I won the Meilestein wheels yeasterday but can’t see them in my garage. Hi Thomas: at this time, what you wear doesn’t affect your weight in game. A solid all-around wheel, the Zipp 454’s rank at the top of our combined percentile rankings (see bottom chart here). Only 8 seconds separate the Meilensteins from the Bora Ultra 50’s up the Alpe at 300 watts with a 75kg rider on a Zwift Aero frame. Follow on Strava, So complicated to choose! Just 5 seconds behind the Meilensteins, these wheels come at a low price and level unlock. We’ve already looked at which frames perform best on flat/mixed routes. Plus, with a more aero wheel, you get to feel the wind in your hair on the way down! fastest climbing wheels on zwift. The next fastest frames are just behind those listed above–see the detailed data charts. One of the newer bikes on this list, the SuperSix EVO was built to climb fast but be aero at the same time (read more about it here). Über Pretzel Debrief + PRL Full Event Announcement. Was wondering if people had done similar and what the best frame wheel set up they used. If you find climbing easy, but anticipate that today’s Greater London Flat race will be a chore, look for a bike with the most aero stars. But I wouldn’t rank it above anything listed here, no. Are you in the Drop Shop, or your garage? Zwift Insider makes a small commission on purchases made from these links, so please shop through them to support our efforts. Zwift Insider is independent of Zwift corporate (. Is there a chart breakdown of different wheelsets with different frames? Differences between options will also be magnified or minimized by your own power levels, drafting abilities, and more. If you made it up sub 60 you don’t need the lightweights! The Tarmac Pro puts in precisely the same climb and flat times as the Cannondale Evo, but the Evo has a lower price and level requirement. I have an upcoming race which is a decent from the radio tower. Nov 8, 2019: Moved Bora 50s down two slots to #6. Slightly lacking in aerodynamics compared to the top competition, they definitely have the light weight necessary to turn in a fast Alpe climb time. Again, your best Zwift race setup depends on our specific situation, so do your research and choose wisely. 262,700 Drops to purchase, must be Level 27+. On mixed courses you need to avoid being dropped and go for a light one. Below you will find the 9 fastest wheelsets for longer, steeper climbs. If you’re planning to hook a smart trainer up to your mountain bike, you’ll need to consider hub width and axle type. Cheers Eric. More than that, any bike frame on the list above can beat the Tron up the Alpe, using any wheelset on our list of top climbing wheelsets. This list is based on our recent speed tests of 100+ rides up Alpe du Zwift, a 12.2km, 8% monster of a climb which takes around 50 minutes to complete for our 75kg test rider at 300 watts steady. fastest climbing wheels on zwift 16309 post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-16309,single-format-standard,bridge-core-2.6.5,qode-page-transition-enabled,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-title-hidden,qode-theme-ver-25.0,qode-theme-bridge,disabled_footer_bottom,qode_header_in_grid,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.5.0,vc_responsive The “Zipp 202” wheels show as the same star ratings (3* Aero, 4* Weight) as the “Enve SES 3.4” and with a better rating than the “Zipp 404”, yet the Zipp 202 wheels don’t make the list, is there a reason for that? Zipp 202 didn’t make the cut for a climbing wheel? . 149,200 Drops to purchase, must be Level 15+. The next wheels which climb decently well perform so poorly in flat races that they aren’t worth listing. These climb 1 second slightly slower than the Bora Ultra 35’s, but they vastly outperform the 35’s on flat/mixed terrain so they made the cut. I keep read contradicting information about the Tarmac you receive on completion of the Tour of California challenge. LW wheels beat DT Swiss by 6 seconds up the Alpe. Is it the SWorks Tarmac, the Tarmac Pro, or the basic Tarmac? When I went to wheels to change my current set the top five were not offered. So you’ll want to think through your strengths as a rider when choosing your frames and wheels for races. Lighter items perform better on climbs, while more aerodynamic items perform better on flats and descents. Is there an SWorks Tarmac? Über Pretzel Debrief + PRL Full Event Announcement. