As you progress through Zwift’s levels, you’ll unlock more items in the Drop Shop which can be purchased with your hard-earned Drops. This inevitably leads to questions: do I buy the frame I just unlocked? What if there’s a faster frame unlocked next level? Or maybe some zippy wheels?
Learn how Zwift’s levels, XP, and unlocks work >
Learn how Drops are calculated >
Here’s a complete list of frames and wheels unlocked at each level, with the most useful unlocks marked in bold and the key purchases marked with a MUST BUY. We’ve even added notes so you know what makes those unlocks special!
Of course, you may want to purchase a particular frame or wheelset just because it looks cool or matches what you ride outdoors. Nothing wrong with that! Our recommendations, though, are based entirely on speed test performance.
Level 2
- Zwift Classic frame (35,600 Drops)
- Cannondale Caad12 frame (184,500 Drops)
Level 3
- Ridley Helium frame (461,500 Drops)
Level 4
- ENVE SES 3.4 wheels (191,700 Drops) – #3 fastest climbing wheels, #4 fastest beginner wheels. The 3.4s are a steal if you’re looking for great climbing wheels. The only significantly better climbing wheels are the Lightweight Meilensteins, but you have to get lucky and unlock those atop Alpe du Zwift!
- Specialized Allez frame (127,800 Drops)
Level 5
- Roval CLX64 wheels (170,400 Drops) – #4 fastest wheels level 30 and below, #3 fastest beginner wheels.
- Specialized Epic S-Works frame (675,900 Drops)
- Specialized Roubaix frame (461,500 Drops)
- Specialized Roubaix frame S-Works (745,500 Drops)
- Specialized Ruby frame (461,500 Drops)
- Specialized Ruby S-Works frame (745,500 Drops)
- Specialized Tarmac SL7 frame (674,500 Drops) – #4/5 climbing frame. The Tarmac SL7 is a solid all-around performer. Read more about it >
Level 6
- MUST BUY! DT Swiss ARC 62 wheels 184,600 Drops) – #4 fastest climbing wheels, #2 fastest wheels level 30 and below, #2 fastest beginner wheels. A solid set of all-around wheels, good if you’re looking for something that climbs well while remaining quite aero.
- Chapter2 Tere frame (390,500 Drops)
- MUST BUY! Zwift Aero frame (319,500 Drops) – #6 fastest beginner frame. The first fast frame, Zwift Aero is very common in races. Want to stand out in the crowd a bit? Hold onto your Drops and pick up the Canyon Aeroad 2021 (level 10), Focus Izalco Max (level 8), or Factor One (level 8). These frames deliver even better performance, and you’ll stand out in the crowd.
Level 7
- Zwift 50mm Carbon wheels (120,700 Drops)
- Ribble Endurance frame (390,500 Drops) – #7 fastest beginner frame (see note above).
- Zwift Steel frame (142,000 Drops)
Level 8
- Giant TCR Advanced SL frame (305,300 Drops)
- Focus Izalco Max 2020 frame (426,000 Drops) – #2 fastest beginner frame (see note above).
- Factor One frame (426,000 Drops) – #3 fastest beginner frame (see note above).
Level 9
- Mavic Cosmic Ultimate UST wheels (142,000 Drops)
- MUST BUY! Cannondale EVO frame (213,000 Drops) – #1/2 climbing frame. Tied for the best climbing frame in game, the EVO is a sweet deal at this price.
- Ridley Noah Fast 2019 frame (426,000 Drops) – #4 fastest beginner frame (see note above).
Level 10
- Canyon Inflite frame (234,300 Drops)
- Canyon Lux frame (461,500 Drops)
- Canyon Ultimate frame (461,500 Drops)
- Specialized Shiv frame (710,000 Drops)
- Specialized Shiv S-Works frame (852,000 Drops) – #1 fastest tt climbing frame. Looking to do some fast, solo climbing? This is the frame for it. But it’s not cheap!
- MUST BUY! Canyon Aeroad 2021 frame (568,000 Drops) – #5 fastest frame, #1 fastest beginner frame, #4 fastest frame level 30 and below. One of the most aero bikes available, plus it outclimbs most frames on Zwift. The best all-arounder you can get, apart from the Tron bike.
