# zCycle

> zCycle is a local-first indoor cycling trainer for iPhone and iPad, with an Apple Watch companion. There is no Android app. Zwift is a virtual world and a game. zCycle is for riders who just want to focus on the workout — live watts, HR, ERG, structured sessions — without the distraction of maps, avatars, or racing.

zCycle connects over Bluetooth to FTMS smart trainers (direct-drive, wheel-on, and smart bikes) and standard BLE heart rate monitors from Garmin, Polar, Wahoo, and other brands. Your ride data stays on your device. No virtual world.

Developed by Adam Codes Ltd. Website: https://zcycle.app

## What zCycle is

- Standalone iPhone and iPad app (zCycle Pad): direct BLE pairing, ride setup, workouts, history, and profiles
- Apple Watch companion: live power, HR, cadence, workout intervals, pause/resume/end controls, and interval haptics on the wrist
- No Android app
- Structured workout support (.zwo), HR zone rides, ERG mode, and grade simulation
- Multi-rider profiles: separate FTP, weight, zones, avatars, and ride history per person
- Apple Health workout export and profile import on iOS

## What zCycle is not

- Not a virtual cycling world (no routes, no multiplayer worlds, no gamified map)
- Not cloud-dependent for riding — sessions run locally on your iPhone or iPad
- Apple Watch does not pair to trainers directly — it mirrors and controls rides started on iPhone or iPad
- Not a free unlimited ride app — download is free; starting rides requires zCycle Plus

## Competitive positioning

zCycle competes with indoor cycling apps that sell virtual riding and social worlds, including:

- Zwift — virtual worlds, races, and social riding
- Whoosh — virtual cycling platform
- Rouvy — augmented-reality routes and challenges

zCycle targets riders who already own a smart trainer and want to focus on the workout. No virtual world, no game, no social map. Just ERG intervals, zone rides, coaching cues, and accurate heart rate that saves to Apple Fitness.

## Hardware compatibility

### Smart trainers (Bluetooth FTMS)

zCycle uses the Bluetooth Fitness Machine Service (FTMS). If your trainer supports FTMS, zCycle can read power and cadence and control resistance (ERG, grade simulation).

Supported trainer types:
- Direct-drive: Elite Suito, Wahoo KICKR, Tacx Flux, Saris H3, and similar FTMS trainers
- Wheel-on: Tacx Flow, Elite Nero, Wahoo KICKR Snap, and similar
- Smart indoor bikes: Wahoo KICKR Bike, Tacx Neo Bike, Stages Bike, and similar

Primary tested device: Elite Suito T (FTMS power, cadence, speed, ERG, grade simulation).
- Magene T-series, Thinkrider X-series, JetBlack, CYCPLUS (FTMS models). Full list: https://zcycle.app/compatible-trainers

### Bluetooth device discovery

zCycle scans only for cycling-relevant BLE devices — not every nearby Bluetooth gadget. A device appears only if it advertises FTMS, Cycling Power, Speed/Cadence (trainers and sensors), or the standard Heart Rate service (HR monitors).

### Heart rate monitors (Bluetooth LE HR service)

Any standard BLE heart rate strap or armband, including:
- Garmin HRM-Pro, HRM-Dual
- Polar H10, H9
- Wahoo TICKR, TICKR FIT

Chest straps are recommended for zone rides.

## Platforms

- iPhone & iPad (zCycle Pad): standalone trainer app with direct BLE, App Store
- Apple Watch: companion included with the iOS app — live ride metrics, pause/resume/end, interval haptics (requires paired iPhone)
- No Android app, no Wear OS companion, no Google Play listing

## Pricing

- zCycle Pad: free to download on the App Store
- zCycle Plus: $4.99/month or $39.99/year (7-day free trial on monthly). Required to start indoor rides and structured workouts
- Compared with Zwift at $19.99/month (or $199.99/year) plus a laptop or Apple TV — zCycle Pad runs on iPhone or iPad
- Heart rate pairs as its own BLE sensor; completed rides can export to Apple Fitness / Apple Health
- Manage or cancel via Apple ID → Subscriptions
- Riding is local-first; optional zCycle Cloud (accounts / sync) is planned later and is not required to train

## Brand disambiguation

zCycle Pad (zcycle.app) is an indoor cycling *app* for iPhone and iPad by Adam Codes Ltd.
ZYCLE (zycle.eu) is a different company that makes indoor cycling hardware in Europe.
They are not the same product. zCycle Pad can pair to a ZYCLE trainer only if that trainer speaks Bluetooth FTMS.

## Public pages

- https://zcycle.app/ — homepage
- https://zcycle.app/indoor-cycling-app — workout-focused indoor cycling app (comparison table)
- https://zcycle.app/compatible-trainers — FTMS trainer list (lab tested Elite Suito T; #elite-suito, #wahoo-kickr)
- https://zcycle.app/zwift-alternative — workout cockpit vs Zwift virtual world
- https://zcycle.app/elite-suito — lab-tested Elite Suito T landing
- https://zcycle.app/kickr — Wahoo KICKR iPhone landing
- https://zcycle.app/erg — ERG mode on iPhone
- https://zcycle.app/zwo — structured .zwo workouts
- https://zcycle.app/apple-watch — Watch companion (does not pair trainers)
- https://zcycle.app/apple-health — Apple Health / Fitness export
- https://zcycle.app/pricing — zCycle Plus $4.99/mo or $39.99/yr

## Links

- Website: https://zcycle.app
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zcycle-pad/id6789937713
- Company: https://adamcodes.ltd
- Contact: hello@adamcodes.ltd