All About Zwift’s Concept Z1 (Tron) Bike

Zwift’s Tron bike is the most coveted ride in game: it takes a lot of work to acquire, it’s fast, and it looks super future cool! Here’s everything you need to know about this special ride.

First: Get The Name Straight

The bike is called the “Zwift Concept Z1” in game, probably due to intellectual property concerns. But everyone calls it the Tron bike, so don’t call it anything else, n00b!

How To Get Yours

First, you have to sign up for the “Climb Mt. Everest” challenge in game. Here’s how to do that:

Once you’ve selected the challenge… start climbing. Every ride you do will add to your elevation total. Once you get to the top (8,850 meters), keep the Everest challenge selected. You need to climb another 41,150 meters to get the real prize waiting in the stratosphere!

That’s right: you have to climb 50,000 meters to get the Tron bike. For most riders, this is a months-long project.

Looking for a little help? Read “The Easiest (Legal) Way to Get the Tron Bike” >

Just How Fast Is It?

On flat/rolling courses the Tron bike is one of the fastest bikes available, beating the stock Zwift setup (Zwift Carbon frame and 32mm wheels) by 53 seconds over our ~51 minute flat test. There are a few frames which are just a 1-3 seconds faster over this test course, but only when paired with a disc wheelset. See our fastest frames list for details >

It is not the fastest bike for climbing: that award currently goes to the Specialized Tarmac Pro with Lightweight wheels. And it’s not faster than a TT bike if you’re doing a solo effort (no drafting) on flat or rolling roads.

But since it drafts, and most races involve going down as well as up hills, you’ll want the combination of drafting, aerodynamics, and light weight the Tron bike provides. (There’s a good reason why the pointy ends of A and B races are full of Tron bikes, and why Zwift doesn’t allow the Tron bike or disc wheels in its top-level Pro-Am races.)

Idiosyncrasy #1: No Wheel Changes

The Tron bike is the only frame which doesn’t let you swap out your wheelset. Of course, why would you want to? Those light-up wheels are amazing!

Idiosyncrasy #2: Reduced Avatar Positions

On all other bike frames, your avatar stands up when you drop below 70rpm on a 3% or greater incline. And when you’re in the draft your rider sits up a bit to indicate that you are no longer “in the wind.”

Neither of these avatar positions exists for the Tron bike, though. All you get is the standard riding position and the out of the saddle sprint.

Idiosyncrasy #3: No Pretend Drinking

On all other bike frames, your avatar takes a drink occasionally. The Tron bike doesn’t include a bidon, so your avatar won’t be taking any virtual sips. Just don’t forget to drink in the real world!

You Light Up My Life

Idiosyncrasies aside, there’s no other racing bike on Zwift that lets you change the color of your tires. You can dial in your bike color to match just about any kit quite nicely. Put the slider in the just the right spot and you’ll get a multi-color light show as you ride. Thanks, Tron bike!

Where Did It Come From?

Wait… you haven’t seen the movie? Here’s a clip from the original Tron movie released in 1982:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BZxGhNdz1k
Eric Schlange
Eric Schlangehttp://www.zwiftinsider.com
Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Follow on Strava

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Dale Pilkinton
Dale Pilkinton
2 years ago

Eric
I changed from concept Z1 to a climbing frame and the concept Z1 is no longer in my garage. Is this normal?
Dale Pilkinton

Greg
Greg
2 years ago

Can you still get the tron bike? 🤷‍♂️

Anibal Delgado
Anibal Delgado
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

How do you do it now, I do not see the mission page anymore? All I see its the parlee stuff

Michael Fenwick
Michael Fenwick(@mkfenwick49)
2 years ago

Although I’ve climbed 101,000 metres in the past year, I only earned the Zwift Concept Z1 bike this month (don’t ask). Anyway, on my bike in game, the seat posted glows like the rest of the bike. I have not seen this on any other Concept Z1… Is it a unique characteristic I’ve somehow unlocked, like an Easter egg? Insights appreciated.

Ryder
Ryder
2 years ago

The seat-post glowing only shows up for yourself, everyone else will not see the seat-post glowing for some reason.

