Virtual shifting replaces your bike’s gears and lets you change resistance electronically while riding indoors. If you’ve ever trained indoors and wondered how some riders shift gears without their chain actually moving, you’ve experienced virtual shifting in action. It may not sound like a big deal at first, but once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever rode without it. So, what is virtual shifting and how does it work? Let’s break it down!
What Is Virtual Shifting?
With virtual shifting you shift gears, but the bike’s drivetrain doesn’t physically move. Instead of your derailleur jumping across cogs, the smart trainer changes resistance for you. You still press your shifter button (or the virtual gear controls, depending on your setup), but all the magic happens inside the trainer’s software.
So, while the chain stays perfectly still, the resistance adapts to simulate the feeling of going up or down a gear, smooth, instant, and quiet.
How Does Virtual Shifting Work?
Let’s keep it simple: virtual shifting works by replacing your bike’s mechanical gear changes with electronic control over your smart trainer’s resistance.
Here’s the process:
- You press the shift button.
- The trainer receives the signal.
- Resistance increases or decreases to mimic what changing gears would feel like outside.
The result? Seamless gear changes without the clunky sound of your chain moving or the risk of it slipping mid-ride.
Most modern smart trainers, like the Wahoo KICKR Bike, Tacx NEO, or Elite Justo, support virtual shifting in some form. The software you use, like Zwift, Rouvy, or MyWhoosh, then customizes how that virtual gearing feels.
Virtual Shifting on Rouvy
Rouvy’s approach to virtual shifting focuses on realism. Since Rouvy uses real-world video routes, the virtual gears help replicate how a climb or descent would actually feel outdoors.
You’ll still hit the shifter buttons, but the trainer adjusts instantly to match the road gradient in the video. For example, when you’re “riding” up Alpe d’Huez, you’ll feel the resistance ramp up just like on the real climb, but without the noise of mechanical shifting.
It’s one of the reasons I personally enjoy Rouvy. The combination of real road visuals and smooth virtual shifting makes indoor rides feel surprisingly natural.
Virtual Shifting on Zwift
Zwift takes a slightly different approach. Its virtual shifting is built around the gaming side of indoor cycling, where competition and responsiveness matter.
With Zwift’s Zwift Click or Zwift Play controllers, you can shift gears electronically with almost zero delay. It’s perfect for races and group rides where timing is everything.
One thing Zwift nails is customization. You can choose how many gears your setup has and how they’re spaced, so the experience feels close to your outdoor bike’s gearing.
What Are the Benefits of Virtual Shifting?
There are a few reasons virtual shifting is catching on fast:
- No wear and tear – Since your chain doesn’t move, there’s less stress on your drivetrain.
- Instant response – Gear changes happen faster and smoother than with mechanical shifting.
- Silent riding – No clunky noises when shifting, which is great for early-morning or apartment workouts.
- Realistic feel – Especially on platforms like Rouvy, it mirrors real road gradients almost perfectly.
- Customization – Adjust gear ratios and number of gears to match your preference.
Final Thoughts
Virtual shifting is one of those things that doesn’t grab headlines but quietly transforms how we ride indoors. Once you get used to the smooth, instant transitions and zero chain noise, it’s hard to go back.
Whether you’re exploring the Alps on Rouvy, racing in Watopia on Zwift, or trying a free ride on MyWhoosh, virtual shifting brings a new level of realism and control to indoor cycling, without ever touching a derailleur.
