We’ve also selected videos about improving your Zwift experience, the top bikes on Zwift, a beginner’s first race, and a Zwift race breakdown.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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Also included in this week’s top picks are videos about Zwift racing and new Zwift setups.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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We’ve also selected videos about the recent updates to the FTP algorithm, a DIY upgrade for the Wahoo KICKR Core, an all-out Alpe du Zwift ascent, and a pre-season fitness test.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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Virtual Shifting with the Elite Direto XR and Direto XR-T

After Elite’s announcement of the “Zwift Ready” Direto XR with Zwift Cog and Click in September, it’s not surprising that they’re rolling out a firmware update (version FW86) for existing Direto XR customers. In fact, it’s only surprising that it took this long!

But let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. If you own an Elite Direto XR or XR-T (essentially the same trainer, but the XR-T was sold without a cassette pre-installed) you can install the latest firmware update via Elite’s Upgrado app to instantly get virtual shifting capabilities on your trainer.

See firmware upgrade instructions from Elite >

More To Come from Elite

It sounds like Elite will be rolling out virtual shifting capabilities to additional trainers soon, which is great news! Elite says, “After introducing the Cog and Click integration with Direto XR, we’re thrilled to extend this to all standard models. Firmware updates for Justo, Justo 2, and Avanti are expected in early 2025, with updates for Suito(-T), Direto, Direto X, and Direto XR Team coming this spring.”

Virtual Shifting with the JetBlack Volt V2

JetBlack’s Victory has been getting all the press lately (and for good reason), but JetBlack did their customers right by rolling out virtual shifting for their older Volt V2 this week via firmware version 3.1.84.

See firmware upgrade instructions from JetBlack
(under FAQs/Is my VOLT compatible with Zwift Cog & Click?) >

Which Volt Version?

If you’ve got the Volt V1, unfortunately that won’t be getting a virtual shifting upgrade. JetBlack says “The VOLT 1.0 is old technology and unfortunately unable to support the firmware update needed to be compatible with Zwift Cog & Click.”

Not sure which version you have? You can figure it out by looking at the drive side of the trainer. VOLT 1.0 has a flat cap, VOLT 2.0 has a sloped cap.

Virtual Shifting the with VAN RYSEL D100

Available only in the UK and EU, the VAN RYSEL D100 is perhaps the most budget-priced direct-drive smart trainer on the market. This week’s firmware update (version 0.104) brings virtual shifting to anyone who bought the non Zwift-Ready version.

Firmware updates are accomplished via the OneLap Fit app.

Requirements for Virtual Shifting

Once you’ve got a trainer that supports virtual shifting, there are two additional requirements you’ll need to meet before you can start shifting virtually:

1. Virtual Shifting Controller: you need a device to do the shifting. There are currently three virtual shifting devices: Zwift Play controllers, Zwift Click, and the Zwift Play controllers built into the Zwift Ride smart frame.
2. Bluetooth Connectivity: your smart trainer and virtual shifting controllers must be connected via Bluetooth. Virtual shifting is not supported via ANT+.

If you want to buy the Zwift Cog as well (especially handy if you’re swapping various bikes between one trainer), Elite’s firmware announcement included a discount code for the Zwift Cog and Click Upgrade Pack! Get a $20/£20/€20 discount using this discount code: ELITEZCOG2024 (only available in EU, UK, and US).

Zwift Ride Compatibility

Lastly, it’s worth noting that all the trainers referenced above are fully compatible with the Zwift Ride smart frame once they’ve received firmware updates. So if you already own the trainer, you can purchase the standalone frame and have a smooth new Zwift Ride setup!

Questions or Comments?

Post below!

We’ve also selected videos about tough Zwift races, the hardest Zwift workouts, Zwift racing tips for heavy riders, and Zwift Camp: Baseline.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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Also included in this week’s top videos are videos about the Zwift Ride, using XERT with Zwift, an interview with Eric Min, and Wahoo KICKR updates.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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Wahoo KICKR CORE Basics

Wahoo’s KICKR CORE is the most popular budget direct-drive smart trainer on the planet today, and it’s only growing more popular now that it’s the trainer that ships with the Zwift Ride. With solid specs and proven reliability, the KICKR CORE’s success is no mystery: it’s an affordable trainer that meets or exceeds the needs of the vast majority of Zwifters.

A few key specs:

• Accuracy: +-2%
• Flywheel: 12lb
• Max Wattage: 1800 W
• Max Incline: 16%
• Autocalibration
• Built-In Cadence
• Connects via Bluetooth or ANT+

About That Orange Zwift Cog

This trainer bundle ships with the Zwift Cog installed in place of a standard cassette. The Zwift Cog is made for trainers using Zwift’s virtual shifting, and is simply a single sprocket surrounded by a housing. (You only need one sprocket since virtual shifting changes the trainer’s resistance to mimic a gear shift, instead of changing a physical sprocket on a cassette.)

All About Virtual Shifting in Zwift >

But this new bundle doesn’t use just any Zwift Cog – it uses the new, quiet, adjustable orange Zwift Cog v2! This Zwift Cog easily adjusts left to right between 10 different sprocket positions, so you can get the perfect chainline. And it’s built with rubber rings and other changes to the housing which make it noticeably quieter than previous Zwift Cog versions.

All About Zwift Cog: Versions, Installation, and More >

Zwift Click Pro Tip

The bundle also includes a Zwift Click virtual shifting button (shown above). This may seem redundant since the bundle includes Play Controllers which also enable virtual shifting, but who’s complaining when the Zwift Click can be paired alongside the Zwift Play controllers and attached to any part of your handlebars to act as a satellite shifter!

