Zwift version 1.58 begins its phased rollout today. This is a minor update, but it does include the new ability to “Choose Any Avatar.” See details below…
Choose Any Avatar
Zwifters can now choose the gender of their avatar, as well as the body type. (This feature change was announced as “Coming Soon” back in December.) The change is pretty straightforward: the gender of the head you choose determines your avatar’s body, as well as the body type options.
Here’s a quick video explaining how it works:
You may also notice that avatar faces have changed. Zwift says, “Your avatar has a new look! This new appearance better-matches the art within Zwift.”
For a complete look at this feature change, read “Choose Any Avatar” Comes to Zwift >
New Zwift Games Route Badges
Four new route badges showed up in this release: Loop de Loop, Mountain Mash, Zwift Games 2024 Epic, and Jurassic Coast. These routes will be used in the upcoming Zwift Games… more details on that soon!
New “Intersection Controls” Option
If you use an Elite Sterzo, Rizer, or a JetBlack Smart Turn Block, you have a new setting under “Preferences” that toggles using your steering device to determine direction at intersections:
This option is enabled by default.
Ride Streaks Stats Fix
Have you noticed that some of the totals on your Streaks screen seem rather low? Various bugs have meant that some of the totals on the screen weren’t tallying correctly, but Zwift has been making changes on the server side and in game to tighten things up.
One of those changes (albeit a minor one) is mentioned in the release notes: “Improves the accuracy of cumulative climbing stats shown on the Ride Streaks screen.” But there are additional fixes included in this release that aren’t mentioned. (There’s always more in each Zwift release than the release notes mention!)
Note that your totals may not be correct just yet: once the update rolls out, Zwift will need to run a server-side routine to fix everyone’s tallies so they’re correct moving forward.
“Spiral Into the Volcano” Route Fix
The Spiral Into the Volcano Rebel Route was recently added to the game to feature as the long route for stage 8 of Tour de Zwift. But there is just one problem: the route wasn’t correct!
Specifically, Zwift left out the lap around the Volcano Circuit that was supposed to happen just before heading up the Volcano KOM. And that, dear readers, is why last week’s stage 8 efforts didn’t match the route’s official Strava segment.
This has been fixed in version 1.58, but Zwift opted not to include this route in stage 8 make-up events because they don’t want riders who aren’t yet on version 1.58 to be routed differently from riders on version 1.58.
Tacx Flux S ERG Issues?
Zwift included a note for anyone using the Tacx Flux S trainer who has had resistance issues since version 1.57 was released on January 23rd. If that’s you, you’ll want to read Evan’s post on the forum >
More Release Notes
Zwift provided notes on additional tweaks and bug fixes in this update:
- Fixed an issue where, after spectating runners via “Just Watch” mode and selecting “Back to Me”, Zwifters could potentially start in Ride mode instead of Run mode.
- Fixed missing localized text for some languages in the Repack Rush report.
- Corrected a typo occurring in some languages in the “Let’s Get Moving” workout.
- Android: Fixed an issue where tall socks may not be displayed properly on avatars in the Garage.
Discuss this release on Zwift’s forum >
Questions or Comments?
If you spotted any other changes or bugs in the update, please comment below!
What’s going on with Spiral in to the Volcano?
Oh, forgot to mention that above! I’ll add it now…
Still seems like the random red squares isn’t mentioned as a fix
Very happy with the Intersection Control !
It’s the end of a permanent stress with my Rizer !
Permanent stress is right! So looking forward to turning this off!
Regarding the Kickr Bike, anyone know if either Zwift or Wahoo is working on a fix to decouple trainer difficulty from slope feel? Currently, if trainer difficulty is set at 30% the bike only realizes 30% of gradient change.
Wahoo should be able to do it, as Elite, with the Rizer, has a setting for it. And also for the 100% negative slope that is always divided by two on Zwift.
Thanks Peirre… yet it looks like Wahoo is rejecting this is a fix needed on their end through this article on the Kicker Climb:
https://zwiftinsider.com/kickr-climb-trainer-difficulty/
Yet, the Kickr Bike has no hack or solution quite yet or did I miss it?
