UPDATE
Zwift’s Drop Shop release brought a pile of new frames and wheelsets into Zwift, and it also modified the specs on some existing equipment. Therefore, this post is now outdated.
We’re keeping it here for reference and nostalgia, but if you want current data on the fastest bike frames, read Speed Tests: Zwift’s Fastest* Bike Frames.
The bike frame you choose in Zwift affects your speed, and your wheelset affects it even more. (See our test lap data to learn how specific frames, wheelsets, watts, and rider weight and height effect your times.) The five bikes below finish within 16 seconds of each other over a lap on the Watopia Figure 8 route at 225 watts with a 75kg, 183cm rider.
While the four fastest bikes are high-level unlocks which take months of work to achieve, newbies can take heart: the Zwift Aero is quite slippery and can be unlocked with just a few weeks of riding.
#1: Concept Z1 (Tron Bike)
Lap Time: 50:52
How to get it: complete Everest challenge, then climb another 41,150 meters (details)
#2: Cervelo S5
Lap Time: 50:58
How to get it: hit level 25 then buy it in the Drop Shop
#3: Trek Madone
Lap Time: 51:05
How to get it: hit level 20 then buy it in the Drop Shop
#4: Canyon Aeroad
Lap Time: 51:06
How to get it: hit level 23 then buy it in the Drop Shop
#5: Zwift Aero
Lap Time: 51:08
How to get it: buy it in the Drop Shop
Notes:
- Lap times given are for one lap of the Watopia Figure 8 route at a constant 225 watts with a rider weight of 75kg and height of 183cm (6′), using the Zipp 808 wheelset (level 10 unlock). The Zipp 808 is consistently the fastest wheelset in Zwift.
- The fastest wheelset is the 808/Disc combo, but this was only available to early beta testers so we do not include it in our tests. If you have this wheelset, your fastest racing setup would be the Cervelo S5 + 808/Disc, since the Tron bike does not allow you to change wheelsets.
- The TT bike consistently turns in the fastest solo lap times of any bike. But since the TT bike cannot draft and is disallowed in most races we did not include it in the list.
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike’s performance relative to others may also change. We don’t always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.
When you reach the climbing level required for the Tron bike, do you have to buy it, using your points, or is it “free” ?
It’s free–it pops up as an unlock automatically, then it’s forever in your garage.
What is the fastest bike for descending? Would it be the Zwift TT with 4 stars for Aero and 1 star for Weight? Basically the heaviest bike with the most aero capabilities? I am looking to grab the 100km badge coming off the Radio Tower and would do a bike swap at the top. Any suggestions?
i used the TT bike with the 808s to get mine. That said, I’m 100 kg so it wasn’t too difficult for me to get it 🙂