It’s been less than three weeks since Zwift radically changed their level structure by adding levels 61-100 and implementing a raft of changes related to the new levels.
When I got a preview of Zwift’s changes, my initial thought was “Finally, more levels to chase!” I also liked the idea of Zwift making the steps between each level more even and progressive. But it’s been really interesting to observe the community’s responses to Zwift’s changes, and I thought it might be helpful to discuss that today.
First, Let’s Summarize the Changes
The addition of levels 61 to 100 is the big news, but lots of changes came with those new levels:
- Level-Up Requirements Reduced: the final levels in the previous scheme (levels 56-60) required 30,000 XP to attain. The highest levels in the new scheme (levels 91-100) only require 11,000! Clearly, Zwift wanted to make it easier to level up.
- Level Progression Smoothed: the amount of XP needed to level up now increases at a regular rate as you progress from level 1-100.
- Bonus XP Added: the new Streaks feature awards a healthy shot of bonus XP for your first two rides each week.
- Bonus Drops Added: riders now receive a 50,000 Drops bonus each time they level up.
- Changes to Accelerated Leveling: nearly everyone had “extra” XP with Zwift’s new levels. because you were either on a lower level than you should be (since levels now require less XP to attain) and/or you had banked extra XP after hitting the level limit at level 50 or 60. To get riders to their “proper” levels while still giving them the fun of leveling up, Zwift implemented two new methods of accelerated leveling, with some small UI changes attached. Curious how it works? See details under “Accelerated Leveling” here >
- Endless Level 100: once you reach level 100, you’ll keep filling up your progress bar, earning a Drops bonus each time you earn the 12,000 XP required to finish level 100.
- 40 Levels of Fresh Prizes: Zwift has always given riders a prize for reaching a new level, so 40 new levels means… 40 new prizes! See the whole list here >
- Drop Shop Pricing and Unlock Levels Changes: many every frame and wheelset in the Drop Shop was repriced and set to unlock at a different level (see our updated Zwift Shopping Guide).
Next, Let’s Summarize the Responses
With 300+ comments thus far, our post detailing the new levels and related changes became a popular place to share one’s thoughts on the changes. Zwift’s forum post on the changes also proved popular, with 600+ comments thus far.
After reading most of those comments, I would lump them into a several groups:
- “How does accelerated leveling work? I’m at level X with Y XP, and I don’t understand what the game is saying…” This was probably the most popular comment, and I understand why: Zwift’s new accelerated leveling schemes aren’t easy to wrap one’s head around.
- “I worked hard to level up, and now these n00bs can do it so much easier, and that makes me angry.” Honestly, this response completely surprised me. But a lot of people felt this way!
- “New levels are great, but additional changes are needed to make leveling up more attractive.” With no new Drop Shop items unlocked at higher levels and no way to clean out our crowded garages, this feedback isn’t surprising. Many riders voiced the opinion that Zwift has just added a few months of level-up work for some level 60 riders who will cap out soon enough (see #5 below).
- “I was so close to getting the new bike/wheels I wanted, and now they’re further away.” There was a fair amount of confusion about what frame or wheels to buy after everything was reshuffled – and some anger from Zwifters who felt Zwift had “moved the goalposts.”
- “I was at level 60, and now I’m finding it too easy to level up.” This feedback came a few days after the big change, but it came nonetheless. Avid Zwifters now find themselves leveling up every day or two thanks to being accelerated via both the “double XP” and “20% discount” methods.
- “This is a great change. Ride on!” People tend to air their grievances more than their atta-boys, but there were definitely plenty of comments from folks who just said they were happy to have new levels and unlocks to work toward.
Let’s discuss each of these a bit.
#1: Confused by Accelerated Leveling
This is the third time Zwift has added levels and implemented a fresh accelerated leveling scheme along with it. Here are the three schemes they’ve used:
- Levels 26-50 added: 8x accelerated leveling for level 25 riders who had earned extra XP over the level 25 requirement
- Levels 51-60 added: 2x accelerated leveling for level 50 riders who had earned extra XP over the level 50 requirement
- Levels 61-100 added: 2x accelerated leveling for level 50+ riders who already had “extra” XP in their account, plus 20% leveling discounts for just about every rider to a certain level
You don’t have to understand accelerated leveling in order to take advantage of it… just ride, and the leveling happens. But still, many riders want to know how it works. Maybe they don’t trust Zwift to implement it fairly (“Don’t touch my hard-earned XP!”), maybe they’re just trying to figure out what it will take for them to reach higher levels. Regardless, it’s a pretty complex setup to understand, and Zwift’s latest version of accelerated leveling is the most complex yet!
