Hopefully this is a stupid question. I have a computrainer and am thinking of buying Erg Video’s which seem to be highly praised.
Quick question: does the software change the resistance to feel like you are going up/down hills, sprinting, etc. just like CT does? I have CT 3d and know that when I put it in Ergo mode, watts remain constant - the only thing that varies is my cadence. It appears that regardless of what the rider on the trainer does, the Erg screen picture remains the same (can’t pass him or fall back like you can with the CT pacer).
I just want to make sure that it is not simply me picking a wattage in ergomode, then watching a movie.
Yes the resistance certainly does change. What you input into the software is your FT (or a % of it). Then the relative output that is required of you while the Ergvideo is running is equivalent to the relative output of the riders on the video. So if they’re going at 110% of their FT, you’ve got to put out 110% of yours.
Basically, ERGVideo is built on an actual ERG file of a ride. So you FEEL what the rider FEELS in the video. Therefore, wattage will always fluctuating. You just need to put out the wattage.
Go check out www.intellicoach.ca and fool around with the profiler tool. You will see EXACTLY, and ahead of time, the wattage and type of workout you are about to embark on. And you can customize at will. I can also be an excellent pre-purchase tool.
BTW, PEZ Cycling just came out with a review of the Threshold Test on ErgVideo. Of course, since almost everyone here as an FTP above 300W, no one needs such a test for mere mortals but it’s still a good read… (I just need to find the link to it).
NOTE: I don’t work for ERGVideo, I just like it a lot.
I have been using the ergvideos for several months - base three rides, cal spring training. Everyone raves about the product and it has some great features. Here is my take. It is great at setting up a ride at certain power levels for the coaching software. (you could do this yourself by using some of the simple programs floating around to design a CS ride). Beyond that, the video is pretty boring. You are watching some other riders ride around. Your increase or decrease in power has no impact on the video. You are simply riding a workout while the video plays scenes of people riding. The power changes do mimic the course terrain, I believe. But, I find myself not even paying attention to the video screen. I don’t know, maybe my computer screen is too small. I just am having a hard time feeling a part of the video. Maybe because I have no connection to the courses I ordered.
The ergvideo changes the power output over the course of the ride. As indicated by other posters. But you are correct on that you are simply watching a video of other people riding their bikes. Your output does not affect the video content. You can ride like Levi and the video will proceed just as it would if you were watching it while sitting on your couch.
That being said, the threshold test is worth every penny. Nicely done.
Here is a thought: What if a customer could stream video content and power profile of one of their favorite rides to ergvideo and they format it into an ergvideo and send it out to you? That would improve the rider’s interest in the video production.
Try some of the race videos. They are much more engaging than the training videos. I’ve actually caught myself starting to look over my shoulder when peeling of the front.
(I just need to find the link to it).