The latest Zwift update is now available on PC, Mac, and Android. It will appear for iOS and AppleTV soon.
Not sure if your Zwift install is up-to-date? Here’s how to check >
This update doesn’t include any new roads, but it does include upgrades to the popular Pace Partners feature and workouts library… plus a new bike. Let’s dig into the details…
Pace Partner Tweaks
Zwift’s merry band of programmers continues to iterate on the Pace Partners experience, making small changes based on user feedback. This update includes two tweaks:
- Dynamic Drops multiplier distance: in large groups like we see with C. Cadence it can be hard to stay close enough to the Pace Partner to keep the Drops multiplier game going. Now the distance at which your Drops multiplier stays active will increase as the size of the group increases, to a maximum radius of ~24 meters, which is double what it used to be.
- Restricted access: if a Pace Partner is riding in a level-locked area of Watopia, lower-level Zwifters will be able to follow them without getting locked out.
Workout Expansions
Three new folders have been added to the structured workouts library. These contain new workouts plus some older workouts which have simply been relocated to a better place:
- Time Crunched: 10 cycling workouts, including 4 new workouts. Each 30 minutes or less.
- GCN Zero to Hero: workout series which consists of a 7-week program to make you stronger in the off-season.
- Norseman 2020: 6 cycling and 6 running workouts.
Additionally, improvements have been made to the FTP Builder workouts to correct erroneous timing and interval data.
The Start of Something Good
Zwift knows they support a huge population of people who regularly use these structured workouts, and while they haven’t given us any firm commitments, they recently told us we can expect to see an increased focus on expanded training content in the coming months.
That’s great news! An expanded training library with more flexible training plan scheduling would be very welcome.
New Bike Day: Colnago V3Rs
New bike day is always a good day! Today’s update includes the first-ever in-game frame from Italian builder Colnago, the V3Rs. It’s rated 2 stars for aero and 3 for weight, which indicates it won’t be a particularly fast bike on the flats, and not the fastest on climbs, either. It’s level-locked at 18, and costs 695,800 drops. The in-game description says:
The V3Rs represents the best of Colnago technology, and is designed to thrive in all conditions. The V3 is fast on the long climbs; in the windy plans; in the stages of Grand Tours; and perfect for a demanding Gran Fondo. It’s a great bike for all situations.
With a description like that, we’d expect the frame to be a decent climber, which may explain why it’s the frame of choice for this weekend’s Haute Route Watopia 2021. We’re testing the Colnago V3Rs now and will publish results ASAP.
Pack Dynamics Tweaks
We recently wrote about Zwift’s testing of new pack dynamics in certain events. While not mentioned in the update notes, this release includes improvements to these new pack dynamics which should reduce the surging seen by some riders.
One benefit of these new pack dynamics is more precise locating of Zwifters system-wide, which should mean that what one person sees on their screen will more closely match what another sees. It should also improve the ride leader fence’s functionality.
Zwift’s intent is to roll out the new pack dynamics Zwift-wide in a future release. But since the dynamics make packs behave differently, Zwift is being mindful about affecting existing race series (such as ZRL).
It may take riders a while to get used to the new pack dynamics, so events won’t be forced to use them any time soon. That said, if you want to test out the “New AI” pack dynamics, here’s a list of upcoming events using them.
Steering Updates: Wahoo KICKR Bike on Repack Ridge
Last month’s update allowed Wahoo KICKR Bike riders to steer using the bike’s buttons, on every bit of Zwift road except the Repack Ridge singletrack. Today’s update opens up Repack to KICKR bike riders.
Go shred some gnar!
[Brackets] vs (Parenthesis)
Here’s an odd change we noticed which isn’t mentioned in the release notes: if you put something in your last name in brackets, such as [TEAM NAME], that text is no longer visible in the rider list on the right side.
If you use parenthesis like (TEAM NAME) it is still visible.
UPDATE: ZHQ has confirmed this is a bug, and they’re working on getting a hotfix out since it can hamper racing…
Bug Fixes/Improvements
This release also includes a pile of minor fixes… here’s the list from the release notes, with a few comments where appropriate:
- Numerous cycling and running assets (kits, shirts, etc.) have been added or updated.
- Improved our client versioning to make it easier for users to know what version they are using. Now Zwift client versions will be expressed with a version number (such as 1.10.0) along with a build number in parenthesis.
- Added an error message when a user is trying to join an event on a route that their current game client does not support. This typically happens when new Zwift worlds are released but users log in with older game clients. This is a welcome improvement, as there have been numerous issues in the past with people running outdated versions without knowing it, and suffering a poor experience as a result.
- Fixed a bug that would cause the wrong stage to appear as complete for programs such as Tour de Zwift.
- Fixed a bug that would cause over steering on Repack Ridge when the game framerate was low.
