Quick Answer: Yes, you can use Kinomap on your Peloton Bike or Bike+. Kinomap offers real-world video cycling routes with interactive resistance control, and FitSwitch enables full integration including live power and cadence data. Without FitSwitch, you'd need external power-broadcasting pedals or sensors just to get basic metrics into the app.
Table of Contents
- What is Kinomap?
- Why Kinomap Needs Bike Data
- Method 1: Manual Sideloading (Without FitSwitch)
- Method 2: The Easy Way with FitSwitch
- Kinomap vs Other Cycling Apps on Peloton
- Step-by-Step Comparison
- FAQ
What is Kinomap?
Kinomap is an indoor cycling and fitness platform that lets you ride real-world video routes filmed across the globe. Unlike animated virtual worlds, Kinomap plays actual footage of roads, trails, and cycling paths while syncing your effort to the terrain on screen.
Key Kinomap Features
- Real video routes — Thousands of user-filmed and professional routes worldwide
- Interactive resistance — The app adjusts difficulty based on real elevation changes
- Multiplayer riding — Ride alongside others in real-time on the same route
- Structured coaching — Follow training programs and workout plans
- Multi-sport support — Cycling, rowing, running, and elliptical workouts
- Community content — Users upload their own filmed routes constantly
Why Choose Kinomap?
If you want to ride real roads on your Peloton without leaving your house, Kinomap is a compelling option. The platform has over 400,000 routes filmed by its community, from quiet countryside lanes to famous mountain passes. Its video-based approach makes indoor cycling feel more connected to the real world than animated alternatives.
Why Kinomap Needs Bike Data
Here's the thing about Kinomap that makes it different from streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube: it's an interactive training platform. Kinomap doesn't just play video—it needs to communicate with your bike to deliver the full experience.
Specifically, Kinomap needs:
- Power (watts) — To track your effort and display accurate performance data
- Cadence (RPM) — To show your pedaling speed and calculate metrics
- Trainer control — To adjust resistance based on route elevation (on supported bikes)
Without this data, Kinomap is essentially just a video player. You'd be watching cycling footage with no metrics, no interactive resistance, and no performance tracking. The routes wouldn't respond to your effort, and none of your ride data would be recorded.
The Peloton has excellent built-in sensors—an accurate power meter and cadence sensor—but Peloton keeps these locked to their own software. The bike doesn't broadcast data via standard Bluetooth protocols like FTMS (Fitness Machine Service) that Kinomap expects. This is the core problem you need to solve.
Method 1: Manual Sideloading (Without FitSwitch)
You can sideload Kinomap onto your Peloton using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This gets the app running on the screen, but it comes with a major limitation: no bike data.
What You'll Need
- A Windows or Mac computer
- A USB-C cable
- Android Debug Bridge (ADB) installed
- The Kinomap APK file
- External power-broadcasting pedals or sensors (like Favero Assioma or Garmin Rally pedals) — without these, Kinomap won't receive any metrics from your bike
- About 45 minutes for setup
Step 1: Enable Developer Mode on Peloton
- Tap the three dots in the bottom right corner
- Go to Device Settings → About Tablet
- Tap Build Number 7 times rapidly
- You'll see "You are now a developer!"
- Go back—Developer Options now appears in settings
Step 2: Enable USB Debugging
- Open Developer Options
- Find and enable USB Debugging
- Confirm any prompts
Step 3: Install ADB on Your Computer
Windows:
1. Download Android SDK Platform Tools
2. Extract to a folder like C:\adb
3. Open Command Prompt in that folder
4. Verify with adb version
Mac:
1. Open Terminal
2. Run: brew install android-platform-tools (if using Homebrew)
3. Or download and extract Platform Tools manually
4. Verify with adb version
Step 4: Connect and Sideload
- Connect your computer to the Peloton via USB-C
- Run:
adb devices - Authorize the connection on the Peloton screen
- Check "Always allow from this computer"
- Download the Kinomap APK
- Run:
adb install kinomap.apk - Wait for "Success" message
The Critical Problem: No Bike Metrics
Even with Kinomap installed, your Peloton's power meter and cadence sensor remain invisible to the app. Kinomap connects to bikes and trainers via Bluetooth FTMS—a protocol that Peloton doesn't natively broadcast.
