I agree, I can “feel” a differance and for me as an MTB’er the small ring “feels” like it should give me a better training effect. Whether this is reality or not I have no idea.
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OK thanks for the reply that clarifies it a lot for me. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something. Love the software so far and where the chain currently sits it all feels smooth and quiet. 2nd ramp test is Monday and I feel like it is going to be a huge improvement. Not just from power ability but from technique and a better understanding of the smart trainer and erg than my 1st test a month ago.
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I found that my ramp test FTP is lower when using the small ring. I used to used the big ring for all my workouts, but have switched to the small ring. I don’t know if it makes any difference as long as you are consistent, but the workouts feel harder for me in the small ring, so that’s what I do.
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This is me also 
But depending on the trainer, small ring might not allow high enough power. I started in the small ring but once my FTP went up some way I have to use the middle ring to hit power targets (Yes I am on a x3 front ring).
Bets humble brag yet 
I was too powerful for my trainer 
Hey guys, somebody just asked on the Podcasts if in erg mode they should be in the big or small chain ring, i.e. big or small gearring. Nate said he used a bigger gear.
I always thought it was better to be in the small gear so the trainer would be quiet and it would feel more like climbing? What do you all do?
You are right about the small chainring, however here’s a good read if you want to learn more:
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Small chainring - quieter and subtle cadence changes have less impact on your power. Unfortunately your speed and distance are lower but those don’t matter indoors – except to Nate
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I can’t say that I have ever heard Nate talk about distance or speed as his reasons for using high gearing in ERG.
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He HAS stated many times that he likes high gearing for the best feel and approximation of the inertia / momentum he feels when riding outside.
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Different strokes…
We have several threads with discussion about speed and distance in ERG, so it does matter to some people. There are a range of reasons and I don’t fault anyone for taking it into consideration, along with the other options within ERG use.
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When you’re using low gears to simulate MTB riding and can only afford the cheapest second-hand wheel on SMART trainer, its not much of a brag 
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Indeed, it is a need for some trainers to use a combo of high and low gearing to hit the top and bottom power targets. It is a known issue with many low to mid level trainers and a simple fact of life for those users. No brag at all, IMO.
For clarity I was kidding (MTB’s have to stick together on here against all these roadies 
)
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I have only heard the same to be fair, it was merely a joke at Nate’s expense because well it’s Nate, and he’s our mate from the podcast that we can joke around with like this. (even if we don’t know him at all)
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OK, I saw the emoji but wasn’t sure. I appreciate the clarification 
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Hi Guys
Quick question on a very interesting thread. I have been doing most of my TR training in the big ring until I discovered this thread. I have subsequently tried a few workouts in the small ring and have found them quite a bit more challenging. I am new to all of this and have my first crit race on Sunday . Going forward what would you recommend, training in the big ring due to what i assume are higher speeds on a flat criterium course or stick to training with training in the small ring as it is weaker for me over the big ring.
My primary suggestion is that you perform any ERG based FTP test (Ramp, 1x20m, 2x8m) in the same gearing that you plan to use for most of your ERG based training workouts.
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We have seen enough differences in RPE and overall feel from ERG gearing changes, that I think it is best to test like you plan to train.
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That may well explain why you feel the small ring was more challenging. If you had tested in the small ring, and trained the same, you might not have that challenging feeling. That has been my experience since I test and train in ERG at 34t x 17t in most situations.
That said, for most flatter and faster riding, I think higher/faster gearing in ERG makes good sense. It’s not absolute (nothing in this area is) but from a concept and application standpoint, I think that works.
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I’m finding during training my HR is 10bpm or more lower at the same cadence and same wattage if I am in the inner ring than if I switch to the big ring or further down the cassette. Why would this be? Surely watts at a certain cadence should feel the same regardless of gearing in erg mode?
I am aware of ‘speed’ issues between gearing when imported into strava, this doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but the quality of my training does. Am I cheating myself/getting less benefit from using a lower gear ratio? I mean 10bpm is pretty darn significant and during SS its very much the difference from being right where I feel I should be for repeatable efforts and being at or beyond threshold where my legs are burning up and my HR is climbing to infinity and beyond!
@spooney, I moved your post under the long running thread that covers this topic from about every angle imaginable.
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Not sure but if you have a Kickr there is a speed simulation setting you can turn on that give you accurate miles and mph. Thats all I got.