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Nearby Zwifters Disappearing from the Screen – A Story ... How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More), which frames perform best on flat/mixed routes, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_eyckiQYPc, Shop for a trainer using our Smart Trainer Index. Use an average based on the time (not distance) on the flats or descents, and the time on relatively steep climbs (8% or steeper). This would include big Zwift mountains like Alpe du Zwift, the Epic KOM, or Innsbruck’s KOM. Really good climbing frame for this low down the levels. Three of my longer workouts made me complete the AdZ but all in all three instances I received gloves…. What’s the fastest thing to get up AdZ? Wheel choice for flat/mixed courses has already been discussed. Shouldn’t I be able to access at least one light wheel set? Cheers! Just achieved the ToC and it said on the screen that I had unlocked the Tarmac S Works. The frames above are separated by just 4 seconds on a climb up Alpe du Zwift at 300 watts with a 75kg rider using the stock 32mm carbon wheelset. The 404’s perform very much like the 454’s up the Alpe (just 1 second slower), but the 454’s outperform them by a few seconds on flat/mixed courses. I got my Lightweights on the 5th time up AdZ. 170,400 LEVEL 5 . And it appears to be a great bike in Zwift. Earn Your Über Pretzel Badge! Luckily for us, we can get them free by just riding up the Alpe! Hi Eric, thanks for the useful insight. Nov 1, 2019: added the Cannondale SuperSix EVO in the 6th spot. The newest wheels on this list (in game), the ARC 62’s deliver strong climbing performance and solid aero performance, making them perhaps the best all-arounders yet. Added Tarmac SL7 in #4/5 slot. Problem is, it may take one try… or 25. Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. I got the Meilenstein’s on my 15th trip up the ADZ…I was so excited I turned around and went back up However, I did not see a noticable difference in time or uphill speed from the Enve 3.4’s with same effort. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Your best Zwift setup, more than ever, depends on your specific situation. This community-driven site is maintained by Eric Schlange and a team of Zwift enthusiasts. Oct 23, 2020: removed Canyon Aeroad 2021, since ZHQ made it heavier. Anyone has an idea what has happened? This bike is called “Concept Z1” and is usually referred to as the Zwift “tron bike”. Roval CLX64. Have you seen Zwift’s Getting Started Guide? This list needs editing. You’ve got the sl7 in two places (4/5 and 6/7) and your change log states you’ve moved down the tarmac pro a couple of spots but it is in #1 position. All the TT bikes are pretty heavy, so lightweight road bikes beat them up longer, steeper climbs. Because you have to get to the Alpe before you can climb it! These wheels are super-premium IRL, and their price reflects that. This is the way of the Alpe. I got the Meilenstein’s on my 15th trip up the ADZ…I was so excited I turned around and went back up However, I did not see a noticable difference in time or uphill speed from the Enve 3.4’s with same effort. A definite one to get if you’re going for the Tron Bike. Leave em for us commoners! or better a more aero solutions as Dtswiss to keep the group ? PS: I hate to be the **** that points stuff like out but thought that someone should – always a massive fan of your site! 1 Zwift’s “Trainer Difficulty” Setting. Is it because they’re only better on a purely flat course, and the 454s are better with a mixed course? I have been frustrated climbing Alpe Du Zwift time and time again and never win the Meilenstein Lightweight Wheels. Those star ratings must not be very accurate because the SL7 would have one of the best “star ratings” in the game it would seem? Then I’d take the average of time savings on flats and steeps from these rankings. Here’s a post summarizing some of our findings. This list is based on our recent speed tests of 100+ rides up Alpe du Zwift, a 12.2km, 8.5% monster of a climb. Take the perfect selfie. Do I need to do something special? The Emonda used to be the fastest climber in game, but has been bumped a few spots since those early day. Thanks! On flat courses you should even be able to break away (small group or alone), so a fast wheelset will definitly help. Leave em for us commoners! Claudia