Today, Elite announced a firmware update unlocking Zwift virtual shifting across their entire range of interactive direct-drive trainers, including older model versions no longer in production. With this update, the list of Elite trainers with virtual shifting support now includes:
Updating Your Firmware
If you own one of the trainers above, you can now upgrade its firmware via Elite’s Upgrado app in order to receive virtual shifting capabilities.
For the Justo 2 and Avanti, which have built-in Wi-Fi, the upgrade will happen automatically.
Virtual Shifter Options (Play/Click/Ride)
To use Zwift’s virtual shifting, you don’t just need a compatible trainer – you also need shifters! While Zwift (unfortunately) doesn’t sell the simple Click shifter as a standalone item, there are three options currently in stock at the Zwift shop:
- Zwift Play controllers: regularly $80, on sale for $50
- Zwift Click (with Cog): $80
- Zwift Ride smart frame: $800
| Play | Ride | Click | Click v2 | |
| Virtual Shifting | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Steering | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Braking | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Powerup Trigger | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ride On Bomb button | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Game Navigation buttons | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Drop bar compatible | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Flat bar compatible | ❌ | n/a | ✅ | ✅ |
| TT bar compatible | ❌ | n/a | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sequential Shifting | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SRAM-Style Shifting | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Shimano-Style Shifting | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cog Included | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Power Source | USB Rechargeable | USB Rechargeable | Coin cell (CR2032) | Coin cell (CR2032) |
| Battery Life | ~20 hours | ~20 hours | >100 hours | >100 hours |
| BLE Connections* | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Price | Discontinued | $1300 (frame + trainer) or $800 (frame only) | Discontinued | $50US |
Elite tells us Zwifters can use code ELITEZCOG2024 for a €20 discount on the Cog & Click Upgrade pack.
To Cog, or Not To Cog?
You don’t need the Zwift Cog installed on your trainer for virtual shifting to work – your current cassette will work just fine. But some riders may prefer to use the Cog so it’s easier to swap between different bikes on the trainer.
Related: All About Zwift Cog: Versions, Installation, and More
A Very Strong Move from Elite
To say this is a big move from Elite would be an understatement. With industry leader Wahoo only supporting virtual shifting on their newest trainers (plus the KICKR Core), and Garmin/Tacx not supporting it at all (yet), Elite’s move to support it on all of their trainers (including versions that are several years old and not even in production anymore) should earn them a lot of goodwill with existing customers.
We all love it when new capabilities are added to existing hardware. And we really don’t like being forced to purchase new hardware to access new capabilities, when it appears as if our current hardware could do the job just fine with a quick firmware update.
I don’t have a legacy Elite trainer in-house on which to test virtual shifting, but if it works as well as it’s been working on the Direto XR, then this is a move that will earn Elite plenty of points with current customers. Bravo!
Questions or Comments?
Have you tried virtual shifting on an Elite trainer? Share your experience below! Share below!
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