{"id":41172,"date":"2022-09-06T16:00:51","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T14:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=695846"},"modified":"2022-09-06T16:22:13","modified_gmt":"2022-09-06T14:22:13","slug":"zwift-enters-the-hardware-game-with-the-zwift-hub-a-499-direct-drive-smart-trainer","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/zwift-enters-the-hardware-game-with-the-zwift-hub-a-499-direct-drive-smart-trainer\/","title":{"rendered":"Zwift enters the hardware game with the Zwift Hub \u2013 a $499 direct-drive smart trainer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Simon von Bromley\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 06 September 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Zwift has announced the Zwift Hub, an aggressively priced direct-drive smart trainer<\/a> that\u2019s designed to make getting started with Zwift<\/a> (one of the best indoor cycling apps<\/a>) and virtual indoor cycling<\/a> as easy as possible.<\/p>\n

With competitive specs and a keen price of \u00a3449 \/ \u20ac499 \/ $499 with your choice of cassette<\/a> pre-installed, the Zwift Hub could be set to shake up the smart trainer market considerably, if it can deliver on its promises.<\/p>\n

Taking a more holistic approach to the user experience, Zwift says it has streamlined the assembly process significantly, and includes colour-coded guides to help get the trainer ready to ride, \u201cmaking it both easier, and more affordable to get set up on Zwift\u201d.<\/p>\n

Why is Zwift launching a smart trainer?<\/h2>\n
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The Zwift Hub is competitively priced and has impressive claimed specs.<\/span><\/figcaption> Zwift<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

First and foremost, Zwift says it is looking to simplify the user experience, citing the cost and complexity of many smart trainers as a barrier to entry for new users.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting set up on Zwift hasn\u2019t been an easy process,\u201d says Eric Min, the company\u2019s CEO. \u201cIt can be hard to know exactly what equipment you need to Zwift, and that equipment can be costly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Min says the Hub\u2019s pre-installed cassette, colour-coded assembly instructions and native compatibility with the Zwift and Zwift companion apps mean \u201cgetting started on Zwift has never been easier\u201d.<\/p>\n

The announcement of the Zwift Hub comes almost eight years after Zwift, a massively popular multiplayer online cycling (and running) game, first launched in September 2014<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Until now, Zwift has left it to third-party smart trainer manufacturers to provide the necessary hardware for its game. That has all changed now, though.<\/p>\n

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The Zwift Hub comes with colour-coded instructions for getting it set up for your bike.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Zwift<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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Colour-coded cardboard guides help users determine which axle adaptors are required.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Zwift<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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The Zwift Hub is compatible with road, gravel and mountain bikes, and can accommodate 142\/148mm thru-axles or 130\/135mm quick-releases.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Zwift<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

It\u2019s worth noting that Zwift says this announcement doesn\u2019t mean existing or future third-party smart trainers or indoor bikes<\/a> will cease to be compatible with Zwift \u2013 this is simply an additional entry-level option.<\/p>\n

Likewise, though Zwift clearly intends for you to use the Zwift Hub with the Zwift app, it is \u2013 like any smart trainer \u2013 also compatible with other indoor cycling apps, such as Wahoo Systm<\/a>, Wahoo RGT<\/a> or Rouvy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Zwift Hub is the company\u2019s first foray into the hardware game.<\/span><\/figcaption> Zwift<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Zwift Hub smart trainer details<\/h2>\n

Despite its relatively low price, the Zwift Hub nevertheless has impressively competitive on-paper specs.<\/p>\n

It has a built-in power meter<\/a> with a claimed accuracy rating of +\/- 2.5 per cent, a 4.7kg flywheel and a controllable resistance unit \u201cto unlock the fully immersive experience of riding on Zwift\u201d.<\/p>\n

As with other smart trainers, it can modify the resistance to your pedalling to simulate Zwift\u2019s virtual courses and bunch dynamics, automatically increasing and decreasing the resistance to simulate climbs, descents or drafting other riders.<\/p>\n

It also enables riders to perform ERG mode<\/a> and power-based workouts, such as those found in Zwift workouts and training plans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Zwift Hub has a 4.7kg flywheel, which Zwift says provides a realistic ride feel.<\/span><\/figcaption> Zwift<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Zwift Hub specifications<\/h3>\n