Jorgan
Jorgan
2 years ago

So I have already climbed 36k but not logged onto the Everest Challenge. Are you saying I have to climb Everest THEN an additional 41k? If so that sucks.

Ron Buch
Ron Buch(@ronbuch)
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

I would add that you can switch between challenges. When doing flat-ish routes, I do the Italy challenge (because I really want the Pinarello to match my IRL Pinarellos). When doing hilly routes or the Alpe, I do the Everest challenge to work toward the Tron. I haven’t tried switching at the top of the Alpe to earn Italy miles on the downhill after earning Everest elevation on the climb, but that should work, too.

Mike
Mike
2 years ago
Reply to  Ron Buch

Do you lose progress on challenges when you switch between them?

Hector Fontanet
Hector Fontanet
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

That is what i do. I switch for to italy for the downhills.

Sergio Perez Maena
Sergio Perez Maena
2 years ago
Reply to  Jorgan

Actually, I had climbed about 80000km before before starting the Everest challenge and once I did my 8000km for the challenge I got the Concept Bike immediately ie 98000km. So it seems either that Zwift looks at the overall elevation after the 8000km Everest challenge elevation or they’ve addressed this in a patch\upgrade. Either way the bike will be or probably already yours then! See you in Watopia 🙂

Jeff Cottrell
Jeff Cottrell
2 years ago

Shane Miller had Cervelo bike with, I think he said the safety wheels which had colored pink(?). Are they always pink? I thought he mentioned changing their color for that ride on his most recent Lama Lab live stream.

Ryan Patrick
Ryan Patrick(@ryan_s_pat)
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Cottrell

Safety Wheels change (tire) color with the bike they are on. It’s a nice way to stick out in rides where everyone is put on the same frame for promotional purposes.

94707993_10102114152638209_8415978147245195264_o.jpg
BikePower
Super Member
BikePower(@bikepower)
2 years ago

Funny. I got the Tron bike years ago, rode it a few times and have never ridden it since. I guess how I’m riding is more important to me than what I’m riding 😉

Alan Farnes
Super Member
Alan Farnes(@alan_taylor_farnes)
2 years ago
Reply to  BikePower

Yeah since Eric has shown that it’s not the fastest I never use it. On rolling I currently have Cervelo with discs and on the Alpe I have the Specialized Tarmac Pro with Lightweights. So I never use the Tron.

Rob
Rob
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan Farnes

yep, I use the Venge SWorks with the discs myself, although I wouldn’t use the Tron bike anyway. The seat position thing with drafting is too useful for me

Gregandemma@gmail.com
1 year ago
Reply to  BikePower

Aren’t you special

Barry
Barry
2 years ago

Took me around a year! Though, I ride outside as much as possible. One downside is all that climbing makes leveling up slower. Always thought this was the best challenge. You actually have to work pretty hard to get it.

Hector Fontanet
Hector Fontanet
2 years ago
Reply to  Barry

You can level up much quicker if you climb while doing a workout. If you really wanted to level up very quickly make your own interval workout which gives you 12 xp per minute or so if you do the alps in 60 minutes (i am more like 98 minutes…) 720 xp for about 8 miles (not sure the exact number) that is 90 xp per mile which is 3x faster than without workout. The custom interval workout can still be a constant wattage just make sure its the interval one and set wattages the same for both halfs. Finally… Read more »

Hector Fontanet
Hector Fontanet
2 years ago

BTW in my case i earn 147 xp per mile because it takes me 98 minutes to get up. Just make sure the workout is about as long as your climb so that you can use the most of the workout xp but dont workout on the downhill because you collect xp quicker the traditional way when going downhill because it takes you what 15 minutes to do 8 miles which in workout would be 180 xp vs 240 xp for traditional way.

Jim Mattson
Jim Mattson
2 years ago

There are actually several frames without a bidon.

Ryan Patrick
Ryan Patrick(@ryan_s_pat)
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Mattson

No drinking. No super tucking. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

2020-08-09_0904020_clean.jpg
Lars Droste
Lars Droste
2 years ago

You havent mentioned that the intensity of the glow increases with higher wattage output…

Gil Santa Maria
Gil Santa Maria
2 years ago

I love Tron Bike exactly because Avatar doesn’t drink and doesn’t change his position on the bike. I don’t really appreciate that sit and stand when the cadence is close to 70 RPM

Paul
Paul
2 years ago

Tron bike looks completely STUPID! Haven’t used it, don’t want to.

