Wahoo Fitness just announced the acquisition of the virtual cycling platform RGT Cycling – now called Wahoo RGT – and also announced the launch of Wahoo X Subscription Service.

This is the second cycling app Wahoo has acquired. In 2019, Wahoo acquired Sufferfest and last year rebranded it to Wahoo SYSTM, a comprehensive training platform for cyclists and triathletes that offers personalized workouts paired with immersive, video-based content, as well as yoga, strength, and mental training, all integrated into customizable training plans for cycling and multisport.

WAHOO X

To make it easier and more cost-effective for athletes to take advantage of both platforms, Wahoo also announced its launch of Wahoo X: a new premium subscription service that gives athletes full access to all of the features and content for both Wahoo SYSTM and Wahoo RGT under a single convenient subscription, account, and login.

Wahoo is offering the new Wahoo X bundled subscription for the same price as the previous stand-alone SYSTM subscription for athletes who want to realize the benefits of both structured training SYSTM offers, and virtual cycling and racing RGT offers. The new single-sign on Wahoo account will also work across other Wahoo products and touchpoints, including the ELEMNT Companion App, Wahoo Fitness App, and wahoofitness.com.

WHAT IS RGT

RGT cycling offers 12 different virtual routes that are based on real-world locations.  You can create your own events and invite others. You can also create your own route based on your own GPS data. So if you have a specific route that you want to recreate, you can simply upload it and they will create what’s called a “magic road” that is based on the GPS data you uploaded. Once the route is created, you can ride it yourself or schedule events or even races.

RGT Cycling claims to have the best cycling physics of any cycling app out there and they released their Real Cycling Physics V2 engine or (RCP) as they call it last summer. Basically, it’s how realistic the game looks; the leaning into corners, the braking as you come into sharp turns, the drafting, etc. Also, according to RGT, all the physics calculation happens server-side, meaning your position, your movement, the draft you benefit from, and the draft others receive are calculated on RGT servers rather than locally on your device. So basically, what you see on your device should be exactly what everyone else riding with you is seeing. 

WAHOO RGT AND SYSTM

Existing SYSTM and RGT subscribers will be migrated to Wahoo X at no additional charge. A 14-day free trial is available, allowing new users to explore the entire suite of content and functionality in both apps. Subscriptions for Wahoo X are priced at US$14.99 a month or US$129 a year, though Wahoo notes that the annual option is currently not available through the Apple App Store or Google Play.

“The acquisition of RGT Cycling and the launch of the new Wahoo X subscription service gives athletes more options, more convenience, and more control over how they train,” said Mike Saturnia, CEO of Wahoo. “With a single subscription and one account that works across the entire suite of Wahoo products, we’re able to deliver unprecedented value and a best-in-class experience that seamlessly integrates the Wahoo ecosystem of hardware and software solutions, allowing athletes to get the most out of their training, whether indoors or outdoors. And while the benefits are best realized through the Wahoo ecosystem, we’re committed to ensuring that our expanded offering of comprehensive training and virtual cycling software remains open and compatible with key industry players and standards. Athlete choice and freedom will continue to be at the heart of everything we do at Wahoo.”

Mike Saturnia, CEO of Wahoo

Wahoo has been the leader in the hardware and smart bike trainer market. It has also been strengthening its position in the indoor cycling app market through acquisitions. This is all coming on the heel of Zwift – the leader in indoor cycling – coming close to announcing their entry into the smart bike trainer market possibly this summer/fall as we get closer into the indoor training season.

With that, thanks for reading!

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