Level 11
- Zipp 202 wheels (149,200 Drops)
- Specialized Tarmac Pro frame (408,300 Drops) – #1/2 climbing frame. Buy it if you don’t already have the Cannondale EVO. Put it in your garage. Use it on hard climbs.
Level 12
- Shimano C40 wheels (85,300 Drops)
- Cannondale Synapse frame (298,200 Drops)
Level 13
- MUST BUY! Zipp 808 wheels (177,600 Drops) – #6 fastest wheels, #1 fastest wheels level 30 and below, #1 fastest beginner wheels. The fastest wheels you can buy, until level 31. So you’d better pick up a set!
- Cervelo Aspero frame (426,000 Drops)
- Cervelo S3D frame (468,600 Drops) – #5 fastest beginner frame. The fastest frame you’ve had access to so far, but next level you can get an even faster one which climbs better! May be prudent to save those Drops.
Level 14
- Giant TCR Advanced SL Disc frame (745,500 Drops)
- Specialized Allez Sprint frame (127,800 Drops) – #2 fastest beginner frame. Just like IRL, this frame is a great buy in terms of price/performance.
Level 15
- Zipp 404 wheels (149,200 Drops) – #7 fastest climbing wheels, #3 fastest wheels level 30 and below, #2 fastest beginner wheels. Decent hoops, but if you’ve already bought better climbing or flat road wheels, there’s no compelling reason to grab the 404s.
- Cervelo P5 frame (710,000 Drops) – #5 fastest tt frame, #3 fastest tt climbing frame. The P5 is a decent all-around frame and the fastest TT frame for flat roads you’ve got access to. If you’re doing TT racing, it’s probably worth adding to your garage.
Level 16
- Mavic Cosmic CXR60c wheels (142,000 Drops)
- Chapter2 Rere frame (355,000 Drops)
- Parlee ESX frame (603,500 Drops)
Level 17
- ENVE SES 2.2 wheels (191,700 Drops)
- Scott Foil frame (781,000 Drops)
- Scott Plasma frame (852,000 Drops) – #2 fastest tt climbing frame. A good climber, but you’ve already got access to a better climber (Shiv S-Works, Level 10), so you may not need this one.
- Scott Spark RC frame (418,900 Drops)
- Colnago V3Rs frame (695,800 Drops)
Level 18
- Shimano C60 wheels (92,300 Drops)
- Specialized Shiv Disc frame (994,000 Drops) – #4 fastest tt frame. The fastest TT frame you’ve been able to access thus far. If you’re picky about those TT times, buy this bike!
- Specialized Venge frame (461,500 Drops) – #7/8 fastest frame, #5/6 fastest frame level 30 and below.
Level 19
- BMC SLR01 frame (376,200 Drops)
- Zipp 353 NSW wheels (255,600 Drops) #2 fastest climbing wheels
Level 20
- Bontrager Aeolus5 wheels (170,400 Drops)
- Trek Madone frame (887,500 Drops) – #4 fastest frame, #3 fastest frame level 30 and below. A new fastest frame for you, but just barely faster than the Canyon Aeroad you already picked up (and only on flat ground).
Level 21
- Canyon Speedmax frame (710,000 Drops)
Level 22
- Giant SLR 0 wheels (191,800 Drops) – #5 fastest climbing wheels
- Giant Propel Advanced SL Disc frame (816,500 Drops)
- Liv Langma Advanced SL frame (745,500 Drops)
Level 23
- Mavic Comete Pro Carbon SL UST wheels (142,000 Drops)
- Canyon Grail frame (355,000 Drops)
Level 24
- Zipp 454 wheels (284,000 Drops) – #6 fastest climbing wheels, #2 fastest wheels level 30 and below. A decent set of all-around wheels, good if you’re looking for something that climbs well while remaining quite aero.
- BMC Timemachine01 frame (781,000 Drops)
- Cervelo R5 frame (461,500 Drops)
Level 25
- ENVE SES 6.7 wheels (191,700 Drops) – #4 fastest wheels level 30 and below. Nice-looking hoops, but if you’ve got the Zipp 808s there’s no performance benefit to picking these up as well.
- Cervelo S5 frame (603,500 Drops) – #3 fastest frame, #2 fastest frame level 30 and below. The S5 is a very fast frame on flat roads, and a good climber as well. It won’t beat the Tron bike on flat roads, but it’ll beat the Tron bike up a mountain, if you throw on some lightweight hoops.
