Zwift is turning back the clock while looking to the future with the return of Jarvis Island, the platform’s original virtual cycling world. Initially launched over a decade ago, Jarvis Island gave a new dimension to indoor training. As part of Zwift’s 10-year celebrations, the island has re-emerged, blending nostalgia with modern enhancements.

2025: Return to Jarvis Island

Nestled off the coast of Watopia’s famous Volcano Mountain, Jarvis Island 2025 is more than just a nod to the past—it’s a full-on upgrade.

Expect to spot revamped landmarks, goofy references to the early days (blue bots, anyone?), and even a Banjo Man Café. For those new to Zwift, this expansion offers a chance to ride a piece of history. For the OG beta testers, it’s a homecoming.

Six New Routes – Endless Riding Options

• Deca Dash: Ten laps spanning 52.4 km of climbs and sharp turns. Pushing riders to their limit on every pedal stroke.
• Wasted 8: An eight-lap, 30.7 km route traversing deserts and ocean views, ideal for those craving flat yet scenic rides.
• Loopin’ Lava: A fiery 18.3 km ride around Watopia’s volcanic landscape. Designed to keep the heat on for riders seeking a demanding climbing challenge.
• The Classic: Experience the timeless beauty of Watopia. This 8.8 km route combines elements of old and new. Showcasing Zwift’s origins and some of the most scenic roads on the island.
• Coast to Coast: A diverse 24.1 km journey starting at the southern shore and featuring the Sasquatch Sprint. Woodland Sprint, Jarvis KOM, and Jarvis Sprint to challenge Zwifters on every stretch.
• Triple Twist: Ideal for riders looking to test their speed over 24.4 km with three tight loops incorporating the Zwift and Jarvis KOMs and Jarvis Sprint and Lap segments for pace improvements.

Each Zwifter will experience the dramatic reveal of Jarvis Island upon their first visit, complete with sights, sounds, and a touch of surprise. To learn more about the comeback of Jarvis Island and the expansion of Watopia, check out zwift.com/watopia-expansion.

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We’ll be the first to admit it: Fueling for long events is challenging, especially if you don’t have a game plan or it’s your first event. With the rise of longer and more intense gravel races and events, proper fueling is more critical than ever. If you’ve ever questioned what and when to eat on the bike, this podcast will improve your fueling game.

A Guide to Gravel Race Fueling

This conversation isn’t just for first-timers or elite gravel grinders; it’s for everyone. I’ve often gotten my fueling strategy wrong, and I still do sometimes (and I’ve been at this for years).  Whether it was not eating enough, not eating the right food, or the dreaded “I’ll eat later” followed by a dreaded BONK and vision quest for the finish line. We can all work on our fueling for training and racing, no matter how many races we have under our belt. 

For BikeRumor Podcast Episode 103, I sat down with the Fuel Good Nutrition (formerly Rider Box) team to dispel fueling myths and clarify what a race nutrition plan can look like. 

So, should I eat as many gels as I can? No, this isn’t a laundry list of 20 gels and 50 blocks for over 250k of racing. It’s a real-food and practical look at what riders can do (and stomach) to achieve the most from their training.

From Training to Race Day

We discuss what a fueling plan looks like from the very start. Please look at the week leading up to the big event (gravel race in our scenario) and forward from there. We are tackling not only what but also how to get in the correct amount of carbs and other fuels to stay robust and fresh over your ride. 

Bottle Strategy and Pack Prep

Are you going to go bottles or pack? How many? What should I put in them? These are the big questions for a longer (hot) gravel event. The last thing you want as an athlete during an event is dehydration. It affects not only your ability to perform but also your mental capacity.

Do you know what kind of sweater you are? Are you someone who needs more sodium or electrolytes? We discuss sweat rate and how to find your sweat type. Whether you jump on the scale pre and post-ride or check your rate with the NIX biosensor – knowing what you need to replenish is vital.

Post Gravel Race Recovery

After the race, you need to replenish, recover, and rebuild. We discuss re-fueling, recovery meals, drinks, and strategies so you can be stronger in the next race.

Learn more about FuelGoods.com

The post Podcast #103: A Guide to Practical Gravel Race Nutrition appeared first on Bikerumor.

