One of the best features of any Smart trainer is its ability to provide power numbers. And when it comes to power, nothing is more important than accuracy.
Why Trainers Need Regular Calibration?
Since each bike setup is different, each bike needs to be calibrated to ensure the best possible accuracy. Each bike uses different tires, rims, and recommended tire pressures, all of which play a role in dictating the rolling resistance measured by the trainer.
It’s this varied rolling resistance that the roll-down calibration is measuring and accounting for when calculating power readings or wattage. Since rolling resistance can change from session to session, or even within the same ride, we recommend performing a calibration as frequently as possible to keep your power numbers as accurate as possible.
How Often Should I Calibrate my Trainer?
There are two main groups of trainers we want to mention.
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Direct-drive smart trainers do not need to be calibrated as often as wheel-on trainers, as there is no tire-to-roller interface. The direct-drive design reduces the variability in rolling resistance from ride to ride. While you can still calibrate direct drive trainers as often as you would like, often a weekly or even a monthly calibration is sufficient.
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Wheel-on trainers, also known as Smart trainers that have tire-to-roller interface, require a more frequent calibration to get the most accurate data possible. Because this type of a trainer is considered to be an affordable alternative to a direct-drive trainer, slight variations in tire pressure, or in tension applied to the wheel, can increase or decrease the power reported to the App.
For this type of trainer it is advised to check your tire pressure and perform the spin-down calibration that we describe below.
If you follow the recommended calibration protocol, you should consider calibrating before:- every training session,
- every time you mount a bike to the trainer,
- every time you pump the tire,
- every time you feel there is something weird going on with the trainer,
- or at least once a week.
Spin-down Calibration, How-To
This calibration is completed in the trainer's native App. Please have a look at the table to check the correct app for your trainer.
To perform this type of calibration you need to:
- Ensure that your trainer is adequately warmed up, as tire pressure will change once the tire is properly warmed.
- Make sure your spin-down time or numbers are within the trainer's acceptable limits (check your user manual), and that they are consistently the same. Variations in spin-down time, even within the allowable limits may affect the degree of accuracy for your trainer. We recommend the use of a trainer-specific tire to prevent slipping and tire wear.
- Please keep in mind that the trainer response time on a wheel-on smart trainer may be longer than on a direct drive trainer. It is considered normal to have a 5-10 second lag time between the start of an interval and the time it takes your trainer to reach the target power.
- We recommend keeping your cadence steady and smooth until the trainer reaches the target power and then smoothly and gradually adjusting your cadence to the cadence target.
Manufacturer's Apps For Calibration
| Manufacturer | Download Link | App Icon | Notes |
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Wahoo |
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 |
Wahoo Fitness App |
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Tacx |
|
 |
Tacx Utility |
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Kinetic |
|
|
|
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Technogym |
|
 |
MyCycling |
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Saris |
|
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Possible to connect the trainer only via BLE |
|
Elite (for updates Elite trainers' firmware) |
|
 |
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Elite |
|
 |
|
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Stages |
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For more help, please feel free to contact us.