TechnoGym today introduced SKILLBIKE, an indoor stationary bike designed for cyclists, triathletes, and cycling enthusiasts. TechnoGym is marketing the bike with a new patented technology called The REAL GEAR SHIFT that is supposedly meant to replicate the dynamic of real-life gear shifting.
Before we go any further, the SKILLBIKE is compatible with Zwift… sigh! It connects to Zwift via Bluetooth only, similar to the way MyCycling trainer works.
The SKILLBIKE has an integrated 7” color LCD connected console with real-time feedback on cadence, watts, speed, distance, gradient, heart rate, selected gear and gear ratio.
The bike is adjustable to fit different riders. The frame and handlebar are designed to accommodate different riding positions and postures: road, time trial and mountain bike.
The company also claims the bike comes with an integrated powermeter with a +/-1% accuracy.
Aside from Zwift, you can use the SKILLBIKE with TechnoGym own training programs and use their own workout library.
GROUP WORKOUTS
The SKILLBIKE is also ideal for small group training sessions on the gym floor or in a studio environment. Trainers can offer two different class experiences: Race and Performance. The SKILLBIKE professional app allows trainers to prepare the class in advance and enables seamless class management.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Price and availability are still unknown at this point. I did reach out to TechnoGym with some questions and will update this section once I get more information.
TechnoGym is the last company to enter the smart indoor stationary bike market. Last year we’ve seen the WattBike, and now we have the Tacx NEO smart bike that should start shipping soon.
TechnoGym entered the direct drive trainers market last year but couldn’t capture much traction with their MyCycling indoor trainer despite its good look and accuracy. Their closed system and lack of ANT+ FE-C support remained to be an issue.
TechnoGym supports Zwift via Bluetooth only. Basically, you can’t use it using ANT+ FE-C protocols if you run Zwift on a Windows PC for example. Also, without ANT+ FE-C support or Bluetooth FTMS, you are limited to only using their system for all your training or Zwift on iOS.
TechnoGym seems to be following the same model with the SKILLBIKE. You will be limited to using their own training app or Zwift via Bluetooth only. Using other applications such as TrainerRoad or The Sufferfest isn’t going to work.
Thanks for reading!
About technogym skillbike, the fact of it supports only bluetooth, Do I have limits to use with zwift with IOS, the skillbike works fully with zwift by bluetooth?
Yes, iOS supports Bluetooth without a problem so you should be fine.
Just tried this demo at my gym and wasted 1h trying to get it to work right. They pulled it off the floor. It’s a hot mess