Chinese electronics giant Huawei has introduced a pair of new sports-oriented smartwatches, the Fit 4 and Fit 4 Pro, with prices starting at just £149.99/ €169.99.
Huawei launched the Fit 3 in May 2024 and says the Fit 4 series has even more to offer, with features including offline maps access, a new barometer and health-monitoring data.
Smartwatches offer cyclists the opportunity to monitor useful metrics such as biometric data, speed, location and a whole host more. The best on the market are user-friendly, unobtrusive and can enhance a rider’s experience – and even the effectiveness of their training.
The Fit 4 Pro smartwatch offers an improved barometer over the Fit 3, according to Huawei. Huawei
Huawei explains that the Fit 4 series introduces “innovative premium materials such as sapphire glass and aviation-grade aluminium body with titanium alloy bezel”, saying this signifies “a leap in build quality, protection and durability for a more wear-resistant experience”.
Huawei’s Fit 4 smartwatch retails from £149.99. Huawei
The Fit 4 is priced competitively from £149.99 / €169.99, with its higher-spec sibling the Fit 4 Pro starting at £249.99/ €279.99. Could the tech on offer at these prices worry more established brands such as Garmin, Coros and Suunto?
The Huawei Fit 4 Pro is claimed to be only 9.3mm thick. Huawei
Huawei says the Fit 4 Pro will combine an ultra-thin design with pro-grade sports tracking.
It also includes a new watersports route-tracking feature, offline maps access, water resistance up to 40 metres for diving and access to more than 15,000 global golf course maps.
Huawei says the Fit 4 Pro is only 9.3mm thick.
Improved altitude data
Offline maps access could be useful for those who like to head out in the backcountry. Huawei
A new barometer, to enable you to monitor elevation-gain data, is aimed at mountain climbers, but its benefits could also apply to cyclists.
This barometer, or air-pressure sensor, will be used to enhance outdoor-sport data measurement accuracy, according to Huawei.
Health-monitoring tech
The Fit 4 Pro can collect health data, such as blood oxygen levels and breathing rate. Huawei
The Fit 4 Pro also uses Huawei’s TruSense health-monitoring system. It measures vital signs such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels and respiratory rate, as well as emotional well-being and stress-level assessments.
Big battery
Despite its thin profile, the Fit 4 Pro is touted as having a large battery capacity. Huawei
The Fit 4 Pro can go without daily recharging, according to Huawei, although the brand didn’t supply any specific information on battery capacity. The brand says this makes it perfect for travel, long training sessions and spontaneous weekend getaways. It says the watch is “designed for life beyond the plug”.
Pricing and availability
Huawei’s Fit 4 smartwatch takes the tech up a notch from the Fit 3. Huawei
The Huawei Fit 4 and Fit 4 Pro are available to pre-order now from the Huawei Store. Both are slated for official launch on 26 May.
Riding your bike while listening to music can be an amazing feeling, as long as you stay safe.
The subject of whether it’s safe to cycle with headphones continues to divide the crowd. However, for those who are in favour, there’s a range of options designed to enable you to enjoy your favourite music while maintaining awareness of approaching cars and other hazards.
There are a few different types of headphones, with those featuring an open-ear or bone-conduction design most likely to keep you alert to your surroundings.
Alternatively, some in-ear buds use built-in microphones and transparency modes to help you pick up traffic noise, but many people believe this is a less safe option.
We have trawled through Amazon to find the best deals on cycling headphones, so if you’re in the market, take a look below.
The OpenFit 2 buds come in a pocket-sized case that keeps them charged. Amazon
The OpenFit 2 earbuds are great for cycling and running thanks to the open-ear design that keeps your ear canal open, enabling you to better hear ambient noise.
We’ve tested the original OpenFits, and were impressed by the detailed sound quality and comfort thanks to the sleek hooks that fit around the top of your ears, keeping the buds securely in place.
These new headphones enjoy up to 11 hours on a single charge and up to 48 hours with the charging case.
There’s a 15 per cent saving on the OpenFit 2 now, bringing their price down from £199 to £169.
We were impressed by the Pixel Buds Pro 2 when we tested them. Scott Windsor / Our Media
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 buds are smaller, lighter and have a better sound than their predecessors.
When we tested them, we loved their immersive, powerful hi-fi performance, while the fit was reassuringly solid.
The RRP was on the high side, but this discount sees them sneak inside the £200 mark. If you’re an Android user on the lookout for in-ear buds, now could be the time.
Beats benefits from being part of the Apple family. Amazon
The Powerbeats Pro buds may have been surpassed by the latest Powerbeats Pro 2, but they still offer a range of up-to-date features.
Beats says the headphones have up to nine hours of listening time, or more than 24 hours with the charging case.
Thanks to using the H1 chip, the headphones benefit from the Apple ecosystem connectivity, meaning they will connect to your iPhone similarly to AirPods.
Adjustable earhooks should keep the headphones in place, and multiple eartips should make for a secure fit.
Cycling appeals to different people for different reasons, but I love how it enables achievement and exploration. Whether it’s a new Strava PR, a race win, or finishing a long ride, there are always new achievements to strive for. And who doesn’t love riding new roads? The best way to see the world is on a bicycle, after all.
At the time of this post, there are 199 routes on Zwift awarding a completion badge accompanied by bonus XP. And while some Zwifters may not pay any attention to all the different routes, badges, and XP bonuses, you, dear reader, are different. You love a good challenge, and the dopamine hit of achievement. And you’ve come to the right place.
Why?
Any self-help guru will tell you it’s smart to start with your “why”, so let’s do that. Why would anyone care about riding all of Zwift’s routes? Several reasons…
Exploring: if you’re the type of person who likes to see new sites, riding all of Zwift’s routes will get you intimately acquainted with the platform’s virtual roads. You’ll end up traversing popular sections multiple times, too, so you’ll really get to know your way around the place!
Veloviewer Leaderboards: we’ve set up a route/KOM leaderboard in partnership with Veloviewer so you can compete with other Zwifters to not only see who has completed the most routes, but how fast you’ve completed them! (Read how it works here, and I should mention there’s also a Climb Portal Veloviewer Leaderboard.)
Extra XP: the first time you complete a route in Zwift, you’ll earn an XP bonus with the route badge. That bonus is basically equal to the amount of XP you’ll have already earned each mile/kilometer while riding the route (32XP per mile, or 20XP per kilometer), so you’re effectively doubling your XP earnings when riding new routes. That means faster level ups!
Completionists, Rejoice: if you’re the type of person who likes to make a to do list, then check off each item until it’s done, route hunting on Zwift is made for you.
Another Carrot: Zwift is full of carrots – little prizes dangled in front of us to entice us to ride more often, or push harder. Route achievements are just one of those carrots, and while it may not appeal to you all the time, it may just grab your interest when other carrots do not.
Defining “All”
As we kick off this discussion, it’s important to define what we actually mean when we talk about riding “all” the routes in Zwift. Because there are Zwift routes you’ll never be able to ride (because they’re only for runners). And there are Zwift routes which can only be ridden in events (aptly named “event-only” routes).
Based on our master routes list, at the time of this post, there are 49 event-only routes on Zwift and 23 run-only routes.
To confuse matters more, it used to be that event-only routes didn’t award route badges. But then, in November 2021, Zwift released the Neokyo Crit Course route, an event-only route with an achievement badge. And since then, they’ve added badges to several other event-only routes!
