Question 1

Do I need to calibrate?

Accepted Answer

Often not. Newer trainers like the Wahoo KICKR v5 and v6, CORE and MOVE calibrate themselves while you ride, and Zwift shows no calibration option for them. Older direct drive trainers (like the KICKR v4) like a spindown now and then, and after being moved. Wheel-on trainers need it most, as tyre pressure changes. Zwift's help page explains how to check which kind yours is.

Question 2

How to calibrate

Accepted Answer

Only if your trainer offers it: ride about 10 minutes to warm up, then in Zwift's pairing screen tap the wrench next to your power source and follow the steps: speed up, stop pedalling, let it spin down. No wrench means your trainer doesn't need it. Numbers look odd on a self-calibrating trainer? Use the trainer brand's own app (for Wahoo, a factory spindown).

Question 3

Watts that jump around

Accepted Answer

Zwift can show your power as instant watts or as a 3 second average. The 3 second average looks much steadier. It only changes the number on the screen: the power Zwift uses for your speed, and records, is exactly the same.

Question 4

Jumpy or steady: which is best?

Accepted Answer

Many racers keep the jumpy instant watts, because the 3 second average lags behind: in an attack or a sprint you see the jump a moment late. For holding a steady effort, the 3 second average is calmer to pace by. It's a preference, not a rule. Try both on a group ride.

Question 5

Can I steer in Zwift?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the right kit: Zwift Click v2 (the arrow buttons), Zwift Play controllers, the Zwift Ride bars, the Elite Sterzo Smart (not the plain Sterzo) and the Wahoo KICKR BIKE. The keyboard and the Companion app can't steer: the arrows only pick a turn at a junction. The cheapest way in is Zwift Click v2, sold in a kit with Zwift Cog for about 50 euros.

Question 6

Does steering help in a race?

Accepted Answer

Most races allow it (all Zwift Racing League races do), but organisers can turn it off, so check the event. Steering lets you sit right on a wheel and take the inside of corners. One careless move takes you out of the draft, though, and that costs a lot. No steering? Zwift keeps you in the bunch on its own, you move up with power and drafting, and on most routes the difference is small.

Question 7

Join the pen early

Accepted Answer

The Join button shows up about 30 minutes before the start, and riders line up in the order they arrive. Join early and you start near the front instead of 30-40 seconds of pedalling behind the line. In a small field it hardly matters, in a big one it really does. Warm up in the pen.

Question 8

Check your bike: the TT bike trap

Accepted Answer

Zwift keeps the bike you rode last. Still on your TT bike after a time trial or a TTT, and the race doesn't allow TT bikes? Zwift puts you on the Zwift Steel, its heavy default bike, and you can't change it in the pen. Leave the pen, pick your road bike in the garage, and join again. Pick it before you join and it never happens.

Question 9

Late join is rare

Accepted Answer

Most races don't let you join after the start, so set an alarm. Group rides and Tour de Zwift sometimes allow it, but without a result.

Question 10

How the supertuck works

Accepted Answer

Your rider tucks low on the top tube and gets faster on a descent when all of this is true: you're doing about 58 km/h or more, the road drops at least 3%, you put out under about 11 watts (stop pedalling), and you're not sitting in someone's draft. It doesn't work on TT or MTB bikes. When one condition stops being true, for example the road flattens, you sit up again.

Question 11

When to use it

Accepted Answer

On long, fast descents when you're alone or at the front. In a pack you're in the draft, so you won't tuck: keep pedalling lightly to stay with the group. The numbers are measured by riders, not published by Zwift, so treat them as a guide.

Question 12

Do women earn more Drops?

Accepted Answer

Probably. Zwift Insider reports that female riders get about 10% more Drops than male riders for the same effort, going by the gender in your Zwift profile. Zwift doesn't publish how Drops are worked out, so treat the number as a good guess, not a promise.

Question 13

Climbing pays

Accepted Answer

Drops come mostly from your effort, and riding uphill earns many more of them than the flat. A Ride On from another rider doubles your rate for 15 seconds, so hand them out and you'll get some back.

Question 14

The Zwift Steel bonus

Accepted Answer

Your bike's speed hardly changes your Drops. But entry-level frames like the Zwift Steel give a small bonus of about 5% more Drops once you've upgraded them far enough (around level 4). Handy for a recovery ride, not for a race.

Question 15

Group rides teach you the draft

Accepted Answer

A normal group ride is the best place to learn to sit in the draft, move up and hold a wheel. Pick one a bit below your race pace.

Question 16

Keep together rides

Accepted Answer

In a keep together ride everyone stays in one group, whatever their watts. Drafting is off, so it's for chatting, riding with friends and feeling at home in Zwift, not for practising the draft. Stop pedalling for long and you fall off the group.

Question 17

Women's rides

Accepted Answer

There are women's group rides every week, from social to fast. Look for the women's ride tags in the Zwift Companion app, or ride with the clubs and teams in our team list.

Question 18

Women racing on YouTube

Accepted Answer

Beccah Niesen (FCC) films women's races and Zwift Racing League recons. Caryl Granville shows her road into Zwift racing from the very start.

Question 19

How racing works

Accepted Answer

Zwift's own racing how-to videos, and ZRace Central for race tactics.

Question 20

Trainers and tech

Accepted Answer

GPLama (Shane Miller) and DC Rainmaker test trainers and explain the tech. Zwift Insider's channel covers new features.

Race smarter

Trainer & screen

Before the start

In the race

Drops & bikes

Practise first

Watch & learn