A Power Meter Deep Dive with Special Guest 4iiii’s Scott Cooper – Ask a Cycling Coach 229
While many Zwifters use their smart trainers to detect power, many others own power meters which they use outdoors and on Zwift.
TrainerRoad’s lastest podcast episode is a good one for those interested in learning how these magical power meters really work. Featuring Scott Cooper, Product Manager at 4iiii, the short podcast focuses on the following:
What is inside a power meter?
How are power meters calibrated in the factory?
The difference between zero offset and calibration
Why is it hard to install a power meter on carbon?
How does temperature affect the zero offset of a power meter?
There are currently 100 rider levels in Zwift. Everyone begins at level 1, and you move to higher levels by accumulating XP (experience) points.
When riding, you can see your current level just below your center console which shows speed, distance, elevation, and ride time. Below those numbers there is a progress bar with your current level on the left:
When you level up you will receive a notice in-game:
Why Level Up?
The higher your level, the higher your Zwift street cred.
Also, most bike frames and wheelsets have level requirements, so if you want a fast or cool setup, you’ll want to level up:
You can see previews of some of the kits mentioned above on our kits page.
Different bikes and wheelsets do affect your speed in-game. See our speed charts for frames and wheels for details.
How Do I Get XP (Points)?
Most of your XP will be received based on distance ridden or workout blocks completed.
Points are added for every km (20 XP) or mile (32 XP) you ride unless you are in workout mode where points are based on interval type, length, and completion accuracy. (See How Zwift Calculates XP for Cycling Workouts for details.)
You also get additional XP for the Large or Small Bonus power-ups, 10 points when you ride through a banner on a TT bike, and points for some achievements including route achievement badges and the spinner atop Alpe du Zwift.
Where Do I See My XP?
While in game, click “Menu”. Your current XP progress is shown on the main screen.
Specialized Venge S-Works + DT Swiss Disc wheels. A super-fast setup, but you have to reach level 37 to unlock the frame, and level 39 for the wheels!
Accelerated Leveling
Because Zwift recently reconfigured how levels work while also adding levels 61-100, many Zwifters are on a personalized “accelerated leveling” plan. You don’t need to understand how it works – just ride and enjoy the level-ups! But if you want to get down and dirty, read more about it in this post.
Drops are Zwift’s virtual currency, used to purchase equipment for your garage. They are totally different than XP, and are earned in different ways. Learn all about how they work >
Certain portions of Watopia are level-locked, meaning you must be at a certain level as a Zwift rider in order to access them. (Learn about levels, XP, and unlocks here.)
Level-Locked Routes/Areas
The Mayan Jungle is locked at level 5+, and Alpe du Zwift is locked at level 6+.
Because these areas are level-locked, routes which access these areas are also level-locked:
Note: these level locks all make sense except for Dust in the Wind, which should be locked at 5+ since it accesses the Jungle but not the Alpe.
If you don’t meet the level requirement, you will be unable to select the routes above from the route picker menu. But there are still ways to ride these routes even if you don’t meet the level requirement!
“Ride With”: at the ride startup screen, you can select a rider who is on a restricted portion of the course and click “Ride With” to be placed in the game with that rider. This even works if the rider hasn’t yet entered the restricted portion of the course!
Meetup: a rider with access to the restricted route can create a Meetup to ride that route, and invite you to it. You have to be a follower of the Meetup organizer in order for this to happen. Learn more about Meetups >
A note about Meetups: there seems to be a bug in Meetups for certain routes. In our tests, if we chose “Road to Sky” or “Jungle Circuit” as the routes, our riders were placed at the correct spawn points but facing the wrong direction, taking us away from the restricted portions we wanted to test. And there are no u-turns in Meetups!
Some routes seem to work, though: Tour of Fire and Ice started us in the right direction. It just takes longer to get to the restricted Jungle/Alpe from there.
The Best Solution: Level Up!
