Comments on: Speed Tests: Zwift’s Fastest* Bike Frames for Climbing

By: Teo Grob

Teo Grob — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:59:45 +0000

Hi Eric, One question, does the real bike matter for an alpe du zwift attempt? I use the most basic decathlon bike in the turbo (in zwift I use the cannondale evo)

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 25 May 2022 08:59:18 +0000

In reply to Eric Schlange. Thanks @eschlange. Amazing website and I really appreciate your generosity with your time in responding and the help.

By: Eric Schlange

Eric Schlange — Mon, 23 May 2022 18:16:22 +0000

In reply to Jim. Your struggle is one felt by many, many riders. Weight is the factor, for sure. One thing you could do to improve your performance apart from dropping weight is to work on 1-5 minute power... because that's the crucial interval for so many Zwift climbs.

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 22 May 2022 05:11:09 +0000

In reply to Eric Schlange. Ps. Based on this, at what level can I access a moped?

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 22 May 2022 05:08:59 +0000

In reply to Eric Schlange. Thanks Eric. I must admit I am surprised at how badly I struggle on climbs. I’m lower end of C grade, ftp 246 up from 236 a fortnight ago. I can hang with the B/C grade pack all day on the flat, take my turn on the front, anything up to 300w no issue. Then any incline over 4%, even if I increase my effort, they just ride away. Is it my weight at 86kg (ex track sprinter, 5’10”) or do I just need to do more specific hill training? Sorry for all the questions. Appreciate any help from the Zwiftiverse!

By: Eric Schlange

Eric Schlange — Sat, 21 May 2022 13:15:34 +0000

In reply to Jim.

Ah, the eternal question!

Not sure what the right answer is. For me, if I’m concerned about getting dropped (on a climb, generally) then I’ll get a bike that helps me not get dropped.

But if I’m confident I’ll be able to hang in there, then I get a bike that will reinforce my strengths.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 21 May 2022 07:26:35 +0000

Hi Eric, newbie here, level 12. Great site, thanks for all the advice. My question is whether I should invest in frame/wheel set combos that help compensate for my weaknesses (climbing) or play to my strengths (flats). I’m thinking the latter gets me a better advantage?

By: J Crume

J Crume — Sat, 07 May 2022 17:50:52 +0000

In reply to EndUser2012 (@EndUser2012). After 18 times up the Alpe and no wheels, I gave up and bought the Specialized Alpinest. Now watch, I'll get the wheels on my next trip up, whenever that may be.

By: Richard Price

Richard Price — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:15:13 +0000

Got the Emonda from Everest, and Aeroroad 2021, 808’s and Enve 3.4’s is it worth plumping for the Evo for mountain ascents? quite quick on both these up AdZ, under an hour and Volcano KOM a few times on either frame, dont want to waste drops if the Evo isnt going to make that much of a difference (Level16).

By: Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 17:11:12 +0000

@Eric Schlange Really appreciate all the time you take to put these articles together! I think it would be interesting to see how this list would change (if at all) with the same tests up the shorter, less steep climbs such as the Epic and Innsbruck KOMs. Would also love to see the time differences between these frames up VenTop.