Indoor cycling software specialist Zwift has had a tumultuous relationship with hardware over the past two years, but its latest product is a smart idea that could disrupt the industry and create a whole new category of products.

Called Zwift Ride, the product takes an existing smart trainer - the Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One - and simply provides the rest of the equation: the bike. Everything from the handlebars, frame, seat post, saddle, cranks, and drivetrain is provided, turning the intelligence provided by the best smart trainers into a smart home exercise bike.

Like other smart bikes, it eliminates the need for an outdoor bike on the trainer, keeping carpets clean, prolonging the life of the bike's components, and reducing the set-up time between deciding to ride and first pedal turn.

All touch points can also be widely adjusted via integrated "Zwift keys" that attach magnetically to the underside of the top tube. The frame can be adjusted to fit riders from 6'4" to 180 cm tall, making it suitable for the whole family.

The alloy frame features one central leg at the front that supports the bike, flush with the fork and front wheel. From there up, the bike design is fairly traditional, including the head tube shape and height and reach adjustable handlebars. The handlebar is pre-installed with a shift lever/brake lever that mimics the controls of the Zwift Play, allowing users to shift gears instantly and silently and control the Zwift app directly from the handlebar.

There is a rubber-covered smart phone tray on the handlebar, and an additional tablet holder can be purchased and attached to the front.

Heading to the rear of the bike, one passes the two included bottle cages and heads to the height-adjustable seat post. The included saddle is mounted on a traditional round 6mm rail and can be easily swapped out for the option of your choice.

The drivetrain is single speed, utilizing a Zwift Cog device. The chain is wrapped around a tensioning device to simplify installation. The frame fits the included Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One trainer using a conventional 142 x 12mm through axle (included).

In March 2022, Zwift previewed a smart bike design, but quickly scrapped the idea in May of that year amid an industry-wide downturn and financial difficulties. A few months later, the company introduced the Zwift Hub Classic smart trainer, which led to a nearly 12-month trial with Wahoo for patent infringement.

At the end of this time, Zwift also launched the Zwift Hub One. This consisted of the exact same smart trainer, but instead of a cassette, it had a universally compatible single-speed sprocket and housing.

When Zwift and Wahoo agreed to a settlement, the two companies entered a new realm of hyper-collaboration, and eventually the Zwift Hub Classic was replaced by the already existing Wahoo Kickr Core, and the Zwift Hub One became the Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One.

Today's announcement is another collaboration between the two: Zwift provides the frame and Zwift Play-like controls, while Wahoo Kickr Core provides the smart trainer.

According to Zwift, the Zwift Ride will be available later this summer as a standalone frame that can be paired with smart trainers users already own. However, non-Wahoo users will have to forgo the Virtual Shift feature (unless another brand releases a firmware update). In that case, pricing has not yet been determined.

For now, it is only available in combination with Kickr Core devices, priced at US$1299.99/€1299.99/£1199.99/AU$2,299.95. Add-on tablet holders are priced at US$49.99/ €49.99/ £39.99 .

Shipments begin June 26.