Zwift Hub roller trainer: Smart trainer from Zwift in the TOUR test
Zwift Hub roller trainer in the TOUR test
The rumours have been swirling for a long time, but now the device is finally available: Zwift Hub is a smart trainer with which the operator of the online platform wants to attract new customers - via the price of 499 euros including cassette and the particularly simple configuration. The latter point includes the fact that you can choose between eight and twelve cassettes for pre-assembly when ordering. It took around ten minutes from opening the package to riding. Only the feet need to be attached with four screws. Zwift supports the choice of axle adapter with templates.
Riding experience with the Zwift roller trainer
In freewheel mode, the device is solid: the flywheel mass is not super heavy, but relevant, the brake has sufficient power and reacts quickly. In ERG mode on Zwift, however, there were control errors and major power deviations between the power meter and the hub. Sometimes the hub showed 10 watts too much power, on another ride up to 20 watts too little. The display is more accurate with high endurance performance than with low performance. It is to be hoped that these teething troubles will be rectified. The device developed in co-operation with Jet Black is also quiet.
Most people don't need more smart trainers - provided that the power display becomes more stable.
Software compatibility
Zwift Hub is built according to common standards and also works with other software. Zwift wants to keep its platform open for hardware from other manufacturers.
Advantages of the Zwift Hub
- Price
- Good driving experience
- Quiet
Disadvantages of the Zwift roller trainer
- Fluctuating performance values
- not foldable
- No carrying handle
Facts, figures and data
- Maximum braking power: 1,800 watts
- Simulatable gradient: 16 %
- Accuracy class (manufacturer's specification): +/-2,5 %
- Price: 499 Euro incl. cassette
- Weight: 18.2 kg
- Floor space: 62 x 50 cm
- Volume: (27/40/66 km/h) 65/71/78 dBA
The TOUR test summary of the Zwift Hub
The price is hot. A more stable power display is still missing for the perfect economy smart trainer. (TOUR tester Robert Kühnen)
Presentation of the Zwift roller trainer in September 2022:
+++ Here is the press release from 6 September with further information and details +++
Zwift enters the hardware business with its own roller trainer. The smart Zwift Hub costs 499 euros including the cassette. The direct drive trainer is designed to impress with its realistic ride feel and simple operation.
The indoor cycling community has been speculating about it for a long time, but now the time has finally come. Zwift is launching its first smart roller trainer on the market. With the Zwift Hub, the software experts from California are entering the hardware business and will now have to compete with established roller trainer manufacturers such as Tacx, Wahoo and Elite. The brand new roller trainer from Zwift is a direct drive device, it comes with a pre-installed cassette as standard and is also designed to provide occasional cyclists - whether on a road bike, gravel bike or mountain bike - with the Entry into the virtual world of indoor cycling as easy as possible. To this end, the market leader for cycling training software is calling for a really competitive price for its Zwift Hub roller trainer: 499 euros is a real challenge to the competition. The new smart trainer will be available from 3 October via the Zwift website.
Zwift Hub roller trainer - the facts
- Price: 499 Euro incl. cassette
- Weight: 15.0 kilogramme
- Maximum performance: 1800 watts
- Maximum simulated gradient: 16 %
- Average deviation of the watt values: +/- 2.5 % (according to manufacturer)
- Maximum rider weight: 130 kg
- flywheel mass: 4.7 kilogrammes
- 8/9/10/11/12-speed Shimano/Sram compatible cassette included in the scope of delivery
- compatible for 130/135 mm quick release and 142/148 mm thru axles
Mid-range smart trainer at a competitive price
Based purely on the technical data, the new Zwift Roller trainer not in the league of the top devices. It can rather be categorised in the middle class of indoor trainers. This puts it in competition with the Tacx Flux S Smarttrainer or the Wahoo Kickr Coreboth of which are significantly more expensive. However, the Zwift Hub's unique selling point is the pre-installed cassette, which is included in the purchase price. Similar to what Elite or Wahoo offer as an option with some of their roller trainers, the appropriate cassette is specified at the time of purchase. Zwift offers 8-12-speed cassettes compatible with Shimano and SRAM drivetrains. Campagnolo cassettes can also be used on Zwift's roller trainers, but the freehub body has to be changed first. The gradations are 11-28 teeth (8-11-speed) and 11-30 for the 12-speed cassette.
The solid and simple design with two feet should be stable enough for explosive sprints. At the same time, Zwift promises a realistic riding experience in its virtual worlds, with resistance changes being transmitted smoothly and without delay. Even at high speeds, Zwift promises that the lifting roller trainer remains "whisper quiet". We will soon be testing this ourselves, as a test unit is on its way to the TOUR editorial team.
Zwift roller trainers should be as universally applicable as possible
In order to make the new, smart roller trainer interesting for as many cyclists as possible as a training device or bad weather option, the Zwift Hub can not only be fitted with wheels with classic quick-release rear axles, but also with 142 or 148 millimetre wide thru axles. These are also being used on more and more gravel bikes. Zwift claims to have tested the mounting of 500 bikes from more than 70 manufacturers during development. The Zwift trainer has all common transmission standards such as ANT+ (FE-C) or BLE on board for transmitting and connecting sensors and devices. In addition, the smart trainer with its Bluetooth function can be used as a bridge for heart rate monitors with BLE or ANT+. This is particularly interesting for cyclists who use Apple TV for indoor training.
Embedded in the Zwift universe
Of course, the Americans have paid particular attention to ensuring that their new roller trainer can be combined as smoothly as possible with other Zwift products. The Companion App informs you about possible firmware updates, and installation is also carried out via Bluetooth using the Zwift app. Calibration is performed by the Zwift software while driving on the platform. Auto-calibration is set to follow in the near future. Zwift has also designed customised graphics on the "pairing page" for the hub smart trainer. After their first ride, Hub owners will also receive a special jersey from the Drop Shop slipped on. Despite the simple connection to other Zwift products, the hub roller trainer can of course also be used with indoor cycling software and apps from other providers - such as Rouvy, Wahoo SYSTM or Bkool.