- Fixed a bug causing the ground to appear misaligned at the top of the Epic KOM (Earthquakes in Watopia apparently are a thing).
- Fixed a bug that would cause users to do a u-turn or donuts. Hopefully this fixes the Wattbike steering bug introduced in the previous update.
- Fixed a bug that would cause names to appear incorrectly in the Riders Nearby list.
- Fixed a bug with the thumbnail of the Super League Community running shirt.
- Fixed a bug that would cause iOS and TVOS clients to crash on rare occasions.
- Fixed a bug where bike frame star ratings would not render correctly within the window.
- Removed the app notification badge when Bluetooth notifications are triggered on mobile devices.
See/discuss release notes on Zwift’s forum >
If you spotted any other changes in today’s update, please comment below!
Disappointing again, curious for a list of the newly introduced bugs…
Still no news on a UI update.
Still no basic function to exit to main menu – pathetic
good one
The reduced chat range “feature” that was introduced end of December remains unacknowledged. This is an issue for riders in large group rides, diminishing social engagement, and has wrecked havoc for leaders and keepers, unable to communicate with those off the group or out of range.
Hopefully they have rolled this back, whether it was a client or server side issue. While recognition of the impact would have been nice, I’d settle for it to be resolved.
It’s been acknowledged but no timeline for fixing it (which is a different issue). Most recent Shooj confirmed they are still working on it in the Zwift forums: https://forums.zwift.com/t/game-update-february-23rd-2021/538141/124?u=d_watson_herd_sweep
The Colnago is Campagnolo-equipped. That could be a first.
that’ll make swapping wheels a PITA 😉
Been wondering why my Sterzo Repack experience on my desktop pc was different (i.e worse steering feedback) to my laptop…
Hopefully this bug fix addresses it.
Just hear to follow the complaining 😃
Lol 🙂
I looked up the FTP builder workouts to see what changes have been made, and immediatly spotted an error that has been added. Week 3 Workout 2 (strength) seems to have accidentally removed the actual interval of the workout, and just kept the rest, accidentally turning it into a super easy zone 2 ride.
I would love to know why, for the last couple months now, every time Zwift updates it takes a day or two before I can successfully launch again.
Nothing new again. Probably more bugs. Remind me what I’m paying $180 a year for?
Still no word about Levels 51-75? Guess, gotta wait for more riders, who suddenly stuck on Level 50 with NOWHERE to go…🙄👈
Zwift are waiting for me to get to level 50 before they release 25 more.
There doesn’t seem to be any point in levels anyway. I am on about level 44, and each time I get to the next level I am “rewarded” with something useless, like new socks, or a retro helmet. I also have about 8 million drops, but what is the point in them when you already have the best bikes and wheels? Can “buy” more bikes that I will never ride, but essentially pointless.
I’m kind of with this though. If the beat-everything bike or wheelset is available at level 75, it kind of ruins racing for new people a bit.
Thanks Craig. I’m not suggesting that a superbike should await those who get to level 75, but anyone who does get to L75 has shown a lot of loyalty to Zwift. What about a new world every ten levels? (or just get rid of levels)
Any comments on the anti-sandbagging being rolled out to more events? It seems to work pretty well on the Zwift HQ rides. Can’t wait to see it on all.
Haven’t heard anything, but it’s a good question. I’ll see if I can find an answer. I too have had a good experience with the green cones in races!
I have only be doing coned races lately. Much prefer them
I am still waiting to see a blue Tardis on a London street.
Yes please. Zwift really needs some pop culture!😎
Well, they removed the flying pig above Battersea Power Station so probably staying away from the cool and/or nerdy stuff.
Excellent summary of update! Thank You!!
Still no love for recent integrated Intel Iris graphics chipsets either. Zwift has acknowledged there’s a problem through a support case, but told me to just hang in there and keep on updating and hope for the best that one day it might be resolved (I’m paraphrasing, but that was the gist). Meanwhile I can run Zwift for some unspecified period of time before the screen goes white and GPU usage drops from 100% to 0, and Zwift becomes unrecoverable. It’s been like this for some users since August. That’s just next-level unacceptable, and they told me to try running… Read more »
Stop fixing small things and Fix Big Problems Companion
I’m also using integrated Intel graphics, I have basically been told the same. For me the problem has become less problematic since the last couple of updates, but still get the occasional crash. For me I don’t care how pretty the graphics are, I run Zwift at the lowest graphics level. I want to be able to race and train without having to reboot my laptop mid ride.
So, nothing to get excited about (again)!
I rode with Coco this morning in a big group. It would now be VERY hard to unintentionally lose contact with her. Undecided whether that is a good or bad thing!
honestly it was kinda annoying as it was before as you had to be laser focused 24/7 to not lose the bonus accidentally, so couldn’t watch a show on 2nd screen or anything.
i think that i agree with you on balance
This is very underwhelming isn’t it?
