This week Zwift rolled out a firmware update for the Zwift Hub which brings key new features to the smart trainer, plus some quality of life improvements. Let’s talk about the new features first!
10Hz Power Reporting (Race Mode)
Zwift Hub now broadcasts power data via Bluetooth at 10Hz (that is, 10x per second). If you use ANT+, it is now broadcasting at 4Hz.
Previously, the trainer broadcasted at 1Hz, which is sort of the industry standard. (The only trainers we know that do it differently are the Tacx NEO and some of the newest Wahoo KICKRs.)
What does faster power reporting get you? The ability to react faster in races (hence Wahoo calling it “race mode”)! It won’t change everyday riding, but it makes a noticeable difference in race situations where reacting quickly matters.
One thing Zwift needs to quickly fix, though, is the display of power numbers in game. I did a quick video demo below, but to put it simply, race mode on your Zwift Hub makes your power numbers change on screen at 10Hz, even if you have 3-second averaging enabled! The number you’re seeing is an accurate 3-second average, but Zwift is updating that average 10x per second, and displaying the updated numbers.
You can still get a good idea of what power you’re putting out, but having the number change so often feels unnatural and hectic. I’ve shared this feedback with Zwift, and my guess is this will be changed so the number is only updated once per second if you have 3-second averaging enabled. This is how bike head units handle it.
Some riders may not like how often Zwift changes the 10Hz power numbers on screen (I know I don’t). The problem is, there are only two possible fixes:
- Zwift makes race mode optional (like Wahoo did). But Zwift hasn’t done this. If you are on firmware version 5.2+, race mode is enabled and cannot be disabled.
- Zwift changes how 3-second average power is displayed so it only refreshes once per second. Again, this fix hasn’t been implemented, but I think Zwift should do it soon.
Virtual Shifting
The new firmware enables virtual shifting capabilities if you have the Zwift Hub and either Zwift’s Play controllers or the new Zwift Click.
So what exactly is virtual shifting… and do you need it?
With virtual shifting, your chain isn’t moving between different physical cassette cogs when you shift. Instead, a virtual shift changes the resistance of your smart trainer so it feels like you’ve changed cogs. This is how smart bikes like the Wahoo KICKR Bike, Wattbike, StagesBike, and Tacx NEO Bike have always worked.
There are many benefits to virtual shifting, including:
- Fast, smooth, quiet: with no chains skipping between cogs, your shifts are completely silent, perfectly smooth, and lightning-fast.
- Less wear and tear: your chain won’t wear out as quickly, and neither will the Zwift Cog, since it is built beefy because weight is not a concern.
- Shift under full load: no need to ease off the pedal when shifting under power, as your chain isn’t going to “skip” when virtual shifting like it can with mechanical shifting.
- Compatible across many bikes: no more spinning out on your low-geared mountain bike, or needing to swap cassettes if you swap bikes. The Hub One works with virtually any 8-12 speed bike and auto-calibrates to your physical gearing.
- No more fine-tuning: many riders find they have to fine-tune their physical shifting when they move between outdoor riding and a direct-drive trainer, since the cassettes aren’t lined up exactly the same. The Zwift Cog doesn’t require any such fine-tuning… just shift to a physical gear that has your chain lined up straight on the Cog and you’re ready to ride.
- Expanded shifting: at launch the Hub One supports a virtual 24-speed setup, which is more gears than most riders have on their outdoor setups. Additionally, the gear ratio range is very wide (from .75 to 5.49), meaning everyone should find that virtual shifting offers more easy gears and more hard gears than your mechanical gearing.
- In-game gear visualization: with Zwift’s virtual shifting, you can always see what gear you’re in on screen.
Time will tell, but I think virtual shifting is one of those features few Zwifters requested, but many will grow to love.
Two additional notes for firmware version 5.2 are worth mentioning since they relate to virtual shifting:
- Implemented Real Gear Ratio Auto Detection – calculates the physical gear ratio on the bicycle using pedal cadence and flywheel speed. This is what Zwift is doing in lieu of letting Zwifters set up their own customized virtual gearing. Zwift simply detects the physical gear ratio of your current gear, then sets your virtual gears up so you’ve got plenty of high and low gears as long as you remain in the same physical gear you started with. After many hundreds of miles, I’ll say this seems to work remarkably well. I have yet to even hit my hardest or easiest virtual gears, which means I’ve got plenty of room on my virtual gearing.
- Introduction of Zwift Protocol. This is the first time Zwift has publicly mentioned “Zwift Protocol,” but I’m sure it’s something we’ll hear about more in the future. Zwift Protocol is an application protocol Zwift has been developing for quite some time which allows the game to efficiently communicate with hardware. Its first use is in virtual shifting, and it may very well be that if third party trainer manufacturers want to support virtual shifting on Zwift, they’ll need to implement Zwift Protocol capabilities.
Quality of Life Improvements
On top of the new features, this firmware update includes improved Bluetooth connection parameters for a more consistent ride experience. It also implements better recovery processes to help the Hub not be “bricked” if a firmware update fails.
Checking and Updating Your Zwift Hub’s Firmware
To check your Zwift Hub’s firmware version, start the Companion app on your phone, go to More>Zwift Hardware, then click on your Hub. (Note: the Hub only allows one Bluetooth connection at a time, so if you already have Zwift running and are connected to your Hub there, it won’t show up in Companion. Close Zwift, then try connecting in Companion.)
Ready to update your Hub’s firmware? Here’s a quick video showing (among other things) how to upgrade your Hub’s firmware via the Companion app:
Tasty Features, Appealing Price
The simple truth is this: at $599/€599/£549 including 1 year of Zwift, most Zwifters will be hard-pressed to find a smarter buy than the Zwift Hub. While it may not pack the max wattage or 1% accuracy of the best direct-drive trainers, Zwift’s latest Hub upgrades make this already attractive smart trainer even more appealing.
Use discount code ZWIFTHUB for free shipping!
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