Of course, the best solution is to just level up. Based on our calculations, it should take less than 8 hours of riding to reach level 6. So stop reading, and start riding!
The mountain bike is significantly slower on tarmac in comparison to road bikes, but the reverse is true on dirt. That leaves us with a few potentially winning strategies:
Ride a road bike, going hard at the start to drop anyone on a mountain bike so you have a significant lead going into the Jungle.
Ride a mountain bike, planning to close any gaps to the road bike riders once things get dirty.
Swap from a road to mountain bike when you hit the dirt, hoping that the time lost in making the bike switch is made up by increased bike speed.
A Brief History of Bike Switching in Zwift
Bike switching is a strategy which appeared in the early “Wild West” days of Zwift racing. Riders might switch to a climbing bike at the base of a long mountain, or a heavy, aero TT bike before a long descent.
Zwifters even began using macros to make the switches instantaneous and simple. Macros allow you to “record” a set of actions (such as mouse movements and clicks) on your computer, then “play” those actions easily. So instead of manually clicking through menus to change bikes, savvy Zwifters could hit a macro shortcut and instantly be on a new bike without ever slowing down.
Zwift put a stop to this eventually by requiring your avatar to stop moving before switching a bike frame or wheelset. (Fair play, since this is how things work in the real world.) This change effectively ended bike switching in Zwift races, because very few race situations existed in which the benefit of a bike swap was worth the time penalty.
How to Switch Quickly
Today, a bike switch can easily be done in 12-15 seconds if you’re a PC, Mac, or tablet user. It involves these simple steps:
Stop pedaling
Hit “A” to bring up the pairing screen, which also applies the brakes on your rider
As your rider slows to a stop, hit “OK” to close the pairing screen, and hit “T” to bring up your garage
Select your bike, then start pedaling
Hit OK to return to the game
If you aren’t a computer, you can perform similar steps by clicking “Menu” first, then accessing the pairing screen and garage from the menu. It’s a bit slower, but not much.
Here’s a demonstration video showing what this looks like. We recorded two riders chugging along at 300 watts (4 w/kg), so you can see what sort of time gap may be created if you are in a race pack and decide to switch bikes. It appears that time gap will be approximately 20 seconds, but this will vary depending on the speeds everyone is traveling when the switch happens. (Slower is better!)
Note: while a macro program could be used to make this process a bit faster, we did the switch above manually.
Have You Tried It?
Have you tried the bike swap strategy yet in a Zwift race or group ride? How did it work out?
Post World Championship Catch Up (Zwift PowerUp Cycling Podcast #37)
As business returns to normal after the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire, Matt Rowe, Greg Henderson, and Kristin Armstrong go over a crazy week of podcasting and cycling action.
Just because the big week is over doesn’t mean this episode is any less packed! We chat about the juniors who truly stood out as well as how Mathieu van der Poel could have learned from Greg’s own experiences with bonking (detailed in the Alex Dowsett episode).
Also: Greg gets fired up about one particularly controversial moment in Yorkshire, and Kristin discusses having to follow Chloe Dygert’s explosive TT win from the other side of the world.
Kona Recap Special, Part 2 (Zwift PowerUp Tri Podcast)
Kona is done and dusted, so Jordan, Matt, and Tim get back together to go over what was an epic race. The race had some big surprises throughout the day, and the titles ended up with the two Germans, Jan Frodeno and Anne Haug.
We sit down to see whose predictions did the best, and we also talk to two Zwift Academy athletes about their successful Kona experiences.
About the Podcast:
The Zwift PowerUp Tri Podcast is hosted by former pro triathletes Matt Lieto and Jordan Rapp, lending their in-depth knowledge of the multisport to the Zwift Tri audience.
Team DIRT has announced a new community race series designed to let Zwifters experience the challenges and teamwork of stage racing, with pro peloton-style scoring and two individual time trial stages.
