The evolution of indoor cycling since 2020 has been unique. I would consider there now to be four major platforms in this space, all of which offer something different. Zwift has focused on community, and their events are cantered on engagement. MyWhoosh has focused on the competitive aspect of esports and, for the last few years, has been hosting the esports World Championships. TrainingPeaks Virtual is very much focused on training, and with its GPX mapping software, it allows you to ride your outdoor routes indoors. This enables you to train for specific events if the course has been mapped, which is revolutionary. ROUVY, meanwhile, has cornered the market in terms of video-realistic rides.
The problem with this is that, apart from MyWhoosh which is free, each platform requires a subscription, which can be costly. Fortunately, TrainingPeaks Virtual comes bundled with the TrainingPeaks Premium subscription, which, if you are focused on your training, you probably already pay for as standard. This leaves you paying for Zwift and ROUVY. Since ROUVY is now owned by Zwift, I am waiting for them to create a bundle where you can pay one subscription and have access to both platforms, but I think that could be a long way off. The next problem is that if you are paying for a subscription and have, for example, the Zwift Ride, it’s only compatible with Zwift and ROUVY. This means the virtual gearing with MyWhoosh and TrainingPeaks Virtual won’t work, which isn’t ideal.
This got me thinking: how could I create the ultimate indoor ride that can be used on all platforms?
I wanted a pure indoor setup that replicated my outdoor bike in terms of experience such as having a chain and not simply an old bike frame that I have mounted to a smart trainer. Also, I wanted something different from the Wattbike.
The Elite Square
At first glance, I could simply use the Elite Square. The Elite Square is the only product that is fully compatible with any platform in terms of virtual shifting. It is genuinely the only device that works across all platforms, and the Elite team is dedicated to ensuring this. Elite explicitly works with all platforms to ensure their product works. However, the only reason I haven’t simply opted to use the Elite Square is because of its belt drivetrain. outdoor bike uses a chain, so I simply couldn’t use the Elite Square.
Zwift Ride
The Zwift Ride would be my choice of frame based purely on the fact that it utilizes a chain. The problem, though, is that the Zwift Ride, or more explicitly the handlebars, are only compatible with Zwift and ROUVY.
Zwift Ride-Elite Square hybrid
When you break it down, in terms of functionality, the Elite Square and the Zwift Ride utilize the same one-gear system. The gearing in-game is controlled by the handlebars. This was the defining factor.
It occurred to me that you could fit the Elite Square handlebars to the Zwift Ride and retain gear-shifting control, provided the software, such as Zwift, recognized the controls as an Elite Square.
Installing the Handlebars
Installing the Elite Square handlebars to the Zwift Ride frame was simple. I did the following:
1. Unscrewed the bolt that secures the support tray in place, located at the front and underneath.
2. Removed the plastic end casing.
3. Unscrewed the Zwift Ride handlebars and pulled them out.
4. Unscrewed the bracket that holds the Zwift Ride handlebars.
5. Replaced with the Elite Square handlebars.
6. Installed the Elite Square handlebars to the Zwift Ride.
7. Replaced plastic ending.
8. Positioned as required.
Connecting to Zwift and Other Platforms
When you connect to Zwift, simply select the controls as “Square” and the Zwift Ride will behave exactly as it did before. All the buttons and gearing will work and be displayed on screen.
For MyWhoosh and TrainingPeaks Virtual, do not select the Square as the controller in the pairing screens. Instead, open the Square app and view the gearing via that. Elite has informed me that full functionality with the other apps will be coming.
The Ultimate Indoor Cycling Setup?
Creating the ultimate indoor cycling setup is ultimately about having the freedom to choose how you ride, without being restricted by the platform you use. By combining the Zwift Ride frame with the Elite Square handlebars, I have found a potential solution that brings together the best of both worlds: a chain-driven setup that feels closer to my outdoor bike, with the flexibility of Elite’s virtual shifting technology.
There are still some limitations, particularly around how MyWhoosh and TrainingPeaks Virtual recognize the controls, but Elite has indicated that full functionality with other apps is coming. That is an important step if indoor cycling is to become less about being locked into a single ecosystem and more about giving riders the freedom to choose the experience that suits them.
For me, the ideal indoor bike should work across all four major platforms, allowing me to join a Zwift group ride one day, race on MyWhoosh the next, follow a structured training session on TrainingPeaks Virtual, or explore real-world routes on ROUVY. All without needing to change equipment or compromise on the riding experience.
We may not quite be there yet, but this hybrid setup brings that vision a step closer. And if the platforms and hardware manufacturers can continue to improve compatibility, the future of indoor cycling could be about giving riders more choice, rather than asking them to choose sides.