Play Controller Capabilities

Zwift Play controllers usually sell for $99USD. They easily mount on most road bike drop-bars and unlock various capabilities for Zwifters, allowing you to interact with the game without needing a keyboard or remote. Game interactions include:

• Steering
• Braking
• Virtual Shifting (see note below)
• Menu navigation, including the Action Bar
• Powerup activation
• Ride On bombs and easily returning a Ride On
• Minimap view changes
• Quick rearview camera in events
• U-turn
• Intersection navigation
• Workout interactions: change intensity and skip workout block

All About Zwift’s Play Controllers >

Questions or Comments?

Remember when the Wahoo KICKR CORE sold for $899 without a cassette (or virtual shifting, or autocalibration)? Times have changed, and a quality Zwifting experience is more accessible than ever.

What do you think of this new bundle from Zwift? Share your thoughts below!

We’ve also selected videos about Zwift setups, XERT and Zwift, and the Zwift World Series.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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The Zwift Cog made its first appearance when the Zwift Hub One trainer was announced in October 2023. It’s a single-sprocket replacement for a standard bike cassette, designed to be used on trainers that support Zwift’s virtual shifting.

Read all about virtual shifting on Zwift >

Zwift’s big goal with the Cog and virtual shifting overall is to simplify indoor bike setups, making it easier for Zwifters to set up their station and swap between bikes if needed. As hardware continues to evolve, Zwift has continued evolving the Cog, releasing three different versions that we know of.

Before we get into the differences between the versions, let’s talk about what they have in common:

• Each uses a single 14-tooth sprocket.
• There are sloped spacers on either side of the sprocket that act as chain guides, keeping your chain on the sprocket even if it isn’t perfectly lined up.
• Compatible with Shimano HG (Hyperglide) compatible freehubs.
• No electronics are included in the Zwift Cog. It’s a simple piece of plastic and metal.
• Compatible with most 8-12 speed drivetrains.
• Product life tested to >25,000 miles.

Zwift Cog Versions

Version 1

• Color: Black
• Tooth Profile: more pointed (~2mm across), thinner
• Noise Level: 5/10
• No longer sold

Version 1.05

• Color: Black
• Tooth Profile: less pointed (~3mm across), thicker
• Noise Level: 3/10
• Still being sold on some “Zwift Ready” Wahoo trainers, but will be replaced with version 2 when stock is depleted

Version 2

• Color: Orange, with Zwift logo
• Tooth Profile: same as v1.05
• Noise Level: 2/10
• Adjustable across 10 different positions left to right
• Includes rubber rings and other housing changes for noise reduction
• Available as standalone product from Zwift, with a multi-trainer freehub or without a freehub
• Ships with the Zwift Ride smart frame

Zwift Cog Installation

If you buy the Zwift Cog as a standalone product, you’ll need to install it onto your smart trainer. There are two installation methods depending on your situation, and Zwift explains both on this support page (including tutorial videos).

Method 1: Keep Your Current Freehub

If you purchase the Zwift Cog without a freehub, you’ll need a chain whip and lock ring tool in order to remove your current cassette and install the Zwift Cog. (Here’s an affordable set of these two tools on Amazon.)

Zwift walks you through the process:

Method 2: Replace Your Current Freehub

If you buy the Zwift Cog with the multi-trainer freehub attached, you’ll need to remove your trainer’s existing freehub, then install the Zwift Cog and its multi-trainer freehub in its place. Once again, Zwift’s “multi-trainer tool” which is all you’ll need by way of tools.

Zwift Cog FAQ

Do I need the Zwift Cog in order to use virtual shifting?

No. In fact, I’ve ridden thousands of miles on Zwift using my road bike with a standard cassette and virtual shifting via Play Controllers. In fact, many riders (including myself) have found their chain is quieter and smoother on a standard cassette than on a Zwift Cog!

Zwift Cog v2 offers the advantage of easy adjustability and compatibility across various bikes, so it’s nice to have if you’re swapping bikes on and off the trainer. But if you’re only using one bike, and especially if it stays on the trainer (so no need to ever tweak your shifting to be smooth on your trainer and outdoors), there’s no need to get a Zwift Cog. Just buy the Click virtual shifter or Play Controllers and you’ll be ready to go, provided your trainer supports Zwift virtual shifting.

Should I upgrade my Zwift Cog version 1 to version 2?

Entirely up to you. The version 1 Zwift Cog is functional, it’s just louder than the v2 and doesn’t have that left-right sprocket adjustability. If either of those features are worth the investment for you then by all means, purchase a v2 Zwift Cog.

If I install the Zwift Cog on my trainer will that let me use Zwift virtual shifting?

Only if your trainer supports Zwift virtual shifting and you have a virtual shifter. Remember, the Zwift Cog doesn’t have any electronics in it – all the magic happens between the shift controllers (Zwift Click or Play), the Zwift game software, and your trainer.

What trainers are compatible with the Zwift Cog?

That depends on what you mean by “compatible.”

The Zwift Cog will install on any Shimano HG-compatible freehub, which means it can be installed on basically every direct drive smart trainer in the world. But – and this is a big but – you don’t want to install the Zwift Cog on your trainer unless you’re going to be using virtual shifting on Zwift. Because without virtual shifting, your trainer with a Zwift Cog just makes your bike into a single speed! (Or two speeds, I suppose, if you’ve got two front chainrings.)

Here’s a current list of trainers that support virtual shifting.

And here’s a post where we talk about which trainers will be supporting virtual shifting in the future.

Questions or Comments?

Got more questions I can answer about Zwift Cog? Got an experience to share? Comment below!

Now that the first round of the Zwift Racing League is complete, it is time to look forward to Round 2. In this week’s top video, one Zwifter takes a look at the courses for Round 2 of the Zwift Racing League and shares his thoughts.

Also selected are videos about the Zwift Ride, tackling the Uber Pretzel, and more Zwift Racing League fun.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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