Taking a cue from pro tours, 9 Stages of DIRT includes 3 competitions which run alongside each individual race for the duration of the series:
Team-Based General Classification: for each stage, the time of the best-placed rider counts as the time of the team. Team with the lowest accumulated time for the 9 races wins. You can compete as a 1-racer-team if you wish, but working together as a real team makes you more competitive on every terrain and every situation.
Individual Points Competition: each intermediate sprint banner (except lead-ins) gives points for the top 10 riders. Each flat stage finish gives points for the top 10 riders.
Individual King of Mountain Competition: Each KOM banner and uphill stage finish gives points for the top riders similar to pro cycling KOM competitions.
Here are detailed charts outlining the Points and KOM classifications:
Racers must select a category, and each category group gets its own start time. Standard Zwift race categories are used, except this stage race includes an “E” category for elite and long-distance racers!
A: 4-4.59 w/kg
B: 3.2-3.9 w/kg
C: 2.5-3.1 w/kg
D: 1-2.4 w/kg
E: any w/kg
While everyone will race the same routes (listed above), race length is based on category. See table below for details:
Race routes and lengths
More about DIRT
To learn more about DIRT (Dads Inside Riding Trainers), check the following links:
The story of Cam Jeffers being disqualified and sanctioned has garnered a lot of attention in Zwift and the cycling community at large. And that’s not surprising: it’s the first time a governing body has sanctioned a rider for actions in Zwift, and it’s a hefty penalty which includes restriction from outdoor racing as well.
The controversy centers around the Tron bike which was obtained “illegally” by Jeffers using an ANT+ emulator. Jeffers then used that virtual bike in the British Cycling eRacing Championships, going on to win first place.
While no one disagrees that Jeffers’ use of an emulator is cheating, many are asking: what kind of advantage did the Tron bike give Jeffers? Or more to the point: did Jeffers win because of his unfairly-obtained Tron bike, or did he win because he was the most capable rider on the day?
A Short History of Fast Zwift Bikes
Before Zwift’s release of the Drop Shop in early 2019, the Tron bike was the undisputed king of Zwift racing. It wasn’t quite the fastest climber, but it was near the top, and significantly faster than other available road bike setups on flat roads and descents.
So the Tron bike developed a deserved reputation for being the best race bike.
But when the Drop Shop arrived, Zwift modified weight and aero values for frames and wheelsets and released several new frames and wheelsets. The Tron got heavier, making it a poor choice for long climbs. And today, at least three frames are as fast or faster than the Tron bike on flat or mixed courses when coupled with one of the disc wheelsets. Those fast frames are:
Specialized Venge S-Works
Cervelo S5
Felt AR
Tested Time Gaps
The final race of the BC eRacing Championship was over two laps of Watopia Hilly Reverse. Here are our test lap times for actual bike setups used in the BC races, run at 300 watts steady (4 w/kg) for two laps:
Tron (ridden by Ian Bibby and Cam Jeffers): 28:30
Canyon Aeroad with 808/Disc (ridden by James Phillips, now the winner of the race): 28:32
Cervelo S5 808s (ridden by Zwift veteran Kim Little, 3rd place in the final race): 28:36
Zwift Aero with 808s (ridden by other members of Madison Genesis): 28:36
Oddly enough, no riders used the Zipp 858/Super9 wheelset, which is the fastest wheelset in game for flat/mixed courses. We did a test run with the speedy S-Works Venge running the 858/Super9 wheelset, and its 2-lap time was 28:24!
TT vs Peloton Times
It’s worth discussing the difference between lap times turned in by our solo rider test results, and the times you’ll see in an actual Zwift road race. Because they are very different beasts.
While our test times give you a pure look at which setups are fastest, there are much, much bigger factors determining who wins a Zwift race. Factors like:
Here’s one example of how course knowledge and powerup assignments factor into races: in a recent race on the new Yorkshire course, I was in a chasing group which had been consistently 10-15 seconds behind the lead group for miles. But in one well-timed 45-second push, I was able to pull my group back to the lead bunch.