explains, "You do get some drafting benefits when climbing, so depending on how you want to play your cards and how good you are with 6 to 8 minute power, plan to dig super deep or let someone else set the pace and sit on their wheel for a slight tow up most of the corkscrew of the volcano climb until it's an all in sprint to win at the finish banner." I was curious on this too?? Push your power curve out, find your rhythm, and conquer the climbs. This list is based on our recent speed tests of 100+ rides up Alpe du Zwift, a 12.2km, 8.5% monster of a climb. Removed 7 and #8: Cervelo R5 and Chapter2 Tere, and 9 and #10: Trek Emonda SL and Specialized Tarmac. Had neglected to test this up the Alpe when it was released back in July. Hi, Nov 15, 2019: Shortened the list. Cannot be purchased, must complete Climb Mt. For 2020, the biggest stage of the race is Stage 5 with 9,350’ (2,850m) and 53miles (85km). Notes: All tests were performed with a 75kg, 183cm (6′) rider unless otherwise noted. The next question for racers is: what about climbing? the Tarmac SL7 got a better rating than the Tarmac Pro, so why should be the Pro faster ? Everest Challenge to unlock. Each piece of equipment has unique weight and aerodynamic (CdA) values, making them perform in ways that mirror outdoor physics. Zwift Insider makes a small commission on purchases made from these links, so please shop through them to support our efforts. Home; About Us; News; Whats on… Sunbeams Pre-School; Hall Hire Information . Office Open Weekdays 9am-3pm (2pm Fridays) Posts. Comments to the frame? I’ve been really lucky, then. Removed 7, 8, and 9 because their flat performance is so bad, and you can get better climbing wheelsets at lower levels and prices. , How do I access these top 5 wheel sets? I got the Lightweight wheelset at the 18x up the Alpe, but have heard of people going 25+. Below you will find the fastest draftable frames for climbing Alpe du Zwift. The Madone will set you back 887,500 Zwift Drops. Evo: 213,000 Drops to purchase, must be Level 9+Tarmac Pro: 408,300 Drops to purchase, must be Level 11+. Differences between options will also be magnified or minimized by your own power levels, drafting abilities, and more. This site contains affiliate links to Amazon, Wahoo, and other brands. Tarmac pro as frame for sure , and then? Hopefully the mountain goats found this post useful. 35,600 LEVEL 2 . ie – I use my Tarmac Pro for everything because of ANY climb, whether that’s Epic KOM or Petit KOM, but would I be better off with a ‘flat-course’ bike on certain stages? But look at it this way: you’re going to take on the Everest Challenge anyway, so why not unlock a nice climber while you’re at it? It would probably be the next wheelset on the list, if we made the list longer! I’d go DT Swiss in a Tour of Fire and Ice race, especially if I was at all concerned about my ability to hang onto the front pack in the flat early sections. Climbing means more resistance, and more resistance means more work. Zwift Insider is independent of Zwift corporate (. I know there’s a crazy factorial number of different configurations, but it’d be interesting to see the results of the top gear kept at the constant 300w/75kg. Would love your thoughts, please comment. thanks. 191,700 Drops to purchase, must be Level 4+. It includes 8 stages over 8 days and 50,853' (15,500m) of climbing through the western cape of South Africa. A solid choice for the ladies! Thanks. Hey Eric sorry if asked before but… what’s quicker to climb (without drafting) the Tarmac Pro or a Shiv S-works? Posted by Eric Schlange | Nov 16, 2019 | Frames & Wheels, Racing, Speed Tests | 30. They just barely didn’t make this list – they’d be the next wheelset on the list, if we made it longer. Learn more. So suppose I’m doing Bologna where I spend half the time on flats and half the climb on steep climb. According to the frametest page the Aeroad 2021 is 2s FASTER than the Tramac Pro… and so is #1 (also the heading for it says #2). Each piece of equipment has unique weight and aerodynamic (CdA) values, making them perform in ways that mirror outdoor physics. This is tough for most riders as a single-day event. What about climbing? Has value if your going for the specialized collection but not much else. Have you testet the Ridley Helium? Contents hide. I’d love to have an SWorks Tarmac just because that’s what I ride in the real world. It is a super light bike