If you’re like me—juggling outdoor rides with indoor Zwift sessions, racing when the weather turns foul, and wondering why that rider just sailed past you on the Alpe—you’ve probably noticed those little notification pop-ups about bike upgrades.
Maybe you’ve ignored them. Maybe you’ve been curious but overwhelmed.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll break down what Zwift bike upgrades are all about, share strategies for which bikes to upgrade and in what order—specifically for women riders age 50+, us OWLs.
But first, an overview.
What Are Bike Upgrades, Anyway?
Every single bike frame in Zwift has five upgrade stages waiting for you! Think of them as rewards for showing up. For putting in the miles. For being consistent—which, let’s be honest, is what we OWLs do best.
Each bike you own can be upgraded five times, and each upgrade makes your virtual bike perform better.
We’re talking real performance gains—faster speeds, better climbing, smoother power transfer. Yes, they’re what Team Sky famously called “marginal gains.” But here’s the thing about marginal gains: they add up.
And they matter when you’re chasing a PR on the Volcano Circuit or defending your position in a Tuesday ZRL race.
You don’t need to be a Cat A racer or a tech wizard. You just need to ride.
How Do You Unlock Upgrades?
This is where Zwift rewards the kind of riding we already do. Every bike has specific requirements to unlock each upgrade stage. Depending on the bike type, you’ll need to accumulate:
- Distance (for road/race bikes)
- Time (for TT bikes)
- Elevation (for climbing bikes)
The more you ride a specific frame, the closer you get to unlocking its next upgrade. Once you meet the requirement, you’ll get a notification. But here’s the catch—you still need to purchase the upgrade using Drops (Zwift’s in-game currency). So don’t spend all your Drops on that new wheelset just yet!
Every bike has five upgrade stages. You unlock them by riding. You purchase them with Drops. Simple as that.
What Do These Upgrades Actually Do?
You’re probably thinking: “I’m not trying to win the Tour de Zwift. Do I really need to be concerned about Zwift upgrades?”
Here’s my answer: you’ve earned every watt you’re putting down. Why not get the most out of them?
Bike upgrades give you five types of improvements:
- Aero improvements reduce drag and boost your speed on flats. Think of it as a tailwind that follows you everywhere.
- Weight reductions help you climb faster. Hello, Alpe du Zwift! Those grams matter when gravity’s pulling at you for 12.2 kilometers.
- Better drivetrain efficiency maximizes power transfer. Every pedal stroke counts a little more.
- XP boosts help you level up 5% faster. Earn more Drops when you ride this frame. More levels mean more gear unlocked.
- Drops boosts increase the currency you earn by 5% when you ride this frame. More Drops mean more upgrades down the road.
Not all bikes offer all five types of upgrades—some focus purely on performance, while others throw in those XP or Drops bonuses. But whether you’re racing against others or racing against yourself, these upgrades make a tangible difference.
How Much Difference Do They Really Make?
Let’s talk numbers, because as you know, I geek out on this stuff.
According to Zwift, each upgrade offers a “subtle enhancement.” Remember wise OWLs, subtle doesn’t mean insignificant—it means smart!
Remember those marginal gains? A fully upgraded TT bike can save you about 45 seconds over an hour on flat roads compared to its un-upgraded version. On climbs, you’re looking at about 26 seconds faster over an hour.
A maxed-out climbing bike like the S-Works Aethos? About 21 seconds faster on flats over an hour, but 58 seconds faster on climbs.
Now, you might be thinking, “That’s not much.” Sounds small, right? But it packs a punch! In a nail-biter race, 45 seconds is the gap between third and podium glory. In a personal best attempt, it’s the difference between “so close” and “yes, got it!”
And honestly? We’ve worked hard for our fitness. We deserve every advantage.
The OWL Advantage
Here’s what I love about the upgrade system: it rewards the kind of riding we already do.
OWL.BiKe Grey Zone Trivia rides? Check.
Consistent training? Check.
Grandmasters racing? Check.
Showing up week after week, season after season? That’s our specialty.
You don’t need to sprint like a 25-year-old or chase every attack. You just need to keep riding on Zwift, and the upgrades will come.
Zwift sees you. Zwift values you. And Zwift rewards you—just for riding.
So next time you’re deciding between an outdoor ride and a Zwift session, remember: those indoor miles aren’t just maintaining your fitness. They’re unlocking upgrades that’ll make every future ride—a little bit sweeter.
Coming up next: Which bikes should you upgrade first? I’ll break down the strategy for OWLs who want to maximize their Drops and unlock the bikes that matter most for the riding you actually do.
Now, jump on Zwift and start earning those upgrades. Your future self will thank you when you’re crushing that next climb.