How did I do it? A well-timed aero powerup as we hit the twisty Pot Bank descent, then keeping the power up when we hit the slight incline afterward.
I could have put out that same power anywhere else on course with little effect. But I knew the course, had a useful powerup, and went hard at the right time. And I wasn’t even riding the Tron bike!
Conclusion: riding a virtual bike that tests a few seconds slower or faster than the competition makes no noticeable difference in a typical draft-enabled Zwift race.
Why Jeffers Won
It’s clear from the times above that, while the Tron bike didn’t hurt Jeffers at all, it’s also not the reason he won. He knew the race courses, had good legs, and rode smart.
Opinion: Race Equipment Standardization
As a result of “Jeffersgate” I’ve seen many calls for standardized equipment in these big races: that is, make every rider use the same virtual bike and wheels so there is no advantage based on equipment.
While I understand where those calls are coming from, I can’t help but think that, if eRacing is going to be its own discipline, it needs to reward those who embrace it.
If a rider doesn’t want to put in the effort to unlock a faster bike, or even understand which bikes are faster, they need to realize they’ll have a slight disadvantage compared to those who have worked to unlock faster bikes and understand the game.
This is analogous to what happens in outdoor racing: riders who invest more time and money into their equipment rightly expect to gain some advantage over those who invest less. It’s how cycling (and sports, and life) work!
And it’s just one more way Zwift is trying to ensure that race results aren’t all about power. If racing on Zwift is going to be interesting to viewers it must include elements of strategy, even randomness (Lightweight Meilenstein wheels, anyone?), as well as pure athleticism.
Share Your Thoughts
I’ve shared the test results and given my opinion. Now it’s your turn!
Ah, the supertuck. You’ve seen the pros do it (before it was outlawed by the UCI), and you’ve probably been advised against doing it yourself.
For those unfamiliar, this very aero tuck involves sitting on the top tube and lowering your shoulders/chest onto the bars (or close to it) by bending your arms as far as they will go while holding onto the drops. It’s a fast position, but also difficult to pedal in (although Chris Froome pulled it off in glorious fashion at the 2016 TdF). It’s also a dangerous position because of how it affects your bike handling.
The good news is, you can supertuck in Zwift, risk-free! Here’s how it works.
Getting Into a Zwift Supertuck
To supertuck in Zwift four conditions must be met:
You must be traveling at least ~36MPH (~58km/hr)
The gradient’s decline must be at least -3%
Your power output must be below 11 watts
You must be out of the draft and not riding in a pack (safety first!)
Zwift will automatically place you in the supertuck if all these conditions are true. You come back out of the supertuck once any of these conditions is not met – for example, if the road flattens out to a 2% decline.
How Fast Is It?
Specific numbers are hard to come by since the supertuck behaves differently in races than free rides. But in our experience, coasting in the supertuck will let you hang with a pack that is putting out 2.5-3.5 w/kg. Of course, this varies based on rider weight, how many in the group are putting out power, steepness of decline, and other variables.
While it is possible for riders to attack on a descent and drop supertuckers, you don’t see that very often in Zwift races.
Supertuck whenever you can! Thanks to Zwift’s Pack Dynamics 4.0, you can only supertuck when riding out in the wind. If that’s you (perhaps attacking in a race, or trying to bridge up to the group) use the supertuck to your advantage.
TT, MTB, and Workout Exception
You cannot supertuck if you are riding a TT or MTB frame. Because that’s just silly!
Also, no supertucking in workouts. Even if you’re in a free ride block descending Alpe du Zwift.
Conclusion
The supertuck does not make you superfast–but it can allow for short periods of rest which are helpful in race situations. So use it wisely, but keep your eyes open and don’t get dropped while you’re resting!
