Rouvy will be compatible with Zwift hardware from 12 February thanks to its new virtual shifting, making it the first platform other than Zwift to support the brand’s devices.
While Zwift is the biggest indoor cycling app, Rouvy has been making successive changes to its platform in recent months, which could help it appeal to more riders.
Rouvy announced it was introducing new social features and better event organisation last year. In January, Rouvy revealed it had acquired FulGaz, migrating the competitor’s routes over its virtual training space.
Compatibility with the Zwift Ride, Click and Cog may further Rouvy's appeal and help it challenge Zwift’s dominance. The indoor cycling app says the update helps it provide “greater accessibility within the indoor cycling community”.
Marek-Martin Makyska, product director at Rouvy, says: “With this additional compatibility, we continue to offer users the most flexible and immersive training environment possible no matter what hardware they use.”
Virtual shifting
The big feature of Zwift’s hardware is the virtual drivetrain. Virtual drivetrains have existed on the best indoor smart bikes for some time, but bringing this technology to smart trainers simplifies their use.
The Zwift Cog and Click’s virtual shifting effectively ‘replaces’ the gears on your bike and enables you to change gears electronically. The feature changes resistance to match a virtual gear. It is also used on the Zwift Ride indoor bike, which combines the Zwift Cog and Zwift Play controllers.
Rouvy says enabling virtual shifting on its platform means riders benefit from “smooth and responsive gear changes, no matter their bike setup”.
You will be able to use virtual shifting across any of Rouvy’s more than 1,500 augmented-reality routes.
As with virtual shifting on Zwift, you will have use of 24 virtual gears. These will be displayed on-screen to indicate your current gear, alongside data including power, heart rate and cadence.
New Ribble bikes
Rouvy has also added Ribble bikes to its virtual garage, including the Ultra SL R.
The app’s virtual garage already included bikes and equipment from the likes of Specialized, Trek, Cervélo, Giant and Liv. Rouvy transforms the lightweight designs and aerodynamic benefits into virtual advantages.
Correction: Rouvy previously said Zwift compatibility would be available from 10 February, before delaying the launch to 12 February. This article has been updated to reflect this.
