Zwift drops
#1
Airplanes, bikes, beer.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Off the front
Posts: 763
Bikes: Road bikes, mountain bikes, a cx bike, a gravel bike…
Liked 788 Times
in
339 Posts
Zwift drops
I have about 6,745,000 drops, I’m on Level 31. Should I buy more bikes? I never change bikes, always ride the Emonda because I just don’t care about that part of Zwift.
#2
Newbie racer
I feel it's all about the levels. The drops come, but then you can never seem to be able to buy what you "really" want.
Like, disc wheel for the TT bike in Zwift. The level is silly high for that. For a mostly outdoor riders supplementing with Zwift, a years long venture to level up.
I dunno, blow it up, have fun. You pay for it, so use the features as you please.
Like, disc wheel for the TT bike in Zwift. The level is silly high for that. For a mostly outdoor riders supplementing with Zwift, a years long venture to level up.
I dunno, blow it up, have fun. You pay for it, so use the features as you please.
#3
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 19,392
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Liked 13,232 Times
in
6,797 Posts
Bikes and wheels make only a small difference in speed, and speed in an imaginary place is irrelevant unless you're racing. So if you don't race, all you're doing is dolling up your avatar.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Likes For genejockey:
#4
Airplanes, bikes, beer.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Off the front
Posts: 763
Bikes: Road bikes, mountain bikes, a cx bike, a gravel bike…
Liked 788 Times
in
339 Posts
Agreed. I turned off the annoying chat window a long time ago, I wear black, ride a black bike, use Camera View 3 so I don’t have to watch my own avatar…. I’m there for the Watts, time and effort. I couldn’t care less for “the social.” I’ve never raced or done a group ride, but I have done a lot of workout rides, and a full 12 week training plan. Just wondered if I was missing anything by holding onto all those drops. I imagine that nearly 7 million drops is probably normal for anyone that Zwifts a lot.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 1,286
Bikes: two blacks, a blue and a white.
Liked 860 Times
in
412 Posts
My avatar is friggin smokin hot. Total botox and implants, got the hair extensions, tatoo eyebrows, might get a nose job in '22. Who needs Zipp wheels when you look that good in BikeMeta world?
Likes For blacknbluebikes:
#7
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,967 Times
in
4,200 Posts
Agreed. I turned off the annoying chat window a long time ago, I wear black, ride a black bike, use Camera View 3 so I don’t have to watch my own avatar…. I’m there for the Watts, time and effort. I couldn’t care less for “the social.” I’ve never raced or done a group ride, but I have done a lot of workout rides, and a full 12 week training plan. Just wondered if I was missing anything by holding onto all those drops. I imagine that nearly 7 million drops is probably normal for anyone that Zwifts a lot.
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
Likes For Eric F:
#8
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 19,392
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Liked 13,232 Times
in
6,797 Posts
I don't care about chatting (not sure how I would do that and ride at the same time), but the interaction with other riders in real time is what makes Zwift valuable to me. I enjoy group rides, bot groups, or just finding a person to ride with at a similar level. I've done a few races, but it's not a draw for me.
I had to wait 2 hours till the next one - 9 PM, and then halfway through it, a patched tube that had lasted for months suddenly decided to give way, the tire went flat, and I had to drop out anyway.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#9
Senior Member
I mean if you want to time trial or ride dirt or whatever, getting a bike specific to that mode is nice. But if you're there just to do workouts and don't care about that, let it ride. Or get the tron just because.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Australia
Posts: 864
Bikes: 2002 Trek 5200 (US POSTAL), 2020 Canyon Aeroad SL
Liked 711 Times
in
349 Posts
I haven't really spent any of my drops. I think I bought a frame way back that I never use. Since unlocking the Tron, it's all I ever ride.
When I unlock Level 45 shortly, I'll "splurge" and buy the Zipp 858/Super 9 full disc wheel combo and pair it with the new Cervelo S5. Maybe.
When I unlock Level 45 shortly, I'll "splurge" and buy the Zipp 858/Super 9 full disc wheel combo and pair it with the new Cervelo S5. Maybe.
#11
Senior Member
If you want disk, that's not the fastest (barely) disk wheelset anymore. The DT Swiss Disk is a tiny bit more aero and available at level 42.
