Zwift Drafting

Comprehensive Guide to Drafting On Zwift. Drafting Tips. Sticky Draft. Double Draft.

[@keithhigginson554]

Such a well presented video for anyone new to Zwift, especially if they don't have an extensive outdoor group riding background. Well done Ken !

[@endurancesweat]

Thanks for those kind words. Perhaps like yourself, I have ridden with groups outdoors for so long that drafting is almost second nature. Still, drafting on Zwift is different. On Zwift, you don't get the sensory perception when you get into the draft. The closest feedback is when your avatar rises from the handlebar drops to the hoods. However, just like IRL, drafting makes a big difference on Zwift. Ride On!

[@fredbr95]

Thanks for explaining it so clearly! That’s why I was getting dropped immediately as soon as I stopped pedalling on Zwift

[@johnhayes1641]

Thanks, Ken! Excellent explanation. Now I just need to practice, practice, practice!

[@endurancesweat]

And have fun!

[@leonvittum6617]

Amazing video. Detailed but compressed, lots of information, easy to understand, thanks from Denmark

[@endurancesweat]

Drafting makes a big difference on Zwift - just as in real life. However, the dynamics - though similar - are distinct. You cannot "feel" when you are in the draft on Zwift, but there are visual cues that tell us if we are in the draft. Glad to know this video help you. "Ride On" from Canada.

[@leonvittum6617]

@@endurancesweat I have become much better at drafting after watching your video as I know understand the dynamics better. Thanks!

[@Bunn3s]

Thanks, great summary!

[@endurancesweat]

Drafting really helps on Zwift, but it isn't always clear when you are in the draft zone. I'm glad to know that the video helped.

[@stokular]

This was super helpful, thanks!

[@endurancesweat]

Thank you for watching the video. It is good to know that you found it helpful. That encourages me to keep on making Zwift videos. Ride On.

[@megustafood2637]

Great content, helped me a lot. It looks easy but there are plenty details mentioned in your video and it will help me a lot in my next rides and events. Keep it up n ride on!!!

[@icurt06]

I agree that drafting in Titan's Grove is challenging. My goal is to make it through this segment without getting dropped in a group ride. With the double draft it's easy to loose up to a minute very quickly. I'll just keep practicing until I can. Great video as always

[@endurancesweat]

Titan's Grove can be a real "fun" challenge. Some of the rollers are steep. I need to anticipate them by applying power and or shifting gears just a bit early to preserve momentum. Ride On!

[@Tonysandtoes]

Subscribed and followed on Zwfit! Thanks for all the great informative videos!

[@endurancesweat]

Welcome aboard! Train Hard and Have Fun!

[@jimmydolittle]

Charmingly informative. Liked and subscribed!!

[@SirMika9]

Excellent video. Full of details I didn't see elsewhere. I subscribed, I really like your videos.

[@endurancesweat]

Thanks for the sub!

[@JuanChOKhan]

I hope i see you in Zwift

[@the_fatshark]

Great video and tips Ken. I was in the assumption that Zwift fixed the stickie draft.

[@endurancesweat]

Thanks for your feedback. Always appreciated. I was aware that Zwift had attempted several iterations to minimize the "Sticky Draft" issue, but I had not read that it was fixed entirely.

[@anil7659]

Great info...thank you!!

[@SIV959]

Very informative! Thanks

[@PureNRG2]

When a rider in front of me breaks the wind I drop back to catch my breath.

[@Cookefan59]

Breaking Wind, figuratively of course. 😂 Great video!

[@endurancesweat]

Not to be confused with the Burrito Powerup. LOL

[@Krilin84]

Hi. Thanks for your videos. It's great information to know that the upright sitting position means you're in the draft - I always wondered about that. I have a different question for a possible video topic for you, if you're interested in researching it. It's regarding the w/kg concept and how zwift ultimately calculates your riding speed. In a recent "global triathlon network" video, they did some testing and concluded that riding at the same w/kg on flats does not result in equal riding speed among different people - it's rather a power to wind resistance/drag equation. Yet almost all zwift races/group rides are (at least communicated as) being based around w/kg as if this means everyone will ride at the same speed if they ride at the same w/kg, even on flats. So my question is basically: does zwift calculate wind resistance/drag for different body compositions, based on your height and weight - allowing for a scenario where a heavier rider can in some cases drop a lighter rider on flats while outputting the same w/kg, due to the heavier rider having a higher power/wind resistance ratio? Or is this in fact a flaw in the zwift simulation, allowing unfair advantages to lighter riders with higher w/kg ratios? Many thanks for you work!

[@endurancesweat]

Yes. Heavier riders will go faster than lighter riders at the same W/kg when riding on flat routes. On flat routes, aerodynamic resistance and raw W are the major determinants of speed. So an 80kg rider at 3.0W/kg putting out 240W will go faster than a 50/kg rider at 3.0W/kg putting out 150W - all other things being equal. It sort of evens out on hill climbs where gravity and W/kg become more dominant as the grades get steeper. Here are links to two excellent articles: zwiftinsider.com/lower-wkg/ and zwiftinsider.com/wkg-tests/ And if you Google "ZWIFT HEAVIER RIDER ADVANTAGE ON FLATS" you will find links to endless discussions on the topic at forums.zwift.com.

[@Krilin84]

@@endurancesweat thanks for the in depth response and resource links, I appreciate you taking the time!

[@donwinston]

What does the horizontal bar mean that displays 1.x and the name of the "pace partner"? Also I find C. Cadence at bit of a wuss when climbing hills. He/she is supposed to be able to ride up to 3.1watts/kg. I'm always being told to wait for him/her to catch up. On downhills he/she can sometimes get away from me if I'm not paying attention. WTF?

[@endurancesweat]

The horizontal bar that displays "1.0 to 2.5" in increments of "0.2" from 1.0 to 2.0 and then in one increment from 2.0 to 2.5 is the XP Multiplier. The multiplier increases every 5min up to 2.5. And then returns to 1.0 over the next 2 minutes when the process begins all over again. So one cycle takes a total of 37 minutes. The multiplier increases as long as you remain within the Pace Partners limits else you have to re-join the Pace Partner and start all over again from 1.0. Normally, you earn 20XP/km (or 30XP/mile). When riding with a Pace Partner, you earn 20XP x The Multiplier for each km. That's why it is a great way to level up fast. C. Cadence rides at a constant 2.5W/kg irrespective of the grade. That is, C. Cadence rides at 2.5W/kg on the flats, going uphill and going downhill. This makes it quite challenging to stay with the Pace Partner as our normal tendency is to push harder going uphill and to ease off going downhill. (NOTE: Zwift may be doing a trial where Pace Partners adjust their W/kg depending on the grade.) You need to pay very close attention. With experience, you will get better at it. It's why I suggest that you first try riding with Pace Partners on flat routes. Try Diesel D who always rides on flat routes. Then progress to C Cadence riding Tempus Fugit. Give yourself a "High Five" when you can stay with C. Cadence on the rolling hills thru Titan's Grove featured on the Sand & Sequoias Route!