ERG mode and bike gearing
Is ERG mode affected by the gear you choose on your bike??? I ask because I'm doing lots of sessions where they keep slowing the cadence and ask you to stand up, which I simply can't do without going up a few gears to provide resistance.
Does the gear your turbo bike is in affect how ERG mode works?
Due warning: Physics and I didn't get on, so please keep answers simple!
It's just a hill. Get over it.
Comments
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Q: Smart trainer with resistance?
A: If so then no, simply put it on the big ring and whatever on the cassette to keep the chain straight. The trainer is supposed to provide the correct resistance to hit the power. There will be a slight lag of a second or two as it adjusts though.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
It tries to adjust the resistance to whatever cadence you're at, so the first few seconds standing can feel a bit unnatural as you have to keep the cadence 'correct' to give the resistance time to catch up.
Sometimes clicking up a cog or two as you stand can help the transition a bit.
- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
PS - I'd wait until the resistance increases before standing up.
Also, FWIW if you are training for your Alpe ride then you want to focus on low gears in the saddle. Nothing will burn you out faster on a long climb than getting out of the saddle. I only get out of the saddle to give my bum a rest or if I'm in bottom gear and cadence is dropping below 60 RPM.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.1 -
I think a lot depends on the trainer as well, for example my cheaper Tacx Vortex struggled to make enough of a difference with resistance on workouts, and I often found I had to change gears to get anywhere near the desired resistance if I was looking to hit a cadence target, where as my Neo has no such issues, it will manage it whatever gear I am in.
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 180 -
You will have to learn to do a Richard Virenque, out the saddle for 2km up an 8% gradient. Mind you, I suspect he had some 'assistance' with this 😉
OP - I have a wahoo kickr. It seems to be that in ERG mode, the gear doesn't make the difference, the cadence does. As soon as the cadence drops below about 70, you are in trouble on the wahoo. Regardless of the set power, you then just seem to be grinding gears. Keep it above 80rpm, seated or standing, and you are fine on mine.
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The spiral of death in ERG! Simply horrible and the only solution is to stop completely.
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Usually you use the small ring on a road bike with middle of cassette for ERG workouts.
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2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo1 -
Interesting. I use a 52-13 in ERG mode and keep cadence at 90rpm, regardless of the power number. I find any other gears just feels laboured.
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LOL so there is no 'one' answer. I have a wheel on Wahoo, smart trainer, using Zwift. I tend to use the 34 with around a 24-26 at the back, although my turbo bike is an old steel hack and is not exactly tip top!!!
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
Why?
- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
Because the resistance adjustment range a turbo can do is affected by gearing and cadence in ERG mode. Certainly was the case with my old Direto, not seen documentation for this on my newer H3, but I've not gone looking for it.
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2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
Ah interesting. I have an elite direto and noticed it struggled towards the small end of the cassette while in the big ring, for certain cadence/power combinations. Middle of the cassette is usually ok for me. Maybe I'll do the small ring more just to spread out the wear a bit.
- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
Oh I do trust me! I’m doing virtual Angliru as training for the real thing in June. There is no option other than bottom gear and standing. 😂
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.1 -
Wheel-on ERG is a completely different experience to wheel-off ERG.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Very nice, Angliru is on my climb bucket list. You will have to report back in the summer PB.
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Errr...OK, but that doesn't really help me, I'm not planning on changing turbo
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
It will explain why changing gear might be necessary though.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.1 -
Why's that? It still has ERG, what's the difference?
- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
The only reason to change gear is because the turbo doesn't have the range of resistance to accurately move from one power to another when doing intervals.
A wheel on turbo probably has a smaller range. My wheel on turbo definitely had a smaller range than my direct drive one, and I needed to be quite careful with what gear I was in to make sure it worked OK for erg mode.
That said, if you get into the spiral of doom, I don't think it matters what sort of turbo you have, you are going down.
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"Spiral of doom"?????
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
You struggle to hit the power, your cadence drops, it increases resistance to try to hit that power at your new lower cadence, you struggle to hit that power still, cadence drops more, resistance increases more.... etc.
- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
As what KG said. It is a prime example of you get what you pay for.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
The wahoo wheel on trainer isn't exactly bargain bin
- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
It is if it is less than half the price of a Neo 2T. There are wheel-off options in the same price bracket though. That's what I'd go for if on a budget, and looking.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
I've never experienced the SOD on my 7 year old Neo, and don't recall it on the Vortex either.
Should be picking up a Kickr Core something or other (The £449 one) for my partner, so will be interested to see how that compares to the Neo - the Neo is getting a full service and bearing/fans replaced imminently, so should be back to as good as, or better than it was in 2017 when it arrived.
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 180 -
Surely on a ramp test eventually you grind to a halt? Or do you call it earlier than that (which is sensible btw, not a dig)
- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
interesting coincidence… I am considering moving to the Asturias in 3 years, as I turn 55. Leave everything behind and live off a small pension and the odd casual job
left the forum March 20234 -
Just be aware that I was warned that the area is called the Costa Verde for a reason. That green is cos it's well watered.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.1 -
Plus the pavements are all sticky because they insist on pouring their cider from 3 feet above the glass.
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Why not Ugo, I think that would be a very positive change of scenery. Something to give serious thought to.
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