What is on the Zwift Screens (Zwift Icons EXPLAINED!)

#zwifts #gozwift #zwiftinsider
I created this video specifically for a beginner Zwift rider, here is a quick, (not overly in depth cause I assume you are a smart cookie) overview of the icons on Zwift.
Here are the questions I answer in this video while explaining all the zwift icons and screens!
What does the feather mean on Zwift?
What does the Truck mean on Zwift?
What does the plus sign mean on Zwift?
What does the aero helmet mean on Zwift?
What does the burrito mean on Zwift?
What do the icons mean on Zwift?
What are Zwift drops?
How do you earn the tron bike?
How do you level up in Zwift?
What is zwift companion app?
What are the zwift keyboard shortcuts?
Props to ZwiftInsider.com for exceptional info and the PDF I referenced in the video: zwiftinsider.com/keyboard-sho...
Strava: / strava
Instagram: / briandavisraces
Facebook: / briandavis3000
Questions? Let me know via email [e-mail]
P.S. Here are some of my favorite things to power your ride on Amazon...some weird stuff and some basics (I do earn very small commissions on the links on this page):
www.amazon.com/shop/briandavi...
Who am I?
Brian Davis, inventor of Fix It Sticks, Backbottle and The Weatherneck System and creator of Fo//ow Ho//ow Performance Alpaca brand - I discuss race tactics and strategies to be a faster, fitter and smarter cyclist.
fixitsticks.com
backbottle.com
theweatherneck.com
followhollow.com
Questions: brian@briandavisraces

[@toddmeerdink4782]

Great Zwift overview! Question - is it possible to hide any of the screens, such as the list of riders. Doing mainly interval workouts I'd like to see the data and times larger, and all the other stuff on the screen can go away.

[@BrianDavisraces]

It is actually but it requires messing with the code of the game. Prolly not worth it

[@kennfd]

Todd Meerdink I use an iPhone to run Zwift and can remove the riders list by swiping it right and the KOM stats by swiping it left.

[@drkneesandtoes6312]

I should have watched this before doing my first Zwift ride today - felt like a real newbie!

[@ca8746]

Thanks for the video - explains a lot to me, much appreciated!

[@yvettesienkiewicz5552]

Great overview! I am a fairly new Zwift user and only use it for running, but I really learned a lot from watching your video. Thank you!

[@BrianDavisraces]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cosmicwarlord2002]

Great video Brian .. best one I've seen for an intro to Zwift .. THANK YOU

[@BrianDavisraces]

Thank you so much for that comment - means a lot to me!

[@sonjawachters5520]

Very useful! Thankyou and ride on..

[@allthingsTechrelated]

Excellent overview.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Thx man. I had an older video ranking for this subject but it was awful. Wanted to refresh it.

[@martialgerolami2192]

Great overview Brian

[@BrianDavisraces]

Thank you, glad it helped.

[@jonathanspring7051]

Great video, so much to learn about, I can't use most of these functionalities as I'm using Zwift thru my smartphone mirrored to a smart TV in front of me. Even if I had a keyboard, most of the time I'd be too exhausted to type anything!

[@BrianDavisraces]

I hear that. I have no idea how people hold full on conversations about the meaning of life during a zwift sesh.

[@tomashands5186]

Good video man, thanks!

[@BrianDavisraces]

Thanks Tomas. Really appreciate the kudos. Cheers!

[@thg1173]

Well explained.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Thx. I appreciate that

[@royjamescoach]

REALLY good! Thanx Brian;-))

[@BrianDavisraces]

My pleasure! thanks for the comment Roy - compliments are very powerful, I appreciate this.

[@pauricsurlis9191]

Zwift newbie. Thanks that was very helpful

[@BrianDavisraces]

Love it - thx for letting me know and welcome aboard!

[@calvintran5324]

Thanks for your video clip. I like it

[@BrianDavisraces]

Thanks for the positive vibes Calvin - RIDE ON!

[@paul.kimmings1668]

hallelujah a zwift video that i find useful ,which explains everything , because i found zwift totally confusing ,

[@BrianDavisraces]

Awesome - glad it helped you!

[@harryschuurman7026]

thank you I been trying to find what icon mean.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Glad it helped Harry. Love it

[@dtrjones]

Nice one Brian, my Wattbike has '5 Gear 4' on it and '5 Gear 2' etc - so the second number is the gear (Wattbike has 1-22) but I never figured out what the 5 was. Also looked like the app had performance issues towards the end of the video?

[@tonixpto1]

Nice video Brian! What smartrainer do you recommend me and what's is your opinion about the kickrbike from wahoo.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Hey Toni. I think whatever you can afford is PERFECT! If budget were no object I would go for a tacx Neo and then upgrade to a kickrbike next year after its gets some time in the real world. I’m also super intrigued by the prospect of Zwift doing a bike. Not sure it’s the right business move at all but I think what could be done is awesome.

[@tonixpto1]

Brian Davis Races I'm tempted to buy a Neo, I like very much the wahoo products but there are so many units of kickrs and kickcores with issues...

[@BrianDavisraces]

Toni Marques I just bought the Saris H3 a few weeks ago. So I guess maybe that’s my real life answer. Cause that’s what I bought.

