Quick Answer: Yes, TPVirtual — the platform formerly called indieVelo — runs on a Peloton Bike or Bike+. It's a free virtual training and racing platform, which makes it the most interesting Zwift alternative available on a Peloton. On the Bike+, it works with full ERG mode, so structured workouts control your resistance automatically. On the original Bike you'll need SmartSpin2K for automatic resistance.
Table of Contents
- What is TPVirtual?
- What you need for it to work
- TPVirtual vs Zwift on a Peloton
- The easy method: install it from the screen
- The manual method: ADB sideloading
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is TPVirtual?
TPVirtual is a virtual cycling platform built around structured training and racing. It launched as indieVelo and was later acquired and rebranded under the TrainingPeaks umbrella. The Android package still reads com.indieVelo.client.
Its distinguishing feature is that the core platform is free. Where Zwift runs a monthly subscription, TPVirtual has offered full access at no cost, which makes it an unusually good fit for the Peloton-without-a-subscription crowd.
It's also considerably more training-focused than Zwift. Where Zwift leans on the social world and the game layer, TPVirtual emphasises structured workouts, accurate racing categories, and detailed post-ride analysis. If you came to indoor cycling from a training background rather than a gaming one, it will feel more natural.
What you need for it to work
Like every training app, TPVirtual needs two things from your bike:
- Your power and cadence, so it knows how hard you're working
- Control of your resistance, if you want ERG mode to hold a target
A stock Peloton provides neither to third-party apps. It doesn't broadcast power over Bluetooth or ANT+, and it doesn't implement FTMS, the standard training apps use to control trainers. This is the same constraint that affects Zwift, Rouvy and TrainerRoad.
On a Bike+, the hardware is capable — there's a motor that can change resistance — it just isn't exposed. With that bridged, you get full ERG mode: set a workout, and the resistance adjusts to hold your target watts regardless of cadence.
On the original Bike, there's no motor at all, so resistance can't change itself. You can still ride and race using your broadcast power, but for true automatic resistance you'd add SmartSpin2K.
Want this with real resistance control?
FitSwitch broadcasts your power and cadence, and adds full ERG and SIM mode on the Bike+ so training apps actually respond to your effort.
See FitSwitch →30-day money-back guaranteeTPVirtual vs Zwift on a Peloton
| TPVirtual | Zwift | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Monthly subscription |
| Focus | Structured training, racing | Social riding, gamified worlds |
| Racing categories | Power-based, tightly enforced | Category enforcement varies |
| Post-ride analysis | Detailed | Basic, exports elsewhere |
| World/scenery variety | Smaller | Very large |
| ERG mode on Bike+ | Yes | Yes |
Neither is strictly better. Zwift is more fun for its own sake; TPVirtual is more useful if you're following a plan. Since TPVirtual is free, there's little reason not to try it first.
The easy method: install it from the screen
FitSwitch puts TPVirtual in an on-device app drawer on your Peloton. You tap it, it installs, and you sign in with your existing TPVirtual account. No computer, no USB cable, no developer mode, no ADB.
Two things that matter more than the convenience:
-
The build is chosen to run on Peloton. Peloton's tablet has no Google Play Services, so a stock APK pulled from a mirror site often installs and then refuses to open. The shipped build is
com.indieVelo.client, retaining the original indieVelo package name from before the TPVirtual rebrand. - Updates are handled on the device. Sideloaded apps stay frozen at whatever version you installed, and streaming services break old clients regularly. See Peloton apps stuck on "Update to continue" for what that failure looks like.
Your ride metrics stay visible over the top of the video via the metrics overlay, so you keep cadence, output and heart rate on screen while you watch.
The manual method: ADB sideloading
You can do this yourself without buying anything. The full walkthrough is in our guide to sideloading apps on Peloton, but in outline:
- Enable developer mode by tapping the build number seven times
- Install the Android SDK platform tools on a computer
- Connect over USB or wireless ADB and authorise the connection
- Source a TPVirtual APK and
adb installit
The honest caveats: you have to find a build that runs without Play Services, a Peloton OS update can remove it, enabling developer mode has warranty implications, and you own every future update yourself.
If you want to weigh the two routes properly, we compared them in sideloading vs hardware adapters and OpenPelo vs FitSwitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TPVirtual the same as indieVelo?
Yes. indieVelo was rebranded to TPVirtual after being acquired under the TrainingPeaks umbrella. The Android package still uses the original com.indieVelo.client identifier.
Is TPVirtual really free?
The core platform has been offered free, which is its main draw versus Zwift. Check current terms, since pricing models can change after an acquisition.
Does TPVirtual work with ERG mode on a Peloton Bike+?
Yes, once the bike's resistance motor is bridged to the app. Structured workouts then hold your target power automatically regardless of cadence.
Can I use TPVirtual on the original Peloton Bike?
You can ride and race using broadcast power and cadence, but the original Bike has no resistance motor, so ERG mode requires adding SmartSpin2K.
Why can't TPVirtual see my Peloton by itself?
A stock Peloton doesn't broadcast power or cadence over Bluetooth or ANT+, and doesn't implement FTMS. No app installed on the Peloton screen can read the bike's sensors directly — that needs a hardware bridge.
Is TPVirtual better than Zwift for training?
For structured plans and race-accurate categories, many riders prefer it. Zwift is better for social riding and scenery. Since TPVirtual is free, trying both costs nothing extra.
Want this with real resistance control?
FitSwitch broadcasts your power and cadence, and adds full ERG and SIM mode on the Bike+ so training apps actually respond to your effort.
See FitSwitch →30-day money-back guarantee