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Zwift Update 1.0.32190 Released

Eric Schlange
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Zwift Update 1.0.32190 Released

Zwift Update 1.0.32190 Released

A major Zwift update was released early this morning, bringing us up to version 1.0.32190 on PC. Here’s a rundown of the highlights of this latest release.

Levels 26-50

This is the biggest news in today’s update, since many Zwifters have been stuck at level 25 for a while. Read this post for a complete rundown of the new levels and an explanation of how “accelerated leveling” works for those who have accumulated XP points beyond level 25.

Save Screen Enhancements

When saving your ride you may now select which photos to save on Zwift servers (and thus 3rd parties like Strava and MapMyRide). I like this change, because I often try to snap cool Zwift shots, but it’s an added hassle to log in and upload just the ones I want to Strava. This will let me do it all at once.

In my tests, the photos haven’t been consistently showing up for me to pick at the end of the ride, but I’m sure Zwift is working on this minor bug.

The new save screen also lets you pick the Zwift Companion app privacy level for your activity. Choose between “Public” (default), Followers, or Private. It is worth noting that 3rd parties such as Strava, Garmin, and MapMyRide each have their own privacy settings which are unaffected by this Zwift activity feed setting.

Running Footpod Calibration

On the heels of Zwift’s RunPod release, they’ve improved the calibration process for footpods, using a 3-speed calibration to improve accuracy.

Windows Bluetooth Beta Access

In the first step towards rolling out Bluetooth support for Windows users, Zwift has released limited Bluetooth support as a beta feature. Your machine must be running Windows 10 and include Bluetooth 4. This release supports power data, speed, cadence, and heart rate. It does NOT include control of smart trainers–to do that you will still need to use ANT+ or Bluetooth via Zwift Companion.

To access the Bluetooth beta features click the gear at the top-right of the pairing screen and choose the beta option.

As this is a beta feature, Jon Mayfield recommends we DO NOT USE it for important races or rides. It is here for us to test and provide feedback via the forums.

Additional minor changes were also included in this update. Read and comment on the full release notes >

Zwift Levels 26-50: Requirements, Unlocks and Accelerated Leveling

Eric Schlange
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Zwift Levels 26-50: Requirements, Unlocks and Accelerated Leveling

Zwift Levels 26-50: Requirements, Unlocks and Accelerated Leveling

Level 25 Zwifters, rejoice! Zwift has just released an update which includes an expansion to level 50. Here are the details…

Level 26-50 Unlocks

Unlocks for these new levels are “soft” unlocks–that is, no bikes or wheels. Instead, you will get jerseys, socks, shoes, helmets, glasses, etc. (See XP Points, Levels and Unlocks for a complete list of unlocks.) Zwift chose to go with these soft unlocks because the Virtual Store is launching soon, and this is where bikes and wheels will be purchased using Zwift’s virtual “Dropz” currency.

Since the question arises whenever virtual currency is mentioned, it’s worth stating that Zwift has denied any plans to let players spend real money to purchase virtual items. Zwift doesn’t have any interest in letting people pay real money to purchase upgraded virtual equipment–what you get in game you must earn in game.

Level Requirements

The level 50 requirement is 500,000 XP, while level 25 is 110,000. That’s a significant jump, but not big enough to encompass everyone: a small number of top Zwifters will already meet the level 50 requirement. In fact, top XP earner Tim “Bacon” Searle’s 100,000+ kilometers put him very close to where Zwift has said their level 100 cap will be!

Visit the updated XP Points, Levels and Unlocks post to find XP requirements for each level.

Accelerated Leveling

Many Zwifters have reached level 25 and continue to accumulate XP without moving to the next level. With this expansion, Zwift had to figure out how to handle “leveling up” these riders. Obviously, we should get credit for the XP we’ve accumulated. But should we simply blow through all the levels and unlocks the next time we hop on Zwift? That would dull the satisfaction of achieving each level.

Zwift’s solution is to allow Zwifters to do accelerated leveling up to the level their XP would have taken them. Accelerated leveling means you still have to work to reach level 26 and above, but you will get there 8x faster. When you choose the “Bring on the Levels” option (see screenshot below) your XP is reset to 110,000 (level 25), but each km you ride nets you 160 XP and each mile 240 XP instead of 20/30 respectively. All other XP rewards are multiplied by 8x as well. Accelerated leveling stays in place until you reach whatever level your XP would have taken you before this update.

