My Kickr V6 is acting up in ERG mode, and I need your help! Instead of holding steady power, it’s doing the opposite – my watts are dropping way below target, even though the resistance feels fine.
Think 170w interval… but I’m seeing dips to 90w, 100w, etc., with no noticeable change (I think a 50 w drop would be noticeable, but at this point i don’t know anything any more ) in how hard the pedals feel. It’s like the power reading is glitching downwards. My old V5 (which I replaced because of power issues!) used to be smoother.
The question: Is this normal for a Trainer in ERG? Anyone else seeing power drops (not just fluctuations) below target?
Quick facts:
Kickr V6 (brand new, replaced a V5)
ERG mode only
Power drops below target, resistance feels consistent
Hi, I have a very similar setup also using Kickr v6 since something like 2,5 years.
In Wahoo SYSTM i get occassional drops for either power or heart rate (possibly due to wifi, BT noise or maybe internal workings of Wahoo’s app), but in TR this happens only sporadically, I’d even say close to none.
To me it feels like this is more connectivity related rather than TR, but interesting to learn what others have to say here.
Thanks
I don’t see anything strange in your recent ride logs.
I would guess that there is some sort of interference happening here.
What does your training setup look like? Could I have a list of Bluetooth/ANT+ devices that are used in the general area?
Could you confirm that your KICKR isn’t connected to any device’s (including your Mac’s) Bluetooth, and is only connected to the TR app? Is your Mac a laptop? If so is it plugged in during your workouts?
It looks like this issue has been present in your rides since back in 2023. When did you get this replacement v6 KICKR?
What’s your bike gearing/setup? Specifically, are you running a 1x or 2x (front chainring), and in the back, roughly where in the cassette are you?
I only ask, because as one who’s been testing various budget trainers lately, some of them can’t hit the wattages I prescribe, unless I shift to a higher-flywheel speed gear. For example, you can see this on the below set of 30x30’s, where for the first interval, I was in the small ring up front, and the flywheel speed simply wasn’t enough for this trainer to general that much resistance.
After that first interval, I shifted to the big ring upfront, and instantly I was good. Same can happen in the back, depending on what gearing you’re in.
Now in the case of the KICKR V6, you’d have to have a pretty funky chainring/cog setup to run yourself into that scenario, but…I figured I’d mention it, just in case.
Yes, I’m having the same hunch – data loss somewhere. The trainer itself functions correctly when adjusting resistance (in both ERG and SIM modes), but the problem is definitely with the power data being reported back. That’s where the values seem to get lost or become erratic.
I’ve already tried a few things to isolate the issue:
Minimizing Setup I moved the trainer to the laundry room, away from potential interference. No TV, fan, router, squat rack – just the trainer. I also disconnected the heart rate monitor and headphones, leaving only the trainer connected. The power fluctuations remained.
Leed in the wall I even started wondering, jokingly, if my walls have lead lining or something obstructing the signal!
Connectivity testing I did do a workout with both Wi-Fi and ANT+ but the problem is still there
Given all this, and now that I’ve had more time to think about it, I’m starting to suspect the issue might be with the bike or its components, rather than external interference or the workout app.
) in how hard the pedals feel. It’s like the power reading is glitching downwards. My old V5 (which I replaced because of power issues!) used to be smoother.
