Swift Zwift Tip: Drafting Other Riders in Zwift

Some handy tips for staying in the draft and not being left behind in bunch rides on Zwift.

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[davepratt]

Having a draft benefit meter on the screen would be really helpful.

[leopoldodonnell]

I used to have a really tough time managing distance, overshooting etc. The thing that fixed it for me was to change the camera view from the 'Forward Facing medium distance chase' to 'Forward Facing First Person POV'. This makes it much easier to hold a draft or maintain a position in a bunch.

[michwoz]

Visual clue: your avatar puts hands on hoods when drafting.

[ShawnMcAfee]

Great video, I like that you included a real example of how quickly you fall off.

[legodaysout]

Just a small correction on your key point #1 that it doesnt get easier you just go faster (in the you don't go faster because your speed in the draft is determined by the person on the front, but *it is* easier to keep up with them because of the lowered wind resistance. Of course if you work together with other riders and take turns on the front then you will go faster (than solo) but effort will go up proportionately. So the most typical scenario on zwift is that it literally gets easier (by about 40%) but you don't necessarily go faster (in the draft).

[Yosser]

Thanks for this mate, it explains a lot! Karen to either blow straight through the pack or get shelled out the back. When I think I'm going to overshoot I probably ease up too much and that braking effect kicks in. It's worse in a big pack when everyone is in the same kit and you lose track of where you are. Have to say though, I'm sure I can feel the drafting effect, as in peddling resistance eases up a little but maybe I'm imagining that lol

[jeffmorgan]

Just a few rides in and quickly realized how much conditioned response was involved with drafting. Had to laugh at myself reflexively feathering the brakes to no avail. It will be interesting to see what zwift habits creep into my real riding by spring.

[peebee]

Breaking the draft to get past is also worth a mention, very sticky sometimes

[francoisbouchart]

My challenge is over shooting the person that I am drafting. There needs to be a visual cue just like there is one for losing the wheel. Thoughts?

[ryandhaley]

Turns out I was on a TT bike during my hour group ride today, it almost killed me

[TheSheptys]

Would be nice if they work on that brake effect, it can be a pain in big groups because you have to crank it to get back on like you say. Even downhill its way to easy to drop a bunch

[alexeyalexandrov]

Does hands positioning (hoods/drops) indicate drafting (yeah, I know speed also affects hands positioning )? My avatar changes hands positioning on workout like on free ride when I ride 35-40 km/h.

[michaelcyr]

Great videos Shane! On the subject of Zwift and drafting, can you produce a video about the sticky draft that seems to exist within zwift? I am also curious if this issue is something that can be avoided by adding steering to my rig? I really wish the zwift platform didn't feel that I need assistance as to how to ride in the draft or get to a wheel. Their draft assist is infuriating when you're overtaking a rider going a bit slower (2mph or 3kph) only to be instantly slowed to their speed like hitting a wall. I am also puzzled as to why I can be riding along with three other riders and if I am drafting them, at the tail of our group, I am the only one of us 4 that is affected by the sticky draft? I would really like to hear your input on the subject. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[TooManyGooglAccounts]

One thing I found interesting is that FE-C does actually have a data page for wind resistance and drafting which I assume was supposed to be used to make it feel easier while drafting. However nobody seems to have used it and developers went the easier route of just making you faster while drafting.

The wind resistance stuff even made it into Bluetooth FTMP which implies somebody made a good argument for its inclusion but who is actually using it?

[alexspencer]

I think also, that if you see your avatar on zwift sit up whilst sitting on a wheel, that indicates that you are drafting? That only applies if you have been chasing on to get to the wheel....I think, maybe....?

[CentristRN]

Vids are informative. The inability to drift in the pack really threw me off at first. Takes away from the realism.
Many times I’m in draft but Zwift moves me right or left then prompts close gap to next rider. Any hints?

[Dr.Schlitz]

This doesn’t make sense to me. Going faster at the same wattage is the same thing as feeling a difference. You feel a difference in the absence of the harder effort it would otherwise take to maintain increased speed. That said, I find the draft effect in Zwift is far too small. They really need to fix this. When you latch on to a group, your watts should go down more than they do currently.

[hotshot]

Hi Shane, can you give a 54 year young advice with zwift on group racing . I am using a basic turbo ( got a tacx flow coming next week ) and i have done 3 races so far in group D . My main thing is that i get blown away from the start and struggle to keep up . My garmin will say I am doing 18 mph ( average 16mph outside ) but i just cant keep up with 90% of D group . My last race I was 17 mins behind the winner of the D group and was bloody knackered . Would be able to offer some tips etc . Great videos by the way

[kkaf]

I think by winning a Zwift package I will draft much better and increase my PB. Come on Llama, you know it makes sense

[bruceperry]

No mention of what seems a lag time for the indicator that you are in (or out) of draft.