My Personal Example: I had 350,805 XP before this update, which qualifies me for level 42. Moving from level 25 (110,000 XP) to 42 (340,000 XP) requires earning 230,000 XP, but since I opted to “Bring on the Levels” (accelerated leveling) my miles will get me there 8x faster. By my calculations, I can get to level 42 with about three weeks of riding at my current pace. Here’s what my menu screen shows:

Before the update, showing my accumulated XP
After the updated, showing my XP reset to level 25

Riders can opt out of acceleration if they prefer working through each level at the normal pace. That’s a pretty hardcore option, and there’s no way to change it once you’ve done it!

Level 25 Zwifters, I’m curious: which option did you choose? Share below!

Zwift Shop Re-Launched with Trainers, Clothing and More

Eric Schlange
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Zwift Shop Re-Launched with Trainers, Clothing and More

Zwift Shop Re-Launched with Trainers, Clothing and More

Early last week Zwift quietly re-launched its online store at (zwift.com/shop) just in time for post-Thanksgiving shopping. Zwifters have been clamoring for an upgraded store for months due to Zwift’s original shop suffering from slim product selection and inventory stockouts.

The new shop features a wide range of smart trainers (with financing available) plus a small selection of Zwift-branded clothing and key indoor such as ANT+ dongles and fans. Here’s a quick rundown of what Zwift’s new shop currently offers…

Smart Trainers

Zwift had formerly only sold CycleOps-brand smart trainers, which I assume was a sort of pilot program for this new shop and its larger selection of trainers. The shop now includes 12 top trainers models from Wahoo, Tacx, CycleOps, Elite, and Kinetic. It also includes this Schwinn Classic Cruiser which is far from a smart trainer, but certainly a fun spin.

Foot Pods

The only item in this part of Zwift’s new shop is the new Zwift RunPod, logically.

Cycling Kit

The new kit offerings from Zwift look great, although I haven’t received mine yet to try it out! There are two styles offered for men and women: a high-end, racefit “Breakaway” kit and the looser-fitting, lower-cost “Domestique”.

I’m a sucker for new cycling kit, and my old “skinny Z” kit is just plain worn out. So I took a close look at Zwift’s new offerings, doing a little sleuthing to decipher the make/model of each piece of kit. Here’s what I found:

While you’re picking up a kit consider some Zwift socks and a cycling cap as well.

Running

Zwift didn’t leave the runners out, offering a nice selection of tops as well as a hat and socks.

Other Clothes

If you’re just looking for a t-shirt or hoodie, Zwift has the hookup.

Accessories

Looking for key Zwifting accessories? The new shop stocks trainer accessories like the Wahoo Climb and Headwind, as well as a cassette for direct-drive trainers and ANT+ dongles and USB extensions.

The shop also stocks heart rate monitors, including the Powertap PowerCal which is a low-priced way to get some fairly accurate Zwifting in when you’re away from your home Zwift setup. Mysteriously Zwift is not stocking the wildly popular Wahoo Tickr, opting instead for the much more expensive Tacx HRM.

Need a Zwift bidon or a stand for your keyboard or iDevice? The shop has those, too.

A Word About Shipping

I’ve seen a lot of complaints from overseas Zwifters complaining of high shipping costs. Zwift has told me this initial shop rollout is targeted at North America and they will be rolling out more appealing shipping options for the EU and other areas once logistics details are finalized.

Zwift Coaching Podcast 20 – Sprinting

Eric Schlange
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Zwift Coaching Podcast 20 – Sprinting

Zwift Coaching Podcast 20 – Sprinting

Matt, Kev, and Greg share tips on sprinting–find out what type of training you want to focus on to improve that last kick of your race. Also discussed: which coach set a new trend for cycling kit in the pro peloton.

About the Podcast:

The Zwift PowerUp Cycling Podcast features training tips from host Matt Rowe (Rowe & King), with regular co-hosts Greg Henderson (Coach Hendy) and Kev Poulton (Powerhouse Cycling).

Ride On for World Bicycle Relief December 1st

Eric Schlange
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Ride On for World Bicycle Relief December 1st

Ride On for World Bicycle Relief December 1st

It’s going to be a busy day in Watopia tomorrow as thousands of riders don World Bicycle Relief kits, hop on buffalo bikes and ride in support of WBR!

The WBR Buffalo BikeThis is the 4th year Zwifters have pedaled to support WBR, and our community has already helped raise over $400,000 since 2015. What was a one-day Zwiftathon in past years has turned into a week-long challenge, but tomorrow (December 1st) will be the biggest day of the week with Zwift hosting hourly “Ride On for World Bicycle Relief” rides beginning at midnight with Jens Voigt.

