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Zwiftalizer 1.0 released: Zwift logfile analyzer and benchmark database

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Zwiftalizer 1.0 released: Zwift logfile analyzer and benchmark database

After over a year of development Michael Hanney has released the official 1.0 version of Zwiftalizer, a web-based tool for analyzing Zwift logfiles.

The final product is very solid and polished. Recent changes including using https for security sitewide, plus site mirroring for reliability and sub 1-second load times.

Zwift Logfile Analysis

Zwiftalizer’s primary function is analyze your Zwift logs so you can understand your system’s performance in terms of:

  • Graphics (frames per second + resolution and other settings)
  • ANT+ signal quality and power numbers
  • Bluetooth signal quality and power numbers
  • Network errors/delays
  • Overall system rating (scale of 1-10)

Give it a try by visiting Zwiftalizer.com and dragging a Zwift log file onto the page.

Zwift records logs which are stored under Documents\Zwift\Logs on your system. Zwiftalizer simply digs into that file’s data and presents it in a useful way so you can quickly evaluate your system’s performance.

A note from Michael Hanney re: security: in case anyone is worried about posting their personal information (username is in the log), they can rest assured, the log file does not actually leave their computer. All the processing is done client side.

Zwiftalizer analysis results let you see exactly how well your system is performing.

Benchmarks Database

The results of each log analysis (just the results, not the log files themselves) are stored in Zwiftalizer’s Benchmarks database, allowing other Zwifters to see what level of performance particular system setups deliver.

With over 1,600 distinct systems ranked from 7,000 log files it is possible to get a very thorough picture of how hardware relates to Zwift performance. For instance, one question Zwifters often ask is “How much video card do I need?” Using Zwiftalizer’s Benchmarks, you can compare these two systems:

  • PC / Intel Core i7-6700 @ 3.40GHz / Nvidia GeForce GTX 970/PCIe/SSE2
  • PC / Intel Core i7-6700 @ 3.40GHz / Nvidia GeForce GTX 960/PCIe/SSE2

and see that the GTC 970 delivers, on average, 100fps (frames per second) while the GTX 960 delivers 69.5. (Both of these systems, by the way, deliver impressive Zwift performance!)

Zwiftalizer’s Benchmarks database contains the results of thousands of Zwift sessions across hundreds of different hardware setups.

More Zwiftalizer Stats

Here are some stats from Michael that give us further insight into Zwiftalizer usage:

  • 20,000 logs examined
  • 9,924 unique users
  • 87 countries
  • 55% use Chrome browser
  • 58% use Windows OS
  • 18% use Macintosh OS
  • 25% use a 1920×1080 (HD) display
  • Over 1,600 distinct systems ranked from 7,000 log files
  • Roughly 9% use Ultra graphics
  • Roughly 50% use Basic graphics
  • Running the site costs $1.50 a month

Which Zwift Bike Climbs Fastest?

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Which Zwift Bike Climbs Fastest?

UPDATE: after this post the Alpe du Zwift was released, which gave us a much longer climb for better testing. It also gave us the Meilenstein Lightweight wheels! See the more conclusive results of those tests.


Our speed tests have shown the TT bike to be faster than any other bike on Zwift. But the TT bike isn’t the lightest bike, only the most aerodynamic. Because of this, some of the lighter bikes actually beat the TT on longer climbs.

Here are the climb times up Watopia’s Epic KOM as well as the steep radio tower climb.

Epic KOM Forward (Strava segment)

TT with Zipp 808 @ 450 watts: 17:37
Cervelo S5 with 808 @ 450 watts: 17:40
Concept Z1 (Tron) @ 450 watts: 17:40
Trek Emonda with Meilenstein Lightweight @ 300 watts: 23:33
Cervelo S5 with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:34
Concept Z1 (Tron) @ 300 watts: 23:34
Trek Emonda with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:38
TT with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:39
Trek Madone with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:39
Canyon Aeroad with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:41
Trek Emonda with Zipp 202 @ 300 watts: 23:44
TT with Zipp 202 @ 300 watts: 23:44
Zwift Aero with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 23:45
Cervelo with Zipp 808 @ 150 watts: 41:41
TT with Zipp 808 @ 150 watts: 42:18

Climb to Tower (Strava Segment)

