ERG Computrainer Calibration

Triathlon Forum
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Hi All,

Sorry - another Computrainer Calibration question -

I wonder if anyone can help me with the correct calibration procedure for ERGVideo because yesterday I had a ride that started feeling correct for PE/watts but ended up very easy. I’m familiar with the Stand Alone and 3D calibration methods (copied below) but I’m confused with the ERGVideo instructions taken from:

From http://forum.ergvideo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25

"Do a spin down and get the initial “cold” number (aim for around 3-3.3 ish when it is cold). Now, it is VERY important to go into erg mode for the next step. F3 to accept the spin down, F2 to go to erg mode. Now set the power to something like 150-200, whatever is a reasonable initial warmup pace for you. Now ride for about 5 minutes, go to cal mode with “±” together, and do another spin down. The number will have changed substantially, and use F3 to accept and then F2 to move to erg mode. Use this time to warm yourself up, too, so going to progressively higher power is a good thing. "

So pressing F3 in the ERG Video does nothing so I presume this refers to a stand-alone type calibration. So from jumping onto the bike, can someone please advise the correct procedure to get into this ERG calibration mode? Nothing I’ve done so far seems promising?

Cheers,

Calibration Procedure - Stand-Alone Mode
Use the CompuTrainer in the Stand-Alone Mode (the stereo cable NOT connected to the EXT PC jack for the Nintendo unit).
1. Ride for five minutes to warm up the tire and equipment.
2. Enter the calibration mode by pressing the “+” and “-” keys simultaneously. The screen will show the letter “U” in the lower left corner and the number “200” in the lower center. The number “00.00mph” appears at the top of the screen.
3. Begin pedaling. The word “UP” appears on the right of the screen. Speed up to 25mph. Stop pedaling and allow the wheel to coast to a stop. When the wheel stops, the measured rolling resistance will appear at the top of the screen. Save this number by pressing F3 (“Set”). Repeat this two more times to ensure accuracy. Calibration is now complete.
4. Press the “Reset” key to return to the Ergometer Operating Mode. You may stay in the Stand Alone Mode or insert the stereo cable into the handlebar module jack.
5. Begin your workout or test.

Calibration Procedure - 3D Course
1. Current versions of 3D allow for calibration during the race. If you need to calibrate while using the 3D
2. software, if you are in the middle of a race, press F1 to pause the race, then press F3 to enter into the
3. calibration mode. Now speed to 25 mph and stop. Calibration occurs during the coast-down phase. When
4. the calibration value appears, press F3 to save and return you to 3D. F1 will now resume the race

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So from ERGVideo’s rapid support: in the 2.1.5 version you just hit Pause/rec button at the top right of ERG video (I thought rec was to record or something) and you can recal as you go!

Otherwise the specific asnswer to going into ERG in Computrainer was in the manual!:

Step 1 – Turn your CompuTrainer ON. Press F2 to enter Ergometer mode and ride for about 10 minutes
increasing the wattage to 150 watts using the key. This should sufficiently warm up the tire and Load
Generator to equilibrium temperature (rolling resistance decreases as system temperature increases).

Step 2 – After the warm up, press the and keys simultaneously to return to the Calibration
Program. In Calibration Mode the LCD display will show the letter “ U” (standing for ‘uncalibrated’)
and the number 2.00 (2.00 stands for 2.00 lbs and is the default value when the CompuTrainer is
uncalibrated) in the lower bottom half of the display. The number 0.00 appears in the top half of the

Step 3 – Begin pedaling. Once you have reached 12 m.p.h. the word “UP” will appear on the bottom
right hand corner of the display. Continue pedaling faster. When the speed reaches 25 mph the word
“UP” disappears, at which point stop all pedaling and let the wheel coast to a stop. The rolling resistance
measured during this test will appear at the top of the screen. Repeat this step about 2 or 3 times to make
sure the number repeats +/- a few hundredths of a pound.

Step 4 – When satisfied. save the calibration value by pressing F3. The number will automatically
replace the default value of 2.00 at the bottom of the screen. Calibration is now complete.
Once saved, the calibration number will remain in memory until the CompuTrainer power switch is