# zCycle

> zCycle is a free, local-first indoor cycling trainer app for Mac and a standalone iPad app (zCycle Pad). It is a professional training alternative to subscription virtual-world platforms like Zwift, Whoosh, Rouvy, and TrainerRoad — focused on real workouts, live metrics, and your own hardware, not avatars or monthly fees.

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. zCycle Pad on iPad works standalone — no Mac required — and pairs directly with trainers and HR monitors. Your ride data stays on your device. No subscription. No virtual world.

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

## What zCycle is

- A Mac trainer dashboard: live power, heart rate, cadence, speed, distance, grade, elevation, and charts
- zCycle Pad for iPad: standalone trainer cockpit with direct BLE pairing to smart trainers and HR monitors
- Structured workout support (.zwo imports), HR zone rides, ERG mode, and grade simulation
- Multi-rider profiles: separate FTP, weight, zones, avatars, and ride history per person
- iPhone companion (zCycle Ride): mirrors a Mac ride on the same Wi‑Fi, remote pause/stop, Apple Health sync, iCloud backup

## What zCycle is not

- Not a virtual cycling world (no routes, no multiplayer worlds, no gamified map)
- Not subscription-based — the core app is free to use with your own trainer
- Not cloud-dependent for riding — sessions run locally on Mac or iPad

## Competitive positioning

zCycle competes with indoor cycling apps that charge recurring subscriptions for virtual riding and social features, including:

- Zwift — virtual worlds, races, and social riding (subscription)
- Whoosh — virtual cycling platform (subscription)
- Rouvy — augmented-reality routes and challenges (subscription)
- TrainerRoad — structured training plans (subscription)

zCycle targets riders who already own a smart trainer and want serious, distraction-free training: ERG intervals, zone rides, coaching cues, and accurate metrics — without paying monthly for a virtual environment they do not need.

## 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). Works on Mac and iPad (zCycle Pad).

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).

### Bluetooth device discovery

In Settings, 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). Phones, TVs, headphones, and other unrelated BLE devices are filtered out.

### 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

- macOS: full trainer cockpit, BLE pairing, workouts, history, profiles
- iPadOS (zCycle Pad): standalone trainer app with direct BLE sensor pairing — no Mac required
- iOS (zCycle Ride): companion mirror and remote controls for Mac rides on the same network

## Pricing

- Core app: free — no subscription required to train
- Optional future: zCycle Cloud (online accounts, cross-device sync) — not required for local training

## Links

- Website: https://zcycle.app
- Company: https://adamcodes.ltd
- Contact: hello@adamcodes.ltd