I have the kickr bike, but don’t understand why anyone would need to use reduced trainer difficulty. The whole benefit in using the kickr bike is you can quickly change gear ratios with the app. Just set up some profiles and change it if needed before a ride. I have a 13 cassette with large range which means even 17% feels ok when dropped to gear 1.
Thanks Jimmy. Reduced trainer difficult is commonly used in racing where you want to limit shifts to keep power uninterrupted and as high as possible. I set mine at 30% for this reason.
Yet, I like the feel of 100% of the slope while still riding at 30% TD. This isn’t currently possible. This is the fix or hack that I’m in search of. They have a hack with Kickr Climb but not for the Kickr Bike.
https://zwiftinsider.com/kickr-climb-trainer-difficulty/
Fair enough, was just highlighting the benefits of the kickr bike – not sure why all the thumbs down, was offering advice on how to get around the issue but some people can’t seem to see that – will probably get thumbs down now for saying this 😀
I seem to remember reading somewhere the way wahoo set it up was that the angle is based on the resistance setting alone, so that’s why having TD reduced won’t affect the kickr as it only sees a reduced resistance irrespective of the virtual gradient. Not sure they can change that now if it’s fundamental to the bikes operation though.
Any updates on when Racing Score, which was an Autumn ‘coming soon’, will be rolled out?
Last I heard, target date had been pushed out to after the Zwift Games events.
This update installed on my Macbook Air and my Kikr Core can connect to Zwift (Bluetooth) but registers 0 power, 0 cadence and no resistance control. Zwift restarted, Kikr Core unplugged multiple times but nothing. Zwift companion app on my phone also registers nothing (again Bluetooth) but the Wahoo app on my phone shows power.
Just to update everyone, I was able to get power, cadence and resistance control to function by connecting through an ANT+ dongle. The Bluetooth connections still appear as options but do not register any inputs.
Interesting. I wonder if others are getting this?
I shared your feedback with Zwift internally.
My KICKR Core is working fine on BLE with Windows 11, FYI…
Which KICKR Core firmware are you using?
I had a similar problem some time ago on my Cycleops Hammer 2. For years ANT+ would connect automatically. Then suddenly BLE was connecting with my trainer and there was no power no cadence no resistance. Turned BLE off and connected with ANT+. All good now.
I have the same issue. Power and cadence showing zeros. Wahoo app is able to read power. I was able to ride yesterday, before the update hit. Hardware: Kickr Core & Macbook Pro
Me too. I have no dongle so I’m locked out of Zwift. As I posted in my own comment, I use TrainerRoad as well which reads both fine, so it’s not the Kickr’s fault.
I’ve the same issue since this release. Kickr core + MacBook Air. I’ve to unplugge kickr and plug It and It works…
Zwift says they know about the KICKR Core + Mac issue, and are working on a hotfix to be released ASAP.
Thx a lot !
Well, I just hopped on and there was an update which I installed. Still not working though. Maybe that wasn’t the hotfix…
New routes added?
Awesome! Looks like they will come out for th zwift games in march
What for details on these routes publishing here at Zwift Insider next Wednesday.
I’m underwhelmed with the avatars. They all look the same age. I know a lot of Zwifters like me are over the age of 50 or 60 so why not let us look like it. I’m not THAT vain! 🙂
New routes ??? I see 4 new ones
What are they?
Screenshot just above showing the 4 new routes – Loop de Loop, Mountain Mash, Zwift Games 2024 Epic, and Jurassic Coast.
Eric…care to comment on this?
I’ll also accept “no comment” while flicking your nose twice. 🙂
I added a note above, actually. Those are the routes that will be raced in the upcoming Zwift Games. More details to come soon!
Are there going to be any chances to ride “Spiral into the Volcano” during “make up” week? I’ve done 23 of the 24 stages but missed that one and was hopeful to complete the set!😬
They’re still there on the weekend Stage 8 “Ride” events (but then again yesterday (before they reactivated weekday stage 8 rides sans route A) the Stage 8 races were still there for the weekend, and they’ve since disappeared, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the presence of the A ride on Stage 8 rides is just Zwift not catching it and it’ll disappear at some point. Glad I did it last weekend (and I feel no guilt about ticking off the “wrong” version – not sure I wanted another little loop!)
Zwift says there will not.
The route is broken in Zwift version 1.57.3, and fixed in 1.58, and Zwift doesn’t want groups riding it on both versions and some riders getting routed one way while others go another.