and should perform well on the climbs, right? For mixed routes, shall I go for light wheels and frame so that it helps me on the crucial moment of a race (for example, the original Watopia KOM) when I get dropped? So you’ll want to think through your strengths as a rider when choosing your frames and wheels for races. Cannot be purchased, must be won via the Alpe prize wheel. Zwift workout Climber's Paradise in Classics and Climbing including all workout details, workout description, wattages/%FTP and cadences. I hope you can do a new comparison test on a more tough roller routes such as NYC Perimeter Park to see where else can we slower rider can make better use of this Meilenstein wheels. These frames are the fastest up the Alpe, but that means they won’t be the fastest down or on flat sections since climbing frames are lightweight and less aero. Your choice of wheelset influences your Zwift speed significantly since it impacts both weight and aerodynamics. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Post by on 26th February 2021 in Uncategorized on 26th February 2021 in Uncategorized Below you will find the 9 fastest wheelsets for longer, steeper climbs. A great climber with a super-cool paint job. The ToC Tarmac is not worth the bother. I got my Lightweights on my 13th climb up the Alpe. Easier said than done, perhaps. These workouts focus on energy management, base strength, and threshold power. It’s not the fastest on the flats, but it’s pretty slippery, beating most of the frames on this list in our flat tests. Zwift workout Power Pyramid v1 in Classics and Climbing including all workout details, workout description, wattages/%FTP and cadences. Found a ton of interesting info on your site! But compared to your body weight a few hundred grams will not make a big difference :). This is the big question everyone asks. Both of these bikes are bit faster on the flats than the Amira S-Works, so we’ve ranked them just above. I weigh 95 kg and have an FTP of around 350 watts. Your best Zwift setup, more than ever, depends on your specific situation. Smart trainers interact with the Zwift courses as you ride them and adjusts resistance to your rear wheel that mimics climbing/descending and off-road surfaces (mud, gravel etc). This isn’t an exact science, but we’re pretty confident in our findings thus far. The Amira is in position 6 and 7. whats the thing about the ingame star rating? Zwift Insider is independent of Zwift corporate (www.zwift.com), although Zwift does provide funding to help defray site costs. When aerodynamics matter less and weight matters more, which wheelset should you choose? Lighter items perfor… You should do that then. Earn Your Über Pretzel Badge! If you ride on Zwift, you have probably seen the cool looking bike with glowing wheels. Amira: 355,000 Drops to purchase, must be Level 31+. Long time user, first time commenter. It’s the ultimate customization for your avatar, it’s FAST, and it’s a testament to your climbing abilities! Posted by Eric Schlange | Nov 8, 2019 | Frames & Wheels, Racing, Speed Tests | 24. Zwift Insider is independent of Zwift corporate (www.zwift.com), although Zwift does provide funding to help defray site costs. But when the road turns up, gravity kicks in and weight matters. Are the in-app star ratings not accurate when you actually put them to the test? If not, is the ToC Tarmac good for something else or not really worth completing the challenge for? The very best climbing setup is the Specialized Tarmac Pro combined with Meilenstein Lightweight wheels (which are only available with a bit of luck after you climb the Alpe). So I pulled all the info I could find together into this page. So suppose I’m doing Bologna where I spend half the time on flats and half the climb on steep climb. Even if it meant higher efforts on the flat? Tarmac pro is done if same performance as the cannondale evo with the evo being half the drop price. Ah, I see this was answered already. Zipp 454 wheels – Level 24. Is the Spec Tarmac that gets awarded for completing the Tour of California the dame as the Pro that comes out as #1 climber? Depending on the course. Post below! This attempt was a sub 60 minute effort so maybe this was a qualifier? Ps, I’m at level 43. However here, they’re not mentioned. Hi all, not sure if its been discussed before, so apologise if it has.. Now, I wish I had registered a time on the board. Slightly