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. 20 trainers in our database support it; 5 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 20 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, Elite Suito-T, Elite Direto XR, JetBlack VOLT V2, Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen), Tacx NEO 2T, Elite Justo 2, Elite Avanti, Tacx NEO 2, Zwift Hub (classic), Van Rysel D100, Elite Justo, Van Rysel D500, Van Rysel RCR, Elite Rivo, JetBlack Victory
Single Zwift Cog — no cassette needed
These 5 run one sprocket plus virtual shifting, so there is no cassette to buy or match:
Zwift Hub One, Van Rysel D100, Van Rysel D500, Van Rysel RCR, JetBlack Victory
The ones that got it in a firmware update
13 of them were not born with virtual shifting — it arrived later, so a trainer still on the firmware it shipped with does nothing when you press a Zwift Click. Update it first; the Cog is passive and cannot be the fault.
Wahoo KICKR V6 (2022), Wahoo KICKR MOVE, Tacx NEO 3M, Elite Suito-T, Elite Direto XR, JetBlack VOLT V2, Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen), Tacx NEO 2T, Elite Justo 2, Elite Avanti, Tacx NEO 2, Zwift Hub (classic), Elite Justo
The ones that will never get it
5 models are ruled out by their manufacturer, not merely waiting: no firmware is coming. A Zwift Cog bolts onto them and gives one fixed gear, which matters most second-hand, where the listing says only "KICKR".
Tacx Flux 2 Smart, Tacx Flux S Smart, Elite Zumo, Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020), JetBlack WhisperDrive Smart
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
Zwift Cog vs cassette — which setup fits you?
Zwift Cog vs cassette — which should your trainer run?
Smart trainers for Zwift — what each one can actually render
Smart trainers for Zwift: what each one can actually render
Do I need a cassette for my smart trainer?
Do I need a new cassette for my smart trainer?