Frequently asked questions
Short answers about what Pedalsim does, what it works with and what it costs.
What is Pedalsim?
Pedalsim is an indoor cycling app. You draw a route over real roads anywhere on earth, then ride it on a smart trainer that follows the road's real gradient and the live wind where you ride.
Is Pedalsim free?
Yes, up to 20 km of riding in any 7 days, with no expiry and no card needed. Each ride counts for 7 days, then its distance frees up again. Unlimited riding and full training plans cost 9.99 USD a month or 79.99 USD a year.
Which smart trainers work with Pedalsim?
Any smart trainer that supports Bluetooth FTMS (the Fitness Machine Service), which covers current trainers from Wahoo, Tacx, Elite, Saris and most other brands. Pedalsim uses Bluetooth only; ANT+ is not supported.
Which other sensors can I pair?
Bluetooth power meters, heart rate straps, and speed and cadence sensors.
Which platforms does Pedalsim run on?
Windows, Android and Linux, plus a web app at app.pedalsim.com. The web app can pair a trainer in Chrome or Edge on desktop and Android; Safari and Firefox do not support Web Bluetooth.
Can I ride a real route from a GPX file?
Yes. Import a GPX file, or draw the route on the map by dropping waypoints and letting Pedalsim follow real roads between them.
Does Pedalsim have built-in routes?
Yes. Famous routes include climbs such as Alpe d'Huez and Mont Ventoux, races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, the Kona Ironman bike course, Strade Bianche, the Maratona dles Dolomites, and ultras such as Paris-Brest-Paris and Race Across America.
Can I ride very long routes, like across a country?
Yes. Long routes are ridden in stages: Pedalsim saves your position when you stop, and the next session resumes exactly there.
Does Pedalsim have structured workouts and ERG mode?
Yes. Ride workouts from the built-in library, the workout builder or an imported Zwift .zwo file, with the trainer holding each step's target power in ERG mode.
What is the adaptive mode?
A workout mode that sets each block's power from how your heart rate responds today. It needs a heart rate strap and a power source, and backs off if your heart rate climbs too high.
Does Pedalsim have training plans?
Yes. Set a goal, such as a target FTP by a date, and get a day-by-day plan that adapts when you ride, miss sessions or fall ill. Free accounts see the first week of a plan; the full plan needs a subscription.
Does Pedalsim upload to Strava?
Yes. Connect Strava in settings and rides upload automatically. Every ride can also be exported as a FIT file.
Is Pedalsim a Zwift alternative?
For riding real roads, yes. Pedalsim shows your route on a 2D map rather than a 3D world, and has no group rides, racing or avatars.
Do I need an account?
Yes. Sign-in uses your email and a six-digit code, with no password.