Zwift is the most popular indoor training platform, with more than a million active subscribers worldwide.
Zwift offers events and races that are available to join 24/7, an extensive library of workouts and training plans, or you can free ride to maintain and improve your cycling fitness.
Zwift also has a range of hardware to help you get the best from the platform.
The best way to ensure you can make the most of Zwift is to buy a Zwift Ready trainer.
But what is Zwift Ready and how do you choose the best Zwift Ready trainer for you?
Why choose a Zwift Ready trainer?
You can run Zwift on almost any trainer.
At its simplest, even a classic non-smart wheel-on turbo trainer with a speed and cadence sensor will work, with Zwift estimating your power.
Beyond that, there’s a wide choice of wheel-on and direct-drive turbos. Some rollers and most smart bikes are compatible with Zwift.
Zwift maintains a long list of supported trainers and brands on its site.
If you’re buying your first smart trainer, you’ll likely need a cassette, which may need to be purchased separately.
You can either buy a smart trainer that comes pre-installed with the Zwift Cog or, if you have an existing trainer, you can buy the Cog and Click separately.
Using the Zwift Cog and Click on your trainer means you don’t need to buy a multi-cog cassette or worry about shifting quality – there are no clunky shifts or mis-shifts and Zwift Cog is quieter than a derailleur system.
It also greatly simplifies the indoor-riding experience for new riders – its tool-free setup and near-universal compatibility with almost any 8- to 12-speed bike is a far cry from pouring over cassette-compatibility charts.
In some cases, Zwift Ready trainers are sold with a Zwift Cog already fitted and a Zwift Click controller in the box. You may be able to buy the trainer with a year’s Zwift subscription included as well.
What other accessories are available?
Zwift Ready also certifies that a trainer is compatible with the wider Zwift accessory ecosystem.
The Zwift Cog enables riders to use the Zwift Click – a tiny device with two buttons that straps to your handlebars and controls your virtual shifting wirelessly.
The pairing enables you to change gears virtually. Every gear change alters the effective gear ratio – just like your real-world bike but instantaneous and without the noise.
If you’re using the Zwift Ride Smart Frame, you can also select the shifting style between a classic 2x12 setup or sequential 24-speed shifting.
You can get even more sophisticated with the Zwift Play controllers.
These hook over your handlebar and have large virtual shift levers, positioned like a regular set of drop-bar brake levers.
Zwift Play also includes controls for in-game steering, power-ups and other Zwift functions, such as menu navigation.
A Zwift Ready trainer also opens the option to upgrade to a complete indoor smart bike by adding the Zwift Ride Smart Frame.
Adding Zwift Ride to your trainer package gives you an always-ready indoor cycling setup.
You can buy this separately when you purchase your trainer, upgrade later or buy the Zwift Ride with Kickr Core as a turnkey smart bike package.
Which Zwift Ready trainer is the best for you?
An increasing number of trainers are certified Zwift Ready, with more and more brands adding compatibility with Zwift’s virtual shifting.
Zwift has a complete list of Zwift Ready trainers on its site. This is updated as new Zwift Ready trainers become available.
While some trainers are now sold with the Zwift Cog pre-installed and the Zwift Click in the box, you can also upgrade your existing Zwift Ready trainer to virtual shifting by purchasing the Zwift Cog and Click upgrade bundle.
If you own a Zwift Hub or Wahoo trainer, installation is tool-free, if you purchase the multi-trainer option.
For other trainers, the no-freehub option is the way to go – you just need a chain whip and freehub tool to swap your cassette.
Wahoo has been the go-to trainer option for the Zwift Cog, with the Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One bundled with the Zwift Cog and Click. The premium Kickr Move with Zwift Cog is also now available.
If you already have a Kickr V6 or a Kickr Core with a cassette, you can upgrade the firmware to work with the Zwift Cog and Click.
Other brands offer, or will soon sell, Zwift Ready trainers pre-installed with the Zwift Cog and Zwift Click in the box.
Zwift Ready trainers available in October 2024 include the Elite Direto XR, JetBlack Victory and Van Rysel D100. If you previously purchased the Zwift Hub, this can also be upgraded, while the Zwift Hub One is ready-installed with Zwift Cog.