Zwift could help themselves now by doing the same thing they should have done a long time ago: create a level system that doesn’t need to be “upgraded” in the future. Whether that’s a lot more levels (level 1000!) or a “prestige system” (for example, you may have levels 1-100, but once you finish 100 you get a prestige “star” and start at 1 again), the important thing is that Zwifters should always have something they’re working toward in terms of player level.
If you’re still confused by Zwift’s accelerated leveling scheme, and simply must fully understand it, read the “Accelerated Leveling” section on this post.
#2: Annoyed that “Everyone Gets a Trophy”
Some Zwift veterans who earned 750,000+ XP to reach level 60 are angry that level 60 is now attainable by earning just 223,500 XP. Like I said above, I was surprised by how many people (including Zwifters I deeply respect) shared this view! It was a good reminder that my perspective is only my perspective – a good life lesson that Zwift blogging continually teaches me.
Different people are motivated (and demotivated) by different things, and that’s OK.
I’ve tried to get inside the minds of the Zwifters who feel this way, but haven’t succeeded in doing so completely. As I understand it, this may be a concern if you were at a fairly high level, but aren’t planning on riding much on Zwift in the future. In that case, riders might “catch” you or even pass you, having done much less work than you did to get to your level.
If you’re still active on Zwift, you’ll be leveling up just as fast as the newer riders. Maybe even faster (see #5 below)! In this case, the only tiff you may have with Zwift is what happens when I reach level 100, and so do the n00bs. It may be that you still have a lot of extra XP when you hit level 100, while the n00bs earned just enough to get there. Isn’t it unfair that you’re both at the same level?
I suppose it is. And some riders find that very annoying.
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#3: This Change Is Good, But More Change Is Needed
Some riders were fine with the changes, but said Zwift needs to make further changes in order to keep the level system motivational. Some of those changes include:
- New Drop Shop items unlocked at higher levels
- A garage cleanup/organization tool so you can get rid of unwanted items, easily swap bikes, etc
- A more motivational plan for what happens once you reach level 100 (eg, prestige system or level 101+)
I completely agree with these points. While I’m personally fine with all the changes Zwift made (even if I think they could have done some of them differently for better outcomes), Zwift could have knocked it out of the park by also releasing new features/items that satisfy these three points.
The good news is, Zwift can still do it. All three of these additional improvements could be implemented, and in fact I know at least one of them is in the works. Here’s hoping all three get rolled out in some form soon.
#4: Miffed By Moving Goalposts
The Canyon Aeroad (with DT Swiss ARC 62 wheels) and Uranium Nuclear. All items moved to higher level unlocks…
When the Drop Shop changes rolled out, I quickly heard from Zwifters who had been looking forward to buying a particular frame or wheelset which was now either 1) unlocked at an even higher level, 2) more expensive, or both. (This included the Canyon Aeroad frame and DT Swiss ARC 62 wheels, which both moved to much higher level unlocks.)
The good news is, when it comes to racing frames, Zwift made a mistake and currently has the Felt AR (one of the four fastest frames in the game) unlocked at level 16. So if you want a fast frame, it’s more attainable than ever… until Zwift changes things.
More good news is that, for most lower-level Zwifters, it’ll take much less work to get up to those super-fast frames and wheels. Yes, the Drop Shop got reshuffled. But in the end, the disc wheels and fast frames will be unlocked sooner.
The bad news is, some of you may have to put in more work for your first set of good race wheels (ZIPP 808 at level 25). There’s just no way around that. Zwift wants faster equipment to generally be at higher levels, so this change was necessary to organize the Drop Shop logically.
#5: Leveling Up Is Too Easy
Two weeks after Zwift rolled out levels 61-100, I’m already hearing from Zwifters at level 75 or higher. While I appreciate Zwift trying to walk the balance of giving high-level Zwifters the fun of leveling up while honoring all the “banked” XP in their account, my personal feeling (and the general sentiment I’m hearing) is that it’s just too easy to level up when you’re getting both the 2x acceleration and 20% discount.
I’m at level 67 and leveling up every day or two with 60 to 90-minute rides. Given that the levels are capped at 100, I’d rather level up every week or two.
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#6: All Good, Ride On!
