How to test if your bike is FTMS compatible
The fastest way to know if RitmoSync works with your trainer is to try the free app. No account, no Pro license, and no ride history needed — you only need to connect, pedal for a minute, and check whether power and cadence show up live.
What you need
- Chrome or Edge on a desktop or laptop (Web Bluetooth), or the RitmoSync Mac app (Apple Silicon)
- Your trainer or smart bike plugged in and powered on
- About 2–5 minutes — most of that is prep
Safari, Firefox, iPhone, and most mobile browsers do not support Web Bluetooth. If you only have those, use the Mac app or a desktop with Chrome.
Before you connect
These steps prevent false negatives — bikes that would work but fail because another app or the OS is already using Bluetooth.
- Quit other trainer apps — Zwift, Wahoo, Garmin, Tacx Training, QZ, and manufacturer apps must be fully closed.
- Do not pair in system settings — remove the bike from macOS/Windows Bluetooth if it’s listed there. Connect only from inside RitmoSync.
- Update firmware — open your manufacturer’s app once and install any trainer firmware update (especially Tacx NEO Bike Smart and older Garmin/Tacx units).
- Wake the trainer — pedal a few strokes or power-cycle so the bike is advertising Bluetooth.
Step-by-step test in RitmoSync
- Open RitmoSync web app in Chrome or Edge, or launch the Mac app.
- Click the Bluetooth button in the header (next to the status line). Chrome will show a device picker.
- Select your trainer or bike from the list and confirm pairing. The status under the RitmoSync title should change to Connected (green indicator).
-
Pedal at a steady pace for 30–60 seconds. Watch the main metrics on screen:
- Power (watts) — should rise and fall as you push harder or easier
- Cadence (rpm) — should match your pedaling speed
- Optional: open Menu, enter a rough FTP (e.g. 200 W), and confirm the zone bar reacts to your effort. This isn’t required for the compatibility test.
You do not need Pro for this test. The free tier shows live metrics on screen — that’s enough to confirm FTMS pairing.
How to read the result
| What you see | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Device appears in picker, status Connected, power and cadence update when you pedal | FTMS compatible — good fit for RitmoSync |
| Device connects, cadence works but power stays blank or zero | Partial FTMS — common on budget spin bikes (e.g. Schwinn IC4). Zones won’t be reliable without true watts. |
| No device in the Bluetooth picker | Not FTMS (or not advertising it) — Peloton, most Echelon/NordicTrack, or proprietary-only bikes usually won’t show. |
| Connects then disconnects or metrics freeze | Try again with other apps closed, trainer plugged in, and tab/window kept in focus. See troubleshooting. |
What RitmoSync checks under the hood
The app only lists devices that advertise the standard Bluetooth FTMS service (0x1826). After connecting, it reads Indoor Bike Data notifications for power, cadence, and speed. If your bike also exposes Cycling Power or CSC (cadence) on the same connection, RitmoSync uses those as fallbacks.
RitmoSync does not control trainer resistance (ERG) during this test — you’re only verifying that metrics stream correctly. For a list of trainers that typically pass this test, see FTMS-compatible equipment.
Still unsure?
- Check your bike’s spec sheet for “Bluetooth FTMS” — not just “Zwift compatible” or “app connectivity”
- If Zwift works only through QZ as a bridge, RitmoSync may not see the bike natively
- Compare ~$180–240/year platform subscriptions vs. validating free first, then Pro ($39.90 once) only if pairing works and you want history + FIT export