Let me start with an acknowledgment that the cost of top-tier multisport GPS smartwatches is eye-watering, yet this new Coros Pace Pro manages to bring the best tech and genuinely long battery life a bit more into reach. The generally more affordable Coros Pace family of GPS-tracking multi-sport smartwatches goes Pro with a new top model promising an improved display, faster processor, and all-around improved performance. Plus, it keeps the Coros core of super long battery life – up to 38 hours of GPS activity tracking or 20 days of regular smartwatch use – light weight from just 37g, and affordability…

Well at $350, at least it’s relatively affordable compared to the top-tier multi-sport watches from trusted brands…

Coros Pace Pro affordable premium GPS smartwatch

A year ago, I only really knew of Coros anecdotally as a smartwatch brand used by ultra-distance runners because of the watches’ light weight, GPS accuracy, and super-long activity-tracking battery life, and their relative low-cost compared to the legacy names in sport trackers.

Then we heard at the start of 2024 that Coros was preparing to bring their low-cost, lightweight & super long runtime strategy to cycling, my interest was piqued. Even before we got any details on what would become their $250 Dura GPS cycling computer with awesome 120-hour battery life. So I wanted to try out their Pace family of smartwatches to see how they worked on- and off-the-bike.

So, I strapped a Pace 3 around my wrist and have pretty much not used another smartwatch since. Its in-app and on-watch menu navigation took me a while to get used to (mostly because these days new devices don’t come with much in the way of explanatory operating instruction manuals). But once I figured it out (and flipped the watch’s band & its electronic face around 180° so that my wrist didn’t accidentally press the pause button during activities), I’ve been perfectly happy with the Pace for tracking runs, mountain bike rides, hikes, XC skiing & spilt-boarding. Plus, generally tracking my fitness, sleep & recovery when I want to know more.

And now, there’s a faster, brighter, more powerful Pace Pro that does everything I already love with the regular Pace 3 better, plus the mapping capabilities of smartwatches more than 2x as expensive.

Comparing it to the Pace 3

I know you might not know the $230 Pace 3 that I already use, but it has excellent GPS tracking capabilities. It is thin, smooth-edged & weighs just 40g. And I only have to charge it really once-a-week when I use it to track rides, or could go 2 weeks when I am tracking cycling activity with by Wahoo Elemnt Roam or more recently with the Coros Dura (which coincidentally has the same display just with touch added). Really, I usually stick it in the charger every other time I hop in the shower for 15 minutes or so, and it is always charged.

So what’s new?

So, now the more powerful Pace Pro gets a 3x better resolution AMOLED vs. LCD that is also brighter and can be always on. It has a 2x faster processor, 3x more RAM, 8x bigger memory, 3x faster WiFi up/download speeds, and new full mapping & navigation capabilities.

Plus, it still has the same 38-hour GPS-tracking runtime, but now with all GPS systems tracking at the same time for increased accuracy thanks to a 46% higher capacity battery. That also means that everyday use tracking lasts 33% longer for 20 days of regular stress & sleep tracking between charges. Coros says the Pace Pro is 4mm bigger in diameter, half a millimeter thicker, and 7g heavier (10g heavier comparing the standard silicone watchbands) – all minimal enough changes to probably feel the same around your wrist. Although, I do hope to test out the new watch soon to see how I like the updates.

One other upgrade from Coros’ more-premium Vertix expedition family of watches is a new ECG sensor, presumably for better exercise recovery analytics. And with that, I think the only thing that the $700 Vertix 2S does better than this Pace Pro would be its much longer runtime.

Lastly, the Pace Pro upgrades to a new USB-C charging cable with a dongle that will fit on a keychain, for what appears to be another new proprietary charging interface, but an improved port for better connection.

Ultra-long runtimes

• 345mAh battery
• All GPS systems active battery life: 38 hours, 28hr with Always-On display, 10hr with Always-on & offline music playing
• Dual Frequency GPS tracking reduces to 31hr, 24hr & 10hr, respectively
• Daily Use & Sleep Tracking battery life: 20 Days or 6 Days with Always-On display
• Less than 2hr complete charging time

Tech details

• 1.3” 416x416px always-on full-color AMOLED Display, 1500 Nit auto-adjusting brightness
• Scratch-resistant mineral glass screen
• Fiber-reinforced polymer bezel & body
• stainless steel Digital Dial control button & separate back button
• All-Satellite Dual-Frequency GNSS Chipset for tracking (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS)
• 5 LED 4 photodetector optical Heart Rate sensor
• optical Pulse Oximeter for blood oxygen level tracking (SPO2)
• barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, 3D-compass, environmental thermometer, and new Electrocardiogram sensor
• downloadable Global Landscape maps or Regional Topo maps for navigation
• Compatible with 3rd Party Apps: Strava, Komoot, Training Peaks, Apple Health, Ride with GPS, Rouvy, and 40+ more including many running training apps
• Bluetooth & WiFi connectivity, with over-the-air updates
• 32GB internal memory (1200hr of Activity tracking)
• water-resistant to 5ATM (50m depth)
• 46mm diameter crown x 12.25mm thick
• 22mm quick-release band
• 49.1g typical weight with standard silicone watchband (just 37.1g with nylon band)