Many Zwifters are perfectly happy with the changes Zwift rolled out. They don’t need to know how the sausage is made (understanding accelerated leveling), they aren’t stressing over which frame or wheels to buy next, and they certainly don’t care if leveling up is now easier for others than it was for them.
Your Thoughts
Personally, I’m about 50% in the #6 “All Good” camp. I resonate with #3 and #5, but overall I’m generally just happy to have more levels for now, and hopeful Zwift will do something to make level ups more interesting before I hit level 100.
But what about you? Which of the six items above do you identify with most? Or perhaps I missed your perspective in the way I lumped groups together? Share your thoughts below!
I personally think the negative reaction to this has been overblown but I’m in the I think this is a good change camp. As a level 60 rider for a long time, I’m just happy for new levels to chase. Maybe they should have made the xp requirements slightly higher but if you are a new zwifter, level 100 could be quite daunting. An obvious way to combat this would be to give people the opportunity to opt out…but I think those that did would be complaining that others hadn’t! You can’t please everyone.
I like the new level system, as a level 55. But they should only have changed closed areas to different levels. Like it’s still only level 10 to access Alpe or the new roads. Should have made one of them higher.
I leveled up 3 times on xmas eve on a single ride. That felt like waaay too much. Balance is good. I feel there is currently a bit of a lack of balance in the system, but then again, humans in general are often skeptical to changes. In a while when things settle down, we will focus more on the big picture. Zooming out a bit, Zwift is a community, and sometimes provocateur behavior is used to stir up some reactions and get the attention. Calculated strategy from Zwift HQ? =) Ride on!
I am in agreement with your statements.
I speak to companies on change management. And so I’m not surprised at all by the percentage of Zwifters who are miffed that “newcomers have it too easier.” People don’t fear change, they fear loss. Loss of income, status or other resources. Combine this fear of loss with human tribalism (“we veteran Zwifters versus the newbies”) and what you are observing is logical. Perhaps not to you, but as you say, we each have different reactions.
The bizarre thing is, these people have ‘lost’ nothing. Nothing they have has been taken from them. What they’re suffering from is envy… the same envy that makes a child who is perfectly happy with one toy they’ve been given until they see another child with something else, and suddenly what they have is worthless and they become obsessed with what the other child has. The fact that this infantile behaviour is being shown by grown ‘alpha’ adults, over a computer game with fluorescent imaginary bikes,makes it all the more pathetic. Some people need a serious reality check. Ride your bikes and stop craving validation for your fragile egos!!!
And here you are, you are not even spending your time commenting on this computer game with imaginary bikes, no, you are spending you time commenting on people’s reaction to this computer game with imaginary bikes. So who is more pathetic?
The number of downvotes your comment received negates the need for me to even reply. 😂 Maybe take a minute to think before you type things on the internet.
Downvotes = people who didn’t like my reply but have no logical argument why so they don’t reply.
You said you don’t need to reply and yet you did, so I guess you were wrong there. And you’ve also made fun of anyone who cares about this issue enough to reply, you’ve now replied twice. And your reply does not include any counter argument, just empty meanness asserting I’m am dumb. So basically like another downvote.
Yeah, most people call them whiny (insert your word of choice here).
I do change management too and it’s not that. I worked hard to get to my level and enjoyed the challenge. This isn’t about fearing loss…. it’s just a game. I’m here for a challenge and this is no longer a challenge. So it’s pointless.
So quit Zwift… Literally no one cares. -_-
Most people ride a bike to be more healthy, but I guess you want fake internet rewards and points – absolutely hilarious.
That is so totally rude and hostile. If you read what Zwift asked it was “your thoughts”. Those are my thoughts. Why do you care; clearly you do to take the time. So Malzo, you represent the worst of the Zwift community. And if you read on, like riding on, lots of people care. But truly, your opinion is irrelevant. I’ve been on Zwift a long time, have built a close community of Swifter buddies and am very happy here. Don’t need you or your unhelpful comments. Have a great solo ride.
Already at level 67. I am enjoying the new kit unlocks. As a daily user on an accelerated plan, I should be at 100 by June. My question is what this is going to look like when they add 101+? If I have 835,000 XP now, I will have arrived at level 100 with over a million XP. Will they do another round of acceleration for those with many XP over the updated level 100 threshold?
I liked it when that bar moved very slowly and I had to really work to earn the next level. I am at 55 or 56 now and it’s just too easy to level up. I do a lot of riding with pace partners which makes it go even faster. Although I am very happy that they added levels, I liked it better when it was more of a challenge to move up. I don’t feel like I’m really earning anything.
