Sadly, the days are starting to get shorter and colder. But that’s when it’s a good time to be a Zwifter! As we near the first day of fall, Zwift has announced major features and events coming to the game over the next few months. In this week’s videos, learn more about what’s coming up on Zwift!
Catch reviews of the new Zwift Clicks, rundowns of more new features, a guide to ZRL 2025/2026, and a review of the Zwift Ride.
New Zwift Click v2 Controllers // All The Details!
Shane Miller, GPLama, shares everything you need to know about the updated Zwift Cog and Click. (Also, check out his video covering everything announced in the TSOZ press release.)
Zwift Fall 2025 Update: AI, New Maps, and New Zwift Click Controllers
Tariq from Smart Bike Trainers shares the details on everything coming to Zwift this fall.
What’s New in Zwift Racing League 2025/26? Complete Guide + Updates
As part of the press release, Zwift shared a schedule of notable upcoming events which included their flagship Zwift Racing League. Chad Rides shares all the details on the new season of ZRL.
Zwift Click V2 In-Depth Review: How Is This Just $49?
Hear from Ray, aka, DCRainmaker, as he shares an in-depth review of the new Zwift Click.
The best cycling investment for the winter? Zwift Ride Review
While not directly related to the This Season on Zwift press release, I thought it would be good to feature this review of the Zwift Ride. As many of you are gearing up for the upcoming Zwift season, you may be considering upgrading your Zwift setup. Hear from Ryan Condon as he shares his thoughts on the Zwift Ride (which just this week received a trainer upgrade!)
Got a Great Zwift Video?
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This weekend’s big event is the Rapha Women’s 100, and there are lots of events from Zwift, as well as community members, to help riders reach that 100km mark to celebrate women’s cycling. See below for more on these rides, plus other special events this weekend!
The Rapha Women’s 100 challenges riders around the world to come together, share the road, and ride 100 kilometers to celebrate women’s cycling. And it’s happening this weekend!
Zwift is holding a series of ladies-only events, rotating between The Big Ring and Volcano Circuit, scheduled every two hours. Finishers will unlock the limited edition Rapha Women’s 100 + Kelly Anna jersey in your Zwift garage. (Note: Zwift’s events description says, “Anyone who completes the W100—whether indoors on Zwift or out on the road—will unlock the jersey in-game.” I assume you’ll need to have your Garmin, Wahoo, or Hammerhead account linked to Zwift for this to happen…)
The first race of ZRL Round 1 happens this Tuesday, and lots of riders are jumping into recon rides this weekend since we’re racing a TTT on a brand-new route! Southern Coast Cruise is 26.3km long with 147m of elevation gain, covering a significant chunk of Watopia’s Southern Coast road in both directions.
A particular racing team hosts each recon event, and you’ll get some racing tips along with a tour of the route.
This weekly endurance ride is led by experienced leaders and sweepers who “will keep you entertained throughout, and they will mix things up each week.” This week is extra special, as a few team members are celebrating birthdays, plus they’ve tied the event into the Rapha Women’s 100 by making it 101km long!
2.5-2.7 W/kg pace on the flats, on Watopia’s Tick Tock route.
I’ve been running the Tinies as a 3-category race for several weeks, but this Saturday we return to a 5-category setup, since participation numbers are climbing. Hop in and join hundreds of others racing for the most fun and challenging VO2 workout on Zwift!
We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:
Is the event unique/innovative in some way?
Are celebrities (pro riders, etc) attending/leading?
Are signup counts already high, meaning the event is extra-popular?
Does the ride include desirable unlocks or prizes?
Does the event appeal to ladies on Zwift? (We like to support this under-represented group!)
Is it for a good cause?
Is it just plain crazy (extra long races, world record attempts, etc)?
Is it a long-running, popular weekly event with a dedicated leader who deserves a shout out?
In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!
Zwift Insider 2025 Kit Now Available from Verge Sport
Two years ago, we collaborated with Verge Sport to develop the most advanced indoor cycling kit on the market (read more).