Alan
Alan
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul

Ok then

Donald
Donald
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul

I am happy to see that you are so pationate about an avatar in a game

Donald
Donald
2 years ago
Reply to  Donald

*passionate

tempocyclist.com
2 years ago

Since earning the Tron I haven’t switched to a different bike! #Tron4Life

Robin Stevens
Robin Stevens
2 years ago

The safety bike allows to change the color of your tyres, so the Tron bike isn’t the only one

Isaac
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

Also the Zwift Classic wheels change color on a color-changing bike.

Alb
Alb
2 years ago

That clip is weird

Chad
Chad
2 years ago

As always, well done Eric, thanks! Do you think there would be an interest in seeing where the Tron sits on your frame and wheel ranking chart representations? I know you can’t separate the wheels from the frame, but it would be neat to see where the Tron falls in the mix with everything else.

Jens Weckerle
2 years ago

Whats about the new super six evo with a disc ? Is that a faster combination? I like that setup

Yotam
2 years ago

Guys, let’s please focus on what’s important. Recently the color slider changed and it became a bit more difficult to get the multi-color just right. Anyone has screenshots of exact locations of the slider for multi-colors? Using the tips in https://zwiftinsider.com/multicolored-tron-bike/ I got the blue/purple, but I really want the orange/red/yellow again.It went so well together with the yellow Mavic shoes.

Image%202020-04-19%20at%206.44.10%20PM[1].png
Clay
Clay
2 years ago

What’s the Tron’s time up the Alpe?

Ryan Baugh
Ryan Baugh
2 years ago

Hi Again Eric,
I cant find the challenge option anywhere? not on ios or pc version? as a noob.. I have done about 69000m + of climbing. where do i find this elusive challenge and start to win some races ?cheers RB.

Will Budge
Will Budge(@willbudge81)
2 years ago

Hi Eric
In many of the posts about fastest frames/wheels, the Tron bike is not really mentioned save for being the third fastest when compared against a Venge and disc wheelsets, and not climbing very well.
How does the Tron compare to the top aero setups on the climbs?
The comparison tend to only interchange wheels or frames, but don’t compare the top end setups for either.
Thanks
Will

Grete Sunde Vik
Grete Sunde Vik
2 years ago

Hello. I have a Tron bike in game but can’t get it red. If I try to choose the red colour – it only gets orange. What to do? Thanks. Grete

Tord
Tord
2 years ago

How well does the Tron bike climb compared to top aero bikes with aero wheels, e.g. Venge with Zipp 858?

Tord
Tord
2 years ago
Reply to  Tord

Apparently, Will Budge had already asked the same thing.

Jos
Jos
2 years ago

Can’t find an update on this, and curious of the reasoning why they made the tires black on Tron bike. Now only the frame glows. I sure will miss the views of Tron bikes sneaking around the game.

Eric Axford
Eric Axford
2 years ago
Reply to  Jos

You need to reboot your Apple TV and the neon tires will come back

jordan
2 years ago

Zwift needs to make a PEDAL version of the original TRON game. Maybe your speed is like 10-15x your wattage. The faster you pedal the more options you have to cut other people off. That would be such a dope-fly distraction. Only people with TRON bike could participate.
 
Someone with some inside connections should suggest it. Side note: This would also require steering to come into play, which could then be used in Zwift racing.
 

Reagan Isaac (Manitou MTB)
Reagan Isaac (Manitou MTB)(@isaackids5)
2 years ago

Despite the fact that the TRON isn’t the fastest in game, it is great to have, cause then you can save your drops for a good TT bike instead of a aero road bike. I got Zwift in December 2019 and got the TRON in April 2020 and its definitely one of the best ones out there. For the few seconds the two faster frames w/ a disc set saves, I think you’re better off with the TRON and fast TT.

Jimmy
Jimmy
2 years ago

Is there a way to change frames, wheels, etc. without actually being in the game? I find it distracting to try and change my equipment while in the saddle.

