I know it’s been addressed before and shrugged off like it doesn’t make a big difference and maybe that’s so, but when I’m in a workout and need to hit 360 for x amount of minutes then the software should enable that to happen. Consistently hitting 345 or lower IS a big difference. The reason I train inside is to be precise and not have to do anything except pedal to hit my targets. Rant over. But really here’s what I see could help. There is obviously something in the software trying to control this aspect. I understand changes in cadence impact it and I keep that as constant as possible but the tendency of the software is to error on the lower side. It’s never hovering at 365 it’s hitting 360 occasionally and hovering between 350-355 so with the expected lag at the beginning of 3-5 seconds I get 345 on average. Why not enable a feature to error on the higher side? Of course I can manipulate the software by increasing the percentage but I shouldn’t have to do that. Increasing 5-6% so I can hit the original target isn’t a good solution even though it works. I have top of the line trainer and power meter so it’s either me or the software. Let’s give some options here instead of just blaming me or telling me that it doesn’t matter that I miss my target by 15 watts every time.

Seriously, how do you know that wattage is best? The desktop app has updated PowerMatch that might be more accurate. Have you tried it? There is a thread on it.

360? That’s just an example. The workout I did today had 315, 330, 360 and 390 all as targets and they were all off. The reason I pay for this software is to be accurate and hit the targets.

Can you post or link to a workout file? What trainer are you using? What powermeter are you using? Are you using powermatch?

I could but not relevant to what I’m asking. It seems they are doing something new on PC but I’ll wait for iOS and see if it helps. It’s just frustrating when all this technology can’t work as intended. It’s a known issue though and not a problem with my setup.

If you haven’t found the info on updated PowerMatch read from here: [image] PowerMatch Experiences TrainerRoad Software here the release note: [TR Release Note]

Raise the intensity by 3%. Problem solved. I do this all the time if targets aren’t in line as happens sometimes with VO2 intervals. Normally I just don’t worry about it. Good enough is good enough. YMMV.

I have not noticed this issue with my workouts ( using iOS on an iPad). Sometimes I might be 1 or maybe 2% low but mostly I have been right on when using erg for VO2

When I have had the issue in the past (2-3 times) it came down to changes in cadence when I enter an interval and how my cadence changes during intervals between intervals. I have only noticed it with VO2 intervals. For example, if my cadence increases by 5-10rpm over the course of the first two intervals and then my cadence remains constant in the third / fourth intervals I will find the power drops off (erg mode w/ power match.) Once I remind myself to maintain a steady cadence it is usually resolved in the 5th interval. I suspect there is some adaption occurring and it was anticipating my cadence changes and decreased resistance, which became a temporary problem because my behavior did not change as anticipated. It probably doesn’t help that I forget to spin down my trainer on a regular basis. I suspect it is less of an issue in longer intervals because there are more opportunities to correct and power is not as high so I am more likely to maintain a stable cadence. While frustrating at the time, once I stabilized my behavior TR got me back to target power.

Sounds like a trainer limitation? There’s so many different kinds and a lot of them have very coarse resistance level. I’d go insane if I had to deal with shifting gears to stay above the trainer floor but below the trainer ceiling. Sounds like your trainer can give, eg, 345 or 375, at the cadence/gear combo you were using, but not the 360 you were supposed to target? I never have this issue with my neo. Maybe 10 watts low on 15-20s intervals, but it’s because the resistance is still ramping up at the start of the interval, but it drops a little bit into the recovery section, so actually work done is fine, it’s just the analysis window slid a little*. The longer the interval (certainly anything measured in minutes), I accurately hit the target (within a watt or 2) *I’ve heard there’s a feature in the works to accommodate trainer specific ramp rates so even this will go away.

What trainer are you using? Are you in ERG mode, using powermatch, something else? If you normally use ERG, can you hit your targets consistently when in standard mode (not ERG)? When doing less intensity (ie Sweet Spot) is your output wattage more inline with the target? I could be wrong but my understanding of ERG is that the software sends a signal to be at X watts and it’s up to the trainer to maintain the specified wattage. I believe TR makes some adjustments to timing and intensity at the initiation of intervals to provide better feel but that’s only for a second or two. The rest of the interval isn’t affected and the signal should be at the prescribed intensity.

TrainerRoad

It’s time for a change [TR Vo2 control]

Training

bbarrera August 2, 2020, 7:46pm 6

If you haven’t found the info on updated PowerMatch read from here:

Topic		Replies	Views
ERG Issues - anyone else ever get this Equipment	48	4261	May 13, 2020
I don't get PowerMatch Equipment	34	3825	December 2, 2019
Power Match seems OK but not great - tips and tricks I'm missing? TrainerRoad Software	23	3921	October 20, 2019
PowerMatch Experiences TrainerRoad Software	591	47214	December 29, 2025
To PowerMatch or not to PowerMatch? Equipment	87	10568	August 28, 2020

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It’s time for a change [TR Vo2 control]

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