Even when cycling, the smartphone is always with you. This means that bikers have a digital Swiss army knife in their rucksack or trouser pocket that can increasingly offer them added value and entertainment. All over the world, software developers are driving the digitalisation of biking, and even off the bike, "hobby gamification" seems to be the magic word of the moment. After a ride, systems such as W3:Ride reward bikers with real bonuses, and thanks to games such as Bike Mechanic Simulator, a virtual bike shop can be managed from the couch. Many developments are still in their infancy, but show where the road can lead. Whether you want to use the digital gadgets yourself is up to each biker to decide. We have tried out two new products.
Bike game: Bike Mechanic Simulator
People love simulators! The agricultural simulator from Giants Software, for example, is one of the best-selling PC games in Germany. So there is enormous potential for a bike-specific workshop simulator. In Bike Mechanic Simulator 2023, the Polish developers from Punch Punk S.A. have translated the challenge of a bike shop into a video game. So far, only a free demo version of the simulator is available for download on the Steam gaming platform, while a fully-fledged version for the PC is planned for the second half of 2023. Versions for the Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch consoles are also in the pipeline. The basic idea of the video game is the management of a bike shop and the virtual repair of bicycles. The potential "patients" range from mountain bikes to racing bikes and city bikes.
The central challenge in the game is the Repairing defective bikes and replacing parts. However, the developers have also integrated numerous equally important aspects in the life of a bike mechanic. For example, each bike comes with a job list from the customer. The tasks range from simple tyre inflation to more complex tasks such as centring the wheels. As in the real world, special tools and spare parts are required for some tasks. These also have to be ordered and paid for in the game. The real challenge is therefore managing orders in terms of time and money. Speaking of time: those who play longer will also be able to expand the virtual shop. In the meantime, numerous mini-games, such as a basketball hoop at the back of the workshop, shorten the wait for ordered parts - just like in real life.
Tried and tested: How good is Bike Mechanic Simulator 2023?
Even the demo version reveals many strengths and weaknesses of the workshop simulator. Many bikers dream of having their own little shop. The idea behind the PC game Screwdriver nerds and workshop freaks immediately. The simple graphics are reminiscent of an old Tony Hawk's game à la Pro Skater. Fans of retro games with the look of the early 2000s will be delighted by the somewhat dark but warm atmosphere of the virtual bike shop. The animated objects, such as the workbench, tools and stool, also evoke memories of past Sims computer games. It is already clear here that the development of Bike Mechanic Simulator 2023 was not backed by the huge budget of an EA Games group.
We were pleasantly surprised by the game mechanisms. Managing orders and purchase orders on the PC is a reality in most bike shops. But so is the chaos of junk in small screwdriver shops. The feeling of dependency on delivery times and availability quickly sets in, which also characterises many real workshops. The fact that the virtual account balance is always in view and the space available for storing customer bikes is limited at least makes the simulator realistic in some respects. Unfortunately, this is offset by numerous points of criticism, as people today are spoilt with many good, non-bike-specific games.
Although you can also work on mountain bikes in Bike Mechanic Simulator, it's not just the graphics that are retro, but also the technology. It may be that you can still see 26-inch, seven-speed cassettes, quick-release axles and front derailleurs in real bike shops, but screwing on the "old beasts" is no fun. There is also no inner satisfaction when it comes to tools: Nobody wants to loosen the brake disc bolts with a cheap L-wrench from the Ikea package - not even in the simulation! Our biggest criticism, however, is the unrealistic work steps. In the PC game, for example, the quick release, tyre, inner tube, cassette and brake disc have to be completely removed in order to centre a wheel. The mini-games quickly lose their appeal and the initial enthusiasm for your own bike shop quickly fades.
Conclusion: Bike Mechanic Simulator 2023 is based on an appealing idea that is unfortunately not very satisfying in practice. Unless the full version of the retro-look video game can offer up-to-date technology and realistic work steps, the simulator is unfortunately no fun. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
W3:Ride
A large number of bikers track their riding performance in virtual portals such as Strava or Komoot. Countless rides end up as data records in various apps every day. The appeal of the software usually includes various reward systems such as virtual trophies, leaderboard rankings and other awards. These gamification systems have one thing in common: they are designed to motivate bikers to cycle as much as possible and satisfy the desire to be recognised for their achievements. So far, however, all these rewards have been purely virtual. Even the most avid frequent riders can't buy anything from the kilometres they collect on Strava. W3:Ride now wants to change this and is establishing a system in its own app that promises rewards for the real world.
In principle, the system revolves around two different digital currencies. By uploading an activity to the app, the user gains points, called $Power, which they can in turn exchange for the actual currency $CYCLR. How much $Power a ride generates depends on the distance, speed and in-app bonus systems, such as collected or purchased items. $Power can only be generated by cycling, while $CYCLR can also be exchanged from other digital points and currency systems. Users can then use their $CYCLR on a marketplace to buy in-game bonuses such as customised bikes or avatars, which can in turn be traded thanks to the NFT basis, or real-life goodies such as water bottles or energy bars. Vouchers for all kinds of online stores, such as Amazon, or discount codes for the online shops of major sporting goods manufacturers, such as Nike, are also available for purchase. However, trading $CYCLR on digital exchanges and exchanging it for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum is also particularly interesting.
Tried it out: Can you really make money cycling thanks to W3:Ride?
The W3:Ride app is available via Apple or Google Play. It is free to use and only requires you to create an account once. The networking with well-known apps is good. After digital approval, activities from portals such as Strava, Komoot, Garmin Connect or Wahoo Fitness are synchronised with the W3:Ride app. The user interface is user-friendly and once you have familiarised yourself with the system with its two different currencies, you will quickly get to grips with the app. The idea of creating real added value with your own cycling is fascinating. Especially as the successes earned can also be donated.
Unfortunately, in reality it's not that easy to earn $Power. The fact that the amount of points awarded is determined by distance and average speed makes mountain bikers look stupid. According to this system, the app for Road cyclists and indoor bikers be much more interesting. How much $Power an uploaded ride earns also depends to a large extent on which digital bike the avatar is riding. If this is particularly rare, the points multiply immensely. Thanks to the NFT system, the bikes and avatars are indeed unique, but look more like colourful children's toys than serious sports equipment. If you want to ride a rare bike, you have to pay a lot of $CYCLR. Although the app is basically free, it is only really successful and therefore fun with in-game purchases. So far, $CYCLR is also worth little on the digital exchanges and the exchange ratio to other cryptocurrencies fluctuates. The other purchase options in the marketplace have so far been rather unattractive. Discount codes are also available elsewhere and labelled drinking bottles are more mass-produced goods for self-promotion than genuine rewards.
Conclusion: The idea of earning real money with uploaded bike rides is appealing and the blockchain-based reward system is technically fascinating. One thing is certain: you will probably never get rich from cycling with W3:Ride - especially not as a mountain biker. Due to the still somewhat meagre marketplace and the system of in-game purchases, the app is more of a gimmick than a potential source of income. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