- Pinarello Bolide frame (923,000 Drops)
Level 26
- MUST BUY! Canyon Speedmax CF SLX Disc TT frame (891,000 Drops) #1 fastest tt frame, best all-around TT frame.
- Trek Emonda SL frame (142,000 Drops)
Level 27
- Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 wheels (262,700 Drops) – #8 fastest climbing wheels
- Cannondale System Six frame (497,000 Drops) – #7/8 fastest frame, #5/6 fastest frame level 30 and below
Level 28
- Cube Aerium frame (248,500 Drops)
- Parlee RZ7 frame (511,200 Drops)
Level 29
- Pinarello Dogma 65.1 frame (603,500 Drops)
- Pinarello Dogma F12 frame (958,500 Drops)
Level 31
- MUST BUY! ENVE SES 8.9 wheels (205,900 Drops) – #5 fastest wheels. Slightly faster than the Zipp 808s, the 8.9s are the fastest wheels you’ll be able to pick up until level 35.
- Specialized Amira frame (142,000 Drops)
- Specialized Amira S-Works frame (355,000 Drops) – #6/7 climbing frame
- Ventum One frame (482,800 Drops) – #6 fastest tt frame
Level 32
- Cube Litening frame (177,500 Drops)
Level 33
- Campagnolo Bora Ultra 35 wheels (248,500 Drops)
- Specialized Venge S-Works frame (798,800 Drops) – #1 fastest frame. The fastest frame in Zwift, by the smallest of margins.
Level 34
- Felt AR frame (639,000 Drops) – #2 fastest frame. If you don’t want the S-Works Venge for some reason, the AR is basically just as fast (1 second slower over a ~50 minute flat test).
Level 35
- Zipp 808/Super9 wheels (1,075,700 Drops) – #2 fastest wheels. The fastest wheels you’ve been able to buy so far. If you’re into TT races, buy these for sure. Otherwise, only get them if you’re willing to look a bit silly sporting a disc in a road race.
- Diamondback Andean frame (572,900 Drops)
Level 36
- Cannondale SuperSix EVO frame (816,500 Drops) – #4/5 climbing frame
Level 37
- Zipp 858 wheels (312,400 Drops) – #3 fastest wheels. A favorite among many racers, the 858s are the fastest non-disc wheels in game, and they climb a bit better than the heavy discs. A good choice for the purists who just can’t stomach running a disc wheel on a road bike.
- Felt IA frame (1,065,000 Drops) – #2 fastest tt frame.
Level 39
- ENVE SES 7.8 wheels (205,900 Drops) – #4 fastest wheels – strong performers on routes with shorter, rolling climbs.
- Pinarello Dogma F10 frame (710,000 Drops)
Level 40
- Zwift Buffalo Fahrrad wheels (3,200 Drops)
- Zwift Buffalo Fahrrad frame (9,500 Drops)
Level 42
- Pinarello Bolide TT frame (1,065,000 Drops)
Level 44
- Zwift Safety wheels (710,000 Drops)
- Zwift Safety frame (3,550,000 Drops)
Level 45
- MUST BUY! ZIPP 858/Super9 wheels (1,508,800 Drops) – #1 fastest wheels. The fastest hoops in game – you might as well just pick ’em up. If you’re at level 45 you’ve probably got the Drops to do it!
- Cervelo P5x frame (1,065,000 Drops) – #2 fastest tt frame.
Great work. Just what I’ve been waiting for. I think Zwift should implement load-outs so you can quickly switch to your desired set up depending on the course you’re riding.
p.s. Small typo: “buy the smallest of margins” *by
Thanks, fixed! Sort of a funny play on words, though, you have to admit… 😉
As usual…great work Eric! These buyers guides are so helpful and make Zwift even more fun. Excuse me while i do some shopping.
Great article Eric, wish I’d known this 18 month’s ago! Lol! 👍🏼😂👍🏼
How is Specialized Venge S-Works frame not a MUST BUY?
Because the margin over the S5 is so slim. 1 second over 50 minutes!
Eric, is it worth getting the 858/Super9 wheels if you already have the 808/Super9 set (other than the cool color disk😎)?
They’re 1-2 seconds faster over our 50 minute flat test. Your call!