Coros Pace Pro – Pricing, options & availability

Again, smart GPS multi-sport watches with a full suite of sensors and full mapping capabilities are expensive. The top Garmin Epix, Polar Grit X2 Pro, Suunto Vertical, or even Apple Watch Ultra 2 all start at over $800. So while not exactly cheap, Coros’ new Pace Pro is certainly more in-reach for someone looking for a do-it-all smartwatch.

The new Coros Pace Pro multi-sport GPS smartwatch sells for $350 / 400€ direct from Coros with a silicone band standard, in your choice of black, light gray, or navy blue. It is available not, although only in black, with the other colors and optional $29 matching lightweight nylon watchbands shipping later this month.

Coros.com

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TrainingPeaks has acquired indieVelo and rebranded itself as TrainingPeaks Virtual. The coaching software company sees this as a way to give coaches and athletes a fully integrated training ecosystem. The real question is whether TrainingPeaks Virtual can stay in the pack with names like Zwift and MyWhoosh or will they be dropped on the first climb?  

What Makes TrainingPeaks Virtual Different?

To understand the whole picture of TrainingPeaks Virtual, you must know TrainingPeaks. For those unfamiliar with TrainingPeaks (TP), it is training software that coaches employ to program workouts, see athletes’ training results, and analyze power data. The software was similar to Today’s Plan (RIP) and Golden Cheetah but now takes on another identity as a place to train and upload your workouts. This acquisition comes as no surprise, as TP recently acquired Train Heroic (a strength training software), adding another dimension to athlete programming. 

Better Than Zwift? 

I’m not touching that one, but it does offer some unique features that only TrainingPeaks (or a similar coaching software) could offer. TrainingPeaks Virtual claims it sets itself apart with a custom physics engine designed for more realistic and accurate virtual riding. TP claims the platform better represents real-world dynamics like drafting, cornering, braking, and line choice, to better reflect the demands of outdoor riding.

Now, we can’t attest fully to those claims without trying it. However, integrating training accurate zones and syncing structured workouts from their coach to the TrainingPeaks Virtual will be a welcome addition. In the future, TrainingPeaks plans to introduce other integrations, including workout compliance and syncing of TrainingPeaks zones and FTP.

Keeping the Athlete-Coach Connection

This acquisition follows the launch of the TrainingPeaks Strength Workout Builder, which is helping coaches streamline training insights and track how athletes incorporate all workouts into their routines. 

“We want to ensure coaches have a seamless onboarding experience for their athletes. A lot of friction creates challenges for coaches, and this acquisition helps introduce athletes to that world more easily.”

TrainingPeaks President Lee Gerakos.

Features – TrainingPeaks Virtual

• Realistic Riding: In TrainingPeaks Virtual, tactics matter. With proprietary real-world physics, including drafting, cornering, braking, and line choice, you get a more realistic indoor experience.
• Seamless Integration: All your workouts where and when you want them. With TrainingPeaks Virtual as part of the TrainingPeaks ecosystem, you’ll never waste time finding or transferring your data.
• Credible Racing: TrainingPeaks Virtual offers various event types, including team racing, keirin, elimination, and more. DS Mode helps your team strategize, and unparalleled sub-millimeter accuracy guarantees results everyone can trust.
• Community Features: Join or create realistic group rides with dynamic features to keep your team riding together. Don’t have a crew to ride with? Choose your goal and join a group of Racebots to keep you motivated.
• Access: All new and existing TrainingPeaks athlete accounts will have free access to the beta version until March 2025. After March 2025, TrainingPeaks Virtual will be a Premium feature.

TrainingPeaks Virtual Beta Launches Free Through March 2025

The beta version of TrainingPeaks Virtual is now free, syncing with new and existing TrainingPeaks athlete accounts. Athletes and coaches can dive into the platform’s features without a cost barrier until March 2025, after which TrainingPeaks Virtual will be available through a $125.00/yr TrainingPeaks Premium membership, making it less expensive than Zwift ($200/yr).

The post IndieVelo Is Now TrainingPeaks Virtual and Free Till March 2025 appeared first on Bikerumor.