This means with the manual method:
- No power data — Kinomap can't read your watts
- No cadence data — Kinomap can't see your RPM
- No resistance control — Routes won't adjust your bike's difficulty
- No ride recording — Your effort goes untracked
To get any metrics at all, you'd need to purchase external power-broadcasting pedals (like Favero Assioma Duo at $600+ or Garmin Rally at $800+) that independently measure power and broadcast it via Bluetooth. Even then, you still wouldn't get resistance control on the Bike+ or the seamless experience of using the Peloton's built-in sensors.
Limitations of the Manual Method
- Requires a computer and technical knowledge
- No access to Peloton's built-in power meter
- Need to purchase expensive external sensors ($600-800+)
- No automatic resistance control
- Must re-sideload after Peloton updates
- No launcher to easily switch between apps
- Manual method voids any unofficial warranty claims
Method 2: The Easy Way with FitSwitch
FitSwitch solves every limitation of the manual method. It plugs into your Peloton's USB-C port and gives third-party apps like Kinomap full access to your bike's sensors through the FitSwitch Bridge companion app.
What You Need
- FitSwitch device — Plugs into your Peloton's USB-C port
- FitSwitch Bridge app — Free companion app for Android or iPhone
- Download from the App Store or Google Play
- For setup help, watch the FitSwitch Bridge video guide
- Kinomap subscription — Required for full access to routes
How FitSwitch Bridge Works
FitSwitch reads your Peloton's power meter and cadence sensor directly. The Bridge app on your phone connects to FitSwitch and rebroadcasts this data via Bluetooth FTMS—the standard protocol that Kinomap expects. To Kinomap, your Peloton looks like any standard smart trainer.
The result: - Real-time watts from Peloton's power meter - Live RPM from Peloton's cadence sensor - Interactive resistance on Bike+ (gradient simulation) - Zero external sensors needed
Step 1: Install FitSwitch on Your Peloton
- Connect FitSwitch to your Peloton's USB-C port
- Follow the installation instructions
- Install Kinomap from the FitSwitch app library
Step 2: Set Up FitSwitch Bridge
- Download FitSwitch Bridge on your phone
- Open the app and connect to the FitSwitch service
- Keep the app running during your Kinomap sessions
Step 3: Connect Kinomap to FitSwitch Bridge
- Open Kinomap on your Peloton through FitSwitch
- Sign in and select Bike Trainer as your machine type
- When asked for your brand, tap "I can't find my brand"
- Tap Launch Search to scan for nearby devices
- Allow location access when prompted
- Select (FTMS) FITSWITCH BRIDGE from the device list
- Once connected, you'll see live watts and RPM while pedaling
For detailed step-by-step instructions with screenshots, see our Kinomap Setup Guide.
Step 4: Start Riding
- Choose any route or workout in Kinomap
- Your power and cadence data stream in real-time
- On Bike+, resistance adjusts to match the route terrain
- On original Bike, adjust resistance manually while metrics display
Kinomap vs Other Cycling Apps on Peloton
FitSwitch gives you access to multiple cycling platforms. Here's how Kinomap compares:
| Feature | Kinomap | Zwift | Rouvy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Style | Real user-filmed video | Animated virtual world | Professional real video + AR |
| Route Library | 400,000+ community routes | Curated virtual worlds | 1,800+ professional routes |
| Video Source | User-uploaded + professional | No video (3D graphics) | Professionally filmed |
| Multi-Sport | Cycling, rowing, running, elliptical | Cycling and running | Cycling only |
| ERG Mode (Bike+) | Yes, via FitSwitch | Yes, via FitSwitch | Yes, via FitSwitch |
| Gradient Simulation | Yes (Bike+) | Yes (Bike+) | Yes (Bike+) |
| Community | Active filming community | Large gaming community | Growing community |
| Price | ~$10-12/month | ~$15/month | ~$12-15/month |
| Offline Routes | Yes | No | Yes |
When Kinomap Stands Out
Kinomap's strength is its massive community-driven route library. If you want to virtually ride a specific road—say, the route from your last vacation or a local cycling path in another country—there's a good chance someone has filmed it and uploaded it. The multi-sport support also makes it appealing if you have other exercise equipment beyond your Peloton.