Since that time, numerous Zwift teams have created their own indoor kits with Verge, printing their custom designs on the Pain Cave jersey and bib shorts. With hundreds of riders putting the kit through its paces across countless hard indoor sessions, the original design has proven itself. But perfection is an endless pursuit, so the original Pain Cave kit has become Pain Cave 2.0 due to three modifications:
Jersey switched from bonded to stitched sleeve ends for durability
Bib straps upgraded for better breathability
Bib lycra on front (below belly button) raised a bit for more compression
Today, we’ve re-opened our Team Store, allowing Zwift Insider fans to purchase our custom kit. All orders from our store are custom-made on demand using Verge’s innovative manufacturing methods, which means you’ll receive your kit within 3-4 weeks of ordering, and you can place your order whenever you’d like.
A quote from Nathan Guerra after testing the original Pain Cave kit: “The first time I rode in this Verge kit, I rode I think for almost 8 hours. And I was like… ok… didn’t even notice it was there. Definitely had no problems. Eight hours of riding indoors can cause problems, I don’t know if anyone’s noticed…”
Here’s a gallery showing images of the original Zwift Insider Pain Cave kit, so you can get an idea how it looks in real life. (To read the full story on the development of the kit, as well as a review, visit Review: Pain Cave Indoor Cycling Kit from Verge Sport.)
The Zwift Insider kit from Verge Sport matches Zwift Insider’s in-game kit, including the “Ride Smarter / Rider Harder” text on the legs:
Our team store includes the indoor “Pain Cave 2.0” version of our kit, as well as an outdoor-friendly “Strike” jersey+bibs and base layers, all in men’s and women’s versions. And new this year, we’ve got Zwift Insider aero socks!
This route keeps us on Watopia’s southern coast for the entirety of the TTT, which is a nice change of pace. And yes, that pun is intended, because the rollers throughout this route will keep racers on their toes! Let’s discuss route details, bike choice, and all things TTT…
Looking at the Route: Southern Coast Cruise
Watopia’s new Southern Coast Cruise is an out-and-back (and out?) route that is 26.3km long, with 147m of elevation gain. The lap profile below makes it look quite pitchy, until you realize each climb or descent is only changing elevation by 5-12 meters! This course is best described as fast, but constantly rolling.
This route doesn’t have any particular features like long climbs or descents worth calling out. Or perhaps the better way to say it is: this route is full of short climbs and descents, and your team must remain constantly vigilant to maintain the ideal power levels to maximize speeds! (See TTTips below for more pointers.)
This week, bike choice is easy: grab your most aero TT setup! The CADEX Tri is the fastest frame in game by a solid margin, and the new DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 85/Disc wheels are the fastest wheels. If you don’t have access to that setup (level 40+) then see this post to determine the fastest TT setup available at your level.
Top Tier: CADEX Tri with DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 85/Disc2nd Tier: Canyon Speedmax Disc with Zipp 858/Super9
Whatever you do, do not use a road frame. Because just like in real life, even a “slow” TT frame is much more aero than a road frame.
This round, for the first time in ZRL history, riders have access to two different speed-boosting upgrades. You’ll want to take maximum advantage of both, because your competitors will.
Bike Upgrades: A fully upgraded TT bike will be ~50 seconds faster across an hour of flat riding vs the non-upgraded version. Yes, this race will be closer to a half-hour effort, and anyone who has raced a TTT knows that’s a huge margin. Read more on this topic >
Lightning Aero Socks: These socks are unlocked by completing the Factory Tour Challenge, which was introduced in March 2025. Finishing it takes a lot of work, but the prize, the Aero Lightning Socks, will trim another ~12 seconds off an hour of riding. Read more on this topic >
Route Recon Videos and Resources
At the time this post was composed (Wednesday, September 10), the Zwift community hadn’t published any recon videos. Hard to blame them – the route wasn’t even in game until yesterday’s update, and it’s still event only.
I’ll share any recon videos or other resources here as I get them. Share in the comments section if you find or create anything useful!
Flatter courses like this week give valuable seconds to teams with big pure-power riders who can keep their power high on the front while staying in single-file formation to conserve in the draft behind. Extra seconds can also be gained by pacing smartly, ramping up the effort on short climbs and recovering a bit once you’re up to speed on the short descents.
