Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift virtual shifting with Zwift

Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift is a confirmed-working smart trainer with BikeControl virtual shifting on Zwift. 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 Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift with Zwift

  1. Install BikeControl. Install BikeControl on iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac.
  2. Pair Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift. Pair your Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift 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 Zwift. In Zwift, pair the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, instead of the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift itself.
  5. Start virtual shifting. Shift with your controller: BikeControl applies each gear as resistance on the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift, and Zwift sees your effort.

How Zwift fits in

Connecting Zwift to the trainer
Zwift doesn't pair with the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift directly any more: it pairs with the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. BikeControl keeps the connection to the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift and changes its resistance when you shift, so Zwift needs no virtual shifting of its own.
Zwift actions on your controller
Shifting happens in BikeControl, but the other buttons can still control Zwift: its default mapping covers steer left and right, U-turn, open the action bar, use a power-up, select, back, and Ride On bomb, sent over Network, Bluetooth, or Accessibility.
Platforms
Zwift on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, macOS, and Windows. BikeControl itself runs on iOS, iPadOS, Android, Windows and macOS.
Official support
Zwift is not an official BikeControl partner, and BikeControl is not affiliated with it. Virtual shifting still works, because Zwift only sees a normal trainer.
The Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift's own shift buttons
Zwift already reads the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift's shift buttons natively. BikeControl adds its own gear model and button mapping if you want them.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift support virtual shifting in Zwift?

Yes. The Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift is confirmed to work with BikeControl virtual shifting. Pair the trainer directly to BikeControl and it adds virtual shifting in Zwift, even if the app has no native virtual shifting support.

Does Zwift need to support virtual shifting natively?

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

How does Zwift connect to the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift with BikeControl?

Zwift pairs with the trainer BikeControl publishes, over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and BikeControl stays connected to the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift. Zwift 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.

Does Zwift read the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift's shift buttons without BikeControl?

Yes. Zwift supports the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift's buttons natively. BikeControl is for when you want its gear model, your own gear ratios, or the same buttons in other apps.

Use the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift with other apps

More about the Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift, the Virtual Shifting hub, or download BikeControl — free to try on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.