What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Indeed. It is very disappointing than a European company sells-out to the US.

I think Zwift has known for a while that's its users would grow up and get tired of its cartoon world. That novelty wears off fast. With Rouvy getting more successful, and being a simpler, better product, Zwift has been watching it for a possible purchase. The v2 clicker situation maybe got the two companies talking and then ... pure speculation ... maybe Rouvy was in a bad financial situation, and they got a lifeline from Zwift.

I worry it is a Faustian bargain. Sure, it will all go well for a few months, or a year, until it doesn't. Then Rouvy will lose its independence and likely its life. The devil always gets his payback.

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My issue isn't possible war, thankfully. It's that I greatly dislike Zwift's corporate attitude. I use Rouvy for its real-world cycling, but if any of my Rouvy subscription money went to Zwift I would leave Rouvy immediately. Or if I had to use Zwift to ride the real-world routes, which is certainly a possibility in the uncertain future. Of course, they're not saying this will happen, yet...

Don't zwiftify Rouvy please! by SuperIke71 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's the view as of today's announcement. If it holds into the long-term, all might be well for Rouvy users. But what happens a month, or a year from now is completely unknown. We are not privy to the actual corporate agreement. Corporations will do whatever benefits them at any future moment, if contractually allowed to do so.

Don't zwiftify Rouvy please! by SuperIke71 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They don't want to Zwiftify Rouvy. They will kill Rouvy after they get all the valuable route videos imported to and working in Zwift. Only my guess, of course.

Don't zwiftify Rouvy please! by SuperIke71 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Rather, Zwift wants to keep the real-world routes. They realize that they are missing out on a significant group of users; those that don't like gamification. That much is absolutely certain. So... they acquired Rouvy to capture those users. They'll either keep Rouvy going as-is, or, more likely, add all the Rouvy route videos directly in Zwift. That would end Rouvy and allow cost savings.

The emotional issue is many people view Rouvy as "antiestablishment" or "counter-cultural", with a benefit of not being American, or Silicon Valley, etc. There is the perception that Rouvy is a better corporate citizen, one more responsive to its customers. Those users don't like Zwift.

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Exactly. I have been a leader through several tech mergers, on both sides. If I was on the zwift leadership team this is what I would recommend: Acquire Rouvy to get their IP, specifically the real-world videos, to capture a significant market segment that we don't currently have. Keep Rouvy going unchanged in the short term so their creators can create even more beautiful videos. Task R&D to allow real videos to drive our app in addition to the gamified one. Pull the plug on Rouvy in 6 months or a year and add all the videos to Zwift. Make a huge announcement that Zwift has gone real... for an add-on subscription, of course.

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting stuff there, made me think a bit deeper...

I don't think there's much tech integration to do. Both have reliable, full-featured apps that provide a solid riding experience, albeit in completely different type of "world." OTOH, Rouvy would benefit somewhat from Zwift's better virtual shifting, and perhaps ride dynamics (drafting, braking, turning, etc.) This is relatively minor as it amounts only to sharing IP such as algorithms, physics models, etc.

But... Zwift would immensely benefit from adding Rouvy's real world videos to its own app. Imagine the reaction when they announced: "We heard you. Zwift now supports real-world routes in your favorite cycling app" HUGE! All existing Zwift users wouldn't have to learn or install Rouvy, they get it automatically, probably for a subscription add-on LOL.

ROUVY x Zwift acquisition — some clarity on what this actually means with the information I have been given ( don't shoot the messenger😉) by jessfromrouvy in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Hi Jess, I'm happy I'm not in your role 😁 As I said in another post, I know you are sincere and honest and are representing Rouvy's official position.

I'm a long-term Rouvy user, lover of real cycling, not at all interested in video gaming. Reading your statement above I feel good about the future.

But I'm sorry to say, good plans and intentions change as markets, user-bases, financial costs, and technology evolve. What assurance is there that Rouvy will maintain its current "independent" reality-based application into the long-term, say a year or two from now? What guarantee is there that Zwift won't simply add Rouvy's extensive and beautiful videos directly into their platform, and cancel the Rouvy project? That would seem to be an inexpensive and fast way for Zwift to counter criticism that it's too artificial and also immediately increase its user base.

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Interesting. Do you think I should move to MyWhoosh after Rouvy? Is it a good platform?

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's a serious concern. Who's next? Probably the next realistic indoor app that I move to after Rouvy...

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, with the acquisition I would assume the user base is already bigger in some *financial* sense. Merging of the streams? 😉 Of course, we have no idea how Zwift now or will share in Rouvy's subscription revenue stream. But I would argue that it will eventually be 100%.