Last edited by himespau; 12-03-21 at 08:05 AM.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,249
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, 1985 Peugeot UO14, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1999 Specialized Hard Rock
Liked 498 Times
in
309 Posts
I buy a few things, like better wheels to reduce some weight, bought the lightest bike when I do some climbing and a TT bike and a gravel bike when I choose the appropriate ride to match the bike. All stuff I would never do in real life so I might as well enjoy in the fantasy world
#14
Senior Member
I bought the lightest bike and the lightest wheels for assaults up Ven-top and Alp d’Zwift. It probably only makes a few seconds of difference for time, but makes me feel better.
I wonder if there is a correlation of people who don’t care about having the lightest or most aero bikes and wheels IRL are the same ones in game that don’t care?
I wonder if there is a correlation of people who don’t care about having the lightest or most aero bikes and wheels IRL are the same ones in game that don’t care?
#15
Senior Member
I bought the lightest bike and the lightest wheels for assaults up Ven-top and Alp d’Zwift. It probably only makes a few seconds of difference for time, but makes me feel better.
I wonder if there is a correlation of people who don’t care about having the lightest or most aero bikes and wheels IRL are the same ones in game that don’t care?
I wonder if there is a correlation of people who don’t care about having the lightest or most aero bikes and wheels IRL are the same ones in game that don’t care?
Likes For himespau:
#16
Airplanes, bikes, beer.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Off the front
Posts: 763
Bikes: Road bikes, mountain bikes, a cx bike, a gravel bike…
Liked 788 Times
in
339 Posts
I bought the lightest bike and the lightest wheels for assaults up Ven-top and Alp d’Zwift. It probably only makes a few seconds of difference for time, but makes me feel better.
I wonder if there is a correlation of people who don’t care about having the lightest or most aero bikes and wheels IRL are the same ones in game that don’t care?
I wonder if there is a correlation of people who don’t care about having the lightest or most aero bikes and wheels IRL are the same ones in game that don’t care?
#17
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 19,392
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Liked 13,232 Times
in
6,797 Posts
I have 6 different bikes that I can put my human self on and ride. I still don't care what my cartoon is riding in Zwift. I'm putting out the Watts no matter what that goofball pedals. I wonder if people that wish they were faster, but don't put the effort in to get faster, ride the lightest/most aero bikes they can "buy" in Zwift?
Maybe - now stick with me here - maybe the "lighter" and "faster" bikes are a bit of harmless fun for people who spend hours sweating in their garages/basements/spare rooms during the dark and cold months so they can hit the road in good shape come the warm and sunny months?
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#18
Airplanes, bikes, beer.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Off the front
Posts: 763
Bikes: Road bikes, mountain bikes, a cx bike, a gravel bike…
Liked 788 Times
in
339 Posts
My eyes rolled so hard reading this I almost fainted.
Maybe - now stick with me here - maybe the "lighter" and "faster" bikes are a bit of harmless fun for people who spend hours sweating in their garages/basements/spare rooms during the dark and cold months so they can hit the road in good shape come the warm and sunny months?
Maybe - now stick with me here - maybe the "lighter" and "faster" bikes are a bit of harmless fun for people who spend hours sweating in their garages/basements/spare rooms during the dark and cold months so they can hit the road in good shape come the warm and sunny months?
#19
Newbie
I'm Level 29. When I started back into Zwift a few weeks ago, I had about 5 million drops so I made my second frame purchase ever - the Cervelo S5 2020. I had already earned the Tron bike and the Meilenstein wheels, so I figured, why not treat myself? I also just purchased a gravel bike in case I want to ride in the dirt and I'm already back up to nearly 5 million drops. I am thinking about getting a TT bike just for the occasional all-flat ride and when I hit Level 34, I will get the Specialized Aethos for the climbs.
I don't race but I so I probably don't need any of these bikes but what else am I going to do with my drops? I have found that the Cervelo is a bit faster which makes me push more to keep improving my PRs. When I get the Aethos, the first thing I will do with it is go after PRs on the Alpe and Ventoux. Sometimes, the psychological boost gives you that little impetus to push harder.
