Zwift Chat

[<Tommy>]

And while we’re at it!

Maybe SOMEONE isn’t being completely honest about their height on Zwift!

#justsayin...

 

[berty bassett]

Just stating the fact that small people have an unfair advantage on Zwift.

i don't follow snow white around with a pick axe you know !
and at risk of undermining my argument - this is why photo evidence should be viewed cautiously

and yes i got up there all by myself and no i didnt get dizzy

 

[<Tommy>]

i don't follow snow white around with a pick axe you know !
and at risk of undermining my argument - this is why photo evidence should be viewed cautiously View attachment 453714
and yes i got up there all by myself and no i didnt get dizzy

Those legs could belong to anyone

 

[LBHIFI]

You're going to to love this one as an addition to the excuse Bible @TurboTommy . ..... https://zwiftinsider.com/how-height-affects-speed-in-zwift/

I'm about same height as Tommy and have noticed that. During races it's hard to judge, but looking at the watts/kg I always have that feeling of having to work a little bit harder. Then again, that number tells nothing about the work being done at flat sections, or should I say SHOULD not tell nothing? When analysing data, I always wonder how a guy 20kg lighter can ride along with me at the same watts/kg.
However, a fact that is less insecure is that I always seem to end up with a higher avg. watt than riders I have been group riding with.

Wonder if the height disadvantage is equally great in the Figure 8 TT?

 

[bobinski]

But it’s not a disadvantage unless you are a tall rider flexible enough to get low or in the drops. Otherwise it tries to reflect IRL?

The test laps we’ve done in the 225-watt power range work out to ~30 seconds longer on a full Richmond lap for each 15cm (approximately 6″) of height added. Or to put it another way: a 5′ tall rider will be ~2 minutes faster than a 6′ tall rider for every hour of riding on a fairly flat course.

Another way to look at this is every 15cm removed from a rider’s height is like adding 5-10 watts of power in terms of speed increase. We can figure this out by looking at average Strava speeds at different heights, and plugging those numbers into BikeCalculator.com to look at power differences.

These numbers fluctuate depending on the wattage range you’re looking at, and what type of route we are riding–long, slow climbs won’t be as affected by height as much as a flats or downhill.

But it is worth noting that Zwift, in attempting to emulate real-world physics, does take your height into account (even if your avatar doesn’t get any shorter or taller

 

[CXRAndy]

I'm about same height as Tommy and have noticed that. During races it's hard to judge, but looking at the watts/kg I always have that feeling of having to work a little bit harder. Then again, that number tells nothing about the work being done at flat sections, or should I say SHOULD not tell nothing? When analysing data, I always wonder how a guy 20kg lighter can ride along with me at the same watts/kg.
However, a fact that is less insecure is that I always seem to end up with a higher avg. watt than riders I have been group riding with.

Wonder if the height disadvantage is equally great in the Figure 8 TT?

Its just like in real life. The likes of Qiuntana, Yates, Nibali etc are able to stay in a fast moving pack.
Exposed or one on one the lightweight riders arent able to stay with a 'rouleur' TT or classics specialist on a flat course. Its comes down to how much climbing there is to swing the advantage back to the lighter rider.

 

[CXRAndy]

even if your avatar doesn’t get any shorter or taller

Certainly look fatter

 

[Whorty]

Wonder if the height disadvantage is equally great in the Figure 8 TT?

Let's hope so

 

[Whorty]

Certainly look fatter

Talking of which .... I was 81.1 kg today Fingers crossed I make 80.x by Sunday, then it's on to the magic 79.x

 

[Aleman]

Talking of which .... I was 81.1 kg today Fingers crossed I make 80.x by Sunday, then it's on to the magic 79.x

Hmmm, 68.6 .... from 70.4 two weeks ago

Unfortunately I found a packet of chocolate chip cookies hidden away in the cupboard

 

[<Tommy>]

But it’s not a disadvantage unless you are a tall rider flexible enough to get low or in the drops. Otherwise it tries to reflect IRL?

The test laps we’ve done in the 225-watt power range work out to ~30 seconds longer on a full Richmond lap for each 15cm (approximately 6″) of height added. Or to put it another way: a 5′ tall rider will be ~2 minutes faster than a 6′ tall rider for every hour of riding on a fairly flat course.

Another way to look at this is every 15cm removed from a rider’s height is like adding 5-10 watts of power in terms of speed increase. We can figure this out by looking at average Strava speeds at different heights, and plugging those numbers into BikeCalculator.com to look at power differences.

These numbers fluctuate depending on the wattage range you’re looking at, and what type of route we are riding–long, slow climbs won’t be as affected by height as much as a flats or downhill.

But it is worth noting that Zwift, in attempting to emulate real-world physics, does take your height into account (even if your avatar doesn’t get any shorter or taller

Its just like in real life. The likes of Qiuntana, Yates, Nibali etc are able to stay in a fast moving pack.
Exposed or one on one the lightweight riders arent able to stay with a 'rouleur' TT or classics specialist on a flat course. Its comes down to how much climbing there is to swing the advantage back to the lighter rider.

The point I made in my original post is it’s not like real life. In the real world some riders of the same height are more capable of good aero tuck than others.

It doesn’t take individual position into the equation. Of course it can’t. The technology isn’t there for that yet. It’s zwifts best interpretation. You can’t fault them for it. They have to do something to make it as realistic as they can. It’s just what they have to go on.

Real world cycling is the truth!

 

[CXRAndy]

My body thinks its winter, laying layers of fat !

 

[berty bassett]

Those legs could belong to anyone

If they belonged to you - you would be normal

 

[CXRAndy]

The point I made in my original post is it’s not like real life. In the real world some riders of the same height are more capable of good aero tuck than others.

It doesn’t take individual position into the equation. Of course it can’t. The technology isn’t there for that yet. It’s zwifts best interpretation. You can’t fault them for it. They have to do something to make it as realistic as they can. It’s just what they have to go on.

Real world cycling is the truth!

It works very well overall. Apart from the draft benefit, which isnt sufficient. Real life you can literally freewheel behind riders moving fast, Zwift requires a chunk of power

 

[<Tommy>]

If they belonged to you - you would be normal

Perish the thought!