A spindown calibration will ensure that your trainer is measuring power correctly. This quick process will help maintain consistency as you ride day in and day out, so make sure to perform a calibration before each ride in accordance with the trainer manufacturer's recommendation.
Note: some trainers come "factory calibrated" and do not need calibrations performed by the user.
How to Calibrate Your Trainer
To calibrate your trainer, follow these simple steps:
- Navigate to the Devices Tab in your TrainerRoad application.
- Pair your trainer by clicking its name in the device list.
- Click on the device again to open its settings.
- Scroll down until you see the 'Calibrate' button.
- Click "Calibrate"
- You'll then be prompted to speed up until you've reached a target speed.
- Once you reach your target speed, stop pedaling, and let your bike coast to a stop.
- As the bike slows, and the calibration is successful, you'll be prompted to accept the calibration results.
- Accept these results
- You're good to go!
Follow these steps on Desktop apps as well as Mobile to complete your spindown calibration before every ride!
Spindown Calibration on Desktop (Mac and Windows)
Spindown Calibration on Mobile (iOS and Android)
How to Calibrate Your Power Meter
A calibration, also known as "zeroing" your power meter, will ensure that your power meter is measuring your output accurately. This quick process will help maintain consistency as you ride day in and day out, so make sure to perform a calibration before each ride that you complete.
To calibrate your power meter, follow these simple steps:
- Navigate to the Devices Tab in your TrainerRoad application.
- Pair your power meter by clicking its name in the device list.
- Remove your feet from your pedals, and place each pedal at a 6 and 12 o'clock orientation (straight up and down).
- Click on the device again to open its settings.
- Scroll down until you see the 'Calibrate' button.
- Click 'Calibrate'
- Making sure that no weight is on your pedals, wait until the calibration process has completed.
- The results of your calibration process will be shown after a few seconds.
- TrainerRoad does not manipulate these values. These results are simply shown to display a successful calibration. The results will be saved and stored within the power meter itself and used to calculate accurate power values.
- Your power meter is ready to use for your next workout!
Follow these steps on Desktop apps as well as Mobile to complete your calibration before every ride!
Power Meter Calibration on Desktop (Mac and Windows)
Power Meter Calibration on Mobile (iOS and Android)
Smart Trainer Calibration Troubleshooting
Is your spindown calibration failing? We may have a few options to help you out.
First, make sure that your smart trainer needs to be calibrated. There are several makes and models of smart trainers that come factory calibrated, meaning you don't have to perform calibrations.
That said, In some cases, the required speed it takes to perform a spindown may not have been reached. To ensure that you're hitting the required speed, continue to pedal until you've reached around 3-5 kph or mph higher than the suggested target speed. Then let the wheel coast to a stop.
Completing a calibration requires a very strong connection between the trainer and TrainerRoad because large amounts of information are being sent back and forth during this process. If any data does not transfer properly due to interference, a failed calibration may occur. In this case, make sure to try the following:
- Increase Connection Strength:
- Close the distance between your trainer and the device that you're using to run TrainerRoad
- If your device is powered by your pedaling, pedal for around 5 minutes at least before trying to complete the spindown. This ensures the internal batteries have enough power to transmit speed values during the entire calibration
- Remove Interferences:
- Remove any wireless devices that are nearby since they can be causing interruptions in the connection. Anything from Bluetooth speakers, computer mice, or even internet modems are known to cause wireless interference. Click here for more ways to reduce interference.
Power Meter Calibration Troubleshooting
Just like a spindown calibration, a calibration for your power meter requires a very strong connection between the power meter and TrainerRoad because a great deal of information is being sent back and forth. If the connection is dropped at any point it may cause a failed calibration. In this case, make sure to try the following:
- Increase Connection Strength:
- Close the distance between your trainer and the device that you're using to run TrainerRoad
- Make sure that your batteries are fresh! The newer and stronger the batteries, the stronger your connection will be.
- Remove Interferences:
- Remove any wireless devices that are nearby since they can be causing interruptions in the connection. Anything from Bluetooth speakers, computer mice, or even internet modems are known to cause wireless interference. Click here for more ways to reduce interference.
- Correct Setup:
- Make sure that you do not have any weight on your pedals when completing a calibration.
- orient your pedals to the 6 and 12 o'clock position (straight up and down). If your pedals are horizontal, or not perfectly vertical, you may continually experience a failed calibration.