Bike is listed, exit and open the Zwift app again. Stages Bike will not be shown when the app restarts.

Workaround for the Bug (that also demonstrated why this is a bug)

Workaround Summary: Stages Bike is listed as Resistance controller when Stages Bike is selected for one of Power Source or Cadence.

Before starting, do some pedalling to wake up the Stages Power Meter cranks.

BT Workaround
BT Workaround1920Ă—1605 412 KB

  1. Open the Paired Devices screen. Click Power Source to continue.

  2. Select the Left Crank for Power Source.

  3. Select the Stages Bike for Cadence.

  4. Since Stages Bike selected for one of Power Source or Cadence, Stages Bike is listed.

2

I confirmed this is the behavior on macOS Tahoe as well, pairing via Bluetooth

1 Like
3

Thanks for the report and the illustrated description with a workaround. All that is very helpful.

I’ve flagged it up the team for further investigation.

4

This bug doesn’t only affect Stages but also both my Kickr v5 and Elite Nero and this bug has persisted for at least1 year (or my entire time on Zwift! )

Btw I was wrong about ANT, it’s a Bluetooth only bug

5

My Saris H3 has always been this way. First connect as source, then resistance, and then go back and connect either my P1 pedals or QUARQ as the source. I picked up the Saris in 2020. I think my Kickr Snap before then was the same.

6

And it’s not a technical requirement because in eg Rouvy it’s not necessary to do that.

Incidentally it seems Zwift is completely unaware of this as even this week support suggested

  1. Unplug the Nero from the wall. On the Zwift pairing screen, first pair your power meter and confirm you see power. Then plug the Nero back in and pair it only as Controllable.

  2. Use Zwift Companion as a bridge: Open the Zwift Companion app on your phone (connected to the same Wi-Fi as your PC). On the pairing screen on your computer, click the gear icon and select “Use Zwift Companion” to handle Bluetooth through your phone.

  3. In Windows, also ensure your network is set to Private (not Public).

  4. If nothing pairs, on the pairing screen, click the Speed Sensor tile first and let Zwift find the trainer. Then go back and pair your power meter as Power and the trainer as Controllable.