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Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please
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I was able to pick up an Elite Direto on sale this past weekend and it arrived today. The setup was easy enough, but once I started my first workout I found the problem. The trainer is not adjusting the resistance at all. I have tried a workout in TrainerRoad, and the Elite app as well. I have done the trainer calibration and matched it to the number written on the bottom of the trainer from the factory, completed the power smoothing, and entered the wheel size as 173 as directed in the manual. I wrote Elite an email, but the auto response indicated a 48 hour response. Does anyone have any recommendations?
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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I had the same problem while using an I-Pad (still kinda have the issue). However, if i started a trainer road workout, unplugged the direto, plugged it back in, it would work. SOMETIMES i needed to also unpair the device.

I switched to just using a Macbook and it worked fine, so i think the issue is with ios. I assume trainer road or direto will come out with some firmware that solves the issue in the near future.
Last edited by: patentattorney: Nov 30, 17 6:37
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [patentattorney] [ In reply to ]
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I'll have to give the restart a try. The downfall is I'm already using a MacBook to run the software.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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Let me know if that works/doesnt work. I can write down the steps I take later today/tomorrow if it doesnt. If you find a better way in the future, let me know.

(I have emailed ELITE asking about the issue a couple of days ago, havent heard anything). I also dont know if there is a similar issue on other software (whether it is on elite's end or trainerroads) P.S. love you trainer road guys, and the podcasts, everything from you has been great.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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I use an iPad with mine - do you get to a screen like this?


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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [kenwil] [ In reply to ]
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Sorry, just actually read your title - Erg mode problems. I've been using resistance only w/ no issues. that obviously doesn't help...
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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jwf0056 wrote:
I was able to pick up an Elite Direto on sale this past weekend and it arrived today. The setup was easy enough, but once I started my first workout I found the problem. The trainer is not adjusting the resistance at all. I have tried a workout in TrainerRoad, and the Elite app as well. I have done the trainer calibration and matched it to the number written on the bottom of the trainer from the factory, completed the power smoothing, and entered the wheel size as 173 as directed in the manual. I wrote Elite an email, but the auto response indicated a 48 hour response. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Hey there!

Unfortunately this is a known issue with the Direto when paired via Bluetooth. We have found that the trainer can put itself in a "bad state", in which case you have to unplug it for a few minutes before plugging it back in This resets the trainer and clears out anything that might have been "off". Currently, we don't have a more elegant solution to this problem, but we are hoping that Elite releases a firmware update in the near future.

If you have any more questions, you can always reach us at support@trainerroad.com :)

Get Faster with TrainerRoad
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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I've also been having issues with Ipad but my Iphone is working fine. Not sure why one works and other doesn't but it is annoying.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Kenny Hines] [ In reply to ]
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Well the unplug was able to turn the erg mode on. Thank you to everyone for the replies. Unfortunately this brought up another problem during the actual set. The control of the power is all over the place. This is manageable on the recovery portions, even though it is consistently over the prescribed power, but the constant spikes during the set seems to void the point of the of the workout. I do have a QX1 ring, which i though may be causing some issues, so I traded it for a round ring for the second set. It didn't seem to do any better with a round ring. Any more ideas? I had a kickr snap that did the same thing before doing an advanced spin down, but that stabilized the power, even with the QX1 ring. I attached a picture from the Kickr Snap trainer. It did a fantastic job when I could get it connected, and it stayed connected.
Last edited by: jwf0056: Nov 30, 17 15:40
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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re: your second problem, I am finding the direto a little bit picky about gear choice in ERG mode, depending on the prescribed power intervals. If you want to get around 100-400 Watts at cadences between 80 and 100, I find that small chainring and middle (15-17) cog works better.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [iker2] [ In reply to ]
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I second this (using smaller chain and middle gear). I use a 10spd on the device.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [iker2] [ In reply to ]
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iker2 wrote:
re: your second problem, I am finding the direto a little bit picky about gear choice in ERG mode, depending on the prescribed power intervals. If you want to get around 100-400 Watts at cadences between 80 and 100, I find that small chainring and middle (15-17) cog works better.