Agree 100%. I’m at about the same spot. Just hit 57. Happy they added more levels, but it’s way too easy. Was happier really having to work between levels.
It makes no sense. I don’t care about the drop shop or whatever else, it’s the points. Level 60 used to be 750000xp. Now level 100 is 591000xp. Why move the goal posts back. I love everything they are doing with accelerated leveling, more levels etc. Why not move level 100 to a million xp. I was so happy to make it to level 50. I felt like I accomplished Something(500000xp). Now I’m going to be zoomed up to level 92, probably level 100 by the time I get accelerated all the way up. I would be really pissed if I was already level 60. All your hard work means nothing. They will now be the same as people that have done half as much work. JMO
I agree with the previous commentators about the ease of moving up removing the value and incentive. The levels feel like participation trophies. They have become awards for showing up rather than rewarding effort. They are not special. And the extra points are not incentives because it’s all so easy now. I think that is the key issue – an incentive has been removed.
And I’d LOVE to be bale to clean out my garage. Seriously – way too much in there which makes swapping a pain.
Re item #2: It’s very simple to understand. I considered Level 60 a meaningful achievement, and worked steadily for five years to get there. Today, the exact same achievement is granted to latecomers for merely 18 months of equivalent riding. I don’t see how anyone can consider that equitable or an equivalent achievement.
And the exact same argument can be made about Level 100. By the time we all get there, riders who started their careers five years later than me will achieve Level 100 having ridden far less, with hundreds of thousands less XP than it will take me, as Zwift is essentially disregarding years of my riding.
It was annoying but tolerable when they threw away some users’ hard-earned XP and required us to re-earn it at an accelerated pace when they introduced Levels 26-50 and 51-60. But at least it was somewhat equitable. That can’t be said about this complete redefinition of the leveling system.
Yes, XP level is just a number that doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of IRL fitness and health. But by setting up game incentives and then dramatically reducing what it takes to achieve them, Zwift has cheapened the leveling achievements considerably and clearly favored new users at the expense of loyal, longtime members.
IMO.
yes – i think the displeasure is the newer riders are getting an easy ride to the top. whereas we felt like we earned it over many years.
Agree, no way should the new level 100 be easier to attain than the old level 60. Happy for them to make the progression at an even pace, but that would be working out the XP for level 60 and dividing it accordingly.
That’s not it for me at all. I don’t care what newer riders get. I just don’t want to level up so easily as it now means nothing to me. I have millions of drops and don’t care about that either. I ride my Tron and I’ happy. I don’t need new wheels choice of bikes et.
Just out of interest. What system would you describe as a fair system. One which rewards duration, perceived effort or absolute effort? It sounds to me that you are kind of going for invested time/duration. With the exception of workouts the current system is heavily skewed to rewarding absolute effort however which in itself doesn’t strike me as particularly fair at all as it is heavily sexist. The average male rider will greatly outpace the average female rider and will collect the mileage to level up way quicker (old or new level requirements). Lowering the level requirements seems to me to actually create more achievable goals for lower power and more casual riders. Not saying it’s perfect but it seems like a decent compromise without redesigning the leveling up system from ground up.
Lol,it’s not sexist at all Women are awarded XP at a higher rate than men on Zwift, always have been.
Source?! From what I can see from my wife and my daughter it’s 20xp/km, same as for everyone else making your content total nonsense!
I think you’re thinking of Drops, not XP.
I totally disagree with you. I put in allot of time and effort into Zwift. I ride with a couple lady’s that will destroy me. They are way stronger than me, they have way more xp as well. Definitely not sexist. You put in the time and effort, you will be rewarded. Male or Female
Well done to you for being in the company of such formidable riders. Assuming that you are an average male rider that simply means that your female peers are far above average which is not representative to my point at all. Stringer riders do get more xp in the same time invested. On average women do get less xp on free rides than their male peers. You can disagree but mathematically you’d be simply wrong.
WHAT!!!! Some of the women out ride most of the men I ride with. Your wife and daughter are not necessarily representative of who rides here. Not gender-biased a bit are we?