It’s a day of tricks or treats, and Hammerhead’s latest update looks pretty tasty if battery life is a concern. Calling it the first major update to the new Karoo (aka Karoo 3), the computer gets an expanded Battery Save Mode to stretch its juice.

It’s important to note that downloading the update will not instantly grant you with 35+ hours of battery life. Under the default mode, you’ll still see about 15+ hours with standard use.

With this update, riders will be able to choose between three different battery states:

• Default Ride Mode (15+ hours of battery in standard use cases)
• Battery Save Mode (30+ hours of battery)
• Advanced Battery Savers (35+ hours of battery)

If you select Battery Save Mode, this will boost battery life to a claimed 30+ hours. This mode automatically turns off and on the screen, having it illuminate only when you need it (turn-by-turn direction cues, alerts, etc.). When these alerts happen, the screen turns on for 35 seconds, then turns back on and you can customize when it turns on. Also, in this mode, screen brightness is limited to 45%.

If you add the Advanced Battery Savers to the Battery Save Mode, that’s when you can see upwards of 35+ hours. Those options seem to include a slower processing option and an additional max brightness reduction setting. The slower processor setting will likely slow down the responsiveness of the computer, but it will still function to record your ride and give you directions.

Battery Save Mode:

• Use Karoo’s Battery Save Mode to automatically turn the screen off – it will turn back on when you need it most (e.g. Turn cues, CLIMBER alerts)
• By default, the screen will remain on for 35 seconds after an event. Riders can customize the timer in their Battery Save settings menu
• Riders can customize which events trigger the screen on. Customize ‘Screen on Triggers’ in Battery Save Settings
• By default, using Battery Save Mode will cap your max screen brightness at 45%.
• Store Battery Save Mode settings within ride profiles for easy access, or configureon-the-fly

Battery Save Mode with Advanced Battery Savers:

• Get more out of Karoo by configuring additional Advanced Battery Saver settings
• Cap Max Brightness in Advanced Battery Saver settings for more battery life
• Set your preferred maximum screen brightness to save additional battery when usingBattery Save Mode
• Now enable ‘Slower processing’. Turning ON ‘Slower processing’ will slow down theCPU and processing speed of your Karoo to save battery. To turn on this feature, click into the “Advanced Battery Saver” menu

It’s nice that these are optional settings since it will allow those who aren’t going to be riding their bike for 30+ hours at a time to have a fast, bright computer. But for those that need it, this seems like a great way to get a very functional computer with extra battery life.

The update is free to download, and new Hammerhead Karoo computers are priced at $474.99.

hammerhead.io

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Let’s start off with the fact that Chimpanzee nutrition is not globally available, and maybe you won’t find their new Super Bars near you. But if you are in Europe, they are definitely worth seeking out. Made almost entirely of natural dates, cashews & raisins, these super bars are energy-packed, easy to eat & digest during activity, and sneak in a full 100mg of slow-release caffeine that will help keep you riding further, and longer!

Chimpanzee Super Bars, natural nutrition bars with caffeine

I basically see sports nutrition fall into one of two categories. Either it tastes and feels like an over-engineered synthetic (but likely effective) solution to keeping you fueled during activity OR it’s just regular (hopefully) natural food, carefully picked to be easy to eat on the go and easily digested during strenuous activity. Pretty much everything Chimpanzee Nutrition makes falls into that latter category. Natural and often organic ingredients are essentially their whole thing. So every time I see them do something new and different, but still keep it natural, my interest is piqued.

Their latest new offering – these caffeinated Chimpanzee Super Bars – are a perfect example.

They are still made of simple mix of 100% natural ingredients – just 7 ingredients in each bar – come in two flavors, and include a subtle 100mg of caffeine boost for extra energy over the long run.

Review: 100mg of caffeine in a natural ingredients energy bar

Interestingly, that’s probably about the same caffeine that you’ll get in a small cup of coffee or espresso, or even more than a can of Red Bull. But, slowly delivered into your bloodstream in a soft and slightly sticky bar that’s about 95% dates, cashews & raisins, you won’t notice the jittery peak you would associate with that much caffeine in a drink.

As an aside… apparently, the science of caffeine absorption suggests that even in coffee, it’s around 45 minutes after drinking it that you really get the effects. But we all know that psychosomatic reality is something different. And many coffee or energy drink connoisseurs will have rewired our brains to feel a boost almost immediately… even if that’s more a digestive function boost once it hits your stomach.

