ThinkRider A8 Plus virtual shifting with MyWhoosh

ThinkRider A8 Plus is a confirmed-working smart trainer with BikeControl virtual shifting on MyWhoosh. 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 ThinkRider A8 Plus with MyWhoosh

  1. Install BikeControl. Install BikeControl on iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac.
  2. Pair ThinkRider A8 Plus. Pair your ThinkRider A8 Plus 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 MyWhoosh. In MyWhoosh, pair the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, instead of the ThinkRider A8 Plus itself.
  5. Start virtual shifting. Shift with your controller: BikeControl applies each gear as resistance on the ThinkRider A8 Plus, and MyWhoosh sees your effort.
Preview frame of the video “Setting up BikeControl with MyWhoosh”
Setting up BikeControl with MyWhoosh

How MyWhoosh fits in

Connecting MyWhoosh to the trainer
MyWhoosh doesn't pair with the ThinkRider A8 Plus directly any more: it pairs with the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. BikeControl keeps the connection to the ThinkRider A8 Plus and changes its resistance when you shift, so MyWhoosh needs no virtual shifting of its own.
MyWhoosh actions on your controller
Shifting happens in BikeControl, but the other buttons can still control MyWhoosh: its default mapping covers steer left and right, emotes, navigate left and right, and toggle the on-screen UI, sent over Network or Accessibility.
Platforms
MyWhoosh on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, macOS, and Windows. BikeControl itself runs on iOS, iPadOS, Android, Windows and macOS.
Official support
MyWhoosh supports BikeControl officially through the open OpenBikeControl protocol, on every platform including Apple TV.

Frequently asked questions

Does the ThinkRider A8 Plus support virtual shifting in MyWhoosh?

Yes. The ThinkRider A8 Plus is confirmed to work with BikeControl virtual shifting. Pair the trainer directly to BikeControl and it adds virtual shifting in MyWhoosh, even if the app has no native virtual shifting support.

Does MyWhoosh need to support virtual shifting natively?

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

How does MyWhoosh connect to the ThinkRider A8 Plus with BikeControl?

MyWhoosh pairs with the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and BikeControl stays connected to the ThinkRider A8 Plus. MyWhoosh runs on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, 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 ThinkRider A8 Plus with other apps

More about the ThinkRider A8 Plus, the Virtual Shifting hub, or download BikeControl — free to try on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.