I’m still tuning my pain cave setup and was just curious how many of you use a riser block with your kickr. I know technically you don’t need one if you supposedly set the height according to your wheel size, but I’ve noticed it’s a bit off or my mat has a bit more give on the front wheel so I feel like I’m leaning forward slightly more than on flat ground, and I’m wondering if a block would help. Or should I just go old school and stick a thin book under the mat.
Lastly, for hill simulation does a riser block help or will setting a high erg power setting and dropping my cadence to 60-75 accomplish the same effect? Does it stabilize the front wheel any better? And what about out of the saddle climbing? This seems to put unusual forces on the frame, so do you stand at all?
I use a Blackburn riser block at the lowest setting. Ideally, I’d like a riser block, but very low, something like 1/2". I just don’t like seeing my front wheel grinding on the rubber mat as it seems to leave a divot.
Lastly, for hill simulation does a riser block help or will setting a high erg power setting and dropping my cadence to 60-75 accomplish the same effect? Does it stabilize the front wheel any better?
Haven’t got a Kickr (but I’m looking at upgrading to one) but when I do a hill workout on my trainer I raise the front wheel. The main reason is to get my position when standing similar to what it would be if I was outside. I then find it makes standing more bearable. A low cadence / high tension helps.
On my tri bike, I use a small book as the Kickr seems just a little high in the rear and it really bothers me when I’m training in aero. On the road bike, I can’t feel the difference so I don’t bother raising the front wheel.
Without it my bike was tilted down just slightly, but just enough that more pressure was on my hands and a separated shoulder. Typically that is not a big deal, but I am primarily a lifter that cycles and I often impact the nerves in my hands to a slight degree. Just enough that is an aggravation while training inside. Plus this took a little upper body weight off my injured shoulder.
The other is that I am using a Cyclops notched riser block with the bike on a height that levels the bike. The wider base on the rubber mat keeps my front wheel steady in a straight position even under intense interval jumps.