Cervelo S5 with Zipp 808 @ 450 watts: 4:33
Concept Z1 (Tron) @ 450 watts: 4:33
TT with Zipp 808 @ 450 watts: 4:38
Trek Emonda with Meilenstein Lightweight @ 300 watts: 6:33
Cervelo S5 with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:37
Concept Z1 (Tron) @ 300 watts: 6:38
Trek Emonda with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:38
Trek Emonda with Zipp 202 @ 300 watts: 6:38
Trek Madone with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:39
Canyon Aeroad with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:40
Zwift Aero with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:42
TT with Zipp 202 @ 300 watts: 6:44
TT with Zipp 808 @ 300 watts: 6:45
Cervelo with Zipp 808 @ 150 watts: 12:51
TT with Zipp 808 @ 150 watts: 13:09

Observations:

  • More watts=more speed=more impact from aerodynamics. The TT bike is slower than the Cervelo S5 at 300 watts, but faster at 450 watts. This is because the impact of aerodynamics increases as you go faster.
  • Since the TT bike performs much better when descending, over a full loop course it is still the fastest bike. The TT bike descends the backside of the Epic KOM in 5:10, while the Cervelo S5 does it in 5:30.
  • The very best climbing setup is the Specialized Tarmac Pro combined with Meilenstein Lightweight wheels (which are only available with a bit of luck after you climb the Alpe). Read more about that in Fastest Bike Frame and Wheelset for Climbing Alpe du Zwift.

Notes:

  • All tests were performed with a 75kg, 183cm (6′) rider unless otherwise noted.

Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike's performance relative to others may also change. We don't always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.


Watopia “Volcano Flat” route details

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Watopia “Volcano Flat” route details

Watopia’s “Volcano Flat” route is similar to the “Flat Route” except it turns at the Italian Village, bypassing the Esses and taking you around half of the volcano circuit clockwise.

Route details:
Distance: 12.3km (7.7 miles)
Elevation Gain: 46m (151′)
Strava Forward Segment (from Start Banner) Strava Forward Segment (from Start Pier)Strava Reverse Segment (from Start Banner)


Watopia “Volcano Circuit CCW” Route Details

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Watopia “Volcano Circuit CCW” Route Details

Watopia’s “Volcano Circuit CCW” route is nearly identical to the “Volcano Circuit” route, except you travel in a counter-clockwise direction on the circuit. To get to the circuit you must first ride ~2.6km from the spawn point, travelling through a glass bridge to arrive at the volcano.

Once you arrive you will continue to be routed around the 4km circuit in a counter-clockwise direction. A lap counter visible just after the circuit banner indicates the number of laps you have completed.

Route details:
Distance (circuit only): 4.1km (2.6 miles)
Elevation Gain (circuit only): 17m (56′)
Strava Segment (1 Circuit Lap) Strava Segment (Leadin from Start Banner)


Watopia “Volcano Circuit” route details

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Watopia’s “Volcano Circuit” route takes you around and through the volcanic island in a clockwise direction. To get to the circuit you must first ride ~2.6km from the spawn point, traveling through a glass bridge to arrive at the volcano. Once you arrive you will continue to be routed around the 4km circuit. A lap counter visible just after the circuit banner indicates the number of laps you have completed.

Route details: Distance (circuit only): 4km (2.5 miles) Elevation Gain (circuit only): 17m (56′) Strava Segment (1 Circuit Lap) Strava Segment (Leadin from Start Banner) Strava Segment (from Start Banner plus 1 Circuit Lap)

How to: enable running on Zwift for PC/Mac

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How to: enable running on Zwift for PC/Mac

Zwift’s latest version, released late yesterday, includes unofficial support for running on PC and Mac platforms. It is important to note that this is not an officially supported feature, since it is still pre-beta and available only as an Easter Egg for those who know where to find it. From Game Master Jon Mayfield:

PC/Mac update is live, and it may support running via Garmin Footpods or Bluetooth footpods. I can say we spent literally 0 time testing it at Zwift, but it’s there to try.

Also, in the new version for iOS which is now out you can use the Wahoo ANT dongle to run with a Garmin footpod.

Finally, there’s something in the update for the female runners.

It has been available on Zwift iOS for a while, but this is the first time Zwifters can truly use Zwift running on their PC or Mac. With a Zwift Runners group forming on Facebook and runners seen on course regularly, our guess is Zwift running will be officially released within the next few months.

Getting Started

Want to start running on Zwift? All you need is a treadmill and a sensor which outputs running pace (typically a foot pod).

Pace Sensors

I have tested Zwift running using Stryd (review coming soon) and Milestone footpods and both work fine. Any Bluetooth or ANT+ foodpod should work. Some runners are using Wahoo’s “Gym Connect” module which can plug into certain treadmills and broadcast pace metrics, and there are many other footpods (by Polar, etc) which can also be used.