On a course like this week’s, I highly recommend all team members set their Trainer Difficulty to the same value so you’re all feeling the gradient changes similarly. (When one rider has it set to 100% and another 25%, the first rider may ramp up power much more than the second when a climb hits, tearing your group apart.)
Your goal in a ZRL TTT is to get four riders across the line in the shortest time possible. That means every team’s pace plan will differ based on the abilities of each rider. We highly recommend having an experienced DS on Discord directing your team, especially if your team contains some inexperienced TTT riders.
If you want to go further down the TTT rabbit hole, I highly recommend Dave Edmond’s Zwift TTT Calculator tool.
Your Thoughts
Any insights or further thoughts on this race? Share below!
All About the New Zwift Click v2 Controllers (Now Shipping)
Last week’s Fall 2025 This Season on Zwift press release included, as the first item of business, news that a fresh version of the Zwift Click begins shipping today, September 9th. Let’s take a good look at Zwift’s newest piece of hardware, including a full hands-on review!
Click v2, as we’ll call it, is replacing two different controllers for Zwift. First, it replaces the original Click, a simple device with a + and – button for shifting up or down. This comes as no surprise. But the bigger news is that Click v2 is also replacing the Zwift Play controllers. (To be clear: while Zwift Play can still be used in-game, it will no longer be sold.)
Here are some images from Zwift showing the Click v2 and how they mount easily to multiple locations on drop bars, as well as flat bars and TT bars:
Zwift is not currently selling Click v2 as a standalone item, but Zwift Cog and Click upgrade kits for all Zwift Cog-compatible trainers are available at Zwift.com now for £49.99/€49.99/$49.99:
The two units are bridged together, so they use only 1 Bluetooth connection (good news for Apple TV users)
Claimed 100-hour battery life (CR2032 coin cell)
Hands-On Experience
Setup and Onboarding
Click v2 is quick and easy to set up. In addition to the two Click controllers, the package includes four straps and two soft pads you can place beneath the controllers to more secure mounting on rounded bars:
Clicking any button on a controller activates it, and an LED at the top of the controller will begin flashing blue. It turns solid blue once connected.
The first thing I did was open up Zwift’s Companion app and go to Zwift Hardware, where the app automatically detected the Click v2 controllers. The app then prompted me to perform a firmware update to version 1.1.0:
Once the Clicks were updated to the latest firmware, I started my Zwift session and paired the Click v2 (reminder: these are Bluetooth only):
Before riding, I was greeted with a simple tutorial walking me through their capabilities:
After finishing (or skipping) the tutorial, you’re ready to go! If you’d like, you can go to Settings>Controls and rotate the controllers, which may prove useful depending on mounting location:
Virtual Shifting
If you have a smart trainer that supports Zwift’s virtual shifting (see list of compatible trainers), Click v2 can handle the shifting duties. The – button on the left controller shifts down to an easier gear, while the + on the right controller shifts up to a harder gear. These also modify FTP bias in ERG workouts when shifting is disabled.
Shifting with Click v2 is just as responsive as with Zwift Play and the original Zwift Click, happening quickly and reliably.
I had the Zwift Plays installed on my bike, and added the Click v2 on the flats of my bars as shown above. I found I enjoyed pairing both the Plays and the Click v2 to my Zwift session, as the Clicks came in handy as satellite shifters and steering when I was riding on my bar tops.
Steering vs Intersection Selection
While the Click v2 does everything Zwift Play did (apart from braking), Zwift had to get a bit creative to squeeze all that functionality out of a pair of simple controllers.
Specifically, if you want to manually choose a turn at an intersection, you have to press A when the intersection option pops up, then choose your desired intersection with left/right arrows. (On-screen text reminds you how this works.)
Apart from this little quirk, steering is simple using the left/right arrows on the left controller.
Other Notes
I’ve been using the Click v2 on my main Zwift setup since May, which means I’ve logged over 100 hours of use. I changed the battery on one controller in my “pre-release” set early on, but they haven’t needed a battery change since.
Overall, I’ve been pleased with the feel and functionality of Click v2. The buttons are a bit easier to press than the Zwift Play, which is noticeable when you’re a Ride On bomber like myself.
