Just two weeks ago Wahoo announced a round of layoffs to mitigate the dropping (or rather, normalizing) of indoor cycling hardware sales, and prior to

Zwift Cancels Smart Bike Hardware Plans, Announces Significant Layoffs

submited by

Style Pass

2022-05-12 10:00:11

Just two weeks ago Wahoo announced a round of layoffs to mitigate the dropping (or rather, normalizing) of indoor cycling hardware sales, and prior to that Peloton did the same. Now Zwift is following suit with a round of layoffs that sources put at upwards of 150 people. However, in addition to that, Zwift is also canceling their previously announced Zwift bike and trainer hardware plans, though technically they call it “pausing”, but usually you don’t lay off the bulk of the hardware division responsible for said product when you pause something. Without those employees, you’re basically starting from scratch to “resume”. Some employees are remaining, however, albeit with a new focus.

“Given the current macroeconomic environment, we have decided to scale back our hardware offering, pausing plans to launch a smart bike. As a consequence, Zwift has implemented difficult, yet important changes to the organisation of the business. We are grateful for the contributions of all those impacted and have done our very best to support them.”

As noted above in Zwift’s statement, they cited the current economic climate as a reason for putting the brakes on their hardware. This hardly comes as a surprise, especially for a piece of hardware that was destinated to appeal to the pricier end of the indoor cycling spectrum.