Zwift Academy 2019 has entered its next phase with men’s and women’s semi-finalists being selected. Ten men and ten women will complete a mix of indoor workouts on the Tacx Neo 2 and outdoor workouts–an important step in the validation process.
Three finalists will then be chosen from each group to travel to the Zwift Academy Finals in Spain for a week-long camp to ride and complete structured drills to win a professional contract. One man and one woman will be chosen for a pro contract for the 2020 cycling season.
Here’s a little more about our semi-finalists…
Men’s Semi-Finalists
Drew Christensen (New Zealand): an experienced cyclist, Drew’s 5-minute power of 6.55 w/kg is impressive and shows he’s able to take on punchy climbs. ZwiftPower Profile
Drake Deuel (USA): an elite-level rower who recently moved to bike racing, Drake’s 5.72 w/kg 20-minute power impressive. ZwiftPower Profile
Kees Duyvesteyn (New Zealand): 2nd at New Zealand U23 National Road Race 2019 and took 3rd in the Time Trial, Kees has the real-world results to back up his Zwift performance. ProCyclingStats Profile
Luuk van Gestel (Netherlands): rode for the U19 national team last year, and has 10 years of racing experience on cross, gravel, and road. ProCyclingStats Profile
Brad Gouveris (South Africa): the most experienced Zwift racer of the group, Brad was a ZA semi-finalist last year as well. His 1-minute power of 9.96 w/kg makes him a powerful puncheur. He’s won multiple titles in track cycling, as well as this year’s KISS Super League Grand Finale race. ZwiftPower Profile
Filip Kvasina (Croatia): 2nd place in this year’s national U23 ITT, Filip is definitely a powerful rider. ProCyclingStats Profile
Mathijs Loman (Netherlands): one of the less-experienced of the bunch, Mathijs is going to have to prove himself in the coming weeks. ProCyclingStats Profile
Campbell Pithie (New Zealand): with outdoor titles on the road and track and a strong power profile, Campbell is an aggressive rider with big aspirations. ZwiftPower Profile
Rhys Robotham (Australia): an outdoor racer who finishes in the front pack consistently. ProCyclingStats Profile
Ryan Rudderham (Canada): solid 20-minute power and a strong mind to back up his legs. ZwiftPower Profile
Olivia Baril (Canada): a former competitive swimmer, Olivia took this year’s U23 National titles in both the time trial and road race. ProCyclingStats Profile
Catherine Colyn (South Africa): 2018 U23 National road race winner, Catherine is a strong climber with solid race intuition. ZwiftPower Profile
Imogen Cotter (Ireland): a former runner with national titles, Imogen has competed in track cycling and won 2nd at Irish Road Nationals. ZwiftPower Profile
Nathalie Eklund (Sweden): a ZA semi-finalist in 2018, Nathalie has stood on two Swedish National Podiums, is an Ironman Champion, and certainly is out to prove she’s worthy of a spot in the finals. ZwiftPower Profile
Veronica Ewers (USA): though not a very experienced cyclist, Veronica has the power numbers to be successful in the game. Road-Results.com Profile
Emily Gass (USA): a former competitive rower, Emily has the cardio engine to put down big efforts on long climbs. Road-Results.com Profile
Ione Johnson (New Zealand): a finalist in last year’s Zwift Academy, Ione is obviously a strong rider who knows how to compete at the top. ZwiftPower Profile
Mary Kate McCarthy (New Zealand): with more ZwiftPower races under her belt than almost any other semi-finalist, Mary Kate has the experience to perform well indoors. ZwiftPower Profile
Jessica Pratt (Australia): U19 National road race winner, Jessica has done a fair amount of outdoor racing including a 2017 European tour with an Australian development team. ProCyclingStats Profile
Samara Sheppard (New Zealand): a multi-time National and Oceania MTB champion with more plenty of Zwift races under her belt, Samara’s power profile show she’s a force to be reckoned with. ZwiftPower Profile ProCyclingStats Profile
