Today, JetBlack Cycling unveiled the VICTORY Frame, their first-ever smartbike frame. Available as a standalone frame or bundled with JetBlack’s popular VICTORY trainer, it’s a direct competitor to Zwift’s Ride, and at a tempting price!
Key Features
- Approximately 48–62 cm equivalent frame sizing (approximate rider heights: 5’1″ to 6’4″)
- Extensive saddle, stack and reach adjustment
- Adjustable crank length (165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm)
- Aerobar compatible
- Road, endurance, time trial and triathlon positioning
- Designed to replicate real-bike fit
- Suitable for multiple riders
- Compatible with Zwift Ready smart trainers
- Integrated fit for Zwift Click 1 and Click 2 controllers
- Designed for Zwift and ROUVY experiences
- Indoor Cycling Ergonomics Guide included
- Free bike setup guidance in JetBlack App
- Two bottle cages and integrated removable trainer tray for ride essentials
- Stable steel construction
Pricing and Availability
- Standalone Victory FRAME: $649USD, €799, £599, $1,099AU
- Victory Frame Bundled with VICTORY Trainer: $999USD, €999, £899, $1,699AU
You can currently register your VICTORY Frame interest on JetBlack’s site. Presales will begin in October for end-of-November deliveries.
VICTORY vs Zwift Ride
Of course, the VICTORY Frame will draw direct comparisons to the wildly popular Zwift Ride. The frames share more similarities than differences, since they’re both made to be durable, affordable frames that pair nicely with Zwift Ready smart trainers.
But how are they different? We don’t have the VICTORY frame yet in-house, so we can’t yet make a complete comparison to the Zwift Ride frame. But there are several clear differences:
- Controllers: the Zwift Ride uses Play-like controllers integrated into the handlebar, while the VICTORY Frame is made to fit nicely with Zwift’s Click v1 and v2 controllers, which aren’t included in the purchase of the standalone frame.
- Handlebar Options: the difference in controllers means Zwift Ride users are stuck with a standard handlebar setup, although clip on TT bars could be added. VICTORY Frame users could swap in any bars they’d like, since the Click controllers can be used in almost any configuration.
- Saddle Setback Adjustability: the VICTORY Frame wins here, with a dedicated rail allowing major saddle setback adjustments.
- Bottom Bracket: another VICTORY Frame win, as it uses a standard threaded Shimano external bottom bracket interface, allowing owners to service the BB and swap in their own cranks if desired. (The VICTORY frame uses 16-notch bearing cups and a 44mm outside diameter compatible with Park Tool BBT-9, BBT-19.2 and BBT-69 / BBT69.2 installation tools. Cranks are press fit.)
- Adjustable Crank Length: the VICTORY Frame ships with a 3-position bear claw crank, while the Zwift Ride ships with a 170mm cranks. (Zwift sells 5-position adjustable crank arms for $99.)
- Stated Rider Size Range: this is an approximation, of course, but the Zwift Ride comes out ahead with a stated rider size of 5′-6’6″, while JetBlack tells me the VICTORY Frame fits 5’1″-6’4″.
- Rocker Feet: the VICTORY Frame is compatible with JetBlack’s Freedom Rocker Feet, allowing for some side-to-side movement.
- Pricing: the VICTORY Frame is priced lower than the Zwift Ride, both as a standalone frame and a frame+trainer bundle.
- Standalone Victory FRAME: $649USD, €799, £599, $1,099AU
- Standalone Zwift Ride: $799.99USD, €799, £749, $1,400AU
- Victory Frame Bundled with VICTORY Trainer: $999USD, €999, £899, $1,699AU
- Zwift Ride bundled with Wahoo KICKR CORE v2 Trainer: USA: $1299USD, €1199, £1099, $2,299AU
VICTORY vs the Rest
While the VICTORY Frame’s biggest competitor will be the Zwift Ride, it’s also work comparing it to other indoor-only frames and smart bikes.
In the indoor-only frames sector, the only two competitors apart from the Zwift Ride are the Caveworks RIVET and Elite Square. The VICTORY Frame beats both on price and aesthetics, although the Elite Square has more features, and the RIVET may be a bit more accomodating to smaller riders or those wanting custom setups.
Compare the VICTORY Frame + Trainer bundle to a full smart bike setup, and you’ll see why smart bike sales have dropped substantially since the Zwift Ride’s release. Many riders find it difficult to justify dropping $4000US on a Wahoo KICKR Bike Pro or Tacx NEO Bike Plus when the Zwift Ride offers most of the same features for 1/3 the price. And now the VICTORY bundle is selling for even less? It’s a good time to be an indoor rider, friends. Especially in Australia and New Zealand, where the VICTORY bundle is priced $600AU lower than the Zwift Ride through Wahoo.
Development Timeline
According to JetBlack, the VICTORY Frame has been in the company’s product pipeline and design phase since 2020. The original idea was encouraged by JetBlack founder Tony Simmonds’ father, Victor “Vic” Simmonds, who questioned why riders should have to keep moving their outdoor bike on and off a trainer. That simple idea stayed with Tony.
Questions or comments?
You may want to see JetBlack’s VICTORY Frame page for more info. Share your questions and comments below!