Getting Into Running Mode on Zwift for PC/Mac

Zwift Running is still only available as an “Easter Egg” feature–that is, it is not an officially supported feature, and is only accessible by clicking on a certain part of the pairing screen. You’ll know you’ve clicked in the right place when the top-left pairing box changes to show a runner on a treadmill, as seen below.

Once you’ve switched to running mode, click the guy on the treadmill and Zwift will search for a pace signal. Here it has found mine:

Once you’re all paired up, just choose your course and you’re off and running!


Watopia Volcano expansion released

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Watopia Volcano expansion released

Zwift has just been updated with a new a series of Watopian roads based around an active volcanic island. The expansion consists of a loop (4.1km, 2.6 miles) around and through the volcano, with connecting roads to the south (a dirt road at the Italian Village) and east (a new ocean tunnel which can be found just before the final tunnel on your way to the start/finish banner).

As anticipated, the new volcano circuit course is flat and short, making it perfect for criterium-style races.

New Route Details

Three new route options have been added in-game which utilize the new roads. Here are their descriptions:

  • Volcano Circuit: immediate u-turn from start, right to new ocean tunnel, left to go around volcano circuit clockwise indefinitely. Route Details >
  • Volcano Circuit CCW: immediate u-turn from start, right to new ocean tunnel, right to go around volcano counter-clockwise indefinitely. Route Details >
  • Volcano Flat: similar to current Flat Route except you hang a left at the Italian Village and ride around the northern leg of the volcano circuit clockwise then back out through the ocean tunnel and onto the main road and the start/finish banner. Route Details >

Photo Gallery

Here’s a gallery of shots taken on the new routes. (Please excuse the low resolutions, as these were taken on an iPhone since the expansion was released on iOS before it came to Mac/PC.)

Volcano Circuit Elevation


Zwiftcast Episode 19

Zwiftcast Episode 19

Episode 19 of Zwiftcast has been released. Here’s the full episode description:


Simon, Shane and Nathan are back with all the latest eruptions from the land of Zwift. The trio vow NOT to talk about the imminent release of the Volcano Route, on the basis it’s bound to be released hours after the podcast is published, just like the unfortunate timing of the iOS version of the game and the podcast!

But the boys do chat about whether iOS is responsible for the upsurge in Lady Zwifters, a trend confirmed by CEO Eric Min and illustrated with an interview with new Lady Zwifter, Angela Prescott.

In other Zwifty news, Simon, Shane and Nathan try to put the GCN outage into perspective; discuss the brilliant Zwift Community Live project and wonder if the relative absence of new developments in the game is an inevitable consequence of the platform’s rapid growth in subscriber numbers.

Coach David Lipscomb provides an FTP 101, with some invaluable advice on how to get the best from the test that many new Zwifters undertake. Shane and Nathan have some other views…

Frank Garcia, from Team X, introduces another superb community initiative – the Zwift Virtual Rankings. Followed up with a discussion on the now notorious #PowerUpsAreForPussies suggestion.

The biggest decision many Zwifters have to make on trainer choice is wheel-off, or wheel-on. Experienced Zwifter Paul Stokes goes from wheel on to wheel off and provides a thoughtful assessment on whether the extra expenditure is worth it. Finally, the Zwiftcast trio discuss what Apple TV might mean for Zwifters.


Zwift iOS version 1.0.16111 released

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Zwift iOS version 1.0.16111 released

ZwiftHQ has just released a major update to the Zwift iOS app, which includes:

  • The new Watopia Volcano Expansion
  • Audio over Airplay is now working
  • Issues with speed sensors through 4iiii strap resolved
  • Power/speed/cadence/HR ANT+ support using Wahoo dongle. (You cannot control your trainer via ANT+, but Zwift can receive ANT+ data through the dongle.)
  • Basic support to read HR from Apple Watch
  • App stability improved, various bug fixes


Zwift version 1.0.16133 released

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Zwift version 1.0.16133 released

ZwiftHQ pushed out a major update today. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Watopia’s Volcano Expansion is now live
  • 3 new achievements added (for completing 5, 10, and 25 laps of the new volcano circuit)
  • Select of 30+ GCN workouts added
  • Event improvements made to make ride leaders more visible
  • Running mode enabled on PC/Mac versions

Zwift iOS also received an update… you can read those notes here.

Read the full release notes from Game Master Jon Mayfield >

The volcano has arrived!