Zwift’s October update included the first-ever in game frame from Colorado-based Moots: the Vamoots. This is actually the “Vamoots RCS” to be precise – see details on the IRL frame here.
Here’s how the Vamoots is described in the Zwift Drop Shop:
“A modern road bike that is more capable with higher volume tire accommodation and handling characteristics that will always leave you with the desire to go just a bit further. The Vamoots RCS (Routt County Special) is something Moots has been dreaming up over the years, making this the perfect match for rides with changing surfaces. The RCS comes with a new model specific fork that allows this bike to perform best with 32mm tires. Newly designed fast back seat stays, updated 3D printed dropouts, and Moots’ double butted RSL tubeset make this a formidable performer that will soon become your favorite road bike.”
Moots makes all their frames from titanium, and this the first-ever titanium frame in Zwift. Cyclists know that titanium is sort of a wonder material in the world of bike frames: lighter than steel, stronger than aluminum, with a luxurious ride feel. (For many years, before carbon frame technology had evolved sufficiently, titanium was the way to go if you could afford it.) Will it make your Zwift sessions more comfortable? Probably not. But will you be just slightly cooler than all those riders on carbon frames? Probably.
This Vamoots is priced at 852,000 Drops and level-locked at 15. It is rated 2 stars for aero and 2 for weight on Zwift, so we figured its performance wouldn’t be terribly impressive.
Of course, the only way to truly judge a frame’s performance in Zwift is to run it through some tests. So that’s just what we did! Here’s everything you need to know about the new Moots Vamoots frame in Zwift.
Aero (Flat/Rolling) Performance
The Vamoots turns in a rather slow time in our flat test, falling in between the Zwift Carbon and Zwift Safety’s times, placing itin the bottom 5% of all frames.
Its test time of 51:36.5 is just a half-second behind the Zwift Carbon, which is the default frame given to all Zwifters. By comparison, the fastest frame in Zwift (Cervelo S5 2020) turns in a time of 51:17.5 on our test course, which is two laps of Tempus Fugit, totaling 34.6km.
Climb Performance
Due to Zwift’s Dura-Ace 9200 bug (see “Still Not Fixed” note here), the Vamoots performs worse on climbs than it should. But even without the bug, the Vamoots is a poor climber! It currently ranks in the lower 4% for climbing.
Without the bug, the frame would climb around 19 seconds faster, which would only boost its percentile ranking up to around 5%.
The Vamoots turns in an Alpe climb time of 49:54. By comparison, the fastest climber in game (Specialized Aethos) completes the test is 48:50.
Note: all test results above are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady using Zwift’s stock 32mm carbon wheelset.
Conclusions
The new Moots Vamoots frame on Zwift performs quite poorly compared to the universe of available framesets. While Ti is super cool, you may want to avoid rocking this frame in Zwift races unless you’re willing to put out some extra watts to keep up with the pack.
The Vamoots’ numbers will be added to the following posts, and it can also be found on our Master Zwift Frames List:
Questions or Comments?
Share below!
I think a fairer question would be; how does this frame preform on gravel. After all that is the purpose of this frame I believe.
IRL this is a old fashioned road bike what they now call endurance. Not sure why you would think it is gravel anything. It predates the boutique gravel cottage industry.
Would be good to see whether Zwift have given it rolling resistance numbers mor ein line with gravel, I agree. IRL it’s designed around 32c tires, which should give it an edge on the pure road frames …
Rolling resistance is based on selected wheels, not frame. So the Moots has the same rolling resistance as other bikes that use road wheels. (Different from MTB or gravel wheels).
Will I be able to feel the smooth ride of the handcrafted titanium on the trainer?
Probably, Zwift is great like that. We experience slow gravel roads, cobblestones, ascents, draft etc, so why not the feel of titanium? To enhance the feel maybe one should listen to Sia Furler singing Titanium.
852,000 Drops the same as 2020 cervelo s5. Does it the same in real life?😅
Best thing about gravel bikes is your grandpa has one on his garage. It’s call a 1997 Rockhopper