I've found this as well. The Direto struggles with low resistance (e.g. 100-150 watts). My first few times using it I was in 52x15 or thereabouts at ~80rpms and the lowest power the Direto was able to obtain was ~150 watts even though TR was calling for ~100 watts.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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Dang it, having issues with both iphone and ipad now. The trainer's bluetooth keeps getting hosed up. Sure hope that Elite has a firmware fix.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Kenny Hines] [ In reply to ]
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Had my Direto for 7 days now and ERG has just packed up. Running it on Bluetooth through iPhone or iPad into Trainer Road and after working great for 7 days it’s stopping working. No matter what you do to reset it the ERG does not engage.
Going to try it through Ant+ tonight and see if that works?
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [bailey2310] [ In reply to ]
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Let us know how it goes with ant connection.
Posted on DCRainmaker about the problem and his advice was to ensure no other bluetooth aps were running to hose things up. The part I don't understand is I can see all the information from the trainee to my iphone but unable to control resistance in either mode with any ap.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Kenny Hines] [ In reply to ]
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Yeh the power is reading ok on mine but the actual ERG has totally stopping providing resistance to keep power at set level. Very frustrating as I’m in middle of build phase.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [bailey2310] [ In reply to ]
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Bluetooth can be an issue. Sometimes even after powering the unit off and turning it back on it pairs to whatever device it was paired with. If you use your phone to pair to the trainer via BT, I would turn off BT on the phone completely. Unplug your Direto. Open the app you want to use it with and then plug in your Dirto.
Also, are you trying to use it w/TrainerRoad? Have you tried it with other apps such as Zwift?


SmartBikeTrainers.com || YouTube || My Twitter
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Tri Nut] [ In reply to ]
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Just tried it with Ant+ TrainerRoad on pc and erg is working. Might just keep it on n there now and see how it goes. I’ll post if any issues arise with Ant+ and ERG
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Kenny Hines] [ In reply to ]
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Kenny Hines wrote:
Let us know how it goes with ant connection.
Posted on DCRainmaker about the problem and his advice was to ensure no other bluetooth aps were running to hose things up. The part I don't understand is I can see all the information from the trainee to my iphone but unable to control resistance in either mode with any ap.

I just figured out something this evening: erg mode works fine for me over bluetooth until I pair my bluetooth headphones to my Mac. At that point, erg goes out but I still get power readings.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [GreenPlease] [ In reply to ]
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Crazy, all worked great today. I turned iphone, ipad and garmin watch off and unplugged the trainer. Plugged the trainer in and turned on ipad only. Opened trainerroad ap and loaded workout then statted pedaling. No issues, erg worked perfect.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Kenny Hines] [ In reply to ]
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Likewise this morning I did a TR workout with wired headphones. During the cool down I turned on my bluetooth headphones and, sure enough, erg crapped out.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [GreenPlease] [ In reply to ]
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when the cyclops magnus first came out it would only work ant+ with trainer road. might be the same case. give it a try

Yellowfin Endurance Coaching and Bike Fits
USAT Level 1, USAC Level 3
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [surfNJmatt] [ In reply to ]
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surfNJmatt wrote:
when the cyclops magnus first came out it would only work ant+ with trainer road. might be the same case. give it a try

The Direto will work via both ANT+ and Bluetooth with TrainerRoad. Elite is however working through an issue with their FTMS Bluetooth impementation. This is newely developed universal Bluetooth protocol that will allow devices with FTMS to run much more reliably, however there are a few kinks that are being ironed out. Elite is working on a firmware update that will prevent the trainer from going into a "bad state", requiring an unplugging reboot process. Until then, it would be good practice to unplug your trainer for a few minutes before each workout if pairing via Bluetooth.

Regarding the headphones issue, this is not something that we have heard of before. This seems to differ from the typical "bad state" issues we've been dealing with if connecting Bluetooth mid-ride causes ERG irregularities. Will those having issues with Bluetooth Headphones reach out to our support staff at support@trainerroad.com? We would love to take a closer look at the log files for the rides in question.

Thanks so much!

Get Faster with TrainerRoad
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Kenny Hines] [ In reply to ]
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I'm having a similar issue with my Direto - works great in erg mode when it works, but doesn't work all the time. I'm using Trainer Road, with a bluetooth connection through iOS 11.1. See the attached image for an example of where the trainer does not match the target power. This is frustrating when it happens, as it means I need to abandon a workout and mess about trying to reset the Direto, and then test it to see if the reset worked. For this purpose, I have created a short custom training session in Trainer Road that goes through some up/down power steps over a 2 min duration. At least this way I can test quickly if the trainer is working in erg mode before getting too far into a TR workout.

I have not yet found any pattern to the situations in which the Direto works vs. doesn't work. I'll report back here if I have any luck resolving the issues.

