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Three weeks later I wrote about Top Free Indoor Cycling Appsemphasizing that RGTs are the best option, it’s a little annoying that Wahoo buys them and removes the free features.
While it’s disappointing that there isn’t a decent free virtual/augmented bike app out there right now, it’s promising that Wahoo is aggressively expanding its virtual bike platform. However, Wahoo does not appear to have decided on its brand yet.
Wahoo previously bought out the popular Sufferfest and incorporated it into Wahoo SYSTM.
Now, with the acquisition of RGT, they are launching a new Wahoo X service. Technically, SYSTM still exists, it’s just that Wahoo X is an umbrella service for Wahoo SYSTM and Wahoo RGT.
If you use SYSTM or RGT, you will migrate to Wahoo X for free. For RGT premium users, I hope this means you will keep the $10/month fee. Alternatively, the price is bumped up to $14.99 + tax PCM.
In all fairness, $15 for full access to SYSTM and RGT seems pretty reasonable.
As of this writing, Wahoo SYSTM and Wahoo RGT are two separate applications; it appears Wahoo X is just billing and account management. I’m assuming at some point they might try to combine everything into one.
Zwift is by far the most dominant indoor cycling app, but many seem to be disappointed by the lack of development and various glitches in the game.Instead, they seem to focus on development hardwareincluding a indoor smart bike. Having an established company like Wahoo acquiring multiple competing services is sure to put some pressure on Zwift.
I recently tried the RGT on its free plan, and it was a fun experience, but most riders are bots and nowhere near the Zwift kind of user interaction. I expect this acquisition to see an influx of new riders.