Step-by-Step Comparison
| Manual Sideloading | FitSwitch | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 45+ minutes | 5 minutes |
| Computer Required | Yes | No |
| Technical Knowledge | ADB, command line | None |
| Power Data | Requires $600+ external pedals | Built-in Peloton sensor |
| Cadence Data | Requires external sensor | Built-in Peloton sensor |
| Resistance Control (Bike+) | No | Yes |
| App Updates | Manual re-sideload | Automatic |
| App Switching | Requires launcher hack | One-tap switching |
| Survives Peloton Updates | No | Yes |
| Metrics Overlay | No | Yes |
| Total Cost for Metrics | $600-800 (pedals) | FitSwitch device only |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kinomap work on both Peloton Bike and Bike+?
Yes. Kinomap works on both models with FitSwitch. The Bike+ gets the full experience with automatic resistance control matching the route terrain. The original Bike provides power and cadence data, but you'll adjust resistance manually.
Do I need the FitSwitch Bridge app for Kinomap?
Yes. The Bridge app is essential—it runs on your phone and handles the Bluetooth FTMS communication between your Peloton and Kinomap. Without it, Kinomap can't receive your bike's power or cadence data.
Can I use Kinomap without FitSwitch?
You can sideload Kinomap manually via ADB, but you won't get any metrics from your Peloton's sensors. You'd need to purchase external power-broadcasting pedals ($600+) to get power data into Kinomap. FitSwitch uses the Peloton's built-in sensors, so no extra hardware is needed.
How much does Kinomap cost?
Kinomap subscriptions range from approximately $10-12/month depending on the plan. FitSwitch enables the connection but doesn't include a Kinomap subscription.
Does Kinomap require Google Play Services?
No. Kinomap works without GMS, making it fully compatible with the Peloton's Android system.
Can I upload my own routes to Kinomap?
Yes. Kinomap's community-driven model means anyone can film and upload routes. You'll need the Kinomap mobile app and a camera to film your rides, then upload them to the platform.
Does ERG mode work with Kinomap?
On the Bike+, yes. FitSwitch enables full trainer control, so Kinomap can adjust your resistance during structured workouts. On the original Bike, you'll need to adjust resistance manually.
How does the gradient simulation work?
On the Bike+, when the route video shows a climb, FitSwitch Bridge communicates the gradient data from Kinomap and increases your resistance. Steeper climbs mean higher resistance. Descents reduce resistance. This makes the video routes feel immersive and physically responsive.
Can I track my Kinomap rides on my smartwatch?
Yes. FitSwitch broadcasts your power, cadence, and heart rate data to Apple Watch and Garmin devices. Your Kinomap rides will appear in your fitness tracking apps.
Is the power data from Peloton accurate in Kinomap?
Yes. FitSwitch reads directly from the Peloton's built-in power meter, providing accurate and reliable watts to Kinomap. This is the same power meter Peloton uses for its own classes.
What if FitSwitch Bridge isn't showing up in Kinomap?
Make sure FitSwitch Bridge is running on your phone and connected to the FitSwitch service before launching the device search in Kinomap. The Bridge must be active for Kinomap to detect it.
Can I switch between Kinomap and Peloton classes?
Yes. FitSwitch makes app switching seamless. You can ride a Kinomap route one day and take a Peloton class the next—just tap to switch between apps.
Real Roads, Real Metrics, One Peloton
Kinomap turns your Peloton into a window to the world's cycling routes. With over 400,000 real video routes and FitSwitch providing full bike integration, you get:
- Live power and cadence from Peloton's sensors
- Automatic resistance matching route terrain (Bike+)
- No expensive external pedals or sensors needed
- Seamless app switching between Kinomap and Peloton
- Smartwatch connectivity (Apple Watch, Garmin)
- Metrics overlay for real-time data display
Stop watching passive scenic rides. Start actually riding the roads.
Get FitSwitch — Kinomap with full smart trainer integration on your Peloton.
Kinomap Setup Guide | Installation Instructions
Last updated: February 2026