# Newbie Expectations In ERG mode **URL:** \ **Category:** SYSTM Software\ **Created:** [October 20, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180 "2020-10-20T18:01:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kbeiii](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/kbeiii/32/2033_2.png) [@kbeiii](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/kbeiii)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/1 "2020-10-20T18:01:08Z")
I’m brand new to using a smart trainer…I got tired of our old electronic exercise bike and decided to upgrade (I’m using a Direto XR in case that impacts the answer). I’m loving The Sufferfest App and my first couple of workouts. However, the experience is not matching my expectations, and so I’m hoping to get feedback from folks that are **not** new to using smart trainers to see if what I experience is the way it’s supposed to be or not. 🙂 What I’m experiencing is when I’m doing a video (e.g., Joyride) and it transitions from like a 90 RPM / 60 Watt section to a 90 RPM / 150 Watt section, I’m having to downshift to get the flywheel spinning fast enough to get up to 150 Watts. My expectations based on what I understand ERG mode to be (and I did verify that the trainer is in ERG mode in the settings on the app) are that the resistance on the trainer would increase so that as long as I maintained the 90 RPM, I would hit 150 Watts, so I wouldn’t have to shift that often. Since I’m new to this smart trainer thing I’m wondering if I’ve got the trainer set up correctly; if there are communication problems with my PC and the trainer so the trainer isn’t getting the “increase the resistance” messages; or if my expectations are wrong and I’m really supposed to be shifting gears all over the place to try to match the power and cadence prompts on the screen. Is there a test/video/something where I can make sure that the app is correctly controlling the trainer? Or is this the way it’s supposed to work? Thanks in advance for any advice, help, etc.! ---
**Author:** ![Cyclopaat](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/cyclopaat/32/1575_2.png) [@Cyclopaat](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/Cyclopaat)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/2 "2020-10-20T18:13:50Z")
Apparently, you’re not alone: [http://forum.elite-it.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=2530](http://forum.elite-it.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=2530) I have not read the whole post, but maybe you can find something usefull. ---
**Author:** ![Alistair\_Brown](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/alistair_brown/32/6042_2.png) [@Alistair\_Brown](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/Alistair_Brown)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/3 "2020-10-20T18:14:58Z")
How are you connecting? ANT+ or Bluetooth? What does the connection screen look like? Could you post a photo? The minions are always brilliant and really helpful so you might be as well sending them an email to get things sorted. ---
**Author:** ![anon8787683](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/958977/32.png) [@anon8787683](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/anon8787683)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/5 "2020-10-20T21:42:46Z")
Hi @kbeiii! The transition from interval to interval can take 5-10 seconds on a smart trainer, especially if there is a cadence change involved. I wouldn’t expect you to have to downshift with the trainer you’re using. I’d like to dig into this deeper with you, but troubleshooting in the forum is difficult. I’d like you to send me an email at [theminions@thesufferfest.com](mailto:theminions@thesufferfest.com) please? There’s a forum post here that might give some helpful tips though: [https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/suf-support-tips-all-about-erg-mode/2917](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/suf-support-tips-all-about-erg-mode/2917) ---
**Author:** ![kbeiii](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/kbeiii/32/2033_2.png) [@kbeiii](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/kbeiii)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/6 "2020-10-20T21:43:41Z")
Thanks! I did look at that article and I think those guys are a little bit beyond where I’m at. I don’t think I’m a savvy enough user to worry about the watts jumping around a little; I’m more concerned about the “macro” when it’s supposed to get harder (more watts) or easier (less watts) and I don’t feel any change at all. ---
**Author:** ![kbeiii](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/kbeiii/32/2033_2.png) [@kbeiii](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/kbeiii)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/7 "2020-10-20T21:50:27Z")
> [@anon8787683](#): > > There’s a forum post here that might give some helpful tips though: [SUF Support Tips: All about ERG mode](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/suf-support-tips-all-about-erg-mode/2917) Thanks, Therese, I’ll send an e-mail. I took a look at the link above and I’m thinking that my targets might be too low (I haven’t done one of the tests on the trainer yet, so I’m still doing the defaults). I’m going to try to the 1/2 monty tomorrow and then see 1) if my targets adjust and 2) if they do, I notice a difference. The answers have been really helpful already, though, because they’re confirming that I shouldn’t have to be shifting gears in erg mode to hit the wattage targets. Here’s hoping I don’t have bum trainer! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cyclopaat](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/cyclopaat/32/1575_2.png) [@Cyclopaat](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/Cyclopaat)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/8 "2020-10-21T04:27:19Z")
> [@kbeiii](#): > > because they’re confirming that I shouldn’t have to be shifting gears in erg mode to hit the wattage targets There’s a lot on debate on how you should approach that. I’m in the ‘you shouldn’t’ corner, but there are threads about it that take a different stance. My take on that is, that it depends on the trainer. Just pick a gear that has the least drive train loss (either big or small chain ring and a middle cog) and stick with that. You might want to ‘anticipate’ big jumps in power, by upping the RPM a little in advance and then settle back into what it is supposed to be, if there is any RPM requirement. ---
**Author:** ![tunatornado](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/tunatornado/32/1744_2.png) [@tunatornado](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/tunatornado)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 10:08pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/9 "2020-10-21T22:08:03Z")
These two threads should give a lot of insight into ERG mode for newbies: > [@Chainring and Turbo Trainer](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/chainring-and-turbo-trainer/3736/9): > > At minimum, I would think that having a middle gear on the cassette to give your chain the straightest line would be the most efficient. If you’re constantly running the big ring and the smallest or largest gear on your cassette you also run a higher risk of dropping your chain and also losing some wattage due to drive train inefficiency because of your chain angle. Having just got my Core a few weeks ago, I’ve been playing around with a different gear selection, as well, and I feel like it doe… > [@Heart rate, wattage, cadence?](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/heart-rate-wattage-cadence/2006/4): > > Hey there, Firstly welcome to the Sufferfest and I hope you’re enjoying the sessions you’ve completed so far! How new is new, as I would recommend a few things. To get a good taste of the app follow the 14 Day Trial Plan which can be found in the ‘Special Focus’ section in the Training Plans library. This includes completing the Half Monty workout on day 3 of the plan which will really help you for your HR and power target numbers. As @Sir_Clayton also mentioned though, RPE is super important… ---
**Author:** ![kbeiii](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/kbeiii/32/2033_2.png) [@kbeiii](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/u/kbeiii)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://wahoox.forum.wahoofitness.com/t/newbie-expectations-in-erg-mode/4180/10 "2020-10-21T23:35:53Z")
The replies, pointers, and links have been really helpful. To summarize for any other complete newbies to smart trainers (like me) that may read this thread: ERG mode for the most part is designed for the rider to be in a static gear (with the trainer controlling the resistence). Links in this conversation thread offer some nuances to this general rule. ERG mode takes some time to take effect, so don’t expect sudden changes in resistance like you might feel if your only experience is punching the “level” button on stationary bikes in the gym. If your FTP/MAP/etc. are low, the variations in resistance may be difficult to detect during some of the videos.