So, you are saying that with the same fitness level and age women have at least the W/kg of their male peers looking at gaussian distributions and stuff? I wonder why we ever bothered having separate categories for men and women in the Olympics? Also why have a Tour de France Femmes if the women can just join the open category. Are there strong women? Yes! Have I ever disputed that? No! When you look at women and men of similar age with the same fitness level, the man will have a higher W/kg. That is pure biology. Due to the hormone levels men have to work/train a lot less to develop the necessary muscle mass. As Zwift is only rewarding the absolute mileage with xp this gives and advantage to the fast riders … the ones with the higher W/kg. Am I bothered? No! Is my wife bothered? No! Is my 7 year old daughter bothered? No! My only point was that reducing the level boundaries makes those rewards more achievable for weaker riders which disproportionately but not exclusively includes women!
I like the changes for the most part, but leveling up does feel too easy. I was lvl40 when the change was implemented and appreciated being able to get the final frames/wheels I wanted, but leveling up feels like less of an achievement now for me, less of a carrot to chase. Still a good revamp overall.
my hard earned level 50, is completly hit by level inflation! That makes me a bit sad, that noobs are 8x accelerated and I’m o ly accelerated by x2. But why? I feel demotivated and not appreciated as a loyal zwifter through many years.
That was an older system for when they moved from just 25 levels to 50. I was a level 34 rider when the new changes happened and I can tell you I am only getting the 20% reduction bonus
This might help: Zwift could easily give a “Legacy 60” badge to those who’d made level 60 under the old system, to recognize that achievement.
I fully support #2 view, the zwift veterans should get the level they earned as quickly as possible, it doesn’t bring me anything if I reached level 100 with half a million bonus XP. I will have to ride a 1000 hours to get rid of all of my extra XP this way until I am at the level I should be. Really hope zwift does something about that, either go back to the old scheme or fast track everyone until XP are used up – even if that means even faster levelling up :/
While I am still in the mid-20 levels, and have jumped several levels since the new leveling has been implemented. I like that they added new levels beyond level 60, but I believe that they should have kept the “XP to Earn” and “Total XP” at their prior levels. For compensation, those riders who were at level 60 and had XP banked, I believe those riders should have either gotten immediate credit, and/or received a bonus accelerator for a period of time (say 3 or 6 months). For riders below level 60, I am not sure much should have changed. Possibly give a smaller percentage accelerator, or some additional XP bonuses for a period of time to encourage riders to gain levels.
The thing is Zwift could take a lot of pressure off the whole XP debate by adding more challenges periodically, they generally have a km or elevation goal that will take most people a few days or weeks to achieve and the prize is equal for all.
As a n00b on Zwift who is played some other virtual platforms, the overall playability and structure is still light years better than other platforms. The only thing I wished they incorporated is that levels would be more attributable to how fast a rider is. It should be almost impossible for a Cat C or D rider to get past level 60. Not sure how you would do this but it would be like at a certain level only 200w or 2.5 kg/w can only account for only XP points and to get to a next level you have to race or do group rides at a B level. This minimum would increase as the levels get higher. Also level 90 thru 100 should only be for Cat A riders. Give them fast people some prestige. At the end of the day, these are nice to haves but the game of Zwift is still fun and if it is not then you should put your $15 a month elsewhere.
That is what race ranking is for
That might be fine if Zwifters didn’t age. It could be demoralising for persistent and fit older riders who nevertheless lose speed with older age yet value the availability, challenge and safety of indoor riding with Zwift.
Agree 100%. I’m 60 years and counting into my cycling career. I can assure Joshua Laughlin that as he matures in this sport, it won’t get any easier, but it will get slower. And I agree with Ben that if you want to flaunt your status as a fast rider, do it in a race. I’m still smarting over the drop from B to C that happened when I got to age 72…
Oh wow, ELITE LEVELS. What a wonderful community spirit you have. Either you’re A/B cat or you’ll never earn top levels. That’s disgusting. Zwift is about community and sharing; if you want exclusive rankings, put a number on your back and find a pro contract. There’s no place for you on Zwift community.
Not all of us put in the miles to get fast, we put in the miles to enjoy the miles, by your logic I should have to be a fast rider in order to progress past a certain point. I imagine that Zwift would love to lose all the slower/older/non-competitive riders by telling them “sorry, you’re not good enough to go beyond this point”
No age discrimination or elitism here. I hate to tell you this Joshua, but you too will age and slow down. This game is for everybody to achieve goals at their own speed and pace. Not everyone who cycles has a goal of being fast, winning races… I am an endurance rider and riding fast isn’t interesting to me. Zwift forces me to ride fast so I can hang with the blob. That is a good thing as it pushes me to develop in this way. But I’m also very light at 48kg and so climbs are my thing. I have zero ambition to be level a, b or c. It means nothing to me. And I don’t envy you fast guys; you do you. And I’ll do me.