In any case, I feel like whenever I eat one of these bars – and I’ve gone through at least a half dozen so far – I kinda don’t notice the caffeine at all. I just coincidentally feel like I have a bit extra energy and can pedal a bit harder about 30-60 minutes after I eat one. And that’s what’s nice in my mind. Subtle extra energy without any negative feeling.

But how do the Chimpanzee Super Bars taste?

They just taste like a natural bar made of fruits and nuts, and that’s about it. Simple, and effective. “Fast-acting carbohydrates”, plus caffeine for “sustained energy levels”.

The two flavors are also not all that different in the end. Unsurprising as their approximately 95% composition of dates, cashews & raisins plus <1% of guarana extract is shared between both bars. The Cocoa Muffin bar tastes mostly like dates with just a hint of chocolate from its 6% fat-reduced cocoa content. The Jelly Berry is decidedly more sweet and fruity, powered by its 2% of freeze-dried raspberries.

For the full breakdown of each’s 7 ingredients and their nutritional values, you can find both flavors on Chimpanzee’s website, here: Jelly Berry or Cocoa Muffin.

More Chimpanzee Natural Sports Nutrition options is always a good thing

The new Super Bars are a nice new addition to Chimpanzee’s more conventional range of energy bars. They already make a bunch of typically classic sweet-style bars – my favorites being Chocolate Espresso, Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt, and Crunchy Peanut. But also a newer unique crop of salty sports bars that I called out before in my Editor’s Choice Awards – Olive, Spicy, or Pizza are a great alternative when you’ve just had too many sweet bars. Especially nice to add a salty bar into the mix for long endurance events to refresh your palate and give your stomach something different to digest.

Chimpanzee Super Bars – Pricing & availability

The two new Chimpanzee Super Bars just debuted last week, so the best way to get them is direct from the ChimpanzeeBar.com webshop. They sell for 2.50€ a piece or just 2€ if you buy a 20-pack. Shelf-life looks like it’s about 12 months based on the sell-by date on my bars. That’s really the one thing to keep an eye on with Chimpanzee bars, since they don’t have artificial preservatives you probably don’t want to stockpile more than you will use in a half a year or so.

So, I’ll buy another handful of each flavor once I eat the last few I have remaining. Then, I’ll probably buy a 20-pack of each once springtime is around the corner.

ChimpanzeeBar.com

The post Review: Chimpanzee Super Bars Mix Natural Fruit, Nuts & Caffeine into New Energy Bars appeared first on Bikerumor.

Has it been 10 years already? Seems like just yesterday we were learning about smart trainers and this new video-game-like training program called Zwift.

In those 10 years, there have been a LOT of users logging a LOT of miles on Zwift – more than 8 billion kilometers ridden or run, with over 81 billion meters of climbing. Over that time 15 future pro cyclists have been discovered, with more to come.

Watopia Expansion!

If you love Zwift, you probably love Watopia. Zwift’s beloved world was its first, and the home of the most popular route of all time: Tempus Fugit. Now, it’s about to get even bigger.

From now until Stage 5 of the Tour of Watopia on November 24th, you might notice something rising from the ocean, just off the coast of Watopia. The teaser makes them look like some kind of ancient Stonehenge-like structure, but only time will tell!

Updated Heads Up Display

Following community feedback, the updated Heads Up Display (HUD) now will allow for customizable metrics including cadence, heart rate, average watts, and w/kg. Runners get an update as well, with a fixed display of a heart rate zone distribution bar, heart rate, and steps per minute. Wahoo KICKR Run owners will also see the new Dynamic Elevation display when utilizing Incline Control.

New Challenges and Rewards

Starting September 9th, riders will have some optional new challenges including the Cardio Crusher and Route Chaser. These can be accessed via the Challenges section on the Home Screen and can be completed alongside one additional ‘main’ challenge – Everest, Italy, or California.

Cardio Crusher – Sept 9

Catering to a wide range of fitness goals and for time-crunched athletes, the Cardio Crusher Challenge offers five new workouts, all under an hour. Zwifters who complete all five workouts will unlock 250 XP.

Route Chaser: The Grade – Oct 3

Ideal for users looking for a Challenge to earn new badges. Zwifters must complete five routes to complete the challenge, three of which are new – Mayan 8 (23.1km with 241m elevation gain), Radio Rendezvous (20.5km with 736m elevation gain), and Power to the Tower (44.7km with 1492m elevation gain).

Zwift Racing Score

Zwift claims the new Zwift Racing Score (ZRS?) will revolutionize racing on Zwift making sure you’re in the right category from the start. The score dynamically adjusts based on your current fitness and also your performance in races. With improved matchmaking and rewards for strategic racecraft, Zwift Racing Score is designed to elevate the competitive experience.