The update, not your article to clarify in that!
Does anyone have an explanation on why it is so complicated to have team jerseys in France? A lot of teams have their own worldwide… but France 🙁 Puncher Club, FFZ, etc… teams tanks in the firsts 15 world team ! And still no jerseys. If someone can help 😉
only 2⭐ aero 3⭐weight, no supprise but in order to complete the brand list
It appears that if you have a team name in your onscreen alias (e.g., DIRT) and you place it inside square brackets, it does NOT appear in the rider list on the side, although it is still part of your name in the settings. Parentheses or curly braces DO appear in the list, though. If this is an intentional change on Zwift’s part, it would be well for the square-bracket folks to change their punctuation, since one of the big reasons for having the team name show in the rider list is so that other teammates can identify you in… Read more »
I can only summarize this in the following statement: Zwift sucks!
Having such a pool of users, firing development personnel and throwing us crumbs… only a company lacking vision would be able to do it.
And Zwift demonstrated us once again that it is unable to offer basic functionality requested by most riders for years!
I hope I will find Veloton available when coming back to indoor training in autumn.
RGT is doing some interesting things with racing. Some funny things with their platform, but seems promising. Tried a race last summer, didn’t seem ready for prime-time then, but hear it’s getting better.
I’m ready to give them a try. For the amount of money Zwift gets from subscribers and venture capital, the amount of issues it still has is alarming
I left Zwift for a while for exactly the reasons mentioned here (tried RGT and Fulgaz), but some of my friends joined Zwift and now I’m back, riding with them regularly. Those other platforms are superior but nobody’s on them, and I find it’s the social experience of Zwift that is keeping me coming back. At the end of the day it’s about fitness, so whatever experience gets you riding regularly is the best one. I find Zwift’s shortcomings less annoying now, they’re pretty bad considering how much $$ Zwift has but I’ve gotten used to them.
I did the same and changed for Rouvy. Potential is big and for light riders a lot of uphill routes connected with challenges. It is the best part. There are also races in Rouvy but as uphill algorithm is quite good downhill is total disaster. It is very frustrating that light riders downhill have to push stronger than uphill. So i come back to Zwift but as read there is not a lot of new things.
Lol, that’s called realism. Why would light riders have the realistic benefit of being able to climb quicker, but not having the drawback of descending slower. Ever descended in a group? Big guys go quicker downhill, if they know how to descend.
Road feel is pretty good in Rouvy, and they’re working on improvements. Loads of potential as you say, in the end, it’s seeing real-life scenery that seals the deal for me, vs zwift game world, and the price (got a discount code for Rouvy).
Thanks for the tip. I will keep RGT in mind. 🙂
Zwift has a very clear vision for their product. The “problem” is that said vision doesn’t align with what a lot of existing users want for the platform. That’s how the market works even if it’s kinda sad for a lot of us.
The new logic governing the ‘pace partner drop bonus eligibility zone’ is a nice change that I am thankful for.
Would it be pedantic to point out that the title of the article is wrong. The version number of the update is 1.10.0 (63185). As announced, on of the features of the update is the new version numbering (and be thankful, the company I work for thinks versions numbers have 5 parts plus build number, not just 3).
I support the pedantic! But I pulled that version number from the Zwift app running in my PC’s taskbar, where it’s still formatted like I have it in the title. 😀
Steering on my Watt bike has disappeared on this update for me.
They seem to have stopped rendering the Ride-Ons in the jersey back pocket. We were riding around and wondering why no one was receiving Ride-Ons, but we were and they just aren’t collected in your jersey pocket any more☹️. Is that a fender detail setting, or give forever now?
*render* detail setting?
my pockets were filling up this morning
Can no longer login after update. In game it prompts me to enter user/pwd and gives an internet connection error.
This has been around for many months, extremely annoying bug. I think you might need to clear your internet explorer cache/cookies, or so, that could fix it.
I’ve always wondered if there is a feature to be able to exit/save a ride without exiting Zwift completely, or did I just miss that? Sometimes I’d like to save a ride with good numbers for example, before I do a cool down session or something like that, and I can’t save the ride without leaving completely and re-starting. It seems a bit pointless to either (a) lose all the good numbers as you have to include warmup-up/cool-down data or you have to spend 5 minutes logging out and back in again. Both seem a bit pointless.
Why are there no rider shadows with the Mac mini M1
Hi It appears that some of the workouts have changed format from 2020 – not a bad thing- just curious if all the structured workouts changed (for example- Mat Haymans PR iis difterent this you fro last
elite realaxiom wired trainer controller won’t connect, has been working perfect since Nov 2020 any idea what to do ?
How about privacy updates!? I just let my subscribers lapse because Zwift continues to notify my followers when I get in the game. And no way to turn that off!!!