AWESOME!!! Thanks!!! Really appreciate the guidance!!!
: – )
Thanks for this great guide! So much work put in. If only I knew that Allez Sprint was the best option just yesterday when I was looking for a bike for flats. I wouldn’t have bought Chapter2 Rere 🙁
I feel like maybe I possibly could have provided inspiration for this!! 😉
You did!
Just curious how the Venge S-Works is not considered a Must Buy as the fastest overall frame?
This is an amazing guide though! Probably the most helpful thing since the speed chart.
Because the margin over the S5 is so slim. 1 second over 50 minutes!
This is a great article. Really really helpful. Just one question, I can’t spot which are the #1 fastest climbing wheels.
Those are the Lightweight Meilensteins, which one can unlock atop the Alpe. They’re not a level unlock.
Ah! yes. Thank you. That’s an incentive to get up the Alpe more often. I normally get mitts.
Hi, I can’t find that wheels and i already did the Alpe du Zwift. What am I missing?
The lightweight wheels you can get at the top of Alpe but only if the prize spinner lands on them as a prize. People have summited many many times without getting them. Gloves are given by far the most commonly. That said, I’ve also talked to people who’ve gotten the wheels second time up.
I got lightweights 2nd try 🙂
Great post, thanks Eric.
I also think it is worth noting that the speed benefit in a race or group ride (where a considerable amount of time will be spent drafting) is so small that people should really not feel put off going for the frame that they are most attracted too. Personally I cannot wait for the SystemSix, as it is fast enough and I ride one in real life.
It would be great to see the realities of time saving in race conditions, where say 75% of the time is spent drafting.
Eric: You are the best bang for the buck on Zwift
LOL. Thanks Ralph!
You’re not wrong, Ralph! But also, back off! He’s taken!
Sooo….. Thats what she said?
Having got the Tron after a few months on Zwift, I find myself weighing the “must buy” choices. This is an EXCELLENT guide. Great effort.
I feel like unlocking the Tron bike has made the drop shop pretty much useless for me… I have the Tarmac Pro with ENVE SES 3.4’s for hard climbs, otherwise I just use the Tron bike since it is basically aster than everything else. What else would I need?
A good TT rig, perhaps. And a sweet mountain bike. And maybe a gravel bike? And when all else fails: the Zwift Safety bike, so you stand out in the crowd!
At some point it becomes about looking good :).
I guess a gravel bike and an mtb could be added to this guide? Since some of them have level unlocks…
Doh! I just realized they’re in the list anyway 🙂
It’s just that none of them are listed in bold or as a “must buy” choice – and that they’re not really described or categorized as mtb or gravel bikes in this list…
Now we need to figure out how to have an IRL Drop Shop – earn credits by biking to buy IRL gear.
It would be fun if Zwift gave us discounts, at least, for Drops…
Great stuff. I might print this one 🙂
Do you buy on Zwift or Zwift Companion?
On Zwift, in game. Click Menu>Garage.
This is wonderful work and much appreciated. I could use some help understanding the differences between the rankings and the speed tests. According to the speed tests for wheels (link below), the Enve SES 3.4s rate as better wheels than the Roval CLX64s. Again, looking at the speed tests, the Zipp 808s are smoking on flats but I don’t understand how they are #1 until Level 31 given the comparison to other climbing wheels.
Appreciate any help so this Zwifter can better understand.
https://zwiftinsider.com/charts-wheels/
We rank wheels by their speed on flat/rolling roads, and up the Alpe. Two very different rankings.
The 808s are #1 for flat stuff–they’re #1 on the fastest wheels list, not the fastest climbing list. The ENVE 3.4s are near the top of the list for climbing. But the 808s don’t climb well, and the 3.4s aren’t great on the flats.
Just like outdoors. Make sense?
Totally understand. But if I am on Royal Pump Room 8 or Everything Bagel or Figure 8, do I want to be riding 808s or ENVEs?
It’s tough on those types of routes, because a solo speed test will give the edge to the most aero wheel. But if you’re like many Zwifters, you can do OK sitting in a pack on flats and descents – it’s on the climbs where you may get dropped. So it probably makes sense to go with a climbing-oriented setup in those cases, since you will still be able to hang with the pack, but may gain a little time on the climbs.
It’s not a clear-cut answer though.