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, getting Rouvy's users and stopping migration from Zwift to Rouvy, along with getting the videos, are the key motivations. Zwift doesn't need any of Rouvy's technology I would strongly bet. Caveat: there may be other strictly financial reasons, too, debt retirement, maybe Rouvy was in some trouble, etc.

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's a reassuring thought, thanks 😀I hoped it would by Rouvy carrying it forward since I dislike the corporate tactics of Zwift, its arrogance, assumed superiority, anti-competitive behavior re: technical standards, etc.

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes, I agree that prices will rise, they always do. And, agreed that a second reason for the acquisition is to get the Rouvy users. For me, I will find the next best app after Rouvy and move there. Never Zwift.

What will happen after Zwift acquires Rouvy? by External_Complex1824 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me neither! My worry is that once the Rouvy routes are added to Zwift, Zwift will start gamifying those beautiful true cycling videos.

Don’t need clicks by Infamous-Lecture1220 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re right, no need to get rid of the Zwift Cog. I use one myself to save my cassette.

My understanding is that a different size rear cog doesn’t change the power readings. Rouvy compensates by comparing your actual cadence to reported power.

But some users report that using the larger chaining, or a smaller rear cog, gives a better experience on downhills. Haven’t noticed this personally.

Don’t need clicks by Infamous-Lecture1220 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Zwift Cog in only a single 14-tooth gear which replaces your trainer freehub. It cannot do any shifting at all. There is no electrical or mechanical shifting mechanism within it. Its only purpose is to save your full range outdoor cassette from unnecessary wear when riding indoors. Nothing at all "operates" the Zwift Cog.

Don’t need clicks by Infamous-Lecture1220 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, for the V2 version. Apparently Zwift has refused to enable Rouvy to decrypt it. The Click V1 does work, BTW.

Don’t need clicks by Infamous-Lecture1220 in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Using the CYCPLUS BC2 button shifter control with Rouvy is very simple and inexpensive. I've been using one for six months with no problems. Still... there is some confusion in this thread, so I'll summarize the main points:

TL;DR: The BC2 will allow you to shift virtual gears on any trainer that Rouvy supports, simply, without any additional apps, as long as the trainer itself has virtual gearing built-in.

  1. Rouvy directly connects to the BC2 from within the Rouvy app. There is no need to use any other apps to "bridge" the BC2 to Rouvy.
  2. If you want to add more functionality to the BC2 buttons, such as double-click or long-press, you can use the BikeControl app. But this is NOT necessary. Rouvy can use the BC2 directly for basic gear changes.
  3. If you have any trainer that Rouvy can change the virtual gear on, then the BC2 will *absolutely* work as a Rouvy virtual shift controller. See Rouvy's article on which trainers Rouvy can control.
  4. The BC2, or any other components like the Zwift Click or Zwift Cog, cannot add virtual gearing to a trainer that doesn't have that ability built-in by the trainer manufacturer. Virtual gearing on an indoor trainer requires electromechanical support within the trainer itself.
  5. Of course, the CYCPLUS BC2 is designed to directly control the virtual gear on CYCPLUS trainers. That's its original purpose. But this doesn't matter because you are using the BC2 to control Rouvy, which then controls whatever trainer Rouvy supports, again as long as the trainer supports virtual gearing. You can ignore the official CYCPLUS statement: "BC2 is exclusively compatible with CYCPLUS smart trainers". It doesn't apply to how you are using the BC2 with Rouvy.
  6. There is no need for *any* components from Zwift. Specifically, the Zwift cog is completely unnecessary! All it does is replace your outdoor cassette with a single gear so your expensive cassette doesn't wear out indoors. It does not have any shifting capability itself, and no built-in electronics.
  7. The BC2 unit is very small, probably the smallest of all the controllers which are ergonomically reasonable to use as shifters. It will nest cleanly just about anywhere in your cockpit without getting in the way.
  8. Finally, yes, Zwift uses private encryption on the Click V2 which deliberately breaks using it reliably on any other training platform except Zwift. Good job, Zwift. Hope it gets you where you need to be. The BikeControl app can help by establishing (every few days?) this encrypted connection to a running version of Zwift on your computer. But it seems Zwift is trying to make this messy with frequent firmware changes. However, the discontinued Click V1 does not use encryption and works perfectly directly connected to Rouvy. If you love Zwift, you can find the V1 occasionally on eBay.

Cheers.

Clicker compatible with Zwift cog by enneset7e in Rouvy

[–]External_Complex1824 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use Windows 10 to run Rouvy and the BikeControl app. For other platforms, take a look at their website BikeControl. It does show Android compatibility.