Separately, repeating I think what some others have pointed out, it's pretty important to have the trainer in the right gear for the target power and cadence ranges that you are aiming for when in erg mode. See the second attached image for a table I found on the Elite Direto facebook page. This was very helpful in guiding me towards the right gear for my workouts.
Last edited by: BigWheels7: Dec 8, 17 8:31
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [BigWheels7] [ In reply to ]
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I have had four rides now without issue. Not sure what is making the difference but I start with everything off and direto unplugged. While ipad is booting up, I plug in direto and start pedaling. Open trainerroad ap and load a workout. After its going then I don tickr hrm. So far so good.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Kenny Hines] [ In reply to ]
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I'm using the same approach - plug out the Direto before riding, then plug back in and launch Trainer Road. Seems to be working so far, but need to do more rides to confirm for sure that this approach is working.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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Bumping this post.

Are fellow Elite Direto owners still getting this issue? I just received my Direto and have it all set up, but erg mode flat out does not work for me (tried controlling it on both my iPad and iPhone). I've tried unplugging the Direto, but it doesn't fix the issue - it just operates in free ride mode. I've tried it on both TrainerRoad and The Sufferfest to no avail. Not sure what the fix is here, but it's frustrating!
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [JonathanNYC] [ In reply to ]
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I have not had any more issues once I found what works for me. Turn off both ipad and iphone, unplug direto. Then plug in direto and turn on either ipad or iphone. Leave the other one off. Start pedaling as ipad or iphone is booting up. Open trainerroad app and load a workout.
I use my ipad everytime now without issue.
Hope this helps
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [JonathanNYC] [ In reply to ]
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Hey Johnathon,

Thinking about getting a Direto but concerned what I'm reading. Have you tried ERG with Ant + yet?

Apologize if you already wrote this. Getting cross eyed reading this late.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [carosemena] [ In reply to ]
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I use the Direto with a laptop and an Ant+ dongle. Absolutely NO issues. I have been on the bike pedaling before I launch the app (Zwift) in the computer, and I have launched and then woken up the trainer. It only gets unplugged when I need to move it.

It does overshoot when making large adjustments, and you sjhouldn't try and chase the resistance, just keep pedaling smooth and it settles down at the target wattage pretty quickly.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [JonathanNYC] [ In reply to ]
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Several things that I have learned from being a direto owner :). 1) the bluetooth can only pick up on one device. So if it is paired with phone/tablet/computer, it cant pair with another one. So make sure it is disconnected. This happened to me originally when I used my phone to calibrate, then tried to use tablet for workout. 2) I unplug the machine, 3) load up trainer road, 4) plug in direto. It has worked perfectly since novemberish (other than I realized my old kurt kientic had my watts around 50 to high : (
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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well it's certainly disappointing to read this post, given that for the past month I've been struggling with the same issues on my Tacx Vortex Smart - ERG is basically useless at this point. I've tried my old Ipad, new ipad, bluetooth, ANT+, increasing roller resistance, decreasing roller resistance, new Tacx training tire, the whole 9 yards. I was about to give up and buy a Direto, but now having second thoughts given all the issues noted here.

Is there a consensus on the start up protocol to make these work? I thought I had it solve by: EVERYTHING turned off, start up ipad, start up trainer, open TrainerRoad then pedal - that seemed to work for a minute but no longer. Should I start the trainer first then the ipad?

I do usually listen to music via bluetooth from my phone, so now I'm really suspecting that the 'extra' bluetooth connection is screwing things up, even though that phone is not connected to the Tacx.

I thought riding indoors was supposed to be less of a hassle than outside!!
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [mattyboy] [ In reply to ]
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An issue for you MAY be that your phone is also synced up to the trainer.

I havnt had any issues for a couple of months now. When there is an issue, i do a hard shutdown of my computer (macbook), load trainer road, make sure phone/ipad is not connected to bluetooth (no ant stick), then turn on trainer.

I am not 100% sure if the trainers are able to dualcast at the same time, which could be an issue (I really do not know at all). BUT if one of the other devices picks up the trainer before the ipad on bluetooth/ant it could be causing an issue.