The one thing I don’t understand is that I’ve got enough xp to level twice to the highest but zwift capped me at level 99 as the highest it will fast track me? I really don’t care that I had to do much more work than the new zwifters joining bc I had fun leveling the way we did.
The changed amount of XP per level is fine and allows a more consistent level up experience. IMO.
I think the solution is unlimited levels.
If all longtime Zwifters got immediate credtit for banked XP and were upgraded to a new higher level based on the XP they already earned, I think that would solve the feeling of having the acomplishment diminished. For example if you were zoomed from level 60 to level 200 and could keep leveling up after that your status would be presevered and new riders would have to do just as much work to reach your level.
Level unlocks would have to chage but maybe those items could be incorporated into the drop shop. That way you only keep the stuff you want.
I think still having to earn each level, albeit at an accelerated rate, was a smart decision to balance giving riders credit while spacing out incentives.
Now, I have read lots about this topic, having gone through each of the acceleration scenarios:
I still have one QUESTION: In each of the above 3 scenarios, was my accumulation of TOTAL XP paused during accelerated leveling? I get the sense that it was in scenario 1 but not 2 or 3? I think clarifying this point will help reassure long-time Zwifters (or not) that all the miles they’ve ridden have contributed to total XP.
I just crept over level 78 this morning, and I’m worried I’m going to hit 100 by mid February. I find the levelling up is a nice little carrot that helps my ride that extra 10k to maybe grab a few more XP. When I was stuck at 60 I thought about making a new account and trying to speed run to 60 again, so I’m in favour of the star system similar to what is mentioned above. As far as new zwifters and levelling up being easier, if it means they keep an active subscription then that’s good for all of us who want to see this platform succeed.
I can understand the elitism and not wanting it too easy for the noobs. It’s not exactly fair.
However, getting the noobs to stick around longer will increase cash-flow for Zwift. Plus, some of then will appreciate the fitness benefits and transform into total non-noobs and contribute to making things better for all of us.
It’s great that the app now pushes the fitness aspect between rides. With a world-wide lack of fitness health crisis, Zwift can be part of a solution.
I’m generally not too bothered – levelling up does feel a bit quick. Its weird that new level 100 requires less XP than old level 60. I think they probably should have scaled the new level 100 to be the same as old 60 (ie max XP is the same), then done the level smoothing they did. Would have still meant quicker levelling up overall, but not to the massively accelerated extent it now seems to be at. With everything smoothed out, they could then add any future levels they wanted according to the formula they now have.
Been on zwift since beta, chose not to get accelerated when it opened up to level 50, got to 48 before it went to 60. I understand what zwift was trying to achieve with newer riders, but for long established riders the only thing left of meaning was a very hard earned level. Drops has no meaning as we could all already buy anything, but you still can’t curate a garage of bikes, import custom kit or have access to places or functions no one else could have until a level was reached. By expanding to 100 and making the steps even and smaller made no sense, especially when zwifters then have to do more to get to the level they should have been moved to. It would have been better if they had extended the levels, but made each level progressively harder to get. So easy to get to level 25, hard to get to 50, very challenging to get to 75, and only the most dedicated after many years of zwifting having the slightest hope of get to level 90+ and beyond. C
I share your opinion: leveling up was the hardest thing and levels meant something (at least to me). I didn’t care about the rewards, just the number. Now that everybody levels up that fast, it lost its meaning and its purpose as a carrot for long-term Zwifters. When I once will reach lvl100, there will be basically no more carrots (except for some new route badges every year).
Also in the 3/5/6 category, but probably mostly #5. I hadn’t quite gotten to level 60 yet, but now I’m fast-tracked to level 95, so it feels like these new levels are just lipstick on a pig. They’re not really rewarding *more* effort, just shifting goalposts (not quite the same argument as #4, which largely deals with unlocks). I don’t care that others level up more quickly–Zwift kinda made that meaningless years ago when they added the drop shop and stopped rewarding level-ups with free bikes. I just don’t really feel like I have anything to actually work toward except a more-crowded closet full of jerseys and helmets.