confused. Lighter items perform better on climbs, while more aerodynamic items perform better on the flats. That could change in the future if Zwift decides to enter weights for items, but for now they’re just cosmetic. This made it easy to spot which wheelsets performed best. Getting on Zwift: A Step by Step Guide for Cycling, This community-driven site is maintained by Eric Schlange and a team of Zwift enthusiasts. This would include big Zwift mountains like Alpe du Zwift, the Epic KOM, or Innsbruck’s KOM. Very good climbing wheels and possibly the best you are likely to get before you hit the level 30+. Zwift Classic. I’m close to halfway there (completing the ToC) but have enough drops to get the Tarmac Pro when I… Read more ». This made it easy to spot which wheelsets performed best. Gotta buy ’em before you can use ’em! These climb at the same speed as the Bora Ultra 50’s below, but are faster on the flats so they get the edge in our rankings. The 202s are 4 seconds slower up the Alpe than the ENVE 3.4s. ENVE SES 3.4. Yeah, you have to buy it from the Drop Shop! Lo and behold, next trip up, i got the wheels again. And as even in real life I do not use gloves I am quite upset to receive 3x gloves :(…, Everyone receives way too many gloves. Got mine after 20th and almost want to give up as it’s only good for long steep climb event such as ADZ. The Cannondale at lvl 36 seems to have a good rating with four and three stars, suggesting it’s a superb all round or hilly course choice, but that’s not reflected in the measurements. Want a look at the complete data?Check out our Zwift Speed Test Charts for Wheels >. Currently on the Tarmac Pro which is super fast up hill but would swap if the one I unlocked is lighter. Wheel-on TrainersIf you're looking to get started with Zwift—a wheel-on trainer is a good entry level choice. Would love your thoughts, please comment. The Absa Cape Epic, often dubbed 'Un-tameable', is a 600+ km beast of an MTB race. Added the new Specialized Tarmac SL7. Got questions or comments? Also moved the SuperSix EVO up a slot so it’s tied with the SL7, since their numbers match. But, I love your pages – my ‘go to’ resource for all things Zwift! Hi, looks the SL7 now features twice in the list following the latest revision to the page. Follow on Strava, Very useful thank you … I am trying to crush the LiftOff Achievement on Alpe Du Zwift and i need to drop 16 more minutes … i been using the scott’s foil frame … I won the lightweight wheels reward on my second run up Alpe =), … just changing my wheels saved me three minutes… and I just about have enough drops for the frame … gotta get below 60 minutes for LIFTOFF =D. Tarmac is about 70 seconds faster than the Shiv S-Works up the Alpe. Any cyclist worth their chamois knows the fastest bike on the flats isn’t the fastest bike on the climbs. I’ve got them on my second climb up the Alpe! Apr 24, 2019: removed the Safety Bike from the #1 slot, since it has gained weight and is no longer a fast climber. Btw, I could never hang with group A riders after the 2nd half of a 30 miles round. Zwift Climbing Difficulty. Aug 7, 2020: removed Canyon Ultimate (it would have been #7). Then again, the 404’s are much easier to obtain! It doesn’t show in the garage as a future acquistiion but I keep reading about it in various articles. Your choice of bike frame influences your Zwift speed significantly. Moved the Tarmac Pro down two slots after some re-testing. 191,800 Drops to purchase, must be Level 22+. 184,600 Drops to purchase, must be Level 6+. We then ranked those wheelsets based on their climbing performance, using their flat/mixed course performance as a secondary factor when needed. If you have a tough time climbing and you’re racing Watopia Mountain, use the lightest setup you’ve got. And they’ll cost 284,000 Drops. Eric Schlange, Webmaster Each piece of equipment has unique weight and aerodynamic (CdA) values, making them perform in ways that mirror outdoor physics. Ironically, even though it takes a lot of climbing to unlock the Tron bike, it’s not a great climber. I think it’s fairly straight forward. I’d be very curious to see the time differences of these Alpe runs (and the flats!). These frames are the fastest up the Alpe, but that means they won’t be the fastest down or on flat sections since climbing frames are lightweight and less aero. I have no idea what the percentage is! There are a number of climbs