Anyone go from KICKR (or other power-based trainer) to E-Motion Rollers + Powermeter?

Triathlon Forum
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I live in SoCal so rarely need to train indoors. Very lucky that way. I also HATE training indoors. For all the typical reasons. But I would like to train a little more indoors in order to be more efficient with my training time, work/family/bike balance, etc.

I have a KICKR and bought it for ERG mode. I want to set my power and forget it, just bang out 2x20s. For me though, it’s just a lot harder to maintain say 270W on the KICKR than it is outdoors. This is not due to the KICKR and my SRM being out of sync with each other, because when I say 270W I am talking about the readout from my SRM. As an aside, in order to get 270W on my SRM, I set the KICKR to 250W. Whether drivetrain losses or a varying power curve, it doesn’t matter to me. I prefer going off the SRM because that way I am reading power the same, whether outdoors or indoors.

I have the luxury of having a crank-based PM on both my road and TT bike, and they seem to correspond well to each other (I could check with a PowerTap wheel but I feel pretty good about this assumption). So I don’t really need the KICKR as a power measurement device but rather as a power regulating device. And it does a great job of that - my SRM readings from ERG mode aren’t dead flat but pretty darn close.

Thing is, it seems like a real chore turning over the pedals in ERG mode. My hypothesis is that I am perhaps more of a “masher” and do not apply power evenly throughout the pedal stroke (I know, I know, I need to buy Powercranks, right?) and that ERG mode, by providing constant resistance throughout the pedal stroke, is making my legs work in a way they do not in actual riding out on the road. Don’t get me wrong, I think I have a decent pedal stroke, but I do use Q-rings and think I take advantage of momentum and the assistance with the dead spot.

So has anyone with a PM on their bike ditched their KICKR, Computrainer or other power-based trainer in favor of E-motion rollers + PM on the bike? Yes, if I go this route I lose the “set it and forget it” feature that is ERG mode, but if I can pedal more “naturally” (for me) and hit my numbers the old-fashioned way (monitoring and adjusting effort along the way), it seems it might be worth it.

Finally, I should note that I have used my KICKR <10 times, and only twice in the last year, so if there is some kind of adaptation period to ERG mode, I would be interested in hearing about that. Though it might not be particularly comforting for me since I ride indoors so infrequently.

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Erg rides almost always “feel” harder as you never get to coast for a second but, for your engine, it’s probably the best training you can do. Also, lack of airflow has a surprising impact.

Fwiw, I’m on a computrainer now (love it) and alternate computrainer and rollers. Rollers are my “recovery” ride.

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I’ve been using e-Motion rollers with power meter since 2011 and bought the Kickr this past August to use the ERG mode.
But to point out one thing that Inside Ride and TrainerRoad are working to add BLE / ANT+ controller to the resistance on the e-Motion rollers.

Check out Inside Ride’s website under “Wireless” for the update. I have seen on TrainerRoad’s FB page a note about working with them to add ERG to the roller control. I am excited about the news that those of us with the “F” and “H” models can add the controller to our rollers as well.

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Cool, so you have experience with both setups! Does ERG mode at Sweet Spot for you on the KICKR feel similar to what you feel like on the road? Similar to doing the same kind of effort on the E-motions?

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Both have a good feel in general. I train inside year round for weekdays so both of these have a good feeling. I started with a Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer and PowerTap wheel, but dreaded getting on that trainer. With the Kickr and e-Motion rollers I am very motivated daily to train on either. I’ve recently started more of a polarized structure with short intervals at a higher intensity like 4 x 8’s. For those I prefer the Kickr since the bike is locked in place and I can set the target for ERG mode and just grit my teeth. Whereas, the e-Motion rollers it is more taxing for me to keep it on target with the bike moving on the carriage and on the rollers. Not a huge thing, but just a slight bit easier doing those on the Kickr.

I rarely do long indoor sessions, but surprisingly the Kickr feels okay to me for 2 hours and the e-Motion rollers is more tolerable for 2+ efforts. My FTP is lower than yours based on your first post. I am still on resistance level 1 on the rollers with a few more cogs available so there is plenty of resistance available for those with higher power. I use a PowerTap G3 wheel when using the e-Motion rollers.

Probably not quite the description you were looking for, but about the best I can say for now.

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I also have both the e-motion rollers and the KICKR…like everyone else said, I like both a LOT. I think, for me, the KICKR is better for high-intensity work (though I’m excited to see the ERG mode on the rollers when that comes out), while the rollers are better for long endurance stuff and recovery if I can’t get outside. I think having both is pretty much the perfect combination for indoor training.

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Have you tried riding the KICKR in course mode with something like an infinite, slightly uphill grade? Something similar to what would be used for an FTP test. You’re using the SRM for power measurement anyway. It wouldn’t be set it and forget it, but it should be more like riding on the road where to have to push to get to target watts. Maybe you’d find it more tolerable.

I haven’t used the feature, but PerfPRO allows you to toggle between ERG and Course modes during a workout.

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i have both, i like them both too. My plan was to sell one of them and I ended up keeping both. The rollers take up a lot of space, but they are nice for all kinds of riding and in the near future emaotion will be introducing an ergo control. I’d suggest buying the rollers to see how you like them, most people really enjoy them.

ERG mode takes getting used to. You can use trainer mode or you can find an “indoor wattage” that works at a given level of exertion and not worry about it. I get better numbers outside, as do most people.

The kickr is the best riding stationary trainer out there, and the e motions are among the best rollers, both are wonderful training tools

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I have been using e-motion and crank PM (quarq and previously with a SRM, as well virtual power on trainer road with a speed sensor) for years now with thousands of ‘miles’ completed. To include long endurance rides to vomit inducing intervals. I like it because it is not static, in that you have some side to side movement to keep it interesting. I haven’t been on a kickr yet but was considering one for erg mode specifically…so if you are looking to sell it…

And I live near Buffalo, so indoor riding is a necessity!

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Thanks for all the feedback guys. It seems to be pretty consistent, even from folks with both a KICKR and the E-motion rollers: HTFU and stop crying about ERG mode!

OK, that’s what I will look to do. There must be some period of adaptation because I swear 450W on the road “feels” easier than 300W on the KICKR.

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that’s OK. Do a test and determine your indoor FTP, set your software and get going. If you are really laboring use the arrow key and dial it down a little