Calendar of Events

Prizes

Everyone who registers on WBR’s event page will receive a virtual swag bag from WBR’s sponsors. You will also be eligible to win a CycleOps M2 Smart Trainer and other prizes!

Additional prizes are available for top fundraisers–see below.

Fundraising

The purpose of this event is to bring awareness to and raise funds for WBR. You can easily register to fundraise on WBR’s event page.

The top 10 fundraisers will have the opportunity to win a variety of incredible prizes donated by our sponsors!

Limited Edition Kit

Cuore of Switzerland is the exclusive apparel supplier for the 4th Annual Ride On for WBR 2018. Proceeds of the kit benefit WBR. Order by 12/16!

Purchase the limited edition kit here >

About World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief mobilizes people through The Power of Bicycles. They envision a world where distance is no longer a barrier to independence and livelihood.

Learn more at worldbicyclerelief.org >

This Week’s Top 5 Zwift Videos

Thomas Eichentopf
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This Week’s Top 5 Zwift Videos

This Week’s Top 5 Zwift Videos

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LAMA LIVE: Von’s Zwift Tron Bike Unlock Ride!

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We don’t often feature full ride videos, but this one is different. The wife of Shane Miller, one of Zwift’s most well-known community members, was out on a special ride. She finally got her Trone bike. I’m a bit jealous. I also got a smile from the entertaining hosting of Von and Shane.

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Using Strava & Zwift For Training

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Cycle Jockey makes his first visit in our video series. It’s a great video for self-coached athletes. He explains in detail how he uses the data from Zwift and Strava to structure this training. You don’t need to put the same focus on endurance training, but you definitely can learn from his analysis.

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How to Win the Green Jersey

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To be precise: in this video, you will not see one, but two successful attempts to win the green jersey. Albeit with a catch, but go figure that out. Entertaining short video of a couple on a mission.

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Can You Run Zwift in 4K on the New Mac Mini 2018?

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In recent hardware reviews we have focused on different trainers. We don’t want to forget the other side of the cable (or dongle). For instance, Apple got some new hardware out recently: the new Mac Mini. It might impress some as an interesting option. How does it work with Zwift?

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Unboxed! New Wahoo Kickr, Climb and Headwind – the Ultimate Cycling Pain Cave?

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After independent looks at the Wahoo’s Climb, Headwind, and the Kickr itself, road.cc brought them all together in one video. It’s not as in-depth on the individual products, but offers a nice holistic perspective of the Wahoo portfolio.

Zwift RunPod Now Available

Eric Schlange
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Zwift RunPod Now Available

Zwift RunPod Now Available

Last week Zwift launched its revamped shop, and hidden behind the beautiful new kits and piles of smart trainers is a small but hugely important piece of Zwift’s future universe: the new Zwift RunPod.

A Little Background…

The original Milestone pod (read our review) was very affordable at $24.95 and decently accurate for steady efforts, but the company seemed to suffer from inventory supply challenges and the pod wasn’t great at detecting sudden changes in pace.

Zwift acquired the team and assets of Milestone Sports back in June 2018. Since then the team which came over from Milestone has been hard at work with Jon Mayfield and other Zwift developers to implement hardware and software changes to make RunPod the solution for Zwift runners.

RunPod’s High (Strategic) Value

The new RunPod is rumored to have fixed pacing issues, providing accuracy on-par with much more expensive foot pods. Additionally, connectivity and calibration from within Zwift have been improved, making the whole experience simpler and more affordable for new Zwift runners.

From a strategic business standpoint, it’s clear RunPod is a key part of Zwift’s plans for the indoor running space.

While we haven’t had a chance to fully test the new RunPod yet, we do have one sitting here ready to go, so a review is forthcoming.

Buy Now

If you’re looking to get running on Zwift you can pick up a RunPod on Amazon or in the new Zwift shop. Only $29.99 with free US shipping from either store!

Top 3 Wireless Headphones for Zwift+Discord

Eric Schlange
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Top 3 Wireless Headphones for Zwift+Discord

Top 3 Wireless Headphones for Zwift+Discord

While we would never wear headphones riding outdoors, Zwifters can enjoy tunes or podcasts while we suffer. In fact, apart from getting your smart trainer and display sorted a quality audio setup is arguably the most important part of a truly delightful Zwift experience.

And it’s not just about the quality of what you hear: with more rides using Discord for voice chat a quality microphone is also essential.

In reality, just about any set of Bluetooth earbuds will “do the job.” But in our opinion, it’s worth investing a bit more to boost sound quality, longevity, and ease of use. Here are the top three wireless Bluetooth earbud solutions we recommend.

