Hi all, so I’m tempted to get the zwift bike - my current trainer bike is ok, but needs a bit of a service and tbh it looks a bit naff, I’ve just built a new gym and I’d like to move my turbo setup in there, but I don’t want my old turbo hack to bring the style down lol - sad I know!
So, I’ve had a wattbike before and was tempted to go that route again, or perhaps a wahoo bike. But the cost of the zwift bike is attractive and I’ve already got a neo 2T so it’s an easy change.
But does anyone have one?
Any good?
Any good compared to a standard bike frame - or at least, is it any different aside from being easier to adjust.
The lack of front wheel is also appealing as it saves me 100mm of space, and where it’s going every gain is really handy
Honestly, I’d rather get a CaveWorks Rivet, which is compatible with any modern trainer, takes standard parts wherever possible and comes in several versions — including a single-speed version you can use with a Zwift Cog.
All other products I am aware of use proprietary parts in places which matter, e. g. handlebars. Zwift’s Bike only offers virtual gears in Zwift and not in TR, etc.
Also, the construction seems very sturdy, so this should outlive your current trainer and still be compatible with the next.
I like the look of that certainly, but extra couple of hundred quid is a bit off putting. Although I can see where the extra money is.
With the virtual gears - not too fussed there, most of my trainerroad life is spent doing workouts so no need for gearing, and if they only work on zwift it just means I’ll get rid of my rouvy account. So not a deal breaker there really.
Shame though, I like the idea of the Rivet I always wondered years ago why someone doesn’t just make a “standard” bike frame for a turbo.
I think you can make a very easy argument that the Rivet is a better investment in the long run. What does a Zwift Bike cost in your locale?
The Rivet Single Speed costs 1.080 €. You’d need a Zwift Cog and the Clickers, which cost around $60 (sorry for me mixing currencies).
Just saying, I’ve been using my indoor trainer with TR, and I need gearing. But that’s a personal preference. The Zwift Bike’s proprietary shifting protocol (i. e. I can’t use it running just TR) excludes it automatically for me.
I wanted one until I saw the price. Frame only is a bit more bearable but holy moly.
I’d swallow my pride and use the old bike frame. 1000$ for fixing a first world problem seems… looks at own bike garage … well you do what you must. Since you already have a 2t I’d probably get the Zwiftbike.
lol you’re not wrong really… I think that’s pretty much covering most of my interactions with cycling. Spend more money!
I’d really like an exercise bike that works with the apps I like (TR/Zwift/Rouvy etc) but also able to use it as a dumb exercise bike, just for warm ups - hope on and ride style. Sure my trainer allows you to pedal, but not quite the same as an exercise bike.
Guess I could make a “warmup” route for zwift.
anyway…
yes, i’ll stick with the old roubaix for a while longer, I have got the zwift cog, so I can move to virtual shifting as soon as I fit it on (waiting till I move it into the new gym - once there’s power in there) but yes, in reality, it’s a vast amount of money to spend for absolutely zero benefit over my current setup
I have a Zwift bike and primarily ride TrainerRoad. I love it. It is much quieter and more stable than a road frame on the trainer. The stability is largely due to weight and you do not need to fuss with taking it on and off.
Of course the Zwift bike is great with Zwift because you can shift and there is a game route where you need to brake and steer. However, I found the game aspect of Zwift overwhelming and just want to do interval workouts in ERG mode so TrainerRoad appeals more to my simplistic brain.
A colleague recently purchased the Zwift frame for her KikrCore and she is also very happy, mainly because of the sound reduction. I purchased from the Wahoo site because they ship to Canada and were a bike less expensive (but I paid the difference in shipping).
Same here. I actually love the look of the Zwift bike and I don’t like the look of the Rivet at all. But…I need to be able to shift in any app, not just Zwift, so that’s an automatic disqualification for me.
Personally if I wanted a trainer frame, I’d just buy some well fitting bike or frame from circa 10 years ago. It will be ridiculously cheap especially if it has rim brakes.
Another option is a $500 Chinese open mold frameset.
The Rivet is an engineer’s take at the problem while the Zwoft Bike is the baby of product designers. I wouldn’t call the Rivet beautiful, but it seems very functional. Form follows function.
I would say the Rivet has a few advantages, not least in that it is flexible, you can change the geometry and replicate the fit of your current bike. It is also the only smart bike/smart frame I am aware of that is compatible with flat bars.
Is it easily adjustable between multiple users? Does it run silent? Is it pretty much maintenance free? Do you have all the parts you need to build it up? Do you have the skills to build it up?
Depending on the answers to these questions, it can quickly become a “not apples to apples” comparison and the price can escalate quickly.
Is it easily adjustable between multiple users? --Yes
Does it run silent? --Same as the kickr Core with internal shifting, heck of a lot quieter than using your bike’s cassette
Is it pretty much maintenance free? -yes
Do you have all the parts you need to build it up? --Yes comes with all the parts and required hex keys. Took about 30 minutes to fully assemble
Do you have the skills to build it up? --it was very easy and had good instructions.
I’ve not gotten around to trying it yet as currently using a Zwift Ride with the Trainerroad/Zwift Integration, but I believe you can use the QZ app (QdomyosZwift) to enable virtual shifting in Trainerroad without having to use Zwift. I think it opens it up for other apps too.
I bought a Zwift Ride for my Alaska house paired with a Neo2 that I already had. Put some ancient Time pedals on since I still had the shoes. Works great. Easy adjustments. I have been using a 13” iPad Pro just laid in the drink holder.. will probably get the tablet holder
I was thrilled when the new firmware came out for the neo2 which gave me virtual shifting
yeah i’m more likely to stick with Rouvy and simply use TR on my phone. The zwift integration has been a PITA for me, my workouts are very rarely there when I want them and it’s a pain to keep uninstalling/resyncing etc etc etc. Works fine on my phone just lose the nice imagery.
I prefer Rouvy for normal riding though, I feel it’s more accurate to real world rides so if my sunday rides ever get rained off or I just can’t make the normal time, I much prefer rouvy for a normal ride.
That being said… the zwift bike looks nice and the gym is all brand new so would look the part (superficial I know!)