[@lizdawson4236]

Thanks for this. A lot has become clearer? How do you enter the Everest Challenge? If I do, does the elevation count every time I ride?

[@BrianDavisraces]

Hi Liz - glad it helped. On the profile screen you select your challenge. The Everest must be selected to get elevation to count but yes all elevation counts once you’re in the Everest Challenge. Good luck!

[@bobbychernault9057]

Brian, do you know what the blue icon is at the bottom of the screen between the screen shot icon and the ride on icon?

[@bobbychernault9057]

Actually it's between the camera icon and the elbow.

[@TheMarkofJoe]

Thanks for the vid. I use the mobile app and am trying to work out what the orange ride on icons mean and how to use them. I see the orange ride on thumbs up beside riders names on the right hand side. Does that mean they have selected to 'ride on' me ? 2nd question when I press on that orange thumb icon ( to return the compliment) what happens as I don't see or hear anything when I press it thanks :) Is there an option to "continue' from your last ride? Finally went to where you could go offload and steer and no UI was presented to go off road and turn on the mobile App, what do I need to do/ Tx

[@BrianDavisraces]

I never got the off road thing either. As for hthe ride ons, you won't see em, unless that rider is in your view on screen, but they do go through, you can see it on the companion much clearer IMO

[@OwenDawson]

thanks for the great videos. do you know if there is a difference is speed if you choose a road bike vs a mtn bike?

[@BrianDavisraces]

Oh for sure. I’m not sure what the diff is but there is. Check zwiftinsider.com for that research.

[@jimlombardo9046]

The taco power up has been back in game for a bit although I think there may be some preconditions like you have to be in a race that allows it. It’s effect is that it removes the draft behind you. Good for breakaways. I’ve never seen the ghost but I think it may have similar preconditions. You mention Zwiftinsider which is a good resource but there’s also GPlama on KZbin who has great tutorials and Zwiftcast which is a podcast for all things Zwift. Lastly level 23? Noob :-p

[@BrianDavisraces]

Good additions. The Llama is a godsend for sure. Thx Jim. Noob=truth. Lololol

[@bobbafett1971]

I use zwift for training in bad weather. You should always be at 100% If you want to play a game...then I guess 50% is for you.

[@feezee82]

One feature I want, is to see the trainer difficulty under the riders’ names. In my opinion, anything under 80% is pretty much cheating (if racing). You might as well be riding an e-bike.

[@RightRudder]

You say you're using an Apple TV, but you're showing a 'keyboard'. I don't see any way to bring up a keyboard, how do you make that happen? One other question, with Apple TV how do you select a zwifter on the right side of the screen. No matter the direction I press on the Apple TV remote, I don't seem to be able to get to that section of the display. Thanks

[@roadeyerob]

At 10:26, there is a 'Ride On' icon beside D. Barry ... what does the icon mean?

[@BrianDavisraces]

That is giving me the option to click it. If I do THEN he will get a ride on from me. If I don’t then nothing happens. You’ll see those when people are doing FTP tests all the time.

[@davidkelly4400]

Brian, You show a keyboard in this video. I understood you can't use a keyboard with Apple TV? Is the keyboard connected to the iPhone running the companion app. TY

[@davidkelly4400]

I tried to use a bluetooth keyboard both with the ATV and the Companion app, it worked with neither. With the ATV a few buttons work on the bluetooth keyboard but nothing worth noting.

[@BrianDavisraces]

that keyboard was just a screenshot, yeah I don't think it works with Apple TV, but for laptop users I wanted to show the keyboard shortcut.

[@drewa4445]

Can you do zwift with power meter pedals and spin bike? Seems more budget friendly then smart trainer and buying a new bike because I already have spin bike

[@BrianDavisraces]

Yes. You can as long as they transmit in Bluetooth. But a whole bike with a power meter and a dumb trainer would get you there too and then you don’t have a spin bike. You have a real bike!

[@julieduhon1385]

I just purchased a indoor bike and using Zwift. Pls tell me what the % in the top right corner of the screen. It is white, yellow and red at times. Thank you.

[@BrianDavisraces]

That is the gradient I believe you are referring to - so how uphill, downhill or flat the virtual road is at the moment.

[@jaredwhite489]

My laptop does not have Bluetooth capability so am I stuck watching what I’m racing with just on my iPhone screen? And I can’t even use the companion app? I think I can take my laptop and hook an HDMI cable to my TV but then I still need to use the companion app on my phone along with it correct? My laptop just doesn’t recognize any Bluetooth connectivity

[@BrianDavisraces]

Hey Jared. I’d pick up a Bluetooth USB adaptor (~$15) on Amazon that will add bt capability to your PC and free up your phone. amzn.to/2WH3Tha Try something like that and RIDE ON!

[@Simon.Forrester]

So Brian, are you not using Trainer road now

[@BrianDavisraces]

I’ll be back. Just not being structured now so I enjoy Zwift more when not on a specific plan. I pay for both every month for the last year

[@l-ll_lnGl2Y]

Are you sure the blue Z icon is for zwift employee only? I saw some of my friends have it too

[@BrianDavisraces]

Hmmm. That’s what I picked up when I looked into it. It could be inaccurate. I don’t recall where I caught that. I’ll dig it up

[@waynemacisaac331]

how are you hitting a keyboard when you are riding? i dont get it. do you set a wireless keyboard on a table next to yourself?

