Comments on: How Does Zwift Calculate Rider Speed?

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:02:40 +0000

Yo siendo un ciclista practicamente nuevo 1 año, me es imposible llegar a 40km/h por mas de 5min aca en zwift llegara. 40KM/h en plano me cuesta poco y nada. Encuentro que para mi gusto es muy falsa la velocidad. Esta bien es un juego pero deberian crear un algoritmo mejor y mas llevado a la vida real. Aunque lo intentan falla mucho este aspecto, llegara 28km/h en zwift es practicamente mi zona 4 en la vida real. Entonces ahora me pregunto las personas que realmente tienen un FTP mayor, estan moviendo velocidad como los del World Tour en Zwift.

By: Eric Schlange

Eric Schlange — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 03:34:23 +0000

In reply to Raj. Zwift.

By: Raj

Raj — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 01:26:53 +0000

Since there is a difference between Zwift and Garmin in computing speed then which one gives a better approximation to real life condition in reflecting speed/distance.

By: Eric Schlange

Eric Schlange — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:45:11 +0000

In reply to R.K.. I’d say Zwift.

By: R.K.

R.K. — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:34:30 +0000

So which is more likely to mimic real life road conditions’ speed/ distance ; Garmin or Zwift?

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 17:21:56 +0000

Hello Eric
In the studies mentioned in the article, do you have the equations with the diferent factors?
My interest it is only curiosity.
All cyclist know in a slope the weight is an important factor and the relative watts are the key on the time to arrive at the finish. But for me it is not clear when you ride in a plane. With the porcentages showed in the articles my doubts are not answered.
Is it possible you share the equations?

By: Martin

Martin — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 12:57:07 +0000

All very interesting, thank you.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:12:34 +0000

Watts, cadence, gear ratio factor into how fast the rear tire revolves. Tire circumference determines how far you travel with each revolution. Those two variable produce your speed. Higher gears and bigger tires take more Watts to turn but it seems like we should know how fast the trainer is turning without having to estimate that from Watts.

By: Chas Ryan

Chas Ryan — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 13:50:07 +0000

Eric, I did a meetup yesterday for MegaPretzel and we started with 6 of us. We finished with 2. The last 50+ KM we were pegged at 46KPH on any flat or climb. For the descents, the speed would pick up only a few KPH. Ultimately, I “got the EPIC KOM” at 12:22 at a blistering 28.4 MPH. So, some kind of Zwift algorithm anomaly? What is your take on this? The RPE we had did align with our WPK but the speed was waaaay off.

By: Eric Schlange

Eric Schlange — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 15:52:59 +0000

In reply to Howard Venning.

That’s not how the vast majority of group rides on Zwift work – unless they’ve got the experimental “keep everyone together” option enabled (https://zwiftinsider.com/group-ride-rubber-banding/). Most would have your speed be realistic (tied directly to your watts).