Example of Frame from Dropshop
Zwift has a large variety of bike frames and wheelsets that can be used for your virtual rides ranging from road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes and Time Trial (TT) bikes. As a new user, you have some default frames in your garage to get you started. These include the Zwift Carbon, Zwift Mountain and Zwift Time Trial. All the other frames and wheelsets are either purchased with drops you earn while riding, completing challenges or, on occasion, as a reward for completing an event or series. Some people will only purchase frames and wheelsets based on performance while others may purchase them because they look good or they own them in real life.
Example of Wheelset from Dropshop
Zwift uses several factors to determine your speed in its virtual world. Your weight, height, and wattage output are three personal factors. But the virtual world also affects your speed – so you’ll go slower up a virtual climb, faster when you’re drafting, slower on certain road surfaces (dirt, gravel, cobblestone, etc). The final factor is the virtual frame and wheelset you select. Each frame and wheelset has its own weight and aerodynamic values (CdA) in game and these affect your in-game speed just like they would outside. A lighter setup will climb faster than a heavier rig and a more aero (low CdA) setup will go faster at higher speeds than one less aero. Therefore, selecting a frame and wheelset does make a difference in how fast you ride and climb during the game. The differences in frames/wheelsets can be measured in seconds to more than a minute. If you're just on a leisurely free ride, using a slower frame/wheelset only costs you some extra watts but in a competitive group ride/race, choosing the fastest frame/wheelset can make the difference in winning or losing.
Zwift assigns a simple 4 star rating system to each frame and wheelset. This just gives you a general idea of how these virtual items will perform. To get a more accurate and informative view of frame and wheelset performance, Zwift Insider has done a tremendous job of testing each new frame and wheelset as it is released in Zwift. These ratings are invaluable in determining which frames and wheelsets are worth your hard earned drops. See below for links to these speed and climbing tests done by Zwift Insider.
Previously, the Zwift Wiki tried to show each frame and wheelset, but with so many now available and new ones added frequently, it is not useful to do that anymore. Instead, you can view each available frame and wheelset from the Zwift Dropshop. You'll see a fill sized image of each item including color options (if any), star rating, level restriction and cost (in drops) to purchase. Go to your garage, select the drop shop and peruse the available equipment.
Complete List of Zwift Wheelsets
Zwift Insider Speed Tests for Frames[]
Zwift Frame Ranking Chart - Ranks every bike frame from top to bottom on both flats and climbing as well as combined performance.
Zwift's Fastest Frames for Flats/Rolling Routes - Lists the fastest bike frames on flats and rolling terrain.
Zwift's Fastest Frames for Climbing - Lists the fastest bike frames for just climbing.
Zwift Concept (Tron) Bike vs Top Performers - Ranks the Tron bike against top performing bike frames and combined wheelsets.
Zwift's Time Trial Frame Ranking Chart - Ranks each TT frame from top to bottom on both flats and climbing as well as combined performance.
Zwift's Fastest Time Trial Frames for Climbing - Lists the fastest TT frames for just climbing.
Zwift's Mountain Bike Performance - Ranks Mountain Bike performance.
Zwift's Gravel Bike Performance - Ranks Gravel Bike performance.
Zwift Insider Speed Tests for Wheelsets[]
Zwift's Wheelset Ranking Chart - Ranks every wheelset from top to bottom on both flats and climbing as well as combined performance.
Zwift's Fastest Wheelsets for Flats/Rolling Routes - Lists the fastest wheelsets on flats and rolling terrain.
Zwift's Fastest Wheelsets for Climbing - Lists the fastest wheelset for just climbing.