For most Zwifters, when they talk about wanting to ride “all” the routes in Zwift, they’re talking about earning all the route badges. Doing this will show every route listed in game as finished, and will earn you all the extra XP available from route badges. So I’ll assume that’s what you’re going for.
Defining “Finish”
At the risk of being pedantic, I want to document precisely what is required to “finish” a route, since this is a common point of confusion with newer Zwifters. When I say “finish” here, I mean completing the route in such a way as to earn the route achievement badge.
You can finish a route in one of four ways:
Select the route from the game’s route list and ride to the route’s finish line
Select the route from the route picker that pops up after you choose a workout, then ride all the way to the route’s finish line
Join an event or meetup hosted on the route (don’t late join as you may miss the start of the route!) and ride all the way from the start of the route to the finish line
Join a Robopacer on a particular route and stay with that Robopacer from the start line of the route to the finish line
You will see an achievement banner pop up when you finish the route, and the badge’s XP bonus will pop in at the same time (see “680 XP” below):
If you don’t see that banner, you haven’t earned the route achievement badge!
There are three common ways Zwifters attempt to complete routes but aren’t successful. Hopefully listing them here will save someone a bit of grief:
Joining a Robopacer ride on a route, but failing to stay with the bot long enough to ride from the start of the route (including the lead-in) all the way through to the finish
Freely navigate your way along the route, expecting that since you covered all the route’s roads, you will earn the badge. While that makes logical sense, it won’t work: you must explicitly select the route before riding it in order to earn the badge.
Riding a route which covers the same roads as another route, assuming you’ll earn both badges (the first half of Sacre Bleu, for example, is the entire Three Musketeers route). Again, the route must be explicitly selected in order for you to earn the badge.
Looking Up Unfinished Routes
So we know what “all” is, and we know what “finish” is. And while you probably haven’t ridden all the routes in Zwift, I’m sure you’ve already ridden some of them.
How do you figure out which ones you still need to finish?
There are two easy ways: in game, and via Zwift’s Companion app.
In Game
In the Zwift game, you can tap “Routes” on top to see a complete list of free-ridable routes in Watopia and the other two current guest maps. The icon next to the route’s name indicates whether you’ve earned the route badge or not: a green icon is an earned badge, while a grey icon means you haven’t yet earned it:
Select a route, click “Start Ride”, and go until you see the achievement banner. Easy!
You can even use the “Sort By” dropdown to show the routes you haven’t yet finished. Sort by “Route Completion” and all the unearned badges in your chosen map will be listed first:
The downside of the Routes list approach is that you can only search the three current active maps for unfinished routes. If you click “Achievements” under your profile on the top right, you can scroll down to Route Achievements and easily see which routes badges you haven’t yet earned. Here’s my current screen:
This is just a visual list of badges, though: you can’t just click an unearned badge to be taken to that route. For a complete list of your unfinished routes, and a way to add them to a sort of “To Do List”, you’ll need to head to the Companion app.
Companion App
The Companion app has a route explorer with a filter to “Show Uncompleted Routes”. Here’s a video showing how it’s done (around the 1:20 mark):
This is the easiest and most thorough way to see all the routes you need to complete. And this is where you can add those routes to “My List” so you can easily access them in game (see below for details).
Plan of Attack
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Have you formulated a plan for finishing all the routes in Zwift? I’ve got three tips that may prove helpful.
Tip #1: Use “My List”
The Companion app has a “My List” tool where you can add workouts and routes which then show up on the game’s homescreen under the “For You” header. It’s a simple, straightforward tool (read all about how it works), and one handy thing about it is you can add routes to your list and easily click to ride them in game, even if that route’s map isn’t one of the three scheduled on the day.
You can even boot into the game, then pull up your Companion app, search for uncompleted routes, and add one to your list. It will immediately pop into your homescreen, where you can click it to begin riding. Easy!
Tip #2: Use Events
The downside of riding a route in an “off-schedule” map is that it will be a very lonely experience, since everyone else is riding in the “open” maps.
Whenever possible, I like to ride new routes with others in events. This ensures I always have others to ride with, which helps the time pass faster but also makes the actual ride time shorter, as I get the benefit of drafting.
Finding events for a particular unfinished route isn’t easy using Zwift’s current tools, though. Fortunately, ZwiftHacks has an events tool which you can use to filter upcoming events by route.
Tip #3: Ramp It Up
One last tip: don’t overdo it. Especially if you’re newer to cycling, you may want to plan your route badge hunting so you start with easier routes and work your way toward the longer ones. The My List tool in Companion lets you easily drag and drop routes to re-sort the list, so use this to schedule upcoming badge attempts in a sensible fashion.
Our printable list of Zwift routes by difficulty may be a helpful tool in your route badge quest. Plus, if you print it out, you get the satisfaction of checking off each route as you complete it!
You might also try alternating hard days with easy days, saving the shorter routes for your zone 1/2 recovery rides while doing a ramping-up succession of harder routes every other day.
Route Achievement Feature Requests
I’ll wrap up this post with a few feature requests for Zwift HQ to consider.
Route Prestige
The challenge of completing all the routes in Zwift is a fun one, but once you’ve done it, you sort of have to find more carrots since the achievement of finishing a route for the second or third time is much less significant than the first time.
What if Zwift could give me some sort of achievement prize when we finish all the routes? That would drive more Zwifters to work at completing every route. And with that prize, all of my route badges could (optionally?) be set back to “unfinished” so I could work to finish them all again.
This could even be grown into some sort of “route prestige” system, where riders earn a new prestige level each time they complete all badged routes currently in Zwift.
Consistent Badging
Opinions may differ, but I think route badges should only be available for free rideable routes. It’s frustrating and sometimes tedious, when I’m forced to track down an event on a particular event-only route just so I can earn that badge.
I should add that lately, Zwift has been rolling out some new routes as event-only routes with badges, then opening them up as free rideable a few weeks later. I think this is a perfectly acceptable approach.
Ride On
Route badge hunting is one of my favorite activities on Zwift, and I know lots of Zwifters are motivated by the fun of new roads and extra XP. Hopefully this post helps even more Zwifters join in the quest to finish all the routes!
Questions or Comments
Have you finished all the routes in Zwift? Is that a motivating carrot for you? Share your thoughts and any questions below!
Paris has topped a European ranking of cycling-friendly cities for children, leaving Amsterdam in second place.
Analysing 36 European cities, the report published by the Clean Cities Campaign (CCC) found Paris has been transformed into a cycling city over the past decade with another 60km of new cycling lanes added in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games.
The report cites Paris mayor Anna Hildago’s efforts to boost cycling in the city, alongside the introduction of a 30km/h speed limit in the French capital.
Compiling data on ‘school streets’, safe speeds and protected cycling infrastructure, CCC put Copenhagen in third place, followed by Brussels and Lyon.
Three British cities made CCC’s top 20, with Bristol ranked 8th, Greater London 14th and Manchester just making the cut in 19th.
“Among the leading cities, some – such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen – are widely recognised as long-standing pioneers in progressive urban mobility, having started the re-design of transport infrastructure decades ago,” the report reads. “Others – like Paris, Brussels and London – have achieved remarkable progress in just the past 10 years. This demonstrates that meaningful change is possible within a relatively short period of time.”
