Turbo Trainer Advice

One thing I like about the dumb trainer is that it helps you learn to hold a steady target power

Sounds like you already have what you need :-)

Erg mode could certainly be useful, as you could use a mtb with lower gearing, or even a singlespeed. I don't do structured training like you, so I got a smart trainer primarily for sim mode, as the trainer for me is essentially just a way of me getting my legs turning when I'm unable to get outside

After trying out TrainerRoad, Zwift, Bkool, Virtugo and Maximum trainer, I think I've settled on Rouvy

ERG is quieter and better for your drivetrain. You can watch TV and spin. It's hard to keep focused in some intervals, like a long session of VO2 sprints. After the 40th sprint you'll be glad you're not shifting.

My biggest issue with the Tacx, if you're in ergo mode you cant spin down. As if you drop candenxe the torque needed to get the gear going again is impossible.

I have complained to tacx and they have done nothing to solve it (unless I missed an update). it would be simple to solve with a few lines of code.

But it is infuriating when doing efforts and you want a seconds respite.

After 40 sprints I'd be glad of an asteroid strike

I just like ERG mode as it removes one more thing to think about if I'm working on a specific session. As @onyerbike said, it makes it easier if you're on a hard session but it's not really any different for gentle stuff.

it would be simple to solve with a few lines of code.

Stick to building bridges.

Well as part of that I was in a team that coded a bridge assessment software;)

I did mostly make tea.

Might want to have a read up on control theory....

The only mechanism that it has to try and keep you at iso power is by varying resistance - if your cadence drops then the torque must increase to compensate.

Zwift has a handy feature that will drop you out of erg mode if your power drops too low from the target and allow you to spin down then as you bring power back up it re enables erg mode for you.
Also has a button you can hit on the mobile app to manually toggle erg mode on and off

Yes but your point about zwift is what I was thinking and should be fairly easy.

I’ve got a Wattbike atom to pick up, interesting to see how it feels compared to my old Cycleops H2!

If I don’t like it, they seem to be holding their value very well.

Yeah, but it only works if you have some kind of visual or audible feedback that it has changed modes - otherwise it's just really disconcerting

On Trainerroad I believe the trick is to backpedal if you have a separate cadence sensor linked to the app

If you have a cadence sensor, and you have “Pedal to Resume/Pause” checked in Settings, it will not auto pause when power drops to zero, but when cadence drops to zero. So backpedaling with a cadence sensor advances the workout while recording 0 power for that time.

Anyone had a clunky KICKR? Mine is not even a year old and suddenly sounds like a fucking tractor, or a tractor, fucking. Small clunking that sounds pretty bad when it's at speed. Is there anything on these expensive pieces of shit that needs tightening?

Have you check it’s level and all the feet are touching the ground? If it’s on floor boards, are any of them flexing or loose?

It's the KICKR, not the bike, not the surrounding area. I assume it's a known issue because having sent them a video they've asked to swap the unit.

#toopowerfulforthisplanet

looks longingly at ancient yet perfectly functional Computrainer

Shame about the build quality, impressed at the customer service.

I'm delaying ramp test by doing some high intensity over unders.
Current favourite is Diamond on TR, any good alternatives?

Favourite over unders?

Your ftp is set too low ;-)

Avalanche Spire (think that’s what it’s called)

I guess it depends if the issue is a design flaw or if it was a batch that had an issue. For 12 months its been perfect.

Carpathian Peak and Fang Mountain are also a bag of laughs

Need to get some time in on the TT bars indoors but don't want to spend a fortune on a trainer. Don't have a power meter - will be working off HR and RPE. Thinking rollers or cheap trainer. Any advice welcome. Cheers

Trainer is more useful than rollers.

Thanks, like how no one ventures past G