How come they won’t release a new challenge????? That’s been like a forgotten segment of the game. I know there are some that still haven’t got the Tron bike but even more I presume that have been setting idle awaiting a new challenge having completed the 3 offered (is that right? ). Anyway I think they just forgot about it
When Zwift increased levels from 50 to 60 I honestly lost a lot of motivation. I felt like I was at mile 20 in a marathon and got word that the finish line was moved to 30 miles….ugh! I’m happy with the new changes and once again feel motivated to level up. I also ride Zwift for fun and fitness, so other changes with fast bikes, etc don’t bother me. If these changes get people to exercise more than I’m all for it, even if they don’t need to work as hard as others to reach higher levels. To me, at the end of the day it’s about creating a fun, safe way to keep the body moving.
we need new bikes at levels 50+ (2023 models) and then everyone will be happy.
I share your feeling of preferring to level up every week or two. With the old system it took way too long from level 55 to 60 with the new system it feels like it’s moving too fast.
Maybe they’ll get it right when they implement 100-150 🙂
I don’t care about the “unfairness” or whatever that people are feeling about the changes with respect to others reaching some level faster than I did. That doesn’t bug me at all. I just don’t like my own experience of constantly leveling up with no real effort. It’s like there’s a new level every few days so it’s no longer something to work towards, because there’s almost no work.
I’ve been Zwifting regularly since 2017 and reached Level 60 just before the new 61-100 levels came out, so I do feel that reducing the level-up requirements diminishes years of hard work.
That said, veteran Zwifters have racked up a ton of miles/kms on the platform. One thing that Zwift could do to appease us old-timers is create distance jerseys. So there’d be a jersey for hitting 10,000 km, 20,000 km, 30,000 km, etc. These are legit achievements that can’t be arbitrarily redefined, so definitely no participation trophies here.
Not sure what you’d do with Tim Searle….🤔 But it’s an idea for consideration.
I like it. Prior to the change, leveling was so slow that I never thought about it. I’ve been in the 50s for what feels like ages, so actually gaining levels again with some regularity has been fun!
The main point is somehow missing: Zwifts intention seemed to be to boost motivation. A lot of people including myself complained that easy leveling completely failed to do that. The 500 XP strikes per week accelerates that even more, you can level up without significant effort even as a beginner. I miss that entirely on the list above. I wish I could at least eliminate the now silly level bar from the HUD, or sitch levelling to a silent mode. I wonder how far they want to go with the gamification of Zwift. Maybe it was a mistake to switch to annual billing after all.
Personally what is missing from the list is the lack of an option to bump yourself straight up to the corresponding new level for your XP. At level 42 “old”, earned over 3 years worth of winter month riding, I would rather have the option to bump up straight to level 76. The remaining levels to hit 100 would have kept me busy for at least another 3 years worth of winter riding – especially now that I’m riding outside for as long as I can. So I don’t identify myself with #2 as I don’t mind that others have it “easier” per se – I’d just have liked my own level to reflect my riding history. The fast track option is great for some, especially those who still ride a lot, but not for all.
I am riding for fitness within my means – not for levels or gear. This includes quantity of training, but maybe even more quality.
Zwift helps me to get a good amount of structured quality indoor training. That is what I like and appreciate, so I don’t really care about this discussion. If anything, then I want more roads.
Why bother posting then?
I think it´s become much too easy to level up now. I´m rushing through a level nearly everytime I ride. On the other hand leveling up is quite useless because I have every bike or wheelset I want. So I dont really care about levels any more 🙄
I am now very upset at even seeing those leveling-up notifications appear on screen while riding. It is ridiculous having them pop up every few days. I demand Zwift allow for these to be turned off – I do not want to see them as it is no long special and only destroys my train of thought. Will Zwift do this or will they continue to alienate their veteran users?
As zwift groves older its nice with more levels, but not if you acieve them faster than before.
In favour for cleanout in garage!
I was level 48 then they changed the system. I had been going for level 50 for FIVE years. Because you know I ride outside way more than Zwift . And now 50 –> 100. Which would be fine except for, as you say, the n00bs will now be able to get level 100 much faster than me. And will all pass me easily.
I hit level 50 in like a couple of days after they made the change. After chasing it for five years I felt nothing because now it is nothing. As Syndrome said in The Incredibles, “If everyone is special, no one is”. At least I still get the fire socks. I’ll probably hit 100 in a year leveling up once per week
So I’m officially 66% on #2 and 33% on #3 and 1% just annoyed with that crappy level 50 jersey (it doesn’t even have a 50 on it)
Don’t forget about the need for a tattoo for the level 100 unlock. 😀
I am new to the Zwift world, but am glad that it is now easier to level up. I find it motivational.