The report, published yesterday, says Greater London leads in school streets, scoring 27 per cent and beating Paris by two points.
CCC says London has created more than 500 school streets, where cycling and walking are prioritised, in less than 10 years.
Bristol is the highest-ranked UK city in the report. Sami Auvinen / Getty Images
The report outlines that child mobility is an important metric because over 70 per cent of the EU population lives in cities, where 14 per cent of residents are under 14, and children are particularly vulnerable road users.
CCC also highlights how air pollution is the leading environmental health risk for children in urban environments.
“The effects of air pollution on children’s health are well-documented. It has been linked to a range of health issues, including asthma, respiratory infections, allergies, and reduced lung function,” the report says.
It also says that ensuring children have opportunities for active mobility in their daily routines is “essential” with research highlighting that physical activity for children improves brain health, muscular fitness, and better heart and lung health.
Despite improvements in many cities, CCC says no cities reached the A grade of 80 per cent. Paris came just short with a score of 78.9 per cent.
CCC says the absence of city-wide roll-outs of school streets emerged as a shortcoming across the surveyed cities.
Eight cities, primarily in southern, central and eastern Europe, received grades of E or F. These include Marseille, France’s second biggest city, Rome and Budapest.
Standert has overhauled its Kreissäge RS and says the new model promises to “revolutionise the way we think about aluminium race bikes.”
The previous Kreissäge RS launched back in 2022. Standert says that the geometry is “about all that remains” with this updated version, having taken everything back to the drawing board.
Now the bike features aero-optimised tubes, increased tyre clearance and a host of other changes.
Max Von Senger, Standert’s CEO and founder, says: “The Kreissäge RS has always been about defining our own standards. It’s about showing what metal bikes can do, about being different in a sea of black plastic, and about having fun, while putting in the hard work.”
The tube shapes are striking for an alloy bike. Standert / Poster CA
There is one obvious difference between the new and older version of this aluminium road bike.
Gone is the horizontal top tube, and in its place is a sloping tube for better power transfer and seatpost compliance, according to Standert.
Otherwise, the differences are more subtle. Instead of round tubes, the new Kreissäge RS has new tube shapes. The top tube appears to be ovalised, and the head tube now has a drastic hourglass shape.
Standert says these custom-engineered tubes give the new Kreissäge RS “significant aerodynamic improvements, enhancing speed and efficiency” – although no stats or numbers to substantiate these claims were provided at launch.
Scandium from Dedacciai
Standert’s tubing is supplied by Dedacciai . Standert / Poster CA
Like the previous Kreissäge RS, this new model uses scandium tubing, which is supplied exclusively to Standert from Italian manufacturer, Dedacciai.
The scandium and aluminium alloy is said to give an “otherwise impossible strength-to-thickness ratio” to the bike.
The alloy means it can have thinner and therefore lighter tubing for “a ride feel unmatched by aluminium alone.”
Further improvements – and a whopping tyre clearance
The bike now has clearance for 35mm tyres. Standert / Poster CA
Standert has widened the Kreissäge RS’s T47 bottom bracket shell, with the brand stating this aids stiffness.
The wider bottom bracket also facilitates one of the bike’s most appealing updates. Previously the Kreissäge RS could fit 700x30mm tyres, but the new bottom bracket design means it can fit 700x35mm tyres.
This whopping tyre clearance brings the Kreissäge RS in line with many of the best endurance road bikes – and even the best aero road bikes – which now fit wider rubber for greater comfort and potentially improved rolling resistance.
Cables are routed through the head tube. Standert / Poster CA
Elsewhere, Standert has opted to make the bike’s headset bearings internal “to increase longevity and reduce weight.”
“It’s becoming the standard and is available in almost every bike shop in the world, future-proofing the frame for any direct or full mount option Sram and Shimano might come up with,” Standert says.
How much does it cost?
The new Kreissäge RS costs a bit more than its predecessor, with the price of a frameset increasing by roughly €200 to €1,999.
The bike will be available via Standert’s custom programme. But the brand says an example of a complete bike with Shimano Ultegra and DT Swiss Arc 1400 wheels will cost €6,299.
The new Kreissäge RS costs a bit more than its predecessor, with the price of a frameset increasing by roughly €200 to €1,999.
The bike will be available via Standert’s custom programme. But the brand says an example of a complete bike with Shimano Ultegra and DT Swiss Arc 1400 wheels will cost €6,299.
Rapha has revealed its second collaboration with the streetwear brand Patta, bringing you your latest dose of cool cycling kit while reaffirming the two brands’ shared commitment to diversity and representation in cycling.
Rapha and Amsterdam-based Patta first joined forces back in 2023 with the Patta Cycling Team collection. It followed the announcement of the Patta team, which was formed to inspire people of all backgrounds to take up cycling.
The new collection, which includes men’s and women’s Pro Team Aero Jerseys and bib shorts, is said to reaffirm that mission and to increase the presence of people of colour in the sport.
Rapha and Patta say they share a commitment to diversity and representation in cycling. Rapha
“This latest collaboration broadens both the aesthetic and the purpose of the partnership, reflecting a zest for life and the sense of community that riding a bike can unlock,” Rapha’s official press release states.
This limited-edition collection features the words ‘Lobi Limi’ – Surinamese for ‘love life’ – in honour of Patta founder Edson Sabajo and Guillaume Schmidt’s Surinam heritage.
Anna McLeod, senior partnerships manager at Rapha, says: “We can all be guilty of watching the clock and measuring ourselves and our progress almost religiously – cyclists especially. But this Rapha + Patta collection is about being energised by, and finding happiness in, simple things like exploring a city, waking up to see the sunrise, or spinning around on your bike with friends. It’s about getting out there just for the love of it.”
Alongside aero jerseys and bib shorts, the Rapha x Patta collection includes Rapha’s Pro Team Cargo Bib Shorts, cotton hoodies and t-shirts, caps and socks, Rapha Reis sunglasses and other accessories.
The collection will be available to buy on Friday 23 May.
The collection includes Rapha’s Pro Team Aero jersey. Rapha It also includes Rapha’s Pro Team Bib Shorts. Rapha There is a range of casual wear too. Rapha The collection will be available to buy Friday 23 May. Rapha
As you progress through Zwift’s levels, you’ll unlock access to items in the Drop Shop which can be purchased with your hard-earned Drops. This inevitably leads to questions: do I buy the frame that just became available? What if there’s a faster frame unlocked at the next level? Or maybe some zippy wheels?
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!
If the item’s price is crossed out it can no longer be purchased in the Drop Shop, and if an item’s name is linked you can click to read a detailed post published when the item was first added to Zwift. (Just beware that the performance characteristics of older items may have changed since they first launched – see our current charts and public test data for current performance details.)
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 1
Zwift Steel frame (Free)
Zwift Classic wheels (Free)
Zwift Gravel wheels (Free)
Zwift Mountain wheels (Free)
Level 2
Zwift Gravel frame (50,000 Drops)
Zwift Mountain frame (50,000 Drops)
Level 3
Zwift Carbon frame (55,000)
Zwift 32mm Carbon wheels (100,000)
Level 4
Zwift TT frame (60,000 Drops):the first TT frame you can buy, but we recommend waiting a few levels to pick up a faster TT bike.
If you’re racing time trials on Zwift, upgrading your frame and wheels will cut some significant time off your efforts. And in the “race of truth” where there is no hiding in the draft, every bit of savings counts!
