Hi all, I found that workouts done in ERG mode are noticeably easier than the same workouts in resistance mode, specifically SS up to VO2max. For example, the RPE for a 4x10 threshold workouts might be 7/10 on ERG but 9/10 on resistance mode for me. I’ve only seen people comment on how ERG feels …

I find erg harder as it locks you more closely into the power and if you let the cadence drop then you need to fight the death spiral as you tire. As @ibcoleman noted, are you doing anything obviously differently? What’s the trainer?

Cadence. I find it much easier to hold higher cadences and for longer on erg. On simulation and resistance modes, my cadence drop faster. I’m also likely to be in between cadence ranges either spinning too fast or on the low side on simulation and resistance mode. The fatigue is just different.

Aside from the other comments above, maybe ERG is less mentally taxing? In ERG you just aim to hold a cadence. In resistance mode, you also have to concentrate on the power numbers and adjust your effort level accordingly. That could play a part?

I have to vary the gearing on resistance mode, but generally around the same gearing as ERG. Would it be easier on ERG if I was in the small ring?

Thanks for the comment. I’m not doing anything different, aside from necessary gearing changes for intervals on resistance mode e.g. dropping to the small ring during a rest interval. I’m on a late 2018 Wahoo Kickr.

I thought about that too, less cognitive load. But the difference is night and day, it makes me hesitant to believe that just the mental part can contribute so much to the RPE.

[image] TRusername: m not doing anything different, aside from necessary gearing changes for intervals on resistance mode I ask because my previous trainer was a Tacx Vortex that would read a bit high in the little ring but much higher in the big ring. I was crushing my FTP tests, but always …

Smaller ring might actually be harder than big ring because you have less flywheel speed and therefore less momentum. I recently had my Kickr 17 crap out on me and forced me to use my old fluid trainer. At easier efforts the fluid trainer felt easier as it seemed to have more momentum than my kickr …

I have the quite opposite effect. My ride last Tuesday was almost sabotaged by ERG. After the first 4 minutes, I could hardly keep spinning, and after turning ERG off, barely recover to finish the set. Repeated the same set two more times with no problem. That’s not the first time I’ve struggled wi…

Why do workouts feel easier on ERG?

Equipment

jamesdanielosborne February 1, 2021, 2:32am 12

This is my perspective too. Erg means I can tune out and just focus on steady cadence vs worrying about if I am holding the power well.

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Why do workouts feel easier on ERG?

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