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    FeaturedFrames & WheelsSpeed TestsRacing

    Zwift Speed Tests: TT Frame Ranking Charts

    Eric Schlange
    By Eric Schlange
    August 23, 2022
    LAST UPDATED September 22, 2022
    36

    Your chosen bike frame and wheelset both affect speed in Zwift, so you’ve made a good choice by doing a little research to help you choose the best tool for the job. This research especially pays off in time trials, “the race of truth” where every second counts and there’s no chance of hiding in the draft!

    TT Frame Tests – Introduction

    While Zwift’s 4-star rating system for weight and aero is simple and easy to understand, performance varies even among frames with the same star rating, because the stars are just an approximation.

    So we’ve ranked all the TT (road frames are ranked here) against each other based on their actual performance on flat roads (2 laps of Tempus Fugit) and a long, steep climb (Alpe du Zwift).

    Some frames perform well on flat roads while others are nimble climbers. Some are all-arounders, performing well on flats and climbs but not quite able to beat the specialized frames on their own turf.

    See the complete list of frames available on Zwift, along with level requirement, star rating, and Drops price >


    Charts last updated September 23, 2022


    TT Frame Timings, Stacked

    This chart shows actual timings for flat and climb tests, in seconds. The shorter the bar, the faster the bike.

    Print  CSV  Excel  Copy  

    Notes:

    • Flat tests run on 2 laps of Tempus Fugit at 300 watts steady with an isolated 75kg rider 183cm tall, using the Zwift 32mm Carbon wheels. This test data is used for all flat results on this page.
    • Climb tests run on Alpe du Zwift at 300 watts steady with an isolated 75kg rider 183cm tall, using the Zwift 32mm Carbon wheels This test data is used for all climbing results on this page.

    TT Frame Timings Scatterplot

    This scatterplot helps you see how each frame performs on both flats and climbs. The further left the dot, the faster it is on flat ground. The further down the dot, the faster it is on the climbs. So down/left is good, up/right is bad!


    TT Frame Percentile Rankings, Stacked

    This format lets you easily see how frames perform across both flats and climbs, and compare that performance with other frames. This is useful for planning your race strategy.

    For example: assume you had only the Specialized Shiv S-Works and Felt IA to choose from for a TT race in Bologna. You know you want more of an advantage on the decisive and steep climb, so you pick the Specialized Shiv S-Works even though the Felt IA is ranked slightly better overall.


    Frame Time Improvement, Stacked

    This format lets you easily see how frames perform across both flats and climbs in terms of actual timing, and compare that performance with other frames. This is useful for selecting the best bike frame for your race course, and may be an improvement over the percentile chart above since it is based on precise timings and not percentiles.

    To be precise, this chart shows how many seconds a particular frame improves on the time of the lowest-ranked frame for both the flat and climb tests. So the Felt IA 2.0’s flat improvement of 33 seconds means it is 33 seconds faster than the Zwift TT on our flat test.


    Your Feedback

    We’d love to know what you think of these charts, including suggestions for improvements. Share your comments below.

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      Eric Schlange
      Eric Schlangehttp://www.zwiftinsider.com
      Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Follow on Strava

      36 COMMENTS

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      36 Comments
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      Mark Dux
      Mark Dux
      3 years ago

      I would love to see how the tronbike compares to the TT frames. It could act as a control. Any chance you could add this data in the future?

      18
      Reply
      Tom
      Tom
      1 year ago
      Reply to  Mark Dux

      This is now more relevant than ever!

      4
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      1 year ago
      Reply to  Mark Dux

      I think it’s a confusing comparison, since the Tron includes frame+wheels, while the TT data is just frames.

      We could do a “Tron vs Top TT Performers” chart like what we have here (https://zwiftinsider.com/tron-vs-top-performers/) but using TT frames… that would make sense. But doing it with just frame data isn’t really useful.

