Zwift Cog and Click test – My full review
I tested the Zwift Cog & Click, a solution designed to simplify gear shifting on home trainers. Here's my full review of this system, which I've installed on my home trainer and with which I've already done many Zwift sessions.
My summary
What I liked
- Easy to install
- Smoother, quieter shifting
- Handy if you want to use different bikes on a single home trainer
- Compatible with a wide range of HT
What I liked less
- Click controller batteries (I would have preferred USB charging)
- Compatible with Zwift only
How can Zwift Cog & Click be used?
The Zwift Cog & Click is ideal for cyclists who want a smooth, easy installation for their home trainer. Its main advantage is that it replaces your cassette with a single sprocket, eliminating the need to align your derailleur perfectly with the home trainer and making it easier to shift gears during use (and considerably reducing the noise generated by this, as well as chain wear).
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It’s also a good solution if you use several different bikes on the same home trainer… Provided everyone uses Zwift!
Features
- Components: 1 Cog block + 2 Click controllers
- Compatibility: you need to check on the Zwift website that your home trainer is compatible.
- Bluetooth connectivity (for Click controllers)
- Number of virtual speeds: 24
- Price: €49.99
Zwift
Launched in 2014, Zwift is a leading platform for virtual cycling. It transforms home trainer training into an immersive, social experience and has a huge following!
Our full Zwift Cog & Click test
Compatibility
Before falling for the Zwift Cog & Click, and if you already own a home trainer, you need to check its compatibility.
It is compatible with a very large number of home trainers (especially the best-known), but you can directly enter the model of your home trainer to be sure of receiving the right equipment.
It’s easy, I admit I greatly appreciated not spending hours checking technical specifications to be sure of the compatibility of mine, an Elite Direto XR.
Please note, however, that there is no compatibility with other virtual bike apps such as Rouvy or MyWoosh. If you want to use another application, the Click button won’t be recognized and you’ll be stuck on a single gear. It’s important to be aware of this đŸ˜‰
Box contents
The box includes the Cog block (which replaces the cassette on the home trainer) and two Click shifters (which attach to the handlebars), for virtual shifting, steering and navigation in Zwift. A multifunction tool for disassembling the cassette is also included.
Installation and configuration
Installing the Zwift Cog & Click is really easy. That’s what the brand says, and it’s true: it’s easy to set up.
For the cog, you need to remove the cassette on your home trainer from the freewheel body and slide the Cog block in its place. Then just take the time to adjust where the chain runs, so that everything is properly aligned, and that’s all there is to it!
As for the Click controllers, they can be attached anywhere on the handlebars using the elastic bands supplied. Pairing with the Zwift app is instantaneous via Bluetooth.
Using the Zwift Cog & Click buttons
The joystick buttons let you change speeds anduse Zwift’s various options without touching your keyboard.
Left joystick for navigation
- The Directional Pad: used to navigate menus in the home or pause screens. When driving, it lets you choose your direction at intersections (left/right arrows) or turn around by holding down the down arrow.
- Shifting button (-): Used to “shift up” the virtual sprockets to make pedaling easier.
Right-hand lever for action
The four coloured buttons are arranged in a diamond shape (it looks like a video game controller) and have very specific functions:
- A (Green): This is the Select / Validate button.
- B (Violet): This is the Back / Cancel button.
- Y (Blue): Used to activate your Power-Up (Mario Kart-type bonuses :-P).
- Z (Orange): This is the button for sending Ride Ons to other Zwifteurs.
- Shifting button (+): Used to “shift down” the virtual sprockets to increase resistance.
How does virtual shifting work?
The concept of “virtual shifting” is well thought-out: you no longer physically move your chain.
When you press the Click button (+ or -), Zwift instantly changes the resistance of the home trainer to simulate a gear change.
This gives us 24 speeds with a very wide development range, capable of tackling both 15% gradients and flat sprints.
I have to admit that, apart from the gear change of course, these are buttons I don’t use much, as I don’t really play with the app (I’m often just following a workout!), but it’s still practical.
Sensations
The silence is clearly what immediately struck me when I installed it. As someone who is particularly sensitive to noise, I have to say that this is a big plus that I greatly appreciate. Mind you, it’s not perfectly silent (there’s always the chain running and making noise), but it’s clearly less noisy.
What’s more, gear shifting is really fluid and responsive, just by pressing the + and – buttons. It’s a pleasure to use!
Conclusion
The Zwift Cog & Click is an interesting purchase if you want to improve your comfort on a home trainer without spending too much money, but this will of course depend on your personal use.
Le produit nous a Ă©tĂ© envoyĂ© par la marque. Cela ne change rien Ă notre opinion, les marques avec lesquelles nous travaillons comprenant que l’idĂ©e du test est de donner notre avis, avec ses points positifs et nĂ©gatifs. Cet article contient des liens d’affiliation.