Zwift has packed a lot of functionality into the new Click, and in a format that works on flat and tri bars, not just dropbars like the Zwift Play. While it doesn’t matter much to me personally (I’m a roadie), that’s a smart and inclusive move on Zwift’s part for sure. Plus, like I said above, even if you currently own Zwift Play and like their location, you’ll probably find Zwift Click v2 quite handy as satellite controllers.
(I even tested them on our in-house KICKR BIKE, adding them as satellite controllers. They worked just fine paired concurrently with the KICKR BIKE’s steering, allowing me to steering using the bike’s controls or the Click v2, as well as use all the Click’s buttons for navigating game menus, etc.)
Even though they’re only being sold with the Zwift Cog at this time, the price point is so low that I’d recommend them to any Zwifter with Bluetooth capabilities in their setup, as they put all the in-game menus and steering at your fingertips, even if you can’t do virtual shifting. They’re handy, reliable, and quite bomb-proof. My bet is they’ll quickly become this season’s most popular hardware add-on for Zwifters.
Buy Zwift Click v2
As already mentioned, Zwift is not currently selling Click v2 as a standalone item. Hopefully that will happen soon.
Until then, Zwift Cog + Click upgrade kits for all Zwift Cog-compatible trainers are available directly from Zwift for £49.99/€49.99/$49.99:
Zwift version 1.97 begins its phased rollout today. This is a very minor update, but we’ll share the details nonetheless…
Pairing Screen Filtering
Not included in Zwift’s release notes is an updated pairing screen UI which filters and sorts your detected devices to simplify the pairing process:
How does this work? Well, Zwift hasn’t released any documentation (yet). But clearly, Zwift is prioritizing and filtering devices in the list by connection type:
WiFi
Bluetooth
ANT+
So instead of showing, say, 3 different connection options for one smart trainer (like the KICKR CORE 2 which supports WiFi, Bluetooth, and ANT+), the game simply finds the WiFi connection first and shows only that when filtering by “Recommended”. (Clicking to show all will show the additional connection types.)
When pairing your heart rate monitors, sensor bridges are listed first, as it is assumed that you want to use bridged connections.
Aero Lightning Socks Visual Effect
If you’re one of the small subset of Zwifters who have already put in the work to unlock the Aero Lightning Socks, this update includes a new aero visual effect. See it here:
This effect appears at 25 km/h (16 mph), and gets stronger the faster you go. We found it to be fun for solo riders, but we aren’t sure how it’ll look if lots of riders have it in a group.
(That may never be an issue, though, as it takes a lot of work to unlock the socks, plus riders actually have to wear the socks in order to get the visual effect.)
Don’t know anything about the Aero Lightning Socks? These are unlocked after completing the extra credit portion of the Factory Tour Challenge, and give you a ~12-second advantage across 1 hour of flat riding in Zwift.
Zwift announced support for heart rate and body temperature from the Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds back in update v1.94, but the body temperature data wasn’t actually being recorded to our .fit files. This is now fixed, with the values being recorded to the core_temperature field.
Zwift says, “To get started, in the Pairing screen, open the Heart Rate card and select your Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport earbuds, then configure the displayed metrics in Zwift Settings under the HUD tab.”
(Watch this space for a review of the Momentum Sport earbuds, which we’ve been using on Zwift for a few weeks now…)
Release Notes
Zwift provided notes on additional tweaks and bug fixes in this update:
Fixed a bug that could potentially cause riders to start in the wrong location on Hilly Route in Watopia.
Today, Wahoo released new versions of their KICKR CORE and KICKR BIKE. And while the BIKE is essentially an iterative upgrade from the previous generation, the new KICKR CORE 2 features some significant enhancements, making the already compelling trainer muchmore attractive.
We’re still putting the KICKR CORE 2 through its paces here in our test lab, so watch for a review in the next week. For now, let’s look at what’s new with Wahoo’s flagship mid-budget trainer and top-tier smart bike.
The New Wahoo KICKR CORE 2
The original Wahoo KICKR CORE’s longevity and reliability have proved nothing short of startling, especially considering its price point. First released in 2018, the KICKR CORE is the “little brother” to Wahoo’s flagship KICKR trainer, and its hardware has remained unchanged since release.
