Erg - Workouts more Difficult?

Training
21

What you describe is the exact definition of a Wattage Floor. Some trainers (especially wheel-on trainers) just about require some amount of shifting between gears for the higher and lower efforts. There is not enough functional range within the resistance to hit those points without changing the flywheel speed.

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22

That’s exactly it.
Doesn’t bother me much as it still lowers enough between intervals for the rest required. But if you run it out of ERG mode you can make things work a little better with the shifting.

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23

Thanks for the feedback all. My cadence with erg is generally 100+ with all workouts and this in no way reflects how I would ride on the rode. I would rarely exceed 90 on the road solo and with a group it could be as low as 70’s.

These were 9 mins efforts so would probably resemble a decent climb in my locality, in the real world I would definitely be out of the saddle multiple times over that duration.

I have a Cycleops fluid 2 trainer and if I am very honest I think I prefer the sensations using that. I dished out 1,100 euro on a Wahoo and almost feel obliged to use the amazing technology of erg. Standard on the wahoo is the closest sensations I have had to the Cycleops.

Standing with Erg feels awful and has a negative impact on my intervals. With standard I just shift into the big ring and hit the target watts very quickly, same when sitting back down.

24

Is your goal to increase your road cadence to 100+? If not, I would train using the cadence you intend to use on the road. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t be training to spin higher RPM, but training at 100+ and aiming to ride outside at 70 doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

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25
  • Make sure to read my article. Short story, we shift up when we stand outside, so we should do the same inside… even when on ERG. It’s all about cadence.
  • As mentioned. Change your cadence. ERG allows any cadence you choose, but YOU have to apply it. The system handles the rest, so focus on your cadence above all else and make it what is appropriate to you and your goals.

  • I get it, but also recognize that ERG is not magic nor is it the right solution for everyone. I try to help people understand it to get the most from it when possible.

  • But sometimes it’s just the wrong tool for the job or person. So ditch it and do something else that works better for you. Simple as that.

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