So I am going to demonstrate a complete ignorance of how hard what you do is. Is it possible to replicate the tests you have done on a representative, mixed climb-flat course like the ones I mentioned? Happy to write the National Institutes of Science research grant proposal if that helps.
Great post!
Perfect!
Thanks for the great guide! It’s so helpful for a newbie like me. Is there an overview of wich routes can be categorized as flat ones and wich one are „climbing routes“?
There is not… not yet, at least.
I took Eric’s master list of routes and details, moved it into excel, and divided the distance by the climb to get a variable for how hilly or flat a route was and have been using that.
Edit: divided climb by the distance
You could look at ZwiftHub.com where all routes are listed with Distance (& lead-in distance), Elevation (& lead-in elevation) and average gradient (which would tell you a lot about whether they are flat or climbing) as well as the elevation profile.
You may also filter the view, e.g. only show routes within a certain distance interval or elevation interval, or only those available in today’s worlds.
Closing in on level 40 and that sweet Buffalo bike.
I know where the Lightweight Meilenstein wheels you have to earn rank but where do you rank the Trek Emonda from the Everest Challenge compared to the frames you can “buy”?
#3! See https://zwiftinsider.com/fastest-bike-frames-for-climbing/
I found a little mistake. The Zwift 50 mm carbon wheels unlock on level 7 (not 13) and cost 120,700 drops (not 468,300)
Great job, Eric 😉
Weird–they must have updated the 32mm and 50mm carbon wheels at some point, and I missed it. Fixed!
Hi! I am level 7 and I have lots of drops but when I look in the garage there are no options to buy anything. Any ideas?
Gotta look in the Drop shop, Ed. Your garage is where your purchased stuff is stored. Drop Shop is where you shop.
Thanks!
Hi. I am level 7 and have lots of drops but when I look in the garage I can’t buy either frames or wheels of any kind. What is going wrong?
Gotta look in the Drop shop, Ed. Your garage is where your purchased stuff is stored. Drop Shop is where you shop.
So if u have tron and if you’re not climbing, u can basically ignore all this until level 35?
Yeah, if you’re purely concerned with speed.
This is great and matches up perfectly with a spreadsheet I built using your previously published speed data for frames and wheels. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for all the great work Eric! I love this post and it has been super useful so far. Also, I have a question: How long approximately did it take you to earn the TRON bike? I started Zwift in mid-December and am now 60% done with the challenge, but now it seems to be taking forever 😂maybe this is down to wimping out and doing Fuego Flats instead of the Alpe?
I’ve got some bad news my friend 🙁 … If you started in Dec and have been doing a lot of Fuego Flats, you are almost certainly not 60% done. The Tron bike doesn’t unlock at the top of Everest. You have to keep climbing after you reach the summit. You keep climbing all the way into outer space. (Lol not kidding tho)
Should I buy something at level 8 with 305 drops or save drops
Any change they would consider implementing a trade-up option? Perhaps offer to discount the higher level bikes and wheels 20% or so on a trade-in. It would allow us to get rid of equipment in our garage we no longer use because of the better equipment available in the higher levels.
Hi all. Newbie to Zwift and just came across this excellent article.
My question is this – why make gear available at certain levels if you have nowhere near enough drops to purchase. For example, the ENVE SE 3.4 wheels @ 191,700 drops available at Level 4 but I only had 80,000 odd drops.
I’m now at Level 6 and have 105,000 drops so same issue with the Zwift aero frame (@ 319,500).
How do I accumulate those sort of drops?
Thanks,
Mark
You get drops as a function of the work you’re putting in – the harder you’re working, the faster the drops accumulate. Drop accumulation has two “bonus multipliers”. One is that you get more drops climbing on 3% grades or higher, so if you want to accumulate more drops/km, make them climbing kilometres. The other multiplier is that you accumulate drops faster for 15 seconds after someone gives you a “ride on!”, so get in the habit of giving them out, and perhaps people will return them to the benefit of your drop collection rate!
Whats the speed difference between the Trek Madone and the Scott Foil? I noticed that it didn’t make the “Fastest Frames for Zwifters Level 30 and Below”, and was wondering how much slower it was.
Specilaized tarmac pro, it is good uphill, but i lost contact with many groups going downhill. Have you tested it downhill?
