Elite Direto X virtual shifting with TrainingPeaks

Elite Direto X is an FTMS-compatible smart trainer likely to work with BikeControl virtual shifting on TrainingPeaks. Pair the trainer directly to BikeControl, customize gear ratios, and ride on iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac.

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How to get virtual shifting on Elite Direto X with TrainingPeaks

  1. Install BikeControl. Install BikeControl on iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac.
  2. Pair Elite Direto X. Pair your Elite Direto X directly to BikeControl over Bluetooth, so BikeControl can control its resistance.
  3. Configure gear ratios. Customize gear ratios inside BikeControl to match your real bike or preferred range.
  4. Connect TrainingPeaks Virtual. In TrainingPeaks Virtual, pair the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, instead of the Elite Direto X itself.
  5. Start virtual shifting. Shift with your controller: BikeControl applies each gear as resistance on the Elite Direto X, and TrainingPeaks Virtual sees your effort.

How TrainingPeaks Virtual fits in

Connecting TrainingPeaks Virtual to the trainer
TrainingPeaks Virtual doesn't pair with the Elite Direto X directly any more: it pairs with the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. BikeControl keeps the connection to the Elite Direto X and changes its resistance when you shift, so TrainingPeaks Virtual needs no virtual shifting of its own.
TrainingPeaks Virtual actions on your controller
Shifting happens in BikeControl, but the other buttons can still control TrainingPeaks Virtual: its default mapping covers steer left and right, increase and decrease resistance, menu, pause, select, back, up, and toggle the on-screen UI, sent over Network, Bluetooth, or Accessibility.
Platforms
TrainingPeaks Virtual on iPhone, iPad, Android, macOS, and Windows. BikeControl itself runs on iOS, iPadOS, Android, Windows and macOS.
Official support
TrainingPeaks Virtual supports BikeControl officially, with 28 mappable controller actions over Network or Bluetooth.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Elite Direto X support virtual shifting in TrainingPeaks?

The Elite Direto X is FTMS-compatible, so it is expected to work with BikeControl virtual shifting. Pair the trainer directly to BikeControl and it adds virtual shifting in TrainingPeaks, even if the app has no native virtual shifting support.

Does TrainingPeaks need to support virtual shifting natively?

No. BikeControl sends the gear’s resistance to the trainer; TrainingPeaks just sees a normal trainer, so virtual shifting works without native support in the app.

How does TrainingPeaks Virtual connect to the Elite Direto X with BikeControl?

TrainingPeaks Virtual pairs with the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and BikeControl stays connected to the Elite Direto X. TrainingPeaks Virtual runs on iPhone, iPad, Android, macOS, and Windows.

Can I customize the gear ratios?

Yes. Gear configurations are fully customizable in BikeControl with 1 to 30 gears, named configurations, and a drag-to-tune curve preview.

Is virtual shifting free in BikeControl?

Virtual shifting is included for up to 20 minutes per day in the free/base version. BikeControl Pro (around 2.50 EUR/USD per month) removes the time limit.

Use the Elite Direto X with other apps

More about the Elite Direto X, the Virtual Shifting hub, or download BikeControl — free to try on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.