Zwift RIDE In-Depth Review // The Best Budget “Smart Bike”? 

I saw you! I saw him! He didn't think we would... but we did!

LOL was that Ray at 2:22??

Nice review , love it. Definitely for my use case , pure indoor volume base for running , it’s just perfect

Thanks for the review! Looks awesome!

Sold!!!! Love the DC cameo 🤣

Lover your reviews!!!! I was about to pull the trigger $$ on a KICKR BIKE. now I need to look at this!!!!!!!!!

Great review! Right on!

Great review. Thanks.

Good reviews as always.

Great video. Do you know if this is going to work with the Zwift Hub using their built in cassettes? I have a 10-speed setup with the Zwift click and Play controllers and it works fine - including with virtual shifting. I know it takes tools to swap out the cassette to use the Zwift cog like they have with the wahoo kicker setup. But, I’d prefer not to have to take the cassette off and swap in a Zwift cog if I don’t have to.

Perfect timing. My direto xr just packed up. Considering a KICKR, but for the same price, i can get this. I have two teenagers who want to start indoor training. This setup is perfect git multiple users, don’t have to be faffing about with 3 bikes. Im in.

I was planning on getting a Smart bike this fall once the weather turned I live in NY. However saving a $1000 plus seems like a no brainer so Zwift it is !!!

I've been asking this on the other reviews but I figure I'll ask here as well. Are the cog and chain ring replaceable? Or will you need to buy a new frame whenever they wear out?

I already have a Kickr Core and actually getting the frame at a roughly half of the price of the full setup would be a compelling alternative for me in place of putting my pride & joy bike on the trainer.

If they eventually make the v5 kickr compatible with virtual shifting will the supplied single speed chain work quietly with a normal cassette or would it be better to swap out the chain

I watched the FIT File podcast… your friend’s frame invention may end up being better depending on price but let’s see how that goes

So close. Two chargers needed (and they don’t even supply the block just then lead!) and a chain and not a belt and set crank length and tablet mount should be included. Would happily pay more for a climb option too.

Hi, thanks for the information about this new frame, do you know if Zwift will give the opportunuity to buy the frame only?

Great review! :) Do you by any chance know if it is compatible with other training apps, such as TrainerRoad? Thanks!

Do the shifters/controller appear to be items that, if they got damaged for any reason, could be replaced, or are they permanently fixed to the bike? I'm also curious about any potential maintenance these bikes may require such as chain and bottom bracket replacements.

I like the idea of this adjustable frame for my wife and I to use as a training device. We’re not super cyclist so all of the SWIFT integration is confusing. We just want to get on a trainer. Keep our heart rate at a certainsetting and possibly watch TV while we’re training. What would you recommend to accomplish this without getting into all this technical integration?

What do you think about sweating all over the cockpit area? It seems impractical to drape a towel over the controls, so hopefully they have made these controllers well enough to withstand any sweat oxidation.

It seems like a great idea 👍 however, as I'm currently using Rouvy platform, that's a No Go for me.

Dang you did an amazing job giving us the details and decision making ability. I'm down! Do you know of a release date?

6:25 Des realises the tablet mount is an extra $50, decides it can sit on his shelf 😂 (But at least they supplied flat pedals which are super useful 🤣)

Stability is that an issue ? And as the previous person said is it hard to connect to a wide screen Tv ?

No Kickr climb support is a deal breaker, as well as Zwifts prices hikes, I don’t think I want to get locked in unless some competition supports virtual shifting.

Is it possible to change and install crank arms of different lengths?

Pretty rad if they make it separate since I already own the Zwift hub. Selling the bike that sits on the hub currently too

Good Video! I think your review beat out Shane as well as Rays videos! Very informative and objective! You sounded more like an actual rider and less corporate review.. lol. Thanks!

I like this because I didn’t like having to switch bike between other family members.

Really like this... except for the crank length, poor choice in my view, should be adjustable

No adjustable crank lengths?

How hard is the gear of the cog without using Zwift? i.e. if using it without entering zwift, would one be able to pedal?

No crank length adjustment?

Does this work well with Garmin (I have a Forerunner 955) in terms of tracking Metrics or is a power meter required . Thanks for the early review.

Hey des ! Thanks for the review, really interesting product for my wife and I, just wonder to know if the product could be used if no zwift subscription ? For example using it for structured workouts and run without zwift, is it possible to vary the resistance or do intervals manually with the bike controls ?

Does anyone know if you can you use the bike trainer without Zwift? E.g. just use this as a kind of spin bike for other cycling classes

I am waiting to see someone modify the front post to attach to the Zwift Climb. Without having the frame in front of me, it does seem pretty easy to do.

Out of curiosity, how wide is the top tube? (for those of us with thighs) 😂

Those v1 Fresh Foam Zante’s are choice.

How do you connect a large screen TV ?

It's adjustable, which is great. What isn't great is the lack of family subscription plans on Zwift. It's simply a manufacturing convenience, not an end user benefit. For what the frame is, I can't say it's a value for $800. Make it $400, and you'll probably see more subscription revenue.

Deal breakers for me - Zwift lockin for gear shifting, chain noise, no tilting compatibility - i dont believe enough is solved over just using a cheap road bike permanently mounted to a Kickr. I also feel there was a missed opportunity to aesthetically improve the overall look of the typical IDT setup i.e make it look less of a bike and more of an ornament you would keep indoors, like the kickr bike.

The Zwift only ecosystem is a deal breaker for me. Was looking to replace my failed Stages Smart bike but no bueno.

Is that frame plastic? don't need that for an extra 700. TIf plastic, 75 usd max. 700 would help me 50|% to a new chinese frameset

It looks very promising, but will wait for the first independent / non-sponsored reviews. Some components look rather low-quality plastic.

Would a belt drive not have been even better?

Not using a belt drive is a miss...IMO

Didn't you just chat about a product idea this on the last pod?!

why not use belt?

Virtually silent!?

easter egg in the video?? 🤣🤣🤣

Rest assured , you are not the only person on Rp901s in 2024.

Your house is haunted

Overrated you know that

I'm not really sure I believe the lack of more adjustability was to keep the costs down, I mean the frame itself is $700 and there isn't exactly a lot to it is there? yet they needed to keep the costs down so couldn't let people adjust crank lengths or even make it compatible with the kickr climber, surely those two things especially the first are important and they should've tried to reduce costs elsewhere to accommodate? I just feel like $700 for that frame with a lack of adjustments and made out of steel to reduce the costs is still way overpriced and you could buy a bike frame that ticks every box for much less.

easter egg in the video?? 🤣🤣🤣