So, if I do a make-up ride tomorrow on this route, do I get the badge for it or not?
… I’m leaving a reply here since I was planning to get that route badge tomorrow (as a Tour de Zwift ride) and I’m confused too.
I found a Stage 8 ride today which had the “A” option so I was able to snag the route badge. It included the extra lap of the Volcano so I got the Strava segment too. All 24 stages completed as a group ride. 19h 27m combined time. 👍
slightly off topic, but I would like to be able to quit a Zwift session in less than 11 mouse clicks; is that too much to ask?
The choice of any avatar is really really stupid. I’m a woman and want to know that i am racing with a real woman not some pretender. Please- don’t do this – it will put women off this product.
“really really stupid”. I agree. You could have even thrown in a few more reallys before the stupid.
Since this update on my MacBook, just like Dave, I get no power or cadence data from my Kickr Core via BT despite the device being recognized by the app. I know it is not the Kickr because TrainerRoad continues to read both with no issue. All I have is BT and no Ant+ dongle.
Would love to see any progress concerning the Clubs: Own Workouts, more Routes, Clubraces, Timetrial…just like the Ability in the official Event. It’s all there. Just open it for the Clubs. By the way: that Extensions we’re promised since a long time. Now the next Winter is over.
This update seems to have broken the Companion app on my Apple Watch (OS v10.2)…won’t sync heart rate data anymore to the game, and other rider had the same issue on my event. Currently updating the watch to the latest OS v10.3.1, and will update if that fixes it.
Same here. Watch has been working fine for some time now. Started up today, Zwift updated itself and the watch connection is now borked. The watch itself states that it is connected and shows heart rate but Zwift states no connection. A PC with Win 10 with all updates that is purely for Zwift and has no other software, iPhone 14 fully updated and Apple Watch 7 with all updates. All connections Bluetooth. Still, at least they’re taking care of the really important stuff with the avatars whilst mucking up basic functionality… This is starting to get tedious…
Hi I run zwift on apple TV and I don’t have the action scene is this feature not on apple TV and only PC available.
Not related to this update, but Zwift hasn’t fixed the bug that prevents the automatic video clips to upload to iOS devices when zwifting via Apple TV. Manually initiated videos upload just fine. Auto clips show on Strava, so they are being recorded, just not saved to the phone.
Has anyone ever mentioned an issue with the small map where it spontaneously and gradually zooms in the route and then un-zooms it later in the ride? I have a few routes this happens to. One off the top of my head is the Makuri 40.
What’s up with the grainy light strip across the road in front of the avatar? Can that be removed?
I suspect Zwift changed the algorithm for awarding 250 xp bonuses while climbing in portals. I did five climbs in Cheddar Gorge today and wasn’t awarded a single 250 xp bonus. Just bad luck? (I’ve been averaging 1-2 per climb previously.)
From my experience its just bad luck. I wouldnt be surprised, if u get more 250 XP in the next 1 or 2 rides.
I once had 36 consecutive arches without 250xp, this calculator https://stattrek.com/online-calculator/binomial tells me there is 0.033% chance of that happening. For the 5 times up the climb mentioned above the calculator says that is 0.001% chance of happening.
Wow, my longest was like 22-24.
My bad luck has been lasting a long time too.
I did 13 climbs today and got 250 XP 12 times.
More recently one 250xp per full climb seems to be what I’ve been getting too.
I have done a number of portal climbs without having ever received a single 250XP bonus. After the first couple of climbs I have made a point of keeping an eye on it, because everyone else seemed to be getting so many.
Very frustrating.
My double xp has stopped working only getting single xp for days now. It still shows on the menu page that I am on excellrated path up to level 98. I use an apple tv 4k box I’m at least a level or so behind were i should be. Please help
Sounds like u used all your banked XP for DoubleXP.
I couldn’t have I have just shy of one million xp in total and my excellrated path is up to level 98
Neither ERG or workouts works on the Saris Hammer (issue started with 1/31 release). Now it appears I can’t even opt out of ERG when attempting a workout. I’m using a Hammer paired with an iPad (Bluetooth). The Hammer’s firmware is up to date and it’ been calibrated several times.
Steering and in game controls on Wattbike please