Why Your Bike Won’t Connect to Open Road (And the Simple Solution)

Why Your Bike Won’t Connect to Open Road (And the Simple Solution)

Table of Contents

Why Can’t I Use Open Road with My Bike? #

Many people want to ride with Open Road, but discover their indoor bike won’t connect. The reason? Their bike uses a proprietary Bluetooth protocol — a private “language” that only works with that manufacturer’s own apps.

This means you’re locked into the manufacturer’s ecosystem.

Open Road follows the open protocol made by Bluetooth — a standard called FTMS (Fitness Machine Service). This is a common language that all manufacturers could use to make their indoor bikes work with any app.

For various reasons some manufacturers chose not to use this open standard. Peloton has its own protocol. Keiser has its own. Echelon has its own. That’s why your bike might work perfectly with the manufacturer’s app, but Open Road can’t understand it.

The good news? There’s a solution.

 

 

The Solution: QZ as Your Translator #

This is where QZ comes in. Think of QZ as a real-time translator sitting between your bike and your app.

Here’s what happens:

  1. Your bike sends data in its proprietary language (e.g., “Peloton-speak”)
  2. QZ listens and understands that proprietary language
  3. QZ translates the data into the standard FTMS language
  4. Open Road receives the translated data and understands it perfectly

It works the other way too — when Open Road wants to change your resistance or simulate a hill, QZ translates those commands back into the bike’s proprietary language.

Your Bike ←→ QZ (Translator) ←→ Open Road
(Proprietary)        (Converts)        (Standard FTMS)
 

Which Bikes Need This? #

Most smart bikes from major brands use proprietary protocols, including: Peloton, Keiser, NordicTrack, Echelon, Bowflex, Technogym, Schwinn, Renpho.

This list is far from complete. QZ supports hundreds of different fitness devices. You can check if your specific equipment is supported on the QZ Equipment Compatibility list.

If your bike isn’t listed, it’s worth trying anyway — QZ is constantly adding new devices, and many work even if not explicitly listed.

 

 

How to Set It Up #

What You Need #

  • QZ app installed on your phone (iOS / Android)
  • Your bike
  • Open Road on your computer
 

Step 1: Connect QZ to Your Bike #

  1. Open QZ on your phone
  2. Go through the setup wizard
  3. Select ‘Bike’ as your fitness device
  4. QZ will find your bike and connect to it using the proprietary protocol
 

Step 2: Connect Open Road to QZ #

  1. Start Open Road
  2. Go to Set up Devices
  3. For Speed and Grade, select QZ (not your bike directly)

 

Open Road now receives clean, translated data from your bike

Important: Don’t connect Open Road directly to your bike — always go through QZ. If you connect directly, Open Road won’t understand the bike’s proprietary language.
 

The Technical Bit (Optional Reading) #

If you’re curious about the technical details:

  • Bluetooth SIG stands for Bluetooth Special Interest Group — the organization that creates Bluetooth standards
  • FTMS (Fitness Machine Service) is the official Bluetooth standard for fitness equipment
  • Proprietary protocols are custom communication methods created by individual manufacturers
  • QZ acts as a protocol converter or bridge, receiving data in one format and retransmitting it in another

QZ runs on your phone and creates a virtual “standard” bike that apps like Open Road can connect to. Behind the scenes, it’s constantly translating between the two languages in real-time.

 

Questions? #

If you need help, Roberto Viola (QZ creator) is available via the QZ GitHub page or email.

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