[@BrianDavisraces]

Lots of people do but I’d say controlling most of the screen is done via the “Zwift Companion” app

[@sunlessgirl56]

Hi the ghost is used, I got one today! now I still don't know what it means!

[@shannondrain4484]

I wathced another video thats says it makes you invisisble which is good for attacking during races so others cant follow.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Thanks for adding that info - super helpful!

[@michaelleinartas7663]

I still can't figure out what the little markers below the map are for

[@BrianDavisraces]

COuld be elevation profile or course progress, not sure exactly what you are referrgin to, but if you figure it out, please come back and comment so we can all learn. It shouldn't be that hard, but it really is confusing on the screen I think.

[@robgerritsen6396]

@@BrianDavisraces The red profile on the bottom of the screen appears to me to be a power history.

[@waynemacisaac331]

will zwift pair with my garmin watch?

[@feezee82]

No, but some Garmin watches can be paired to the trainer. Also, Zwift can upload your workout to Garmin Connect automatically, if you connect your Zwift and Garmin accounts.

[@PatrickvonMassow]

Very frustrating: I love that Zwift has such a big community and races to chose from at any level whenever you want. However, I hate that it has stuff like power-ups, levels, in game-currency, etc. Those things turn it into a game instead of a cycling simulator.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Yeah they very much want that game feel. Check out “Rouvy” or “road grand tours (rgt)” for more simulated vibes but I suspect you know about those and stick with Zwift cuz of the large user base like u said. There’s a lot of options these days which is so cool!

[@PatrickvonMassow]

@@BrianDavisraces Thanks, yeah I'm on RGT, too. AFAIK their user base is growing, so there's hope 😉. However, I don't expect it to ever be bigger than Zwift's. It seems Zwift is best in providing what the masses want.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Patrick von Massow you know I keep meaning to give RGT a fair shake. I think I’ll do that this week. See ya over there!

[@peterburgess7314]

My laptop is on the table, going through the TV. My bike is way out of reach. So i go where the game takes me ! So all those keys are irelivent to me, i ride for ten miles, then my bum hurts and i get off. Simple.

[@k.r.lionheart6460]

How do you get the title of the ride you have just done to zwift companion mine just says watopia and not the ride ie road to sky I’ve noticed other riders have titles

[@BrianDavisraces]

I dunno, they may have changed it - it certainly wasn't anything I did on purpose (at least as I recall)

[@SRobinson1485]

So whats the power source mean

[@BrianDavisraces]

That’s your trainer (assuming it’s connected) or whatever device to telling Zwift how hard you’re working thx Steven!

[@Cookefan59]

Might be a better video if you do a more step wise approach a d kind of just go left to right. It’s an awesome task and I appreciate what you tried to do but I couldn’t follow the logic of the presentation. Great guy! Great channel.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Great point. I keep re-doing this video as Zwift evolves. I’ll do that on my next attempt.

[@t00thygr1n]

Thanks. Zwift UI is terrible. I was on it 4 years ago and it didn't do anything for me. I'm back on and it's a lot better but the interface is minimally intuitive

[@BrianDavisraces]

Minimally intuitive is a big compliment. It’s pretty rough. But then again I think when people figure it out they feel like they’re “in the club” so it increases stickiness. My 2c theory.

[@VanceRefrigeration]

Thank god for 2x speed

[@BrianDavisraces]

I agree - LOL

[@n1ck920]

Does zwift show how many calories you burn?

[@BrianDavisraces]

Yeah but not till the ride is over and then they express it as “slices” = pizza slices you burned. If I had to guess that’s on purpose to avoid anything close to health claims. My opinion but I’d do the same as a founder who would prefer not being sued.

[@dumspirosperofilms2273]

Trainer difficulty should be on MAX otherwise is useless!

[@gaborkristof240]

First of all when you explain something new to the listener the number one rule is to slow down. A good teacher speaks slowly with gaps between the sentences and number two you have to point out where do you actually will click before the screen changes. Theses are just the basics, I have no idea why you think you are good at when you do not know how to slow down and how to point at things! Sad!

[@BrianDavisraces]

I’ll give you a full refund.

[@peterdobos1606]

Zwift has the worst documentation/help of anything in the history of things.

[@BrianDavisraces]

Wait till you see Zwiftpower. It’s next level lack of explanation. Lolol. Thx Peter. Hope this helped a bit

[@peterdobos1606]

@@BrianDavisraces oh yeah...Zwift classifies its rides and races based on W/KG. It never ever tells you what your W/KG is, only what your FTP is in Watts. FFS Zwiftpower was a third party website started by Zwifters out of sheer desperation. Zwift saw it and was like "oh, this is something we should have done, let's just buy it and integrate it into our platform. no, that's too much work. let's just have it as another separate standalone. oh, but don't tell anyone about it." a bunch of dead slugs could run a better company