But figuring out where to spend your hard-earned Drops can be confusing, so we’ve put together these tables listing the fastest TT frame and wheelset available at each Zwift level.
Keep in mind this list applies only to flat and rolling routes. The list below is essentially a simplified, flat-race-focused version of our complete Zwift Shopping Guide. If the climbs in your time trial race are steep and/or last more than a few minutes, you may want to consider a more climbing-friendly setup.
* the Zwift Steel and Carbon frames aren’t TT frames, but they are the fastest frames available at their respective unlock levels, so they’re listed here as a baseline reference.
Fastest Wheelsets
Level
Fastest Wheelset
Time Savings
1
Zwift Classic (Free)
0s
3
Zwift 32mm Carbon (100,000)
7.1s
6
Mavic Cosmic Ultimate UST (525,000)
27.4s
7
Mavic Cosmic CXR60c (150,000)
29.6s
12
Shimano C60 (325,000)
35.4s
15
Roval Rapide CLX (500,000)
37.9s
16
Roval CLX64 (525,000)
45.5s
25
Zipp 808 (425,000)
47.3s
28
Enve SES 8.9 (550,000)
59.6s
36
Zipp 808/Super9 (650,000)
69.2s
37
Zipp 858/Super9 (750,000)
73.5s
Total time savings of fastest TT frame and wheelset over stock Zwift setup (Zwift Steel frame and Zwift Classic wheels): 189.8+73.5=263.3 seconds
Times above based on our flat speed tests, done with a solo 75kg, 183cm rider at 300 watts on Watopia’s very flat Tempus Fugit route.
Strategic Shopping
It may seem simplest to just purchase each TT frame or wheelset on the list as soon as you level up, but you won’t have the Drops to do so. Plus, if you want to maximize performance, you also need to take Zwift’s Bike Upgrade functionality into account, since it rewards riders who stay on the same frame long enough to fully upgrade it.
Speaking of upgrades: all the time data in this post is from un-upgraded versions of the frames. Upgraded frames will be even faster. Get more details here >
The Pinarello Espada is currently the only TT Halo Bike in Zwift, but it wasn’t included in the list above for two reasons:
It takes a lot of work to unlock. You’ll need to fully upgrade three Pinarello frames before you can purchase the Espada, and even then you’ll need 10 million Drops to add it to your garage!
It’s not the fastest TT setup on Zwift. Not even close, actually. It’s 236.8 seconds faster than the base setup on flat roads but as explained above, the top TT frame (CADEX Tri) coupled with the top wheelset (Zipp 858/Super9) is 263.3 seconds faster. And let’s not even talk about how slow the Espada is on climbs!
The Espada is a status symbol on Zwift, for sure, but it performs like what it is: a TT bike that’s over 30 years old.
The biggest TT performance gains come early in a Zwifter’s level progression, just as they do with road bikes. Here’s how much time you would be saving across an hour of flat riding if you upgraded to the recommended setups above at each level:
The biggest percentage improvement comes when you upgrade to the Zwift TT frame (your first TT frame) at level 4. This frame alone accounts for 57% of the overall improvements you can receive by upgrading equipment! By level 16, over 86% of your possible improvement has already been achieved. And once you’ve hit level 40, the only way you’ll get faster is by racing smarter and training stronger!
Hopefully this helps you select a rig for your next TT effort, no matter your Zwift level. Got questions or comments? Post below!
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike’s performance relative to others may also change. We don’t always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the TT frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top TT Performers for current time trial-related performance data.
An electric bike battery pack classed as dangerous is being offered for sale by private sellers across the UK via Facebook Marketplace, according to Electrical Safety First, a UK charity working across the electrical industry.
The charity has found 13 listings of the UPP (unit pack power) branded ebike battery, which has been linked to multiple fires. Facebook removed the listings once contacted by the charity.
“We urgently need sellers to check if they are unknowingly passing on a dangerous e-bike battery. A single unit of this affected battery being sold online could put a household at serious risk,” says Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First.
In January 2024, the UK government issued a withdrawal notice to Amazon, eBay and Alibaba, stating that the UPP battery posed a serious risk of fire.
Although Facebook was not issued with the original withdrawal notice, Electrical Safety First says it was published online and re-issued by the government in April to “engage with the wider business community”.
“It’s essential all online marketplaces and businesses proactively engage with the published Government warning,” says Capanna.
“The current rules governing online marketplaces are not fit for purpose, and new laws are urgently needed to protect shoppers from dangerous goods being sold on these platforms.”
A UPP electric bike battery. Electrical Safety First
Electrical Safety First says models of the U004 and U004-1 triangular-shaped UPP battery are stated to pose a serious risk of fire due to ‘thermal runaway’. This process can see a battery reach 600˚C, release toxic gases and create fire that’s “almost impossible to extinguish”.
In March, a home in Surrey was damaged after a converted bike caught fire while on charge. This was linked to a UPP battery, the charity says.
Electrical Safety First also says a fire in Coventry in September 2023 devastated a high-rise property after a fire linked to a UPP battery spread.
A Freedom of Information request by the Guardian found fires caused by e-scooters and ebikes had injured at least 190 people and killed eight as of May 2023.
Last month, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW) launched an inquiry into ‘dangerous’ ebikes and conversion kits.
MP Fabian Hamiltion, chair of the APPGCW, said at the time: “Ebikes have enormous potential to support a cleaner, fairer transport future, but that future is at risk if we fail to address emerging issues, especially from low-quality imported upgrade kits.”
Electrical Safety First urges consumers to check their ebikes for the UPP batteries and explains how you can spot them: “The battery, distinctively triangular in shape, is often found with stickers on the two faces of the battery case with the words ‘UPPBATTERY’ and/or ‘U004 BATTERY’.
“The battery often comes with an LED display or LED indicator, a power switch and a charge socket.
“If the corresponding model number U004 or U004-1 number is displayed on the sticker consumers are urged to stop using the battery immediately.”
If you’re racing on Zwift, upgrading your frame and wheels can cut crucial seconds off your efforts. But figuring out where to spend your hard-earned Drops can be confusing! So we’ve put together this table which lists the best climbing frame and wheelset available at every Zwift level.
Keep in mind this list applies only to bigger climbs. If your race is flat or only has short, rolling climbs you’ll probably want to go with a more aero setup.
Fastest Climbing Frames
Level
Fastest Frame
Time Savings
1
Zwift Steel (Free)
0
3
Zwift Carbon (55,000)
31.1s
5
Parlee ESX (153,200)
45.5s
6
Chapter2 Tere (199,400)
66s
8
Liv Langma Advanced SL 2025 (1,000,000)
72s
10
Canyon Aeroad 2024 (1,100,000)
73.8s
12
Canyon Ultimate CFR (350,700)
74.2s
17
Scott Addict RC (660,200)
77.8s
30
Specialized Aethos S-Works (966,300)*
85.7s
40
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 (1,750,000)
87.5s
* It’s worth noting that the un-upgraded version of the Aethos climbs a bit slower than the un-upgraded S-Works Tarmac SL8, but if you compare the fully-upgraded versions of both bikes, the Aethos is a much stronger climber. This is due to how Zwift’s upgrade system is structured. See charts/data >
Fastest Climbing Wheelsets
Level
Fastest Wheelset
Time Savings
1
Zwift Classic (Free)
0
3
Zwift 32mm Carbon (32,000)
11.5s
6
Mavic Cosmic Ultimate UST (525,000)
17.7s
17
CADEX 42 (425,000)
18.2s
24
Zipp 353 NSW (600,000)*
21.2s
* the Lightweight Meilenstein wheels turn in the same climb performance as the Zipp 353 NSW, but are unlocked via the spinner at the top of Alpe du Zwift/Ventoux.