      4
      Reply
      Tobias Weidlich
      Tobias Weidlich
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      Yeah I was right now doing a chart of your top-performers (at least “The most aero setup (frame+wheel)”, “Tron” and “the best climbing road bike”) with the most aero TT Bike (so cadex with disc), the best rolling TT Bike (cadex with balanced wheels), and the best climbing TT bike (Felt With climbing wheels).
      And then I realized I can’t do it, cause I can’t “steal” the datas as you didn’t test the TT bikes with wheels.
      Would be great if you would do that. I think this 6 data points I mentioned would be enough!
      @Eric Schlange

      0
      Reply
      Tobias Weidlich
      Tobias Weidlich
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Tobias Weidlich

      ah found all the data. Thx 😀

      0
      Reply
      Hector Fontanet
      Hector Fontanet
      3 years ago

      I am a lvl 16 zwifter. I can buy a Cervelo P5 now or wait a couple of weeks and get the Specialized Shiv Disc at level 18. Which one would you recommend. I feel that I would use the TT bike on flat mostly.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 years ago
      Reply to  Hector Fontanet

      Shiv is faster on flats. P5 better on climbs.

      3
      Reply
      Stephen B
      Stephen B
      3 years ago

      How can you tell which frames don’t draft (TT don’t draft). Is that just dedicated TT frames, with TT in the frame description? Reason is just want to get XP on the power ups.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 years ago
      Reply to  Stephen B

      It’s just the TT frames.

      0
      Reply
      Zee Kryder
      Zee Kryder(@zkryder)
      3 years ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      @Eric Schlange Bologna needs a little clarification for a time trial (no draft) event, should I choose a time trial bike or something like the Felt Ar or the Tarmac Pro? As a non-race effort (PR), would I gain enough to switch frames at the base of the climb? It’s a bit similar to Watopia Mountain route and Innsbruck UCI route.I’m a bit confused on what to choose.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 years ago
      Reply to  Zee Kryder

      @Zee Kryder try this post: https://zwiftinsider.com/bologna-setup/

      0
      Reply
      James
      James
      3 years ago

      Would the tron bike be quicker than tt bikes

      2
      Reply
      Ben Ri
      Ben Ri
      2 years ago
      Reply to  James

      Yes, if you just add flat and climb times you see quiet a big gap between the fastest TT and the Tron bike

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      1 year ago
      Reply to  James

      No. TT bikes are much faster on flats than the Tron bike, if you’re talking about solo racing with no draft.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      1 year ago
      Reply to  James

      Here’s a more thorough answer for you: https://zwiftinsider.com/tron-vs-top-tt-performers/

      0
      Reply
      Garry Kirkland II
      Garry Kirkland II
      3 years ago

      I just picked up the Cervelo P5 and added Zipp 808 wheels (all as soon as I hit level 15). I’ll likely be riding this set up in the flats for quite some time. It looks like this set up would also do quite well on climbing TT courses, swapping in the Enve SES 3.4s for wheels.

      3
      Reply
      Wilbert
      Wilbert
      2 years ago

      Can this list be updated? I miss the BMC TT

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      2 years ago
      Reply to  Wilbert

      It’s there. If you’re looking at it on mobile the label may be hidden – rotate your phone to see it.

      0
      Reply
      Wilbert
      Wilbert
      2 years ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      thanks! That helped indeed!

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      2 years ago

      In a TT race on Innsbrucking, I’d just go with the most aero frame and wheels available. https://zwiftinsider.com/fastest-tt-bikes/

      So that would be the Cervelo P5x or Felt IA, with the 858/Super9 wheels.

      1
      Reply
      Steve Gratz
      Steve Gratz
      2 years ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      Great! I have those in my garage.

      0
      Reply
      Darren Linkin
      Darren Linkin(@darren-r-linkin)
      2 years ago

      So, TT bikes clearly faster than tron 2% about, and with better wheels maybe more. Wondering aboit nailing a segment during a stage (then finishing so it counts) and looking at redoing the champs course. Soft pedal the run in, then go all out for a lap. The way most races slaughter you then shake out I’ll likely be dropped by 8 km from front group, BUT maybe bail one lap 6ish km oh a p5 w 808s. Legal? Thoughts?