The drops just keep piling up and I'd never be able to do anything like this in real life, so I will make some purchases along the way. However, it makes no sense to go crazy so I'm not going to buy 30 bikes and 20 wheelsets. I'll stick with whatever is a top or near-top performer in each category and then choose what works best for the ride that I am doing that day.
I don't race but I so I probably don't need any of these bikes but what else am I going to do with my drops? I have found that the Cervelo is a bit faster which makes me push more to keep improving my PRs. When I get the Aethos, the first thing I will do with it is go after PRs on the Alpe and Ventoux. Sometimes, the psychological boost gives you that little impetus to push harder.
The drops just keep piling up and I'd never be able to do anything like this in real life, so I will make some purchases along the way. However, it makes no sense to go crazy so I'm not going to buy 30 bikes and 20 wheelsets. I'll stick with whatever is a top or near-top performer in each category and then choose what works best for the ride that I am doing that day.
Likes For TennBent:
#20
Senior Member
I didn't see any need to buy anything other than a better frame and better wheels, better from the point of view of lighter vs. more aero. I'm 220 lbs and don't do "weight doping" on Zwift so I'm willing to be a gram weenie on Zwift vs. in real life...
I figure some day Zwift might say "For 1M drops, you can buy a real world T shirt or water bottle" or something like that and I'll burn them off.
I wish the free stuff you get when you reach a new level was better - I just passed a level and now could wear a "retro bike helmet" - I leave that on the garage shelf along with the retro socks from the last level and the gloves from the Alpe du Zwift climb...
I figure some day Zwift might say "For 1M drops, you can buy a real world T shirt or water bottle" or something like that and I'll burn them off.
I wish the free stuff you get when you reach a new level was better - I just passed a level and now could wear a "retro bike helmet" - I leave that on the garage shelf along with the retro socks from the last level and the gloves from the Alpe du Zwift climb...
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,249
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, 1985 Peugeot UO14, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1999 Specialized Hard Rock
Liked 498 Times
in
309 Posts
My wish would be that you Zwift would create some kind of market where you could swap or trade up with your old items to get something new or offer to someone that doesn't have enough drops to purchase.
I also wish they offered some C&V bikes in the Zwift world. I would definitely cruise around on an old Bianchi, Colnago or Eddy Mercx frame instead of the Zwift steel bike.
I also wish they offered some C&V bikes in the Zwift world. I would definitely cruise around on an old Bianchi, Colnago or Eddy Mercx frame instead of the Zwift steel bike.
#22
It's worth having the better bikes in Zwift if you are racing or riding in fast groups when simply not getting dropped is a challenge. It's a bit like real life in that respect. A better bike gives you marginal gains in aero and weight. If you are just doing Zwift workouts and riding solo then it obviously doesn't matter what bike you ride.
#23
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 19,392
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Liked 13,232 Times
in
6,797 Posts
It's worth having the better bikes in Zwift if you are racing or riding in fast groups when simply not getting dropped is a challenge. It's a bit like real life in that respect. A better bike gives you marginal gains in aero and weight. If you are just doing Zwift workouts and riding solo then it obviously doesn't matter what bike you ride.
I have started selecting bike and wheels based on the elevation profile of particular races, and mostly these have been decided by 0ths of seconds. It does make me wonder whether I made bad choices.....
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#24
Yes. When you're battling over 0.1 second, the marginal gains are useful. Otherwise, as I said above, it's just dolling up your avatar.
I have started selecting bike and wheels based on the elevation profile of particular races, and mostly these have been decided by 0ths of seconds. It does make me wonder whether I made bad choices.....
I have started selecting bike and wheels based on the elevation profile of particular races, and mostly these have been decided by 0ths of seconds. It does make me wonder whether I made bad choices.....
Likes For PeteHski:
#25
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 344
Bikes: GR300, Grail, Live Wire, 5010
Liked 242 Times
in
121 Posts
From Zwift Insider: What to buy at each Zwift level
Fastest set up for beginners
In a nutshell, the best things to buy that are available early are a Canyon Aeroad and DT Swiss wheels.
Fastest set up for beginners
In a nutshell, the best things to buy that are available early are a Canyon Aeroad and DT Swiss wheels.