Total time savings of fastest frame and wheelset over stock Zwift setup (Zwift Steele frame and Zwift classic wheels): 87.5+21.2=108.7 seconds
Times above are based on our climbing speed tests, done with a solo 75kg, 183cm rider at 300 watts on Watopia’s Alpe du Zwift.
Strategic Shopping
It may seem simplest to just purchase each frame or wheelset on the list as soon as you level up, but if you want to maximize performance you also need to take Zwift’s Bike Upgrade functionality into account, since it rewards riders who stay on the same frame long enough to fully upgrade it. Simply put: it doesn’t make sense to buy each frame/wheelset on this list, since you won’t be able to fully upgrade it before having access to buy the next fastest frame. So you’ll need to choose your purchases/upgrades wisely.
There’s another factor to consider here as well, when you’re looking strictly at climbing performance. Zwift’s upgrade system is structured so that, if a bike is classified as a climbing bike, the upgrades it receives are more climbing-focused. All-arounders and aero bikes, on the other hand, receive more “balanced” upgrades between aero and climb performance.
Specialized Aethos + Roval Alpinist CLX
So while the table above shows the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 outperforming the Specialized Aethos S-Works on climbs, this is only true if the frames aren’t upgraded. If you compare fully-upgraded versions of those frames (the toggle on this Tron vs Top Performers chart may help), the Aethos is actually a much better climber, putting ~21 seconds into the S-Works Tarmac SL8 over an hour on a climb.
Trek Emonda SL + Lightweight Meilensteins
The Trek Emonda (unlocked by completing the Climb Mt Everest Challenge) earns a mention here as well, because it is classified as a climbing bike and will outclimb all bikes except the Aethos when fully upgraded.
The Zwift Concept Z1 (Tron) bike is ~73 seconds faster than the stock Zwift Steel+Classic wheels across an hour of climbing. But as you can see above, the fastest climbing setups save 108.7 seconds over an hour! So the Tron bike is not the way to go in a pure climbing race.
Even more so than our list of most aero frames and wheels by level, the biggest performance gains for climbing come very early in a Zwifter’s level progression. 77% of total gains are attainable by just level 6!
Your Thoughts
Hopefully this helps you select a bike for your next race, no matter your Zwift level. Got questions or comments? Post below!
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike’s performance relative to others may also change. We don’t always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.
If you’re racing on Zwift, using the fastest frame and wheels available can cut some significant time off your efforts. But figuring out where to spend your hard-earned Drops can be confusing! So we’ve put together this table which lists the fastest frame and wheelset available at every Zwift level.
Keep in mind this list applies only to road bikes on flat and rolling routes. The data here doesn’t apply to climbing races or time trials using TT frames. (That info will come in other posts.)
Fastest Frames
Level
Fastest Frame
Time Savings
1
Zwift Steel (Free)
0s
3
Zwift Carbon (55,000)
5.1s
5
Parlee ESX (153,200)
30.9s
8
Liv Langma Advanced SL 2025 (1,000,000)
65.2s
10
Canyon Aeroad 2024 (1,100,00)*
68.1s
* The Canyon Aeroad 2024, Felt AR (level 23), Cervelo S5 2020 (level 36), Specialized Venge S-Works 2019 (level 37), Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 (level 40), and Pinarello Dogma F 2024 (level 40) all turn in times within ~1 second of each other in our flat tests, so we consider them to be essentially equal in flat performance. They differ significantly in climb performance, though (learn more) so you’ll want to pay attention to that metric when choosing a bike.
Fastest Wheelsets
Level
Fastest Wheelset
Time Savings
1
Zwift Classic (Free)
0s
3
Zwift 32mm Carbon (100,000)
6.2s
6
Mavic Cosmic Ultimate UST (525,000)
24s
7
Mavic Cosmic CXR60c (150,000)
26.4s
12
Shimano C60 (325,000)
31.6s
15
Roval Rapide CLX (500,000)
33.4s
16
Roval CLX64 (525,000)
40.1s
25
Zipp 808 (425,000)
42.1s
28
Enve SES 8.9 (550,000) fastest non-disc1
52.9s
37
Zipp 858/Super9 (750,000) fastest disc2
54.7s
1 The Enve SES 8.9 wheels are the fastest non-disc aero wheelset, making them the fastest legal wheelset for some top-end Zwift Esports races where disc wheels are not allowed.
2 Disc wheels perform better on TT frames than road frames, so the performance gap between disc and non-disc wheels will be larger on TT frames vs road frames. The data above applies to road frames only.
Total time savings of fastest frame and wheelset over stock Zwift setup (Zwift Steel frame and Zwift Classic wheels): 68.1+54.7=122.8 seconds
Times above based on our flat speed tests, done with a solo 75kg, 183cm rider at 300 watts on Watopia’s very flat Tempus Fugit route.
Strategic Shopping
It may seem simplest to just purchase each frame or wheelset on the list as soon as you level up, but if you want to maximize performance you also need to take Zwift’s Bike Upgrade functionality into account, since it rewards riders who stay on the same frame long enough to fully upgrade it. Simply put: it doesn’t make sense to buy each frame/wheelset on this list, since you won’t be able to fully upgrade it before having access to buy the next fastest frame. So you’ll need to choose your purchases/upgrades wisely.
Speaking of upgrades: all the time data in this post is from un-upgraded versions of the frames. Upgraded frames will be even faster. Get more details here >
The Zwift Concept Z1 (Tron) bike is much faster than the stock Zwift Steel+Classic wheels setup, and in fact just slightly faster than the fastest setup shown above.
The Tron bike doesn’t climb well, though, a fact you’ll want to consider if you are racing a course with any significant hills.
We didn’t include the Tron in the chart above since you can’t separate the Tron’s frame from its wheels, and there is no set level where the Tron bike is unlocked. That said, we think it’s certainly a bike worth unlocking! Here’s how to do that >
The biggest performance gains come early in a Zwifter’s level progression. Here’s how much time you would be saving at each level if you upgraded to the recommended setups above:
You can see that purchasing the fastest frame and wheelset at level 10 delivers 77% of the overall possible improvement. And once you’ve hit level 37, the only way you’ll get faster is by racing smarter and training stronger!
Hopefully this helps you select a bike for your next race, no matter your Zwift level. Got questions or comments? Post below!
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike’s performance relative to others may also change. We don’t always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.
Eddy Merckx bikes has announced a limited-edition version of its Pévèle Carbon all-road bike, designed in collaboration with Capri-Sun.
Inspired by the Capri Sonne–Campagnolo–Merckx professional team, which rode on Eddy Merckx bikes in 1982, the Pévèle Carbon is treated to a limited-edition paintjob inspired by the colours of the German drinks brand.
Alongside the bike, a retro-inspired Capri-Sun jersey will also be available, in the same blue and orange colours the team wore that year.
The Capri-Sun x Eddy Merckx Pévèle C will be available to order from 16 May – the International Day of Living Together in Peace (as declared by the United Nations) “until the end of September”, and will cost €5,575.