That will come in handy with all the events on the Zwift Racing Calendar:

• zRacing Monthly – Year-round racing with new racing routes landing each month.
• Zwift Racing League – The largest team event in cycling with 2,610 teams participating in the 23/24 Season, the league brings Zwifters together offering 3 rounds consisting of 6 races each between Sept and Feb.
• Zwift World Series – Five races spanning from Sept to Jan, the tailor-made courses offer three tiers of monthly monument racing challenges.
• Zwift Games – Launching in March, the Zwift Championships will return for a second year, offering Zwifters the chance to race for Community and Elite levels with more to be revealed in the coming months.

Zwift Garage Updates & Halo Bikes

Soon, it will be easier than ever to customize your bike in Zwift by completing upgrade challenges to unlock future upgrade purchases with Drops. All bikes will have five stages of upgrades for enhancements in weight reduction, aerodynamics, and lower rolling resistance.

There will also be new Halo bikes like the Pinarello Espada with high performance and, thanks to the price, high street cred among the Zwift community. Apparently “Only the most brand-loyal Drop Shop customers will be invited to purchase Halo Bikes,” with more details to come.

Zwift Academy, Camp, and Birthday Celebration

To celebrate Zwift turning 10, there will be a season-long celebration from Sept. 4 to Dec. 3, including a Big Birthday Party Weekend Sept. 27-30. Additionally, the Zwift Academy started in August and runs until Nov. 3rd, while a new workout program called Zwift Camp: Baseline will run from Nov. 18 – Jan. 5th. This will include six workouts with short and long versions to suit all riders. When you complete it, you’ll get a report to help identify your strengths or weaknesses based on rider type with additional challenges to help you take the next step in your fitness goals.

zwift.com

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Zwift has some exciting product news for those gearing up for their winter training sessions: the Zwift Ride Smart Frame is now available without a trainer. When it was first launched in June, the Ride Smart Frame was only available along with a Wahoo KICKR CORE trainer – great if you don’t already own a trainer, but not something that most riders wanted to buy if they already owned one.

Now, you can purchase your Ride Smart Frame separately for $799 and use it on your trainer of choice. Thanks to the new Zwift Ready Program, that means trainer choices aren’t just limited to Zwift or Wahoo trainers either. As an officially licensed program from Zwift, you’ll be able to easily identify smart trainers that are compatible with Smart Shifting. These trainers can be upgraded to support Zwift virtual shifting with any Zwift Controller including Click, Play, and Ride. These currently include:

• Zwift Hub – all versions including Hub One
• Wahoo KICKR CORE – all versions
• Wahoo KICKR V6 – all versions of v6
• Wahoo KICKR MOVE – all versions*
• Elite Direto XR (Coming Soon)
• Van Rysel D100 (Coming Soon)

*Note: Wahoo KICKR MOVE is only compatible with Zwift Ride Smart Frame when in the fixed position

However, many Zwift Trainers will also be available to purchase pre-configured with the Zwift Cog and Zwift Click controller in the box. In September, you’ll find the following trainers with more coming soon after:

• Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One
• JetBlack Victory with Zwift Cog and Click
• Wahoo KICKR V6 with Zwift Cog and Click
• Wahoo KICKR MOVE with Zwift Cog and Click
• Elite Direto XR with Zwift Cog and Click (Coming soon)
• Van Rysel D100 with Zwift Cog and Click (Coming soon)

Updated Zwift Cog v2

One of the benefits of Zwift Virtual Shifting is that you no longer need a full cassette on your trainer, which for the Ride Smart Frame allows for a more durable single-speed drivetrain. But for those using their own bikes on the Zwift Ready trainers, the updated Zwift Cog will allow for a better experience with less noise.

The Zwift Cog v1 had a fixed position and required you to dial in the chain position using the adjustments on your bike’s drivetrain. Zwift Cog v2 includes a built-in indexing system that allows users to dial in the perfect chain alignment without having to mess with their bike’s drivetrain. That way, when you put your bike’s rear wheel back on and go outside to ride, everything will be ready to go without any adjustment.

The Updated Zwift Click and Cog will be available this fall as an upgrade pack for existing trainers at $79.99.

Additional Zwift + Wahoo Purchase Options

For those who want to buy a trainer without a 1-year Zwift subscription, the Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One and Wahoo KICKR CORE will now be offered without that membership at a lower price of $499.

The post Zwift Ride Smart Frame Now Available Separately, Includes Updated Zwift Cog, Zwift Ready Trainers Too! appeared first on Bikerumor.

