A few weeks ago, I started using the virtual gears in Zwift, changing hip and down using what Zwift calls Click, which is a small device on my handlebars.
To access most of the other in-game controls, I use the companion app. running on an old iPhone attached to the centre of my bars.
I can navigate the on-screen menus to do things like change the camera angle, grab a screenshot and give out Ride-Ons.
To improve the human / machine interface, I recently bought the Zwift Play devices. These controllers attach to the bars behind / below the existing levers and provide a lot more functions than the Click alone. Most of the functions of the companion app. are also accessible with these controllers.
The left-hand unit houses navigation controls whilst the other handles ‘select’, ‘back’ and other functions depending on which screen you’re currently on.
Below the buttons are some larger paddles which can be configured for steering, braking (not available another way) and gear shifting.
They arrived today and I wasted no time getting them fitted and tested.
I chose to test the new setup on a RoboPacer ride and picked Bernie on the Volcano circuit.
I took a little while to get used to the positions of the gear shifters (Up on the right and Down on the left).
By squeezing on the outside of the big orange paddles, I was able to, not so much steer as, move my avatar across the road so as to slip in behind other riders to hopefully improve the draft.
Squeezing the inside of either applies the brakes accompanied by a brightening of the rear light on my bike (as can be seen in the photo). Not a great deal of use (yet) but can pull you back from overtaking and losing any draft.
As well as giving out a blanket ‘Ride-On’ to the five nearest riders (Ride On Bomb) you can also return a Ride On to an individual rider. I don’t think that can be achieved, easily, using the keyboard or companion app. Any power-ups can also be activated with a dab on the ‘Y’ button.
The only niggle was that the right controller (the one for changing up) kept disconnecting / switching off so I had to re-pair it when I needed to change up. I’m hoping that this was due to a low battery in the unit.
I have them both on charge and they have remained connected during the time it’s taken me to pen this blog.
If these work properly and I get used to them (which I think I will) I may have a spare Click to put on eBay.