What might seem like an unexpected collaboration at first glance has its roots in cycling history. Eddy Merckx
The carbon fibre all-road frameset blends road and gravel geometry, and features clearance for tyres up to 38mm wide. The build also features a Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 groupset and a set of Forza carbon road bike wheels.
Alternatively, riders will be able to customise the bike’s spec using the brand’s online bike configurator.
According to the Belgian brand, all proceeds from sales of the bike will go to War Child – a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that supports children affected by war.
The Capri-Sun x Eddy Merckx jersey is inspired by the pro team that rode Eddy Merckx bikes in 1982. Eddy Merckx The original Capri Sonne–Campagnolo–Merckx team jersey, as worn by Dutch star Peter Winnen. HR/Cor Vos
Dutch cyclist Peter Winnen was the team’s star rider. Winnen won stage 17 of the 1982 Tour de France and finished fourth in the general classification, marking the team’s high point. Eddy Merckx bikes says: “One year later, the team disappears from the peloton, but the fruity aftertaste of that moment still lingers today.”
The Capri-Sun x Eddy Merckx Pévèle C features a playful paintjob inspired by the German drinks brand. Eddy Merckx A juicy collaboration. Eddy Merckx The paintjob includes retro-inspired Eddy Merckx logos, calling back to the 1980s. Eddy Merckx The Capri-Sun x Eddy Merckx Pévèle C will cost €5,575 and features a Shimano 105 Di2 build. Eddy Merckx
For the longest time, the Tron Bike (Concept Z1) has been one of the top-performing frames on Zwift. In this week’s top video, one Zwifter shares whether he thinks unlocking and upgrading the Tron Bike is still worth it.
We’re also featuring videos about the latest Zwift/indoor cycling news, a rider’s first time trial, and vlogs from professional athletes.
Is It Worth It to Upgrade the Tron Bike?
With the recent addition of bike upgrades, bike selection on Zwift is more strategic than ever. Road to A breaks down whether upgrading the Tron Bike is still worth it, considering the recent changes.
The Spring Sports Tech Tsunami Begins! Part One
Hear from Desfit and DCRainmaker as they discuss Zwift Community Live, new Zwift features, and the Elite Square Smart Frame.
My First Time Trial Race on Zwift
Ryan Condon tackles his first-ever time trial on Zwift. Watch as he conquers the famous Bologna TT course!
Full Training Week for the US Championships || running, injury recovery, cross training, & new goals
Get an inside look at a full week of training for professional runner Allie Ostrander, who schedules multiple Zwift rides each week to supplement her running.
Episode 2: “That wasn’t the plan”
In episode 2 of professional cyclist Puck Moonen’s vlog series, she documents her Zwift workouts, sim racing, and life.
Got a Great Zwift Video?
Share the link below and we may feature it in an upcoming post!
A new Campagnolo wireless electronic groupset has broken cover at the 2025 Giro d’Italia.
Adorning the bikes of Stefano Oldani of Cofidis, and Alessandro Pinarello of VF Group – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè, the new groupset appears to make some significant changes compared to Campagnolo’s existing Super Record Wireless groupset.
It seems the legendary Italian brand also looks set to update the shifter button layout, moving away from its current configuration and potentially bringing back its beloved thumb shifter (though not in its classic form).
While Campagnolo is understandably tight-lipped on this development, let’s take a look at what we can glean from the race photos – and what this might mean for the historic brand.
Campagnolo goes 13-speed for road
Campagnolo’s new 13-speed Super Record Wireless rear derailleur looks like a weight-weenie’s dream.
In our electronic age, the rear derailleur is the beating heart of any modern groupset, and it’s here we see some of the most significant changes.
As usual with Campagnolo Super Record, there’s still plenty of carbon fibre, and a Super Record Wireless battery is still located at the rear of the main body, just above the lower pivots.
However, Campagnolo looks to have aggressively cut material (and therefore likely weight, too) from the new rear mech, with a hollow outer parallelogram plate and a new hollow section near the hanger bolt.
From the looks of things, Campagnolo looks keen to challenge SRAM Red AXS’s claim to be the lightest electronic groupset (with disc brakes) available.
The new rear derailleur uses an updated pulley cage. Tim de Waele / Getty Images
The pulley cage has also seen significant reshaping, moving away from the smooth, curved design seen on the current Super Record Wireless rear derailleur, to a more angular design.
The two pulley wheels also appear to use taller teeth. Could this be designed to offer improved chain management when run in a 1x configuration? Oldani’s bike was set up with two chainrings up front, but with 1x on the rise in the WorldTour peloton, we wouldn’t be surprised if Campagnolo was considering this use case.
The carbon fibre crankset appears unchanged.
The derailleur also uses a Shimano-style ‘direct mount’ design, which eliminates the additional plate between the upper knuckle of the derailleur and the hanger, for increased stiffness and improved shifting performance.
At a glance, the carbon fibre crankset looks identical to the existing one, though it’s notable Oldani appears to be using Look Keo Blade power meter pedals, rather than Campagnolo’s recently announced spider-based option (the Campagnolo HPPM power meter).
Return of the thumb shifter
Oldani’s shifters suggest Campagnolo is revising the shifter button layout.
Up on Oldani’s handlebars, we can see another notable change to the new groupset.
On the right-hand shifter, Campagnolo has moved to a single shifter button behind the brake lever, retiring the vertical two-button configuration used on the current Super Record Wireless and Super Record Wireless S groupsets.
Zooming in and enhancing the image – CSI-style – appears to show something suspiciously button-esque on the inside of the left shifter, while images captured by Cyclingnews confirm the Italian manufacturer is indeed bringing back its iconic thumb shifter.
While it might seem a trivial detail, we suspect many Campagnolo fans will be delighted by this U-turn, as the thumb shifter played a key role in helping Campagnolo’s road groupsets stand apart from the crowd.
When asked whether he was excited about the potential return of this iconic control scheme, BikeRadar’s resident Campagnolo expert, Oscar Huckle, gave a firm “Yes.”
What does this mean for Campagnolo?
After some tough years, might Campagnolo finally be on the up again? Tim de Waele / Getty Images
Aside from the specific details of an extra cog, a little less weight and updated shifting layout, it’s also interesting to ponder what this could mean for the renowned Italian brand.
After it lost its place in the UCI WorldTour (road cycling’s elite racing series) for the 2024 season, many felt Campagnolo was diminishing in relevance in an area it once dominated.
However, with Campagnolo back in the elite ranks for this year (with Cofidis), and seemingly with something new and exciting to launch, that narrative is changing.
Excitingly, it looks as if Campagnolo could finally be getting back ahead of the development curve.
Recent firmware release notes for the Garmin Edge 1050 suggest more could be on the way.
While our first ride impressions of Super Record Wireless were broadly positive, it arguably represented Campagnolo catching up with what was already available (from SRAM, at least), and didn’t offer anything substantially new.
If Campagnolo can beat both SRAM and Shimano to the punch with a 13-speed, fully wireless 2x electronic road groupset, that could really be something to shout about – especially as Shimano appears to be working on just that, if patents are anything to go by.
Of course, as with all things carrying the hallowed ‘Super Record’ label, we’re sure this new groupset won’t come cheap.