Downhill performance is the same as flat performance, basically. You can see how it stacks up here: https://zwiftinsider.com/charts-frames/
On level 9….I have the ENVE3.4s so next purchase needs to be a frame. Looking at the above I should grab the Cannondale EVO when I have enough drops. Or should I wait until I have enough to buy the Zwift Aero frame?
Ok I think rather I’ll buy the EVO as soon as I can afford it and then the Specialized Allez Sprint at level 14
Referenced this post many times already and will continue doing so. Thanks and big UPs Eric for sharing this guide!
I watched this youtube for a test showing that safety bike frame with lightweight wheel is the fastest, faster than tarmac pro with lightweight wheel (level 11). Well if you can be at level 44, should have enough drops to afford it..
That’s an old video, before the Safety Bike was updated. It’s not the fastest.
Great list, but the Parlee RZ7 and the other new frame isn’t there yet.
Pls update.
I am not sure I understand. The must buy for lvl 11 is Specialized Tarmac Pro frame. But at completing California you get the Specialized Tarmac right? According to https://zwiftinsider.com/charts-frames/ the Tarmac is beter than the Pro. So why should I buy this if the Tarmac is for free after completing California?
Two different Tarmacs. One is great (Tarmac Pro). The other is nothing special, in terms of performance!
Hi. Fairly new to all of this and currently at level 10. Really appreciate all the information you put out there. Hope you can clear up a bit of confusion – was the factor one frame in this post different from the one in the latest release? Trying to figure out what I should use my first drop purchase on. Thanks!
Factor One in this post is the one released in yesterday’s update.
Thanks so much. Was confused by the initial date.
Hi, Eric. I think you may have a typo in the list. You still have the Cervelo S3D listed as “#2 fastest beginner frame”, when I think it’s been knocked down to #4 by the Factor One and Ridley Noah Fast 2019 frames. Assuming I’m reading the the rankings correctly, that is. Thanks for assembling these lists!
Good catch! Fixed.
Thanks for the info! I see bikes and wheelsets affect my speed. How does the rest of the gear in my garage work? For example, does my loose hair style cause drag? Does a helmet help (which is aero) or hinder (extra weight) in a climb? Do I want tall socks? There are so many variables.
Only frames and wheels matter at this time.
I keep coming back to this article. Very useful! I also like it when you give suggestions for the type of bike and wheels that are best for specific routes. Thanks.
I entered a TT race and bought a TT frame through the drop shop. My question is, if I want to go back to my original frame after the event, do I need to purchase it again? , or can I just get it back without spending my drops?
No — you go into your garage and re-select the other frame. When you buy stuff you have it forever, for better or worse.
So from what i can gather. The best upgrade route might look like.
Upgrade Path Reason Level Drops
Enve SES 3.4 #1 Climbing Wheels 4 191,700
Specialised Tarmac Pro #1 Climbing Frame 11 408,300
Zipp 808 Wheels Fastest wheels below lvl 30 13 177,700
Specialized Allez Sprint #1 fastest beginner frame 14 127,800
Zipp 454 wheels Best Mixed Terrain Wheels 24 284,000
Cervelo S5 frame #2 fastest frame >30 25 603,500
ENVE SES 8.9 Fastest til lvl 35 31 205,900
Specialized Venge S #1 fastest frame 33 798,800
Does that seem right?
I put the Cervelo P5 time trial frame in my purchase path. For solo training, it’s my preference: (1) I can cover more distance, (2) I get XP instead of powerups I don’t want anyway on solo training, (3) for time trials. The Tarmac Pro is only marginally better (5 seconds up L’Alpe) than the Cannondale Evo, which is much cheaper, freeing up funds for the time trial bike, if needed. The Allez Sprint is cheap but I didn’t consider it worth it, since it makes sense only for races with essentially no climbing, so for crits maybe but not… Read more »
Eric you are my Zwift guru. Thank you for all the useful and accurate information.
Hi why buy at level25 the cervelo s5 if you already have the Specialized Allez sprint #1 fastest please?
Cervelo s5 is faster than the Spec Allez Sprint. Allez Sprint is the fastest “beginner” frame, not the fastest overall.
Keep up the good work 👍🚵♂️
Really enjoy reading all the stuff you publish thanks and makes the whole Zwift experience a little more fun