USING ERG MODE ON YOUR SMART TRAINER | Coffee Thoughts #3

I make a coffee and think of a concept, idea, discussion point or whatever to do with sports performance and sport science. No right or wrongs, no recommendations. Grab a coffee and think outside the box for a bit.
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[@NJSportScience]

Do you LOVE or HATE ERG Mode?

[@starshockey11]

Love it! Brand new to cycling and ride 95 percent on the trainer and have never had my bike split be above top 50 on an Ironman/ 70.3. I credit this to using the trainer so much and on ERG mode.

[@onlyfoolriding8223]

I love ERG mode, but the perceived effort varies greatly between the trainer and my MTB. Outside, 250 watts feels like 300 watts on the trainer.

[@yaseenmuhammed5685]

Hi Nick I am in year 10 and interested in sports so I have a question what exactly does a sports scientist do?

[@dominationcity6462]

I can’t comprehend why anyone would spend so much money on a smart trainer in the first place. Old school wheel on trainers worked for so many legends in days gone past. It just seems a silly waste of money.

[@NJSportScience]

Probably also can’t comprehend how much let’s say “extra curricular activities” some of those past legends were engaged in haha.
Like I said, everyone’s different. Some might argue spending $10K on a bike is a waste but people still do. Do what works and makes sense to you.

[@dominationcity6462]

@@NJSportScience hahaha love it.
Maybe I’m just a grumpy old man. But when I see Crowie, Macca etc in videos on the old school trainer and without some cartoon character in front of them, I just think if it was good enough to win Kona, it’s good enough for MAMIL like me 😃
I’d prefer to put that money in to coaching or bike upgrades.

[@NJSportScience]

Absolutely a fair enough point, that’s what these videos are for, to open up the discussion! Thanks for contributing.

[@1984rbarker]

@@NJSportScience I love cruising past someone who is on their £10k bike while I'm on my £1k bike!

[@1984rbarker]

@@dominationcity6462 Maybe it did work for them but times move on and so does tech. The current batch of cyclists are better and stronger than those of 20years ago because of technology and sports science. Smart trainers are part of that.
If sitting on a trainer in erg mode with a cartoon character makes you faster, why knock it?