Zwift’s newest update includes a new bike frame – the first Colnago to show up in Zwift, ever! It’s the V3Rs, which is described in the Drop Shop like this:
The V3RS represents the best of Colnago technology, and is designed to thrive in all conditions. The V3 is fast on the long climbs; in the windy plans; in the stages of Grand Tours; and perfect for a demanding Gran Fondo. It’s a great bike for all situations.
Of course, experienced Zwifters know that real-world performance doesn’t necessarily translate to Zwift performance. So at Zwift Insider we run frames and wheelsets through a battery of tests to figure out just how well they perform in Zwift’s virtual world.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Colnago V3Rs in Zwift…
Aero Performance
The V3Rs is only rated 2 aero stars, and that rating is reflected in flat course performance in our tests. This frame is one of the slowest in terms of aero performance, turning in the same time as the Zwift Carbon, Specialized Allez, Cannondale Synapse, and several other frames.
The Colnago V3Rs turned in a time of 51:35 on our test course (two laps of Tempus Fugit). By comparison, the fastest frame in game (Specialized Venge S-Works) turned in a time of 51:18. (Both of these test times were done with Zwift’s stock wheelset, the 32mm carbon).
This puts the V3Rs in the 13th percentile for aero performance.
Climb Performance
Fortunately, the V3Rs performs better on climbs than it does on flats! Rated at 3 stars for weight (more stars is better), the Colnago turned in the same Alpe time as the Cervelo S5, Felt AR, and Focus Izalco Max 2020.
The Colnago V3Rs turned in an Alpe du Zwift time of 49:11. By comparison, the fastest frame in game (Specialized Tarmac Pro) turned in a time of 48:57. (Both of these test times were done with Zwift’s stock wheelset, the 32mm carbon).
This puts the V3Rs in the 58th percentile for climb performance.
Comparisons + Alternatives
The Colnago V3Rs performs almost identically to the Cannondale Synapse in game: identical flat test results and a climb test time just 1s slower.
But it’s level-locked at 18 and costs 695,800 Drops, making it hard to recommend the Colnago V3Rs in terms of performance given the other frames already available in game.
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 is nearly same price, but available at level 5. It’s a much better climber, and also more aero. Canyon’s Aeroad 2021 is 100k Drops cheaper, climbs better, and is much more aero.
Fun fact: the V3Rs uses the Campagnolo SuperRecord groupset in-game. There aren’t many Zwift bikes using this groupset – the classic Zwift Steel is one. Do you know of any others?
If you want to run virtual Campy, or are just a big Colnago fan – then pick up the V3Rs. Then again, it sounds like we’ll all be riding this frame Haute Route Watopia 2021 events this weekend. So maybe take it for a virtual spin first? 😃
Questions or Comments?
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