Turbo Trainer Advice

An FTP test allows some variation in output during the test. Doing it on ERG would be testing whether you can pedal a constant wattage, which is much tougher, so you'd grind to a halt at a lower number.

But you could switch off ERG if about to fail and grind out whatever you can until 20 minutes is up I suppose.

Yeah, I wouldn't try that. If you want to estimate ftp power without worrying about pacing do a ramp test instead.

Do a ramp test?
What? Crazy talk on here.

I’ve done plenty over the years but I’m not sure I’ve got to the end and felt I’ve done myself justice. Only on a ~20 min climb overseas have I ever done what I felt was best effort.

I look forward(!) to seeing where a proper ramp test puts me because it’s near impossible to hit the steps accurately on a dumb trainer.

I have always done ramp tests on erg mode for ftp calculations

A ramp test is much easier to pace. Just HTFU until you blow. If you're in ERG make sure you do the test in the same gear you plan to use in the workouts, a big gear gets a lot of flywheel help.

Now I’m confused because everybody says use the small ring and keep it in the middle of the cassette.

I’ve done one in a lab for a VO2 max test so I know full well what I’m in for. It was steady state too so 35w steps every three mins.

I just do that (for all ERG workouts) because it seems quieter

edit: small ring, middle of cassette

Use what suits the thing you're training for, so hill climbing or grinding away off road the small ring would be more suited, whereas the extra flywheel momentum when using the big ring would be better for flatland crits or time trials

Why use the small ring?

Also, I measured the Kickr core axle height from the ground and it’s the same as with front wheel, so it seems the wheel chuck isn’t needed. Or do people use one to intentionally raise the front? Or just a hangover from wheel-on turbo days?

Does it make that much of a difference? I was kind of hoping a £900 turbo would take care of all of that shit for me.

It's not huge, but it is noticeable

Pick a gear and stick with it, as it's all about consistency

Erg mode is still the devil's work though

It’s extreme, but I have my tt bike on the turbo so 56T at the front, middle at the back. Lots of speed on the flywheel so you can have little micro rests without it spinning down.

Did a few workouts on my partner’s bike in the 34t ring and it felt much harder.

You are still doing the same power, but it’s like going up a climb vs a flat fast road. If you stop peddling for a sec you will slow down much quicker up hill.

40x19 erg for HTFU energy

I use the small ring because of wear, a big ring is a lot more expensive and a gets more use outside anyways.
Last time I did a test in the wrong gear I got a 20 watts increase until I figured this out. Also a quick way to slightly soften an interval for those of us that don't have @spinnnout modding skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHUOhmG04M8

With my tacx vortex I can’t much over 315 watts resistance in the little ring, so have been using it mainly in the big ring. I had noticed it seemed much harder to do lower wattage rides in the little ring which seems to tally with his findings.

Hang on, does everyone say Erg?

Yes, I first heard rowers talk about erg machines.

https://zwiftinsider.com/zwift-e-controller/

Not as fancy as spinnnout, but it looks straightforward and cheap.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/YUMQUA-Controller-Classic-Windows-Raspberry-Multi-Color-2-Packs/dp/B01NAEO5W6/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=usb+nintendo+controllers&qid=1612125796&sr=8-4
I guess these should work.

1. cozey