Share your experience with wireless earbuds on Zwift in the comments section!

Key Considerations

  1. Battery life/speed of charging: regular use will require weekly charging, so make sure it’s fast and easy. 
  2. Durability: these will be sweated in and tossed around your pain cave a bit. 
  3. Fit: ears are unique. If you can’t test first, buy a set with fit options.
  4. Sound quality: here you generally get what you pay for.
  5. Microphone quality: important for Discord and phone use.

Jaybird X3
(~$59USD)

Quality earbuds that won’t break the bank. Also the longest battery life of our top three selections. These are the headphones I most often recommend to Zwifters due to their high price/performance ratio.

Pro tip: if you want earbuds for swimming, check out the Jaybird X4’s which cost more but come with IPX7-rated water resistance (down to 1 meter for 30 minutes) and improved sound quality.

Buy on Amazon >

Bose SoundSport Free
(~$149USD)

Bose has always been a premium sound solution: never cheap, but always top-notch in terms of build and sound quality. These are truly wireless (no cord between the earbuds) and you can buy them in Zwifty orange!

Pro tip: if you want Bose quality with a cord between the earbuds and a bit more battery life, save $20 and buy the standard Bose SoundSports.

Buy on Amazon >

Apple AirPods
(~$155USD)

Like everything Apple, AirPods come at a premium price for a premium experience. Sound and microphone quality get consistently high reviews. The one downside? You aren’t able to customize the fit unless you purchase an accessory kit or buy the pricier AirPods Pro.

Pro tip: AirPods work on Android phones too.

Buy on Amazon >

You Might Be a Zwifter If… (Part 1)

Eric Schlange
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You Might Be a Zwifter If… (Part 1)

You Might Be a Zwifter If… (Part 1)

A while back we asked the Zwift Riders Facebook group, “What makes Zwifters special?” We received hundreds of responses… here is our first selection of 25 favorites:

  1. Pat O’Neill: Your Strava followers ask you if you are on vacation in Watopia, and when you will be back…
  2. Kenny Suh: You get your news from ZNN.
  3. Jon Hazen: One of your friends says “indoor miles don’t count”…
    And you’re no longer friends.
  4. Søren Andersen: Before sleep each night you think about which race or ride you will join when you wake up 🙏
  5. Daren Chandisingh: It’s freezing outside but you’ve got three fans going.
  6. Mark Minn: Your trainer cost more than your bike.
  7. Josh Baum: Your TV isn’t for watching TV.
  8. Mark Smith: You have three bikes and no mid thigh tan line.
  9. Niloc Forester: You dread the summer coming because you have no excuse to zwift.
  10. Dave Higgins: You’re familiar with both cycling definitions of ‘dropouts’.
  11. Mahmoud Shalaby: In the middle of a ride you discover that you forgot the jersey at home 😀
  12. Mike Smith: You are slightly disappointed the weather is nice out 🙈
  13. Steve Daniels: The maximum distance you cover when laying down 1000w is a couple of inches.
  14. Wesley Ooms: You miss the powerups when riding outside.
  15. Steven Crane: You jump off the bike and grab a sandwich when descending down the Alpe.
  16. Justin Fisher: You can descend hairpins at 50 Km/h.
  17. Tom Lockhart: You find yourself yelling “Ride On” during local shop rides.
  18. Damien Ryan: You are racing and it’s dark outside.
  19. Tom Lockhart: You hear the word “Neo” and the first thing you think of ISN’T the Matrix trilogy.
  20. Matthew Reschke: Your watts say race season, but the hair on your legs says off-season.
  21. Colin Peerman: You ride your bike for 3 hours and it has no wheels on it.
  22. Thomas Eichentopf: You visit Innsbruck, New York, Richmond, London, and the first thing you do is to check out the Zwift routes.
  23. Patrick G. Martinez: You’re disappointed your outside ride doesn’t count toward getting a Tron bike.
  24. Andrew Jones: You forget where your helmet is since you haven’t ridden outside in weeks.
  25. Katie Brady Pothier: You have fallen off your trainer at least once.

Thanks for sharing, everyone. We’ll share more in the coming weeks!

The Endurance Lab Coaches’ Corner 53

The Endurance Lab
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The Endurance Lab Coaches’ Corner 53

The Endurance Lab Coaches’ Corner 53

In this episode:

  • Progress and results from training are not linear
  • Measuring training progress
  • How nutrition can help with progress
  • Why taking a week off your typical training can be beneficial
  • Sample “maintenance” training week while away
  • Staying healthy – What’s in your medicine cabinet?

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