It did, however, receive significant firmware updates to enable auto-calibration and Zwift virtual shifting, allowing it to become the de facto trainer paired with the Zwift Ride smart frame.
But competition in this price range is strong. Today’s release of the KICKR CORE 2 brings premium features to Wahoo’s mid-budget workhorse, updating it to the standards set by the latest smart trainers.
This is particularly big news in the world of Zwift. The KICKR CORE 2 is the trainer that ships with the Zwift Ride from today onward, making today’s upgrade from Wahoo an upgrade for all future Zwift Ride buyers!
What’s New?
New or upgraded features on the KICKR CORE 2 include:
WiFi connectivity for fast, reliable connections and automatic firmware updates
Race mode for near instantaneous response
Bluetooth bridging of heart rate and other sensors to consolidate connections (great for Apple TV users)
New flat leg design for easier, more stable setups
Improved multicolored LEDs indicate connection and trainer status
Redesigned flywheel lowers product weight while slightly increasing inertial load for better road feel
Reduced setup friction and waste: easier unpacking and assembly
Key Specs
Max Wattage: 1800W
Max Incline: 16%
Max Decline: -10%
Power Accuracy: +/-2%
Connectivity: WiFi, ANT+ FEC, ANT+ Power, Bluetooth FTMS, and Zwift Protocol
Cassette: sold with 11-speed cassette or Zwift Cog
Supported Hubs: 130/135mm QR, 12×142, and 12×148 Thru Axle
Buy the Zwift Ride + New KICKR CORE 2 (Price Drop!)
The KICKR CORE is the only trainer sold as a bundled product with the Zwift Ride smart frame, so today’s upgrade to the CORE 2 means the Zwift Ride bundle gets upgraded as well! Effective today, all Zwift Ride packages sold through Zwift and Wahoo will ship with the new KICKR CORE 2, giving you a top-notch feature set at an unbeatable price.
More good news: the updated Zwift Ride now costs less! Starting today, the complete setup price drops by £100 and €100 in the UK and EU, bringing the cost down to £1099.99 and €1199,99 respectively. In the US (where tariffs are making pricing an adventure), the cost of shipping has been reduced from $110 to $75.
Looking to purchase the full package of a Zwift Ride smart frame with Wahoo’s brand-new KICKR CORE 2? Click below to purchase through Zwift (your purchase through this link helps support Zwift Insider):
Wahoo unveiled the first edition of their KICKR BIKE at Eurobike 2019, and it certainly turned heads with its distinctive look and built-in KICKR CLIMB tilting. Then in 2022, they released the updated KICKR BIKE, making various iterative improvements while also adding WiFi connectivity and a redesigned motor for higher max wattage and quieter operation.
One year later, the KICKR BIKE SHIFT was announced, sporting a similar design and base feature set as the KICKR BIKE but at a lower price point.
Today, Wahoo released the next version of KICKR BIKE, named the KICKR BIKE PRO. This replaces the KICKR BIKE Gen 2, and while mostly what you’ll see here are iterative upgrades from the Gen 2 version, that’s what you would expect in the third generation of the industry’s leading smart bike.
What’s New?
New or upgraded features on the KICKR BIKE PRO include:
Handlebars redesigned for increased indoor comfort (now 40cm wide with 16-degree flare and Fi’zi:k Solocush bar tape)
Upgraded saddle (Fi’zi:k Aliante R5)
4-button controllers on top of each hood, mimicking Zwift Play controller capabilities (these also work for navigating other indoor apps, including Wahoo SYSTM, Rouvy, TrainingPeaks Virtual, and MyWhoosh)
Bluetooth bridging of heart rate and other sensors to consolidate connections (great for Apple TV users)
Increased durability thanks to more robust shifter cables and oversized quick-release levers
Key Specs
Max Wattage: 2500W
Max Simulated Incline: 20%
Max Simulated Decline: -15%
Power Accuracy: +/-1%
Connectivity: WiFi, ANT+ FEC, Bluetooth, Direct Connect
