Smart trainers with virtual shifting
Virtual shifting simulates gear changes in the app instead of moving your chain across a cassette, so the trainer controls resistance directly. 10 trainers in our database support it; 3 of them run a single Zwift Cog with no cassette to buy or match at all.
What virtual shifting actually does
With virtual shifting you press a button (on the bars or in the app) and the trainer instantly changes its resistance to mimic a different gear — the chain never moves. On single-sprocket “Cog” trainers this removes cassette matching entirely; on others it works over a normal cassette as an extra layer. It needs a compatible app (e.g. Zwift) and, on some bikes, a small controller.
Trainers with virtual shifting
The 10 trainers in our database that support virtual shifting:
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2, Wahoo KICKR V6 (2022), Wahoo KICKR MOVE, Zwift Hub One, Tacx NEO 3M, Tacx NEO 2T, Elite Justo 2, Elite Avanti, Van Rysel D100, Van Rysel D500
Single Zwift Cog — no cassette needed
These 3 run one sprocket plus virtual shifting, so there is no cassette to buy or match: