ThinkRider X7 NEO virtual shifting with TrainingPeaks

ThinkRider X7 NEO is a confirmed-working smart trainer 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 ThinkRider X7 NEO with TrainingPeaks

  1. Install BikeControl. Install BikeControl on iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac.
  2. Pair ThinkRider X7 NEO. Pair your ThinkRider X7 NEO 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 ThinkRider X7 NEO itself.
  5. Start virtual shifting. Shift with your controller: BikeControl applies each gear as resistance on the ThinkRider X7 NEO, and TrainingPeaks Virtual sees your effort.

How TrainingPeaks Virtual fits in

Connecting TrainingPeaks Virtual to the trainer
TrainingPeaks Virtual doesn't pair with the ThinkRider X7 NEO directly any more: it pairs with the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. BikeControl keeps the connection to the ThinkRider X7 NEO 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 ThinkRider X7 NEO support virtual shifting in TrainingPeaks?

Yes. The ThinkRider X7 NEO is confirmed 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 ThinkRider X7 NEO with BikeControl?

TrainingPeaks Virtual pairs with the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and BikeControl stays connected to the ThinkRider X7 NEO. 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 ThinkRider X7 NEO with other apps

More about the ThinkRider X7 NEO, the Virtual Shifting hub, or download BikeControl — free to try on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.