• Get Started
    • Get Started on Zwift
    • Zwift Course Maps
    • How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More)
    • Links Every Zwifter Must Have
    • More “Get Started” Posts
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Kit Unlock Codes
    • Training & Nutrition
    • Racing
    • Zwift Hacks
  • Reference
    • How Zwift Works
    • Course Calendar
    • RoboPacer Calendar
    • Smart Trainer Index
      • Top Wheel-On Trainers
      • Top Direct-Drive <$900
      • Top Direct-Drive >$900
      • Exhaustive Trainer List
    • Achievements & Unlocks
    • Frames & Wheels
    • Routes & Maps
      • Master List of Routes
      • Master List of KOMs
      • Master List of Sprints
      • Downloadable Watopia Map
      • Rebel Routes
    • Speed Tests
  • News
    • Events
    • Game Updates
  • Shop
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Get Started
    • Get Started on Zwift
    • Zwift Course Maps
    • How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More)
    • Links Every Zwifter Must Have
    • More “Get Started” Posts
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Kit Unlock Codes
    • Training & Nutrition
    • Racing
    • Zwift Hacks
  • Reference
    • How Zwift Works
    • Course Calendar
    • RoboPacer Calendar
    • Smart Trainer Index
      • Top Wheel-On Trainers
      • Top Direct-Drive <$900
      • Top Direct-Drive >$900
      • Exhaustive Trainer List
    • Achievements & Unlocks
    • Frames & Wheels
    • Routes & Maps
      • Master List of Routes
      • Master List of KOMs
      • Master List of Sprints
      • Downloadable Watopia Map
      • Rebel Routes
    • Speed Tests
  • News
    • Events
    • Game Updates
  • Shop
More
    Sign in
    Welcome! Log into your account
    Forgot your password? Get help
    Privacy Policy
    Password recovery
    Recover your password
    A password will be e-mailed to you.
    ReferenceSpeed Tests

    Which Zwift Bike Climbs Fastest?

    Eric Schlange
    By Eric Schlange
    January 24, 2017
    33

    UPDATE: after this post the Alpe du Zwift was released, which gave us a much longer climb for better testing. It also gave us the Meilenstein Lightweight wheels! See the more conclusive results of those tests.


    Our speed tests have shown the TT bike to be faster than any other bike on Zwift. But the TT bike isn’t the lightest bike, only the most aerodynamic. Because of this, some of the lighter bikes actually beat the TT on longer climbs.

    Here are the climb times up Watopia’s Epic KOM as well as the steep radio tower climb.

    Epic KOM Forward (Strava segment)

    TT with Zipp 808 @ 450 watts: 17:37
    Cervelo S5 with 808 @ 450 watts: 17:40
    Concept Z1 (Tron) @ 450 watts: 17:40
    Trek Emonda with Meilenstein Lightweight @ 300 watts: 23:33
    Cervelo S5 with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:34
    Concept Z1 (Tron) @ 300 watts: 23:34
    Trek Emonda with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:38
    TT with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:39
    Trek Madone with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:39
    Canyon Aeroad with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:41
    Trek Emonda with Zipp 202 @ 300 watts: 23:44
    TT with Zipp 202 @ 300 watts: 23:44
    Zwift Aero with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:45
    Cervelo with Zipp 808 @ 150 watts: 41:41
    TT with Zipp 808 @ 150 watts: 42:18

    Climb to Tower (Strava Segment)

    Cervelo S5 with Zipp 808 @ 450 watts: 4:33
    Concept Z1 (Tron) @ 450 watts: 4:33
    TT with Zipp 808 @ 450 watts: 4:38
    Trek Emonda with Meilenstein Lightweight @ 300 watts: 6:33
    Cervelo S5 with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:37
    Concept Z1 (Tron) @ 300 watts: 6:38
    Trek Emonda with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:38
    Trek Emonda with Zipp 202 @ 300 watts: 6:38
    Trek Madone with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:39
    Canyon Aeroad with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:40
    Zwift Aero with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:42
    TT with Zipp 202 @ 300 watts: 6:44
    TT with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:45
    Cervelo with Zipp 808 @ 150 watts: 12:51
    TT with Zipp 808 @ 150 watts: 13:09

    Observations:

    • More watts=more speed=more impact from aerodynamics. The TT bike is slower than the Cervelo S5 at 300 watts, but faster at 450 watts. This is because the impact of aerodynamics increases as you go faster.
    • Since the TT bike performs much better when descending, over a full loop course it is still the fastest bike. The TT bike descends the backside of the Epic KOM in 5:10, while the Cervelo S5 does it in 5:30.
    • The very best climbing setup is the Specialized Tarmac Pro combined with Meilenstein Lightweight wheels (which are only available with a bit of luck after you climb the Alpe). Read more about that in Fastest Bike Frame and Wheelset for Climbing Alpe du Zwift.

    Notes:

    • All tests were performed with a 75kg, 183cm (6′) rider unless otherwise noted.

    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.

    Related Posts

    Related Posts

    • Tags
    • Cervelo S5
    • mountain route
    • TT bike
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Pinterest
    ReddIt
      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

      33 COMMENTS

      Subscribe
      Connect with
      Notify of
      guest

      Connect with
      guest

      33 Comments
      Oldest
      Newest Most Voted
      Inline Feedbacks
      View all comments
      wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz

      Free Zwift Trial

      Create Account

      Newest Featured Posts

      Power Graph Added to Zwifter Web Profiles

      Training & Nutrition

      Zwift Insider Kit Now Available from Le Col – This Week Only

      News

      “France Classic Fondo” Route Details

      Routes & Maps

      Support This Site

      Contribute a post, shop through us, make a donation, advertise on this site. See how you can support Zwift Insider!

      NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

      Receive a summary of Zwift tips and news every 2 weeks! Click to subscribe.

      This community-driven site is maintained by Eric Schlange and a team of Zwift enthusiasts. Zwift Insider is independent of Zwift corporate (www.zwift.com), although Zwift does provide funding to help defray site costs.

      This site contains affiliate links to Amazon, Wahoo, and other brands. Zwift Insider makes a small commission on purchases made from these links, so please shop through them to support our efforts.

      Terms of Use/DMCA Copyright Policy

      Privacy Policy

      [email protected]

      Latest articles

      Power Graph Added to Zwifter Web Profiles

      Tiny Race Series – March 25 Routes and Last Week’s Results

      Top 5 Zwift Videos: FTP Increases, Alpe Du Zwift Tips, and Zwift Setups

      Popular Categories

      • Racing1010
      • News741
      • Training & Nutrition585
      • Events535
      • Interviews443
      • Routes & Maps312
      33
      0
      Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
      ()
      x
      | Reply
      Comment Author Info
      :wpds_smile::wpds_grin::wpds_wink::wpds_mrgreen::wpds_neutral::wpds_twisted::wpds_arrow::wpds_shock::wpds_unamused::wpds_cool::wpds_evil::wpds_oops::wpds_razz::wpds_roll::wpds_cry::wpds_eek::wpds_lol::wpds_mad::wpds_sad::wpds_exclamation::wpds_question::wpds_idea::wpds_hmm::wpds_beg::wpds_whew::wpds_chuckle::wpds_silly::wpds_envy::wpds_shutmouth:
      ‹ Back to Categories
      You are going to send email to

      Move Comment

    • Related Posts