zwift virtual gear changes - please update the firmware

When trainers like the JetBlack and Core are so much cheaper than the Neo, I can see why Garmin aren't focusing on indoor trainers, where is the profit going to be?  Therefore, as a business it's better to focus on growing product segments with higher margin.

We're all asking for one feature that serves one training platform, in which cheaper models like the JetBlack and Core are winning on price..... lets be honest, for all other purposes the Neo is a great trainer, not everyone buys it for Zwift, so perhaps Garmin just accept that they'll lose that segment of their customers but retains others.

Personally I mostly ride and race on Zwift, I have two Neos and a Flux.  I'll be moving away from Taxc for a few reasons.  I want vitrual shifting, Wifi connection is preferred, 10hz response mode for racing, and the Neo makes racing harder so I'm having to use power pedals to make it usable (https://zwiftinsider.com/tacx-neo-2t-review/).

However, if I were using TrainerRoad, MyWhoosh, Tacx Training, IndieVelo and not racing, then the Neo is a great great trainger...... so we Zwifters want virtual shifting, but is our market one that is that important to Garmin?.

Surely though the number of Zwifters massively outweighs the number of people using the other platforms There never seem to be any less than at least 8000 other users on Zwift when I go on there and that is any time of day in the UK and also that those users are different ones, not the same 8000. So one can presume that it is that many people every hour of the day in all parts of the World. Seems to me that if they ignore that market, they are being really short sighted......

after talking to a zwift team member for a good half in hour, it sounds like they dont expect garmin to upgrade to virtual shifting anytime very soon.

If you know a Zwift team member, you should ask Zwift why they can't implement virtual shifting in a platform independent way (as IndieVelo does). I don't understand why that is not possible and they are relying on companies like Garmin to make firmware changes. It doesn't make sense to me. 

Excellent point which i hadn't considered. Have you also posted on the Zwift forums?

Zwifter software developers seem to be busy making cosmetic changes instead of features that matter and make sense.

Yeah, I said it...

Great point. This was all through back and forth emails. The team member basically said don't expect them to implement it anytime soon. That I was basically better off selling my tacx neo If I was wanting to use virtual shifting that bad. I don't think it was a selling point because the team member stated that he also had a tacx neo.  

I just had another thought on this situation.

Garmin essentially has global data from all its devices that have been in use over the past decades. Imagine a collaboration with Google and their mapping division that will allow you to ride anywhere in the world anytime you want with street view imaging where it's available. Being under the Garmin corporate umbrella, Tacx now has access to more data and developers than Zwift could ever dream of. If they come up with this sort of platform with the same virtual shifting and a clone of the Kickr Climb, it could be very compelling because, after all, how many cyclists are already using Garmin head units and watches?

Dear Garmin,

I am an owner of a Neo2 and Neo2T, specifically because they were considered the flagship smart trainers when I was shopping for them. My wife and I are on the trainers multiple times a week, but also riding outside- and thus in need of a "trainer" specific bike. Enter- the Zwift Ride. When this bike was released, my eyes lit up with excitement as it was exactly what I was in need of to simplify my trainer experience. I waited patiently to see the Neo's make the list of compatible devices for the Zwift Ride, but was sadly let down when I learned they were not compatible. I now wrestle with the dilemma of waiting.... waiting to see if Garmin will update the firmware to allow virtual shifting, or... sell my current Neo's to "upgrade" (but seems like downgrade) to the Wahoo Kickr Core and Zwift Ride. Please understand that there are many proud Neo owners who are stuck in this terrible dilemma with me. At the least, some sort of update whether it be positive or negative would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and we kindly look forward to your response. 

-Adam