Zwift automatically changes your rider’s position on the bars between the hoods and drops based on two factors: drafting and speed. (Your rider’s posture and hand position will also change for out of the saddle efforts and the supertuck but those have been covered in other posts.)
Drafting
Zwift uses the visual cue of sitting up as a drafting indicator. Others around you may also be drafting, but Zwift only has your rider sit up (ride on the hoods), so you know you’re drafting. (Yes: what you see on Zwift is slightly different than what everyone else sees.)
In the screenshot below from Shane Miller you can see our avatar sitting up in the RoboPacer draft, while everyone is in the drops.
Speed
Removing drafting from the equation, your rider will sit up and ride on the hoods at slow solo speeds, then move to the drops at faster speeds, much like you might naturally do when riding outdoors.
When riding solo, you will begin on the hoods. As you speed up, when you hit 32-33kph your rider will move to the drops. If you are in the drops and begin to slow down, your rider will move to the hoods as you drop to 29-30kph.
Does Hand Position Affect Rider Speed?
Does changing from hoods to drops change your speed in game, like it does outdoors? That is, does it make your avatar less aerodynamic?
It does not. Rider posture is only used as a visual cue at this time.
The Tron Exception
One notable exception to the position “rules” above is the Tron bike, which only has one hand position and hence doesn’t show your avatar sitting up in the pack. For this reason, some racers prefer not to use the Tron bike, since there is no way to see your drafting status in game.
Conclusion
Your rider will only be in the drops when you are moving at least 32-33kph and not drafting. In all other situations (as long as you aren’t out of the saddle or in the supertuck) your rider will be on the hoods.
Questions or Comments?
Share below!
The Article states: Does changing from hoods to drops change your speed in game, like it does outdoors? That is, does it make your avatar less aerodynamic? It does not. Rider posture is only used as a visual cue at this time. I thought that the main reason we draft in Zwift, especially in a race, is that we ARE more aerodynamic which translates either to less watts consumed at the same speed or a higher speed if we maintain our wattage. If Zwift never changes our speed when we are drafting (or not), does it nevertheless change our watts… Read more »
I think you misunderstood.
Drafting affects your speed, but your avatar’s riding position does not (except supertuck).
When you draft in Zwift, you move faster for the same watts if you weren’t drafting.
But your avatar’s posture doesn’t make you faster. It’s your drafting status that makes you faster.
I think the article accurately explains a confusing visual contradiction–when you’re receiving the aero benefit of drafting your avatar will be shown in the very non-aero upright position (i.e. enjoying that draft). When you’re not receiving the aero benefit of drafting but you are moving at 32+ kph your avatar will appear in the very aero position in the drops (i.e. working solo to reduce your drag).
The least confusing visual representation is when you’re not drafting and lollygagging around at <32kph, in which you'll be shown in the non aero upright position.
It’s about time that a visual cue for drafting was introduced for the ‘tron’ bike, seems odd that we work hard to get it then suffer inequalities on drafting status.
Tron is one of the best all around bikes (best up until a certain level is reached) so I see this is the tradeoff of riding/racing on the Tron. You get a fast bike earlier than others might if they don’t use the Tron, but your downside is the drafting indication is not visible.
Selfishly, I wish the Tron showed draft status. But I agree with Curtis that it’s a fair tradeoff.
You can always use Sauce for zwift for indicate draft and so much more cool things.
Sauce for zwift was Introduced here in this article:
https://zwiftinsider.com/sauce-for-zwift/
Let’s be real here: the only reason it’s not in the game to date is because this would require graphics work to be done on the drafting position/transition frames, and Zwift has decided it’s not important to do so.
Looking at the Tron, there is only one hand position – so not sure how the avatar can change
Great article. I was only wondering why I was sitting up today
Thank you, I have asked this in group rides!
Aha! I wondered why my Tron Avatar did not sit up when drafting, figured he was just lazy! Thanks for the info.
Its not the drafting position for me I just like to see my Avatar on a normal looking bike.
Thx for all articles etc. This has puzzled me. So a very good explanation.
Level 38 and I didn’t know this. Thanks !
I’ve ridden long enough to know when I’m in the draft but I have sauce and that let’s me know exactly where I need to be.