However, with release notes for a recent Garmin Edge 1050 firmware update noting “Added presets for Campagnolo 13-speed groupsets”, could the plural suggest more – potentially cheaper – options are also on the way? We live in hope.
Your choice of virtual bike frame influences your Zwift speed significantly. And Zwift’s Drop Shop gives us access to a pile of bikes: over 125 if you include the Tron, TT, Gravel, and mountain bikes!
At Zwift Insider, we’ve tested every Zwift frame and wheelset using an accurate, repeatable procedure to determine how it performs in game.
Based on those speed tests, we’ve chosen the 10 best overall road bike frames in Zwift today. This isn’t just a stack rank of the most aero bikes in the game – we took into account how each frame performs across a variety of routes, and how they perform in their un-upgraded vs fully-upgraded states (read more about upgrades here).
Without further ado, let’s get to the list! Drumroll please…
The S-Works SL8 clearly earns the top slot, with aero performance within 1 second of the fastest bikes and climbing performance that puts it ahead of all others. (Only two bikes, the Aethos below and the Trek Emonda, outclimb the S-Works SL8 when comparing fully-upgraded versions of the frames.)
Why it’s a winner: top un-upgraded climbing frame coupled with very strong aero performance.
Coming in just a hair slower on the flats and a few seconds slower on the climbs, Cannondale’s top offering is ridden by the pros outdoors and many Zwifters indoors for good reason. It performs well, and looks sick!
Why it’s a winner: very strong all-around performance with a distinctive look.
The 2024 version of Pinarello’s flagship race bike slightly outperforms the S-Works SL8 and SuperSix Evo LAB71 on the flats, but loses several seconds on the climbs. Still, it’s a strong “aero all-rounder” that deserves a spot on our podium.
Why it’s a winner: most slippery of the top all-arounders, plus an eye-catching colorway if you finished all the Pinarello Powered races in September 2024.
The “standard” version of Specialized’s popular SL8 is more accessible than the S-Works version while remaining a very strong performer. It stays within 1 second of its S-Works brother while losing around 8 seconds on an hour-long climb.
Why it’s a winner: strong aero performance with a lower price and level unlock than the top three.
While not in the same aero performance league as the other bikes on this list, the S-Works Aethos earns its spot because it outclimbs every frame but the S-Works SL8 when not upgraded, and outclimbs every frame when fully upgraded. If you’re looking for a climbing weapon, this is it.
Why it’s a winner: best climbing bike in Zwift when fully upgraded.
The new TCR Advanced SL from Giant is very comparable to the Aeroad 2024 (below). It just loses a bit on the flats, but performs a bit better on the climbs. It’s a strong all-arounder, but definitely on a second tier below the top all-arounder frames.
Why it’s a winner: strong all-arounder performance.
Canyon’s latest Aeroad is best classified as an “aero all-arounder” because it turns in blazing fast flat times (the fastest of any bike in our tests, in fact) while turning in climb times that beat the pure aero bikes. It can’t quite hold the wheel of the top all-arounders on the climbs, but given its amazingly low level unlock, many Zwifters will buy this as their first serious race bike and never look back.
Why it’s a winner: strong aero all-arounder performance with a surprisingly low level unlock.
The only frame on this list from a women-specific brand, the new Langma is just a step behind the new TCR and Aeroad in our tests. Still, its all-around performance is surprisingly good considering its very low level requirement!
Why it’s a winner: a women-specific frame with strong all-arounder performance and the lowest level unlock on this list.
The Tron bike is popular because of its distinctive look and strong aero performance. In fact, it’s faster than any road frame and wheelset on flat ground (but only by a second or two over an hour!) Just keep in mind that it’s not the best climber, so if your race includes longer climbs, an all-arounder may be the better choice.
This frame has been hugely popular among Zwift racers for years, because until Zwift tweaked frame performance in 2025, the S-Works Venge was the most aero frame on Zwift! But it’s not 2019 anymore, and while the Venge still hangs with the best on flat ground, the top aero all-arounders on this list match its aero performance while climbing much faster. This battle-worn frame makes the top 10, but just barely.
Why it’s a winner: veteran racer favorite, strong aero performance.
We hope all you riders/racers found this post useful. Think there’s a frame we should have included in the top 10 but didn’t? Got other questions or comments? Share below!
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike’s performance relative to others may also change. We don’t always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.
For the really hardcore Zwifters out there, possibly the worst thing about vacation is the lack of Zwift. However, this week’s top video features a dedicated Zwifter’s solution to this problem.
Also included in this week’s picks are videos about the Elite Zwift Games, FTP testing on the Grade, and building the perfect pain cave for Zwift.
Is it possible to Zwift on a cruise ship?
Ever found yourself on a cruise ship just itching to ride on Zwift? Probably not… nevertheless, NoodleRidesBikes happened to find himself in that very situation, so he decided to get creative and find a solution to riding Zwift on a cruise ship.
Zwift Sprint for Big Money
Jeff from Norcal Cycling sits down with elite Zwifter Brian Duffy Jr. as he breaks down his race in the Zwift Games Elite Championships.
How Low Is Dan’s FTP? | Dan’s Journey Back To Cycling Ep. 3
In preparation for one of the longest rides Dan has ever done, he tackles an FTP test on The Grade to see where his fitness is at going into the training block.
Building the Perfect Pain Cave for Zwift
Lake District Cyclist provides a walkthrough of his pain cave and shares some of his thoughts on some of the key elements of his setup.
Elite Zwift Games 2025: My 5 Stages of Oh-Good-Grief
Professional cyclist Illi Garner breaks down each of the different stages in the Elite Zwift Games 2025.
Got a Great Zwift Video?
Share the link below and we may feature it in an upcoming post!
A nice mix of featured events this weekend, beginning with two beginner-friendly group rides, moving on to the first races of two new series, and finishing with Sir Chris Hoy’s charity ride. See details below!
The HERD Thundering Turtles
Beginner Friendly Legacy Leader
If you want a more mellow long ride, the HERD offers the perfect option for those trying to build endurance. Paul, the leader, will be holding 1-1.3 w/kg for the duration of the event.
HERD is well-known for its fun and inclusive events that take place daily – we highly recommend joining one of their rides! A great team of leaders and sweepers will be present.
The friendly Bikealicious crew is leading a “keep together” group ride on the Watopia’s “The Pretzel” route (72.6km, 1361). Grab this route badge if you haven’t done so yet, which comes with 1440 of extra XP! This is a banded ride, so as long as you keep turning those pedals over, you’ll hang with the group. Ride whatever pace you’d like!
Zwift Women’s Racing Series p/b FemmeCycle Collab || Race 1
Women Only Popular
Zwift’s Women’s Racing Series have always been popular, and the first series for 2025 started this week. Saturday is your last chance to race the first event, on Watopia’s Loopin Lava (32.7km, 408m).
It’s somewhat experimental, too, because for the first time ever, race groups are age-based! Learn more here >
The team at SISU Racing is holding its first Grand Tour of 2025. Held on Saturdays and Tuesdays, it’s a 7-stage tour across the three weeks of the Men’s Giro d’Italia. And it all starts on Saturday, with a lap of Watopia’s The Big Ring (51.2km, 275m).
Once again, one of the most popular rides this weekend is the open-paced Tour de 4 ride with Sir Chris Hoy (11x world champion and 6x Olympic champion). Tour de 4 is an initiative to change the perception of people living with stage 4 cancer and to raise vital funds for cancer charities across the UK.
