Eurobike 2019 opened this morning, and Zwift’s booth includes 8 Zwift stations, each with a different trainer/smart bike.
But one station in particular features something new and (literally) game-changing: steering!
Here’s a quick video of one rider at the steering station:
The Basics
Here at Eurobike, visitors can climb onto a real Canyon MTB and ride a virtual Zwift MTB on a singletrack which branches off from Titans Grove. The short test track is a twisting, rolling trail with a longer climb at the end. Along the way occasional indicators on the trail show you the best line to take, and on-screen text tells you when you’ve done particularly well. You’ll even get a star rating for various sections based on how well you steer.
Steering is accomplished via the Zwift Companion app running on a phone attached to the bike’s handlebars. Simply turn the bars or tilt the bike to steer.
Once steering rolls out to the community, Zwifters will receive a prompt on screen as they approach the steering segment in Titans Grove, asking whether they would like to test steering. Once the steering option is selected, Zwifters will then be transported to the start of the new trail.
For now, steering will only be available on this test track.
How Does It Feel?
I must confess–it was a lot more fun to use than I thought it would be. Talk of steering in game has never been very interesting to me, but actually experiencing it for myself, even this early version, has changed my mind completely.
The steering is quite responsive (and sensitivity is easily adjustable). It even works by leaning, which I appreciate as a rocker plate user.
Was it the steering? Was it the new singletrack? Probably a little of both. But I couldn’t help being pulled in and going harder than planned, because it was that much more engaging.
Mark my words: when racing on Zwift includes steering, the experience will be radically different than Zwift racing of today. Imagine a singletrack course where passing isn’t even possible except in certain areas. And if you veer off trail, your speed drops and you lose placings.
It will all create a more more engaging fitness experience, while adding a new skill element to the game so races so “watt-focused.”
FutureWorks
Steering is being rolled out under Zwift’s new “FutureWorks” label, which they will use to debut new game features still in development. This is a smart move, because it will make it very clear which features are in early days and which are not.
FutureWorks will be used to elicit feedback from the Zwift community at large, allowing a diverse user base to test new features and functionality before they are officially rolled out.
Here’s what Eric Min has to say about FutureWorks:
The teams here at Zwift have so many innovative ideas, but Zwifters have historically only been able to try those that have gone through a lengthy development process. FutureWorks will allow us to deliver more of these ideas at a concept phase – allowing Zwifters to give us their direct feedback on what they want to see more of. This is a means of giving the community more of a voice on what they wish to see added in the game.”
When Will Steering Be Available?
While it isn’t yet available for all Zwifters in-game, it will be very soon. My guess is some time in the next 2 weeks.
I used to ride something similar at the Gym some years ago – the Trixter xDream bike – I think they first came out in 2010. Essentially a mountain bike simulator, and you had to steer (you would crash if you went off course). The ones at the gym were in poor repair – there is a sensor in the seat that detects whether you are standing or not, and those always seemed to be screwed up. It was important because if you were standing the steering was more sensitive, but the bike was almost uncontrollable if you were standing. So few people ever rode the things (the gym was pushing spin classes anyways), and eventually the machines went away.
They were limited by the technology of the day – graphics were more crude, and some of the courses looked post-apocalyptic. In reality they had only 4 ‘maps’, but different routes on those 4 maps. You would essentially race on those things – when you win one race, the next time you ride you would go onto the next. Unfortunately there were only 80 different ‘events’ – once you won that last one, the thing would roll the credits (all the people who wrote the software), and after that the thing lost the magic for me.
A few years later I saw Zwift in a bike shop, and immediately got what they were trying to do. Within a month I had a trainer and had cancelled the gym membership.
Eric, What is needed for the front wheel pivot? I tested The Rivot with the steering and it was fun but I need a device for the front wheel to turn on. I’m assuming Zwift has done some testing. Is there a pivot wheel block of some sort that is used?
Nothing is needed, strictly speaking. All you need is the phone attached to your bike.
That said, riders may want something that lets their wheel easily turn a bit. Kinetic has something like that I believe, and JetBlack and Australia has a simple one as well. I think just something smooth to put your wheel on that lets it turn without wearing out the floor would be fine.
Word on the street is, some simple front wheel turning devices may hit the market which use ANT turning signals, so Zwift Companion wouldn’t be required. Also, Smart Bikes would need to have functional turn buttons on them in order to join in the fun.
And, if you’re using a Wahoo climb unit attached to your front forks , would it work?
I don’t see why not. The Climb allows for a bit of side to side turning, and leaning also works. Should be plenty of movement for how Zwift is set up. But you can test it and find out soon enough!
I have the one by Kinetic! It works well! I already turn my bike when my avatar turns! Hereās a link to the Kinetic one. https://www.kurtkinetic.com/accessories-products/turntable-riser-ring
Interesting! Can I shoulder-barge other riders out of the way by steering into them? š
I’m curious how this will affect racing road on Zwift. I am not a fan from the go because there is too much to worry about when racing. If I want steering then I will just do my local crit, which I do. I think they are making it too much a video game than a cycling platform for training.