I consider my to be primarily in the “#4 Miffed By Moving Goalposts” camp, but also agree with points #2, 3, and 5. I am a “seasonal Zwifter”, basically only using it regularly during the warmer months in the NE USA – once spring breaks and weeknight outdoor rides resume, I’ll only be on it during inclement weather, roughly a 6 month window depending on what kind of winter we have. That said, I don’t have any issues keeping myself motivated as there are plenty of things to do on Zwift. I’m an old-timer, having been on Zwift since 2017 and this is the second time I’ve been within 2-3 levels from the maximum that they have decided to change the level system to put it out of my reach during my indoors cycling season! It is frustrating, and I was willing to put in the extra effort to make level 60 – I had even started tracking my earned XP per session in a spreadsheet a few weeks before the change was implemented so I could see how long it would take for me to level up and come up with a plan to get to level 60 before spring arrives and I’m outdoors again. Having the challenge and the prestige by earning the 60K+change XP from the level 57 I was at upended was not fun. Once the change was announced I even used the data in my spreadsheet to figure out how long my accelerated leveling was going to last (FYI I am now good to level 99). Still, I think Zwift needs to revisit this issue again and come up with a permanent solution rather than the stopgap deal that’s been done two times already. I will state that the new level system is definitely more consistent and will be easier to track…and level up too – maybe I’ll get to 70 now – than the past systems where the XP to earn didn’t become predictable until you were in the top third of the maximum level.
I am unable to ride due to a knee injury from a recent vacation… this doesn’t bother me as I have been unable to ride for nearly two months now … still … it does annoy me that the bar to hit the higher levels and get the benefits of banked effort is being reduced as those of us already there are not getting anything extra for our harder efforts… why should folks who have not logged the time and effort in keep getting training wheels….
Two weeks ago I just hit level 50 at seemingly being at level 49 forever. In about six rides totaling about 7 hours or so I am at level 52. I thought wow I will level out at 60 in no time. Then I saw this article after I saw all the the locked levels for jerseys.
BTW can I get ride of some bikes for drops? 🙂
I feel this is revolution the zwift community has been waiting for. It will certainly provide my life with meaning and direction. I have been drifting like a ship without a rudder until now.
it’s too easy now!
I personally don’t like that the Aeroad got devalued. There is no reason to get it at all anymore. It is inferior to the Felt AR which as you said is available much sooner. With devaluing the Aeroad it also devalues the Zwift Academy as Aeroad paint jobs have been a cornerstone of academy rewards for years. All you will be getting is a paint job for a bike that you don’t see a point of buying. My preferred solution: swap the level requirements for the felt AR and the Aeroad in the drop shop.
The level’s are no big deal to me but I do believe the the tron bike should always be the fastest in game because you have to work so hard to get it only in TTS should anything be faster
I’m probably a 4. Some frame and wheel changes were ridiculous L6 to L40 or so for the DT Swiss 62 wheels for example.
Managed to get around it by logging on via a lesser used device a week or so later for my daughter, where the ugrade had not taken place!
Also bring the disc wheels and fastest TT bikes to lower levels when also making lower levels easier to achieve does not seem fair either.
Looking at the situation of someone else is tempting. However, I see it as my own journey of getting at the highest level. I started in 2019. Everytime I was very close to the highest level when Zwift added more levels. So what… More carrots to get.
Everyone has his/her own story in there Zwift-life. Hopefully everyone make the best story they can get.
I personally couldn’t care less about the changes. I quit riding Zwift 2 years ago due to the sheer boredom of riding through the same scenery over and over. Zwift needs to add many new maps or worlds before I get excited.
I think the old system was way too slow to level up. It was like you rode a race and a your level rose a hairs-width. Now it seems much easier to level up, but I’ll wait until I fully understand the changes and the implications before getting upset or happy
It is obvious that Zwift doesn’t give too much consideration to long-term users. It is all about making the new users happy and giving participation trophies. As others have mentioned, active users will level up every 2 days, there is no sense of achievement. Another annoyance is the quality of prizes, and how many generic socks and helmets does one need?
Level 100 should give you a Tron jersey or Helmet to match the bike, with no performance gain, just the jersey or helmet.
Also, at some point, most users have more drops than they can spend. To Zwift I ask what is the points of drop?
Eric Schlange is doing a great job. He is 4th and is moving up the ladder of my favorite Zwift Insider 🙂