However, the Zwift Ride unites the company\u2019s hardware accessories with a Wahoo Kickr Core smart trainer and a new metal frame. The result is a modular smart bike that can be used by multiple people and undercuts rivals at \u00a31,199.99 \/ $1,299.99 \/ \u20ac1,299.99.\u00a0<\/p>
Zwift has hinted you will be able to buy the frame by itself to use with your smart trainer<\/a> later this year.\u00a0<\/p> Zwift says the Ride reduces the cost and complexity of hardware to make it easier to start using the indoor cycling app<\/a> and get cycling.<\/p> With the Ride costing less than many of the best indoor bikes<\/a>, Zwift\u2019s Chris Snook says: \u201cThis is a drastic shift in pricing for what customers expect a smart bike to cost.\u00a0<\/p> \u201cThis is why we think [the Zwift Ride] will help bring more people into cycling and unlock Zwift as a viable option for their indoor training.\u201d\u00a0<\/p> Zwift hasn\u2019t divulged how it has created a smart bike for a penny under \u00a31,200, but the modularity of the design is likely key.<\/p> By pairing the new Zwift Ride Smart Frame with the existing Wahoo Kickr Core<\/a>, the Ride avoids some of the cost that could be accrued by designing a complete smart bike from scratch.<\/p> The Ride\u2019s use of the Zwift Play<\/a> shifters and Zwift Cog will have likely been a cost-saving factor, too.\u00a0<\/p> The idea for a modular indoor bike goes back to the Zwift Tron, a prototype smart bike that borrowed the name of one of Zwift\u2019s fastest in-game virtual bikes, which was leaked in 2022.\u00a0<\/p> Graham Stoney, a senior product manager at Zwift, says: \u201cThe modularity\u2026 was a really critical thing that we found from [speaking to] users.\u201d<\/p> Stoney says having a smart bike that isn\u2019t \u201cone great big hunk of metal\u201d helps users move it around. You can also store its separate parts when it\u2019s not in use.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> \u201cThe idea is it’s always ready, but you’ve got that functionality and that flexibility to move it around in a smaller space,\u201d he says.<\/p> To make the Ride more appealing, Zwift<\/a> designed the bike for people\u2019s homes, paying attention to its aesthetics.\u00a0<\/p> Stoney says: \u201cIt looks like a bike. That might be a bonkers thing to say, but that was one of the critical facts in terms of the design.\u201d<\/p> According to Stoney, the original Tron concept bike looked like a bike too, but not necessarily one you would ride. He says people will look at the Ride and think \u201c\u2018Oh, that looks like my bike. I can relate to that.\u2019\u201d<\/p> Another consideration in terms of the design was the colour, with Stoney pointing out that it\u2019s white and \u201cnot black\u201d.\u00a0<\/p> \u201cIt\u2019s a strange thing to say, but it’s one of the things we tested as well. People do not want a black piece of gym kit. They want something that will sit in their home and they\u2019ll go \u2018I like the look of that,\u2019\u201d says Stoney.<\/p> When presenting test groups with a range of colours, white proved to be the most popular across genders.<\/p> To make the Ride more relatable, Zwift has opted to use a chain on the Ride. While belt drives<\/a> are common on exercise bikes, people typically have a chain on their outdoor bikes, providing a familiar sensation when pedalling the Ride.\u00a0<\/p> Zwift says it has refined the design of the single-speed Zwift Cog to minimise noise.\u00a0<\/p> Zwift says you only need one tool, the Frame Key, for setup and adjustments.\u00a0<\/p> The Frame Key is a 6mm Allen key stored in the top tube of the Zwift Ride Smart Frame.\u00a0<\/p> Zwift says this makes the Ride \u201cperfect for sharing with multiple users\u201d, who can use the tool to adjust three measurements: saddle height, bar height and reach.<\/p> The bike fits riders from 5ft (152cm) to 6ft 6ins (198cm). It will come with a fit card with guidance on what position to set the three measurements for your height.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> For every height integer, the card shows a letter. This corresponds to letters marked on the frame at the adjustment points. This makes the Ride easier to set up, especially if you\u2019re unsure of your bike fit<\/a>, according to Zwift.\u00a0<\/p> Zwift has marked the Ride with graphics showing which way to turn particular bolts, which should make installing pedals<\/a>, with their tricksy reverse threading, easier.<\/p> It has designed the bike so setup and all adjustments are completed from the driveside. This includes removing the thru-axle, which is done from the non-driveside on outdoor bikes.\u00a0<\/p> When removing the Smart Bike Frame from the Wahoo Kickr Core smart trainer, there is a hook in the rear triangle for the chain. This should stop the chain from falling to the floor or potentially marking any belongings.\u00a0<\/p> For the Ride, Zwift has considered what people need within arm’s reach when using its app.\u00a0<\/p> Integrating the Zwift Play controllers into the Ride means you can navigate in-game menus and activate features such as RideOns and PowerUps. This contributes to a gamified indoor riding experience<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> You can configure the additional buttons at the base of the levers for extra functions.<\/p> The controllers also take care of virtual shifting, which arrived with the release of the Zwift Cog last year<\/a>. You can configure the levers to your preferred shifting style, with either Shimano, SRAM or sequential shifting taking you through the 24 virtual gears.\u00a0<\/p>Reducing cost and complexity\u00a0<\/h2>
![\"Zwift](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Zwift-Ride-2024061069.jpg\")
\u2018It looks like a bike\u2019<\/h2>
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Zwift-Ride-2024051566.jpg\")
One tool setup and sizing\u00a0<\/h2>
![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Zwift-Ride-2024061068.jpg\")
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Zwift-Ride-2024051565.jpg\")
Integration and indoor bottle cages\u00a0<\/h2>
![\"Phone](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Zwift-Ride-2024061064.jpg\")
![\"Zwift](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Zwift-Ride-2024061070.jpg\")