Wahoo just announced a big price drop across their full fleet of KICKR indoor trainers, knocking several hundred dollars off everything from their flexible ROLLR up to the full-on KICKR BIKE. Sure, it’s still hot outside for most of our readers in the Northern Hemisphere at the moment. But #crossiscoming and so eventually will come cooler weather and shorter days. You may not be ready to give up riding outside just yet, but it still could be a good time to plan for late-season and off-season training…

Wahoo KICKR price drops; indoor training is more affordable

Look, smart Wahoo KICKR trainers are still not cheap. But now we’re not talking about $200 off a Kickr Rollr, $300 off a sixth-generation Kickr V6, $300 off the Kickr Move, $500 off the Kickr Bike Shift, and $200 off the Kickr Bike. Those are solid savings if you were already on the fence about whether to upgrade your indoor training setup or not.

And while savings like this often would only come after new models are introduced, our super secret industry-insider rumors suggest that Wahoo does not have any big new indoor trainers launching for the rest of the year. So, these are still going to be the top of the KICKR line, at least through this coming winter.

Then, read the full savings Press Release breakdown below:

(London, Wednesday 4th September 2024) – 

As part of its ongoing commitment to increasing customer value for money, Wahoo Fitness, the leading fitness technology company for endurance athletes – announces a significant price reduction across its popular KICKR indoor training products.  In addition, Wahoo will also bring the KICKR CORE Zwift One and Zwift Cog & Click to retail for the first time. This exciting news comes ahead of the Northern Hemisphere’s Winter indoor cycling and training season, with Wahoo’s  ‘best in class’ range of products offering an unrivalled range of price points, value and customer choice.  

Starting from 4th September 2024, customers will benefit from the following new pricing on WahooFitness.com:

• KICKR BIKE: The ultimate option for indoor cycling, offering adjustable bike fit, precise control, realistic ride feel, gradient adjustment and unmatched customization options. It replicates real-world terrain, adjusts resistance automatically, and is fully integrated with Wahoo’s ecosystem for seamless data tracking. 
  Launch RRP: £3500 / $4000; New RRP: £3200 / $3800

• KICKR BIKE SHIFT: Designed for versatile indoor training, this model brings the unique benefit of virtual gear shifting, providing a more dynamic and immersive experience for cyclists at all levels.
  Launch RRP: £2700 / $3000; New RRP: £2200 / $2500

• KICKR MOVE: This innovative trainer introduces fore-aft motion, allowing the  bike to move naturally for a more comfortable and realistic riding experience than ever before.
  Launch RRP: £1400 / $1600; New RRP: £1150 / $1300\

• KICKR V6: The latest iteration of Wahoo’s flagship smart trainer, adds lightning fast WiFi, alongside  its quiet operation, accurate power measurement, and seamless integration with popular training apps. 
  Launch RRP: £1100 / $1300; New RRP: £850 / $1000

Also recently dropped in price:

• KICKR ROLLR: An innovative hybrid between a traditional roller and a smart trainer, offering an engaging and flexible indoor riding experience for cyclists who value freedom of movement. 
  Launch RRP: £700 / $800; Current RRP: £550 / $600

Additionally, KICKR CORE Zwift One and Zwift Cog & Click will be made available exclusively via Wahoo Retailers globally. Previously these Zwift products were only available to buy directly, online.

• Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One:  comes with the Zwift Cog pre-installed, KICKR CORE ZWIFT ONE is compatible with almost any 8-12-speed bike. Zwift Click fits all kinds of handlebars and gives instant, silent virtual shifting. Riders will experience smart resistance that perfectly mimics every climb and descent, plus a built-in power meter. 
  Priced at £450 / $500
• Zwift Cog and Click Upgrade Kit:  compatible with Wahoo’s KICKR CORE, KICKR V6 and KICKR MOVE, plus all other ‘Zwift Ready’ smart trainers. This accessory allows riders to replace their cassette and brings virtual shifting to almost any 8-12-speed bike. 
  Priced at £80 / $80

WahooFitness.com

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The funny thing about OSMO is that they’ve barely changed since their launch in 2012. Through the years, and perhaps because they didn’t keep dropping flashy new flavors and seasonal editions, their business and the attention they garnered has ebbed and flowed.

But their quality and performance has remained a constant, which is why it’s one of my go-to products when I have something big planned.