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      2 years ago

      Yes. Post coming out tomorrow about it.

      Last edited 2 years ago by Eric Schlange
      0
      Reply
      Dio
      Dio
      2 years ago

      When you say fixed – Is this the one star for aero issue?
      3 days ago and Speedmax I did 188W in 27:59
      Today New Speedmax I did 233W in 27:43
      That can’t be right?

      0
      Reply
      George Girling
      George Girling
      2 years ago

      I hope these questions aren’t redundant. I’m only asking because I can’t find direct answers. From what I understand, in all scenarios the best road bike beats the times of the best TT bike. The scenarios measured are a pure climb (Alpe) or a flat (tempus). Is that true? Are the best TT bikes really slower than the best road bikes on flats? That just seems like strange design. If that’s the case, then in what circumstance would it be a good idea to ride a TT bike? The only one I can think of is an actual race TT,… Read more »

      0
      Reply
      George Girling
      George Girling
      2 years ago
      Reply to  George Girling

      I looked at the excel data for the TT and road tests. Answers are there. TT bikes faster on flats.

      I’ll leave this up incase anyone is silly and couldn’t figure it out like me.

      2
      Reply
      Narimantas
      Narimantas
      1 year ago

      Is Tron faster than any of TT on a moderately hilly route (e. g. Hilly route reverse) for a team time trial race?

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      1 year ago
      Reply to  Narimantas

      No. It would have to be a very hilly race for the Tron to outpace a TT frame. Like…more time on climbs than on decent or flats. See https://zwiftinsider.com/tron-vs-top-tt-performers/ for details.

      0
      Reply
      J. Pennarun
      J. Pennarun
      1 year ago

      Curious about one thing : as slower frames produce more drag, do they also provide better shelter to the riders drafting it ?

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      1 year ago
      Reply to  J. Pennarun

      We’ve tried to measure this, but haven’t been able to spot a difference. It’s hard to measure it super-accurately within Zwift, though, so it’s possible there’s a slight difference.

      1
      Reply
      roemer van toorn
      roemer van toorn
      1 year ago

      So which frame, wheels to choose if you regularly drive mixed roads with climbs and flat? I find it hard to see with this data. I never Zwift only flat, but always mixed (New York I go up, London, Watopia), etc.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      1 year ago
      Reply to  roemer van toorn

      If you’re talking TT, that simplifies things somewhat, at least in my mind.

      It’s about trading off climbing performance for flat/descent performance. Figure out what % of your time is spent on climbs vs everything else, then pick the frame that balances it best.

      For example, on Bologna, basically 50% of your time is on the flats, 50% on the climbs. So your best frame would be one with equal and high values in the “Frame Time Improvement, Stacked” chart.

      0
      Reply
      Alex F
      Alex F
      1 year ago

      I’d love to see a comparison over gravel (Road to Ruins is every now and then a WTRL TTT route).

      0
      Reply
      Alex
      Alex
      1 year ago

      I’d love to see a comparison over gravel (Road to Ruins is every now and then a WTRL TTT route).

      0
      Reply
      Joao
      Joao
      1 month ago

      “For example: assume you had only the Specialized Shiv S-Works and Felt IA to choose from for a TT race in Bologna. You know you want more of an advantage on the decisive and steep climb, so you pick the Specialized Shiv S-Works even though the Felt IA is ranked slightly better overall.”

      I believe this is incorrect since s-works takes one more second that Felt IA in the Alpe du Zwift and 16 in the flat. So Felt is better in all scenarios

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      1 month ago
      Reply to  Joao

      You’re mixing up the Felt IA 2.0 with the original Felt IA. Original is slower, and that’s the one I was referring to…

      0
      Reply
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