Erg mode is great. Once you have it, you'll never want to not have it.
I will add though that it's no super solution to training. The small limitations, but which are real are -
- Once in erg mode you have to get 'out' of erg mode to change up the workout, or at least hit some buttons on your controller to up the intensity.
- Erg mode is not good for sprint efforts < 1 minute; takes about 5-10 seconds to ramp up to peak wattage if doing big power jumps
- Erg mode is not so great for "all-out" efforts. I go significantly harder on Sufferfest workouts on a fluid trainer compared to having it controlled in erg mode on a Kickr. For example, if Sufferfest says "10/10!!" in the final sprint, I'll be up over 400 watts on a fluid trainer or non-erg mode, whereas based on %FTP, it's only about 350ish for me as per the erg-controlled mode, which isn't at all a 10/10 effort, even on the last interval. The obvious upside though is that you pace much better through the entire workout thanks to erg mode.
Aside from the erg mode advantage, another big advantage the Kickr has:
- Can provide high levels of resistance to truly simulate steep hillclimbs. Like it or not, fluid trainers do a lousy job of this. You have to max gear it, and then be able to push the 280+ watts required to turn the pedals at a reasonable cadence just to simulate a steep hill. Whereas on a Kickr, it can in fact deliver both high or low loads to your pedals to realistically simulate a hillclimb. I never felt that my fluid trainer came close to approximate hillclimbs, whereas on the Kickr, it feels totally legit. (Like 50 cadence with power of 240 - you can't do that on a typical fluid trainer.)
Given that you've been willing to plunk down $$$ already for a Quarq and Lemond trainer, it's a no-brainer for you, as you can afford it. Just get it, you won't regret it, and plan on selling your Lemond trainer soon as you'll likely never ride it again after using the Kickr + software.
I will add though that it's no super solution to training. The small limitations, but which are real are -
- Once in erg mode you have to get 'out' of erg mode to change up the workout, or at least hit some buttons on your controller to up the intensity.
- Erg mode is not good for sprint efforts < 1 minute; takes about 5-10 seconds to ramp up to peak wattage if doing big power jumps
- Erg mode is not so great for "all-out" efforts. I go significantly harder on Sufferfest workouts on a fluid trainer compared to having it controlled in erg mode on a Kickr. For example, if Sufferfest says "10/10!!" in the final sprint, I'll be up over 400 watts on a fluid trainer or non-erg mode, whereas based on %FTP, it's only about 350ish for me as per the erg-controlled mode, which isn't at all a 10/10 effort, even on the last interval. The obvious upside though is that you pace much better through the entire workout thanks to erg mode.
Aside from the erg mode advantage, another big advantage the Kickr has:
- Can provide high levels of resistance to truly simulate steep hillclimbs. Like it or not, fluid trainers do a lousy job of this. You have to max gear it, and then be able to push the 280+ watts required to turn the pedals at a reasonable cadence just to simulate a steep hill. Whereas on a Kickr, it can in fact deliver both high or low loads to your pedals to realistically simulate a hillclimb. I never felt that my fluid trainer came close to approximate hillclimbs, whereas on the Kickr, it feels totally legit. (Like 50 cadence with power of 240 - you can't do that on a typical fluid trainer.)
Given that you've been willing to plunk down $$$ already for a Quarq and Lemond trainer, it's a no-brainer for you, as you can afford it. Just get it, you won't regret it, and plan on selling your Lemond trainer soon as you'll likely never ride it again after using the Kickr + software.