The latest such adventure was 2+ weeks of cycling in Japan, first on an organized tour with Ride & Seek (read about that here), then on a loosely organized bikepacking trip with my son where plans changed hourly. For that, I packed a suitcase full of OSMO’s catalog, hauled it halfway around the world, and proceeded to crush it with zero bonks and zero cramps for the entire trip.

If you’re looking for solid ride nutrition and recovery, here’s what you need to know about OSMO…

OSMO Rapid Recovery

I don’t start rides with a recovery drink, but I’m starting this review with Rapid Recovery because it’s one of my favorite products. Here’s why: Their Vanilla recovery mix is hands down the best thing to add to iced coffee with a little milk for a killer hot-weather recovery drink. (watch me make it here)

Each serving has 17g-18g of protein from whey protein isolate, and that’s important. Whey Isolate is a much higher quality version than Whey Concentrate, which is common in a lot of other products (not all, to be fair, but a lot) because it’s cheaper. But, Isolate digests cleaner with fewer issues (less bloating, fewer farts). Despite guzzling down 1-2 servings after each day’s ride, I never had any bloating or gastrointestinal stress.

The chocolate flavor blends in more Micellar Casein, which I don’t have a problem with, but I prefer the vanilla by a large margin.

For the bikepacking segment, I dumped a couple tins of it into a Gallon Ziploc and shoved it in our trunk bag. Japan has lots of spots to get water, so it was easy to mix after each day’s ride. And, Rapid Recovery rinses clean, so it didn’t build up any film in my shaker cup over two weeks of just rinsing it with water after each use…no scrubbing necessary.

I finished every day’s ride with 1-2 servings (and sometimes a half to full serving again before bed). This strategy worked as I felt surprisingly strong and fresh each day for the entire duration, and wasn’t completely wrecked after 16 days of hard riding.

OSMO Hydration & Power Fuel

OSMO’s original message was simple – drink to hydrate, eat to fuel. So, if there’s been one big change for the brand over the years, it’s that they’ve finally introduced a drink mix that’s designed to fuel you, too. Sort of.

Their original Hydration mix is the same as it ever was, and both berry flavors are awesome. Highly recommend. Orange is pretty good, too, and Lemon Lime is among the better Lemon Lime’s out there, but it’s still just a Lemon Lime. All of the flavors do an excellent job of keeping me (and, presumably, you) hydrated. We hammered day after day, and once bikepacking, were doing it with loaded bikes up lots and lots of long climbs. Sooo many climbs.

Yet we never cramped, and Steve (my partner on the Ride & Seek tour) decided it would be fun to not shift into the little ring for the entire week, so he was definitely pushing big gears on the climbs. No cramps or bonks for him either.

It comes in 20 serving canisters, which we used for the cycling tour while they shepherded our bags around for us. Then we switched to their single-serve packets for the bikepacking leg since they’ve take up less and less space as we used them. I like bags and pouches of product for that reason…they pack down smaller, and keep getting smaller throughout a trip. I’m guessing they also use less plastic?

Some days we added OSMO’s newer Power Fuel mix to the Hydration mix, which is how you use it. It’s an additive if you’re looking to get more carbs in your carbs. It’s a Cluster Dextrin (highly branched cyclic dextrin) blended with Fructose and Sodium Citrate, with no flavor. It’s designed to add a meaningful dose of carbs (39g) to your current sports drink mix, but remain easily digestible. It makes the drink a bit sweeter, and it’s a little sticky, but seems to work well. Available in 16-serving pouches and single-serve packets, with or without caffeine.

OSMO Preload

OSMO’s Preload pre-sport hydration mix is one of my favorite things and I don’t think it gets the love it deserves. It has a very slight pool water taste, as does anything with a lot of sodium bicarbonate, but the pineapple margarita flavor makes the most of it. I actually kinda like it. There’s also potassium (83mg) and magnesium (14mg), but the main thing is pumping 1,430g to 1,850mg of sodium in you to help you hold water before heading out to ride.

If it ain’t broke…

Would I like to see more flavors from OSMO? Sure. But there’s something to be said for consistency and predictability. I know that OSMO’s products work well for me, the flavors are palatable all day, every day, for weeks at a time, and that they do what they say they will. Recently, they’ve added single-serve packaging for all of their products, which is great for travel. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for in a sports nutrition product, I’d say give these a try. They’re relatively simple, without any gimmicky ingredients or promises, but they taste great and they work.

Full disclosure: OSMO provided a small travel stipend to support our trip to Japan. In no way did that influence this review or my opinion their products – I liked them before, and I like them now.

The post Review: OSMO Nutrition Keeps Us Keepin’ On appeared first on Bikerumor.