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Zwift are introducing a frame that can attach to a smart trainer and it is called the “Zwift Ride.”

This frame, is fully adjustable and enables multiple people to share an indoor bike.  The Zwift Ride with KICKR CORE will be priced at $1,299 / £1199.99 and available in the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia from launch.

Zwift note that “We’re on a mission to make Zwifting easier by reducing the cost and complexity of hardware,” says Eric Min, Zwift CEO and Co-Founder. “Zwift Ride brings all of the advantages of a smart bike at an incredibly affordable price. It’s clean, it’s quiet, incredibly simple to set up and adjust, and can be shared with any member of the household. Importantly when I look at my Zwift Ride, it looks like it belongs in my home. I’ve been riding mine for many months and I can’t wait to share the experience with other Zwifters!”

Setting it up

Zwift state that it is simple.  There is a tool called the “Zwift Key” that is used to assemble and adjust the Smart Frame.  “The Zwift Key is the only tool needed to assemble the Zwift Ride Smart Frame. Once assembled, the Zwift Key is securely stored in the top tube where it can be readily accessed to adjust the fit to any rider, making Zwift Ride perfect for sharing with multiple users. Saddle height, bar height, and reach are all adjusted via three clearly identifiable points on the frame. Suited to riders between 5ft (152cm) to 6ft 6 inches (198 cm), riders can quickly find their fit using the included fit card.”

Features

Zwift note that there are “Integrated handlebars with dual control pads give you full control of Zwift from your handlebars. Navigate menus, give RideOns or deploy PowerUps with the simple touch of a button. Additional buttons at the base of the levers can be configured in the game to provide additional shortcuts, like Ride On’s and PowerUps.

The integrated bike controllers also take care of all essential riding controls. Virtual shifting on the Zwift Ride is silent and delivers a perfect shift, every time. With gears suited to every Zwift terrain, Zwifters can select their preferred shifting style – Shimano, SRAM, or sequential.”

Essentials

There will be two bottle cages fitted to the frame. Zwift explains that these cages are “designed for indoor riding with an easy-to-access drop-in, lift-out cageless design.”

Zwift also say that there is a “tray at the front of the bike also provides space for Zwifters to place their food, towel, and phone.”

Optional extras

You can upgrade the setup, as an “optional tablet holder is available to Zwifters that use iOS or Android tablet devices. Priced at $49.99, the tablet holder seamlessly integrates with the front of the bike tray and securely holds the tablet via a quick-release fixing strap.”

Prices

Zwift Ride with KICR CORE:

USA – $1299.99 
EU – €1299.99
UK – £1199.99
Canada – $1,999.99 
Australia – $2,299.95

Zwift Ride Tablet Holder:

USA – $49.99 
EU – €49.99 
UK – £39.99

Questions and initial thoughts

I have reached out to Zwift to ask about it availability, compatibility and stability who have said that:

  1. At launch, the Zwift Ride is only available as a complete bike, which includes KICKR CORE. A frame-only option will be available in the autumn.
  2. This is not compatible with KICKR CLIMB or Rizer
  3. The base is solid. The contact patch of that front foot is bigger than a regular tyre – which is what the trainer was originally designed to work with. Research indicated a single foot at the front was more stable than a two-foot design as it better adapts to uneven floors.

Without testing the product, I’m reluctant to pass any comment at this stage.  I do see the value of an affordable indoor frame that can be used by multiple people, within one household. However, there are specific indoor trainers like the Wahoo KICKR Bike and the Wahoo KICK Bike Shift which provide the same solution at fractionally more of the cost, so I’ll be keen to test it and put it through its paces before coming to any firm conclusions.