Zwift Cog vs. Cassette: A Guide to Shifting Indoors

There are now two different options for changing gears on the indoor trainer: the traditional cassette and the newer virtual shifting via the Zwift Cog and Zwift Click. Both of these options work with Zwift, but offer very different riding experiences. 

In this article we’re going to break down how these different shifting options work and what you need to know to choose between them.

The Old Way: Cassette and Smart Trainer

The classic way of riding on Zwift involved a direct drive smart trainer and a cassette. Let’s take a closer look at how this worked when training indoors:

What is a Cassette?

A cassette is the name for the set of rear sprockets of your bike. It sits on your hub, and via a clever invention called a “freehub” allows you to propel yourself forward via pedalling, also letting you coast too.

Cassettes are specifically designed for riding outside and they’ve existed for decades.

They allow you, via your bike’s gears and drivetrain, to change gear – making riding easier or harder, or slower or faster.

When direct drive smart trainers (where the rear wheel is removed) started becoming the go-to option for training indoors, it required a cassette to be placed on the indoor trainer so that the bike could connect to the trainer, register power output, and control resistance.

If you were virtually going up a hill on Zwift, then changing gear and the chain jumping to another sprocket could make pedalling easier.

With a cassette, shifting is near exactly what it would be like outside. You push the lever on your shifter (or press a button if your gears are electric), your derailleur moves the chain onto another sprocket, and the resistance or gear you’re in changes. It’s mechanical and what cyclists have been doing for years.

Which Cassette Do You Need For Indoor Training?

This is where things start to get more complex.

The extra cassette on your trainer has to exactly match the cassette on your bike. That means the cassette has to be the same amount of sprockets and usually the same brand so that it’s compatible with the chain on your bike. Otherwise you could experience a range of issues, from dropped chains to jumping gears. Definitely not recommended when riding on Zwift.

It can be a pain. Especially if you’ve got a new bike or want to ride a different bike indoors, you will need to swap the cassette on your trainer too.

Enter the Zwift Cog: Indoor Training Made Easy

This is where things have evolved a long way. The Zwift Cog has reinvented indoor shifting. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and what problems does it fix?

What is Zwift Cog?

The Zwift Cog is a single sprocket hub designed specifically for indoor training. It simplifies your indoor riding, removing cassette compatibility headaches, and with the Zwift Click unlocks quiet, instant shifting.

How Does Zwift Cog Virtual Shifting Work?

Zwift Cog essentially replaces your cassette when riding indoors. But don’t worry, there are no mechanical complexities. 

It works by pairing with a Zwift Click controller, to enable what’s called “virtual shifting”.

When you hit your Zwift Click shifter, Zwift initiates a virtual gear shift – mimicking exactly what your bike would do outdoors. The result is instant shifting, with no noise and without your chain ever having to jump left or right.

What are the benefits of Zwift Cog?

Compatibility with almost any bike: Aside from quiet, instant shifting, Zwift Cog also completely eliminates the need to identify the parts you need or to swap cassettes on your indoor trainer. The Zwift Cog is compatible with most 8-13 speed bikes.

Switch Bikes Easily: This means you easily swap between bikes for indoor riding. So whether you share a trainer with someone else, would like to switch between bikes (whether that’s road, MTB or hybrid), or just want a simple Zwift experience without mechanical adjustments, then the Zwift Cog could improve your indoor riding experience.

Zwift Like a Pro with Zwift Click: As well as controlling your shifting, Zwift Click gives you full control of Zwift from your handlebars. This means you can give Ride Ons and navigate menus with ease.

A Setup For The Future: Running a Zwift Cog also means your setup is ready to integrate with the Zwift Ride Smart Frame, making space for the ultimate indoor smart bike experience.

Which Performs Better: Zwift Cog or a Cassette?

Both options work well with Zwift, will give you accurate power readings, and provide a robust training experience.

Zwift Cog will always deliver perfect shifting, even under load. Furthermore, that shift will always be silent – perfect for those not wanting to disturb neighbours. 

A cassette can also deliver perfect shifting but does require adjustment to ensure everything is set up properly. This may mean you need to make adjustments to your gears depending on whether you want to ride indoors or outside.

Zwift Cog vs. Cassette: Which One Should You Choose?

So which one should you go with? Both are solid options, and the “right” choice depends on your situation.

If you’ve already got a trainer with a cassette and you’re happy with it, there’s no urgent reason to switch. It works, it’s familiar, and provides a good Zwift experience.

But if you have a Zwift Cog compatible trainer and you’d like to unlock more features (like perfect, silent shifting and being able to easily use multiple bikes) then the Zwift Cog and Click upgrade kit is a great choice. 

If you’re purchasing a new trainer, then a Zwift Ready trainer (meaning it includes Zwift Cog and Click) definitely makes the most sense. It’ll give you the optimum Zwift experience right out of the box.

Both options work with Zwift, they’re just different approaches to the same end goal: getting you riding indoors.

FAQ

Is the Zwift Cog compatible with all bikes?

The Zwift Cog is designed to work with nearly any 8-13 speed bike that uses a chain, regardless of drivetrain type or brand.

Can you use virtual shifting with any trainer?

Virtual shifting only works with Zwift Cog compatible trainers. You can check the list here.

All “Zwift Ready” trainers come with a pre-installed Zwift Cog, meaning you get ready-to-ride virtual shifting straight out of the box.

For more info check out our guide to Zwift Ready and Zwift Cog Compatible Trainers.

Which bikes are compatible with Zwift Cog?

Zwift Cog and Zwift Click are compatible with a really wide range of bikes. It’ll work with almost any 8-13 speed bike (whether that’s a road, MTB, hybrid or e-bike) to give you the optimal Zwift experience.

Does the Zwift Cog feel realistic?

The Zwift Cog changes resistance instantly and feels just like a standard cassette. You can even test different ratios by customising your gearing. It’s smoother and quieter, but your chain won’t actually move like when using a standard cassette.

Is it easier to take your bike on and off the trainer with the Zwift Cog compared to the cassette?

Yes, generally speaking. Since the Cog is just a single sprocket all you need to do is make sure your bike is engaged with the cog. 

With a cassette, you need to make sure your chain is threaded onto the correct gear and properly aligned. The Cog simplifies this, your chain simply goes on the one cog, and you’re done. 

Can you install Zwift Cog onto an existing trainer?

Yes. You can upgrade your existing Zwift Cog compatible smart trainer and replace a cassette with a Zwift Cog and Click upgrade pack. We’ve made things as easy as possible with our trainer-specific upgrade kits, removing the need for additional specialist tools. For a breakdown on how this works head to our Zwift Cog and Zwift Click Setup Guide.

Ready to upgrade your setup? Explore the Zwift Cog and experience smoother, smarter shifting indoors.