in Zwift, but I couldn’t find an ordered list of climbs ranked by climbing category. Got questions or comments? Be sure to use a fan to keep your core temperature down so you can perform at your best! This isn’t an exact science, but we’re pretty confident in our findings thus far. It’s just physics: when the road is flat, most of your resistance comes from wind, so aero is everything. So the Pro wins on long, steepish climbs. We’ve been hard at work in our lab testing wheels. Now, it’s back to gloves though. Hi Eric, rather new to Zwift. In fact, at least 16 frames perform better up the Alpe when paired with the Lightweight Meilenstein wheels. The amount of Drops you earn can also depend on the amount of climbing and effort you put into each session so hit Zwift hard and you’ll see your bank balance jump accordingly. Because the stars aren’t super “granular”. I have exactly the same question. DT Swiss beat the LW wheels by 21 seconds on the flats! That said, the Tron bike is still one of the fastest on flat/mixed routes. For example, the Tarmac Pro with Meilenstein wheels vs TP with 404s; Ultimate w/ 3.4s vs 858/disc, etc.. Oct 1, 2020: added Canyon Aeroad 2021 in the #2 slot, which moved all bikes below it down a notch. We tested all wheelsets using the same power levels, rider weight, and bike frame. If you’re looking for the perfect pic of your avatar, then you’ll probably know … Oct 7, 2019: added Chapter2 Tere in #7 slot. And that’s how it performs in-game, too! Aug 11, 2020: inserted the new DT Swiss ARC 62’s in the 3rd slot. The massive Alpe du Zwift provides a perfect testing ground for us, and the prize spinner at the top even gives you a set of … i mean, with LW wheels i wille be able to keep the peloton on the first 10k? We think this is a wonderful development, bringing more strategy and planning into Zwift racing and variety in the peloton. is there any indication of percentage for the Lightweight Wheelset and the other items? Potentially Lightweight Meilenstein wheels - every ascent of Alpe du Zwift gives you a chance of winning them . Moved the Tarmac Pro back to the #1/2 slot. Following the Mountain 8 Circuit once again falls into this weird world of Zwift whereby the intuitive thing doesn’t happen. And Zwift’s release of the Drop Shop has given us access to lots of wheelsets: 28 now, with more on the way! Save the drops for wheels or more aero faster road frames or gravel/MTB frames or TT frames. 284,000 Drops to purchase, must be Level 24+. In hilly routes it is obvious that a light wheelset must be chosen. Classics and Climbing. I watched this youtube for a test showing that safety bike frame with lightweight wheel is the fastest, faster than tarmac pro (level 11) with lightweight wheel. This site contains affiliate links to Amazon, Wahoo, and other brands. I already own ENVE SES 3.4 (cheap to get) but the Lightweights would make me feel better :). The “which bike frame or wheelset is fastest” question isn’t as easy to answer as you might think. You may still have an issue though. Feel free to sift through our detailed charts! As mentioned here, 8 seconds on the total climb is the difference between the two…still going to run them though….#marginal_gains. Tarmac from ToC challenge isn’t anything special. Post below! Nobody really knows how often the spinner lands on the Meilensteins, but they’re definitely a prize worth winning. And Zwift’s Drop Shop gives us access to a pile of frames: 60+ including the Tron and TT bikes! But the Pro is lighter than the SL7. Presume it’s the Tarmac but…?! [email protected], Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. The Tarmac SL7 and SuperSix EVO turn in identical climb and flat times, so they’re ranked together here. And while it may not be the fastest up the Alpe, it’s not far off. #2: Lose Weight. Eric Schlange, Webmaster 3rd Fastest Climbing Wheels. Or the opposite, any advantage I get this way on hills will be wasted in the flat sections (even if I “hide” in the… Read more ». In this Top 10, we are going through the hardest climbs on Zwift. I’d assume the Tarmac Pro with 3.4s vs the EVO with 3.4s would should somewhat of a wider time margin than both… Read more ». Read more speed tests here >. We hope all you riders/racers found this post useful. For gradual climbs, take a rough average based on how steep it is. There I probably spend 2 minutes on steep… Read more », I got mine on the 13th, as well.