Zwift Discontinues 4-Month-Old Trainer

This was a rough week for Zwift. The indoor cycling and running platform announced earlier this week that it was slashing an undisclosed portion of its workforce, and the co-CEO, who had been on board for less than 18 months, also resigned. The company will also discontinue the recently released Hub One.

“The Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One replaces the Zwift Hub One,” said Zwift, according to an official statement. “In partnering with Wahoo, we are able to expand the benefits introduced by Zwift Hub One last year, with greater power accuracy, Wahoo KICKR Climb compatibility and wider distribution.”

The Hub One, launched in October 2022 and reintroduced in October 2023, was an update to the company’s original Hub Smart indoor bike trainer. This new addition to the indoor trainer lineup had unique offerings. Unlike prior trainers, the Hub One used a single cog rather than the bicycle cassette. In ‘eliminating’ gears, the trainer used virtual shifting that provided 24 gears. This created a very quiet experience and eliminated the prospect of a bike chain dropping due to accidental shifting. The cog also allowed cyclists to mount any 8-12 speed bike on the trainer.   

“[I] just received Zwift Hub One today and [found] it is discontinued. Should I return and get the Wahoo Kickr Core,” asked one Zwift customer.

Zwift will continue to provide firmware updates for bug fixes and improvements for a minimum of two years, and warranties will continue to be supported. Despite Zwift’s position, some recent Hub One customers were caught off guard by the recent development.

“Yet, it is somewhat disappointing to have bought a product that’s about to become obsolete…in two years, isn’t it? Zwift Hub One was my first smart trainer ever. Surely, my decision to buy it in November was based on the virtual shifting feature - a technological novum - which was a decisive factor but also the presumption that it was going to be rather a lasting experience, certainly more than 2 or 3 years,” said another Zwift customer.

If customers are unhappy with their purchase and they are within the 30-day money-back window, they can contact Zwift customer support.

With the Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One taking center stage riders, Zwift wants to reassure consumers.

“The riding experiences between Hub One and Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One will be very similar. Both Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One and Hub One offer universal compatibility (through a Zwift Cog) and virtual shifting (through the Zwift Click) for the same price of $599 and a one year of Zwift,” according to the company.