Tony Lane
Tony Lane
2 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy

If you want to get a new set up ready before you do a ride, go in game beforehand (eg the night before), change to what you want and then exit without saving the ride. You’ll have your new set up next time you enter the game.

Carms
Carms
2 years ago

On the video about how to sign up for the Everest Challenges, the voice over just says ‘I click on the challenge window’ or words to that effect, but its not clear where that challenge window (or button, or icon, or whatever) is. I went in to my Menu, I don’t see anything that appears to be labeled Challenge window. Can you be a little more specific for us new guys please.

Carms
Carms
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

Thanks, Eric

Mike
Mike
2 years ago

Hi Eric just completed the 50km alps climb and no z1 bike is this a error or have I missed something cheers

Anders Hjelm
Anders Hjelm
2 years ago

Suppose you are doing the Everest challenge, and ride a group workout, or a meetup with “Keep everyone together”. If you are a less strong rider, you might get the elevation easier than you would have done on your own. Does the elevation count in the challenge anyway?

Zach
Zach
2 years ago

I have done 80928 of climbing and still no Z1. I’ve been in the Mt. E challenge for over month. What gives?!?!

Tony Lane
Tony Lane
2 years ago
Reply to  Zach

How much of that climbing was done while you were in the Everest challenge?

braden
braden
1 year ago

hello everyone, can someone help me please I have been using the tron bike but recently I changed to a mountain bike to complete the jungle ride but I can no longer see it in my garage or change back to the tron bike? can someone help please?

David Spedding
David Spedding
1 year ago

Hey Eric, yup sucks for a 15 year old who hadn’t realised she hadn’t selected the Everest Challenge 18 months ago – she reached 50,240km climbing today and was devastated she couldn’t choose the Zwift Concept Z1 – not so sweet!. Do you know why there is no way Zwift can’t provide her with a Z1? If she selects the Everest Challenge now will the 50,000km count towards the Z1 after the Everest Challenge is completed?

Terry Harrigan
Terry Harrigan
1 year ago

I magically got the Concept Z1 this year (December 2021). Since it just “appeared” without any new climbing, they either changed the requirements or just gave it to me since I’ve been there since the Beta.

Dennis D. Kemmesat
Dennis D. Kemmesat
1 year ago

Did the everest challenge and the additional required climbing to get the tron bike but nothing in my garage – and now it appears the my climbing total is stuck on 164042ft as I have done another 3000+ ft of climbing and that total has not changed – any thoughts on what is going on?

JimmyB
JimmyB
1 year ago

If riding workouts, like 4 week FTP Builder, does the ascent count toards the challenge?

paul norris
paul norris
1 year ago

Switched to MTB for offroad event; now my Tron is not in my garage; how do I get back my (hard earned) Tron??

Last edited 1 year ago by paul norris
Mike
Mike
10 months ago

In the latest Zwift update I can no longer find where to check progress on missions. I had the Everest challenge selected and have not deviated from it. But on the new achievements page, I can see that it says I have zero missions selected. I can find no link to see new missions or to check the progress on the existing mission. Does anyone know where this moved?

Warren charlesworth
Warren charlesworth
9 months ago

It’s says I’ve climbed 164042ft
When do I get the tron bike

Colin Peerman
Colin Peerman
9 months ago

unless you’ve selected the Everest mission, vertical meters don’t count for the Tron

Michael
Michael
3 months ago

I have often seen a neon Tablet in front of a bike. How could I get this and what is it?

Matt
Matt
4 days ago
Reply to  Michael

@Michael it appears when you’re doing a workout, it’s not an unlock as such.

Zach D
Zach D
22 days ago

If you want to ride like a pro on Zwift You need to get yourself a special gift The tron bike is the one you should pick It’s fast and flashy and very slick But getting it is not a piece of cake You have to climb a lot for its sake The Everest challenge is what you take And then you keep on going till you break The tron bike is worth the effort though It makes you stand out from the rest so You can enjoy your virtual ride and show Your skills and style to everyone you… Read more »

Maciek
Maciek
4 hours ago

Despite traveling much more than 50,000m, I did not receive the tron ​​bike.

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