We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:
Is the event unique/innovative in some way?
Are celebrities (pro riders, etc) attending/leading?
Are signup counts already high, meaning the event is extra-popular?
Does the ride include desirable unlocks or prizes?
Does the event appeal to ladies on Zwift? (We like to support this under-represented group!)
Is it for a good cause?
Is it just plain crazy (extra long races, world record attempts, etc)?
Is it a long-running, popular weekly event with a dedicated leader who deserves a shout out?
In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!
The 108th Giro d’Italia is here, starting on Friday 9 May with a road stage in Albania, followed by a 13.7km time trial on Saturday and another road stage in Albania, before returning to Italy for the remaining 18 stages, finishing in Rome on Sunday 1 June. There’s a second individual time trial on Stage 10, covering 28.6km.
The route covers 3,443km and more than 52km vertically, significantly more than 2024’s 45km, so expect some big climbing days, as usual concentrated in the final week. Stage 19 has 4,950m of altitude gain and Stage 20 has 4,500m, so there’s a double dose of tough days right at the end.
In past years, the last few stages have often mixed up the overall general classification, keeping the GC racing interesting right up to the final stage.
The 2025 Giro’s start in Albania is a first for a grand tour. Giro d’Italia
Tadej Pogačar isn’t defending his title this year, but top pick for the overall win must be the Red Bull-Bora hansgrohe team, which boasts both 2023 winner Primož Roglič and 2022 winner Jai Hindley on its roster. Ineos Grenadiers is fielding 2021 winner Egan Bernal as co-leader, so there’s a crowded field of former maglia rosa wearers.
How can I watch the Giro d’Italia 2025 live in the UK?
Early-season weather in Italy can be a handicap for riders. Giro d’Italia
TNT Sports has live and on-demand coverage of each day’s racing, including multiscreen options. There’s a full schedule here. There is also pre- and post-stage analysis in The Breakaway and hour-long daily highlights at 8pm.
TNT Sports is available via the Discovery+ app, EE TV, Sky and Virgin Media, and can be viewed on a range of platforms, including tablets, mobile, TV with Chromecast or AirPlay, Android TV and Apple TV.
In a first for UK viewers, there are also free-to-air highlights on Quest, available via Freeview, with TNT’s highlights show typically broadcast on Quest at 7pm.
How else can I watch the 2025 Giro d’Italia when I’m outside the UK?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that enables you to change your device’s IP address, making it appear as though you’re accessing the internet from another country.
As long as you adhere to your broadcaster’s terms and conditions, a VPN enables you to unblock your usual streaming services, no matter your location. Additionally, a VPN can improve playback speeds and significantly enhance your overall internet security.
There are many VPN options available, but we recommend NordVPN as the best choice. It offers strong streaming capabilities, robust security features, and excellent value for money.
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How can I watch the Giro d’Italia 2025 live in the US?
This year, Giro coverage will be on Max in the US . A subscription costs from $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year, or you can escape the ads with plans from $16.99 / $139.99.
As usual, there’s a wide range of platforms supported, on-demand coverage and, with premium subscriptions, the option to download.
Canadian watchers can access Giro coverage on FloSports.
How can I watch the Giro d’Italia 2025 live in Australia?
The 2025 Giro finishes in Rome after 3,443km. Luca Bettini/Getty Images
SBS will be offering free coverage of the Giro d’Italia live and on demand on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand. Typical start times are around 9pm AEST and there are also daily highlights.
How else can I watch the Giro d’Italia 2025?
There’s live terrestrial coverage in many European countries, with Italian chain Rai showing the racing live on Rai Sport (times TBA), and on Rai Play for on-demand access. If you have a VPN, you may be able to sign in to watch, complete with Italian commentary to get the full Giro experience.
There’s a full list of broadcasters by country on the Giro d’Italia’s site here.
How can I watch the Giro d’Italia 2025 if I can’t watch live coverage?
YouTube is a good option if you want shorter highlights and you don’t have on-demand access to any of the above sources. You can also watch short highlight videos on the Giro d’Italia site.
Both are also good sources for highlights of previous editions to get you geared up for the racing.
WHOOP has released the WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG wearable fitness trackers, each featuring a 7 per cent smaller form factor, enhanced sensors and a redesigned processor for better power efficiency.
The wearables brand has also introduced new features to its health-tracking app, including Healthspan with WHOOP Age, Heart Screener with on-demand ECG, and Blood Pressure Insights.
The brand claims this marks a breakthrough in health and longevity, with Will Ahmed, founder & CEO, saying: “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned over the past decade and built a platform to help our members perform and live at their peak for longer. We’ve held nothing back.”
WHOOP Age has been developed in partnership with Dr Eric Verdin, CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Ageing. It is claimed to enable you to quantify your physiological age and slow your pace of ageing.
Unlike smartwatches, WHOOP’s wearables don’t feature a display. WHOOP
The brand has also introduced three new membership tiers that are said to empower members to choose the hardware device, features and pricing that make the most sense for them.
WHOOP One is the entry level, priced at £169 a year, WHOOP Peak sits above that at £229 a year, and WHOOP Life – which is said to deliver medical-grade health and performance insights – is priced at £349 per year.
Smaller hardware
The new wearables are said to be 7 per cent smaller than before. WHOOP
Thanks to the faster processor, WHOOP says the new 5.0 and MG now have a battery life of 14 days or longer.
This, combined with a new wireless powerpack, is said to give users a full month of battery life.
A more bijoux bracelet can be had. WHOOP
The brand says there is an ‘elevated’ selection of accessories, with a new LeatherLuxe bracelet made from Italian leather.
WHOOP can be attached to clothing, such as sports bras. WHOOP
WHOOP has also given the devices its Body and AnyWear technology, which enables you to attach the device to any part of your body using technical garments sold by the brand.
New in-app features
The app features new metrics and insights. WHOOP
WHOOP has been trying hard to appeal to the cycling market over the past couple of years, becoming the title partner of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series and sponsoring the Tour de France.
WHOOP says insights into your daily habits can enable you to impact your pace of ageing. WHOOP
While the wearable devices don’t show data in the same way as the best bike computers or cycling watches, many riders and athletes have chosen to wear one for other insights.
New updates to the app include the following features:
Healthspan with WHOOP Age: This gives insights and guidance on how your daily habits impact your long-term health with Healthspan. It is said to use nine metrics to work out your WHOOP Age and pace of ageing.
Heart Screener with ECG: An FDA-cleared ECG feature that enables a reading to be taken at any time, from your wrist. The Heart Screener detects signs of Atrial Fibrillation, a cause of strokes, and provides Irregular Heart Rhythm notifications.
Blood Pressure Insights: Daily blood pressure insights and estimated systolic and diastolic readings.
Women’s Hormonal Insights: Personalised insights on how hormonal shifts influence recovery, sleep, stress and performance, whether navigating menstruation, pregnancy or perimenopause.
Sleep Performance update: Reimagined Sleep Score delivers a more accurate reflection of sleep quality.
Comprehensive Fitness Tracking: From daily steps and VO₂ max to muscular strain during strength training and 145+ supported activities, members can now optimise fitness for both performance and long-term health outcomes.
WHOOP Advanced Labs: When released, Advanced Labs will enable members to schedule blood tests and receive clinician reports that are integrated directly into the WHOOP app
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