If you are using trainer road, you may just want to email them. they are pretty damn responsive (much better than elite)
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jwf0056] [ In reply to ]
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jwf0056 wrote:
Well the unplug was able to turn the erg mode on. Thank you to everyone for the replies. Unfortunately this brought up another problem during the actual set. The control of the power is all over the place. This is manageable on the recovery portions, even though it is consistently over the prescribed power, but the constant spikes during the set seems to void the point of the of the workout. I do have a QX1 ring, which i though may be causing some issues, so I traded it for a round ring for the second set. It didn't seem to do any better with a round ring. Any more ideas? I had a kickr snap that did the same thing before doing an advanced spin down, but that stabilized the power, even with the QX1 ring. I attached a picture from the Kickr Snap trainer. It did a fantastic job when I could get it connected, and it stayed connected.

Just got my Direto a month ago. I found it took a few rides to get used to the erg mode. Until I started focusing on keeping a very consistent cadence and trusting the trainer to adjust the resistance I struggled with the spikes as well.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [mattyboy] [ In reply to ]
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Bummer. I've been on the fence between an elite direto and a tacx flux but was leaning this way because of better thru axle compatibility. its starting to look like I should just pony up for a wahoo and be done with it.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [patentattorney] [ In reply to ]
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I think you're onto something patentattorney. Did a test today: power off ipad, Tacx, all iphones and all bluetooth devices in the house. Power on Tacx. Power on ipad (ipad 2 for reference, ANT+ stick). Fire up TrainerRoad. Perform warmup of whatever workout was up next = 0 issues. Power went up and down nearly flawlessly - hurray!

Before hitting main portion of workout, fired up my iphone and bluetooth headphones = Tacx won't respond to power changes on TR, upwards or downwards. Workout ruined.

I don't get it - the iphone is not connected to the trainer and it was powered down for 30 mins beforehand. How could these things possibly be trying to talk to each other; more importantly - how do I get them to forget each other!?
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [mattyboy] [ In reply to ]
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I'd just go with ANT+ off the bat. How much is an usb dongle anyway?
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [Thorax] [ In reply to ]
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Out of curiosity do we know if all these problems exist with the wahoo? I ask because I just got my direto today and same issues. Kinda ridiculous to pay ~$1k and have to jump through 20 hoops for it to maybe work.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [JonathanNYC] [ In reply to ]
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At the risk of sounding like a smug git, I've had my Direto a couple of months now and it has worked flawlessly. I use it in one of two ways, usually;

1. Resistance mode with Zwift, to simulate gradient. ANT+ FEC with my Windows 10 PC and a Suunto USB dongle. I also pair my Garmin HR strap (ANT+).
2. Eg mode with Trainerroad. Bluetooth with my Galaxy S7. Usually noodling around zone 2 while I watch something on Netflix.

I only ever use wired headphones, nothing else running on bluetooth. Haven't tried Sufferfest yet.

Only observation is that I have to turn the gradient simulation in Zwift (Trainer Difficulty) way down to make it rideable/enjoyable. 100% is nuts. Could be the gear ratios on my bike... riding a 53/39 and 12-25 which I've probably never taken up much more than 10% in real life.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [knighty76] [ In reply to ]
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Same problem here. New Direto and cannot use ERG mode on Bluetooth connection to iPad or Mac or Ant + connection to Mac. Seems like I may need to disconnect it from one device. I would prefer tp run Zwift on the iPad. How do I disconnect my Mac from establishing a connection to my trainer?
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [jans] [ In reply to ]
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Bumping this thread:

I've just signed back up to trainer road for a 12 month plan after 16 months away.
I'm using an Elite Direto trainer, Garmin 800 and the TR IOS app
I did the new ramp test today and Erg mode would not work - I had to manually match the power via my own speed and gears
My Garmin and the TR app seem to connect to the Elite Direto fine and display the correct speed/power etc, but Erg doesn't seem to be working.
I've made sure Erg mode is selected on the app, but it is still won't work.
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Re: Elite Direto Erg Mode Not working: Help please [G33Tee266] [ In reply to ]
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I'd like to add on to this thread.

I just started riding my direto, four rides in, only doing zwift, using an android phone/bluetooth to connect to the trainer, then my phone and house wifi connect to the pc.

Today, 30 miles in, I heard a weird noise then the trainer didn't seem to adjust for the terrain, no difficulty in the pedaling. I tried it later the same day and it seems to not want change difficulty when I hit a hill.

Any idea of what's happening? Do you hear any motor noise or get any type of feedback from your trainer?

It's so new it's tough to remember what it felt like, but heading up that hill, I knew something happened as the resistance was just steady, like a dumb trainer, and I had to change gears to make it harder or easier.

I've sent emails to Elite but who knows what help they will offer. I just have no idea how to trouble shoot this.
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