Every cyclist has felt it—that itch to upgrade. A lighter bike, new wheels, an aero helmet. We convince ourselves that better gear is the key to faster times.
And on Zwift, the temptation is even stronger. After all, these upgrades don’t cost money—you just have to ride more to unlock them. And for endurance athletes, that’s an easy sell. The urge to grind out more miles is always strong.
But every extra mile gives a false sense of progress, feeding the belief that more time on the bike must mean more speed. But does it? Or is it just piling on miles without actually progressing your fitness?
What if, instead of chasing virtual bikes, you focused on real, measurable fitness gains that make you faster on Zwift and the real roads?
We put it to the test: How does just 10 extra watts of power—an improvement most athletes can expect in 1-2 months with TrainerRoad’s structured training compare to the best bikes you can unlock in Zwift?
We ran the numbers, and the results might surprise you.
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Zwift Bike Unlocks vs. Real Training—What’s Actually Faster
Many Zwifters chase equipment unlocks for months, eyeing the fastest bikes on the leaderboard and believing that the next virtual upgrade will be the key to finally dropping their rivals. You know, those random names that blaze past you—the ones you’ll never meet but somehow must beat…
But what if the real advantage wasn’t in the gear—but in the engine? What if you could gain more speed, in less time, without waiting months for an upgrade?
Alpe du Zwift—12.2km at 8.5%. A climb that separates the strongest from the rest. We wanted to find out: What saves more time up this iconic ascent—elite virtual bikes or a small fitness boost, gained through structured training?
We ran the numbers, analyzing every major bike upgrade in Zwift and calculating the levels, XP, and ride hours needed to unlock them.
Then, we compared those upgrades to a simple 10-watt increase in power—something most athletes can expect in just 1-2 months with structured training.
Using Zwift’s own ride data, we put them to the test on the Road to Sky course.
The control bike completed the climb in 1:16:13—every improvement was measured against that baseline.
+10W with TrainerRoad: -3 minutes, 45 seconds
Specialized Aethos: -2 minutes, 3 seconds
Zwift Concept Bike: -1 minute, 45 seconds
Control Bike: 1:16:13 (baseline time)
Adaptive Training
Get the right workout, every time
with training that adapts to you.
Check Out TrainerRoad
The Time Savings Breakdown: Fitness vs. Equipment
A 10-watt power increase is significantly more effective than the fastest bike unlock—and you could achieve it in just 1-2 months with TrainerRoad.
Meanwhile, unlocking the fastest bikes takes much longer:
+10W with TrainerRoad: 1-2 months
Zwift Concept Bike: 9 months
Scott Addict RC: 12 months
S-Works Aethos: 42 months
Why spend months grinding away at unstructured miles, hoping for improvement, when you could follow a proven plan and get real, lasting fitness gains? Simply riding more doesn’t guarantee progress—but structured training does.
The Smarter Way to Get Faster on Zwift & In Real Life
TrainerRoad is the most advanced AI-driven training system available. Instead of chasing unlocks, you could be increasing your FTP and making real performance gains that translate to every ride, indoors and out.
Here’s how TrainerRoad allows you to make real gains in weeks—not years:
1. AI FTP Detection: Train at the Right Intensity Every Ride
Your FTP (Functional Threshold Power) determines the intensity of your workouts, and if it’s outdated, your training won’t be as effective. TrainerRoad’s AI FTP Detection removes the guesswork by analyzing your training data and pinpointing your current fitness level instantly—no ramp tests, no stress. That means every ride is calibrated perfectly to your ability, so you’re always training at the right intensity to maximize gains.
2. Personalized, Adaptive Training Plans: Faster Gains with Less Guesswork
No two athletes are the same, so why follow a one-size-fits-all training plan? TrainerRoad builds a plan just for you, adapting in real-time to your progress, schedule, and fitness level. Whether you miss a workout, hit a breakthrough session, or take time off, your training adjusts dynamically to keep you improving at the fastest rate possible. This is a training plan that is optimized for your success.
3. Fatigue Detection: Stay Consistent, Keep Improving
Consistency is the key to getting faster, but fatigue can derail progress. TrainerRoad’s Fatigue Detection identifies signs of accumulating fatigue before it interrupts your training. Your plan adapts dynamically to keep you progressing without hitting a wall, ensuring you maximize gains without overtraining.
4. Seamless Zwift Integration: Fun Meets Effective Training
Love Zwift? Now you don’t have to choose between immersive riding and scientifically structured training. With TrainerRoad’s structured workouts available in Zwift, you get the best of both worlds—engaging group rides, races, and virtual climbs while executing workouts that actually make you faster. It’s time to stop riding aimlessly and start making every mile count.
The best upgrade isn’t in the drop shop—it’s in your legs.
Join TrainerRoad and start climbing faster today →
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Over 250 million rides analyzed—TrainerRoad’s AI knows what makes cyclists faster.
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A modest 10-watt increase makes you faster than any bike unlock in Zwift—and you’ll get there in just a few months with TrainerRoad. The best part? These gains don’t disappear when you log off.
Start training the right way with TrainerRoad today.
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