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How to Add A, B, and C Events to Your Calendar

A key component of any training plan is knowing when your events are going to take place and how you are going to prioritize them. With Calendar, you can add events at any time and TrainerRoad will adapt your plan accordingly. What Types of Events Are There? Before adding any events to your Calendar it’s first important to know the different classifications of events. As athletes, races are often very important to us. For many, it's the whole reason we train, and in an ideal world, we would roll up to each race with the ability to perform at our maximum physical potential. However, the reality is that the human body cannot maintain the optimal conditions required to perform at its absolute peak for very long. "Peaking", as we call it, requires an optimal balance of fitness and freshness, and these "stars align" for only a brief window. Through the use of our Training Plans, you'll be able to plan your season so that the "stars align" on the day that your performance is most important to you. The first step of Building your season is Event & Race Prioritization. The terminology we use for this is A, B, and C races. Below, we’ll explain how each of these types of races will fit into your season. A Race - These will be races that you will perform at your absolute peak fitness and should be events that are the most important to you. It is best to have around one or two "A" races per year. - If you have multiple A races, they should be at least 12 weeks apart in order to be in peak form for both. If you have two A races within 12 weeks of each other, we recommend prioritizing one as an A race and the other as a B race. - "A" races often have two-week tapers leading up to them, which call for a reduction in overall Training Stress resulting in an increase in freshness, all while maintaining fitness to create this elusive "Peak.” B Races - While you won’t be fully peaked for these, B races will be excellent trials of your fitness, and you can still be very competitive in them. Keep in mind that your competitors are restricted by the same human limitations as you are, so while you can’t always be in your absolute peak form, they can’t either. - While these races can be season objectives in their own right, they mostly allow you extra opportunities to try different race/nutrition strategies to see what works for you and your body. - These races can be particularly important because they build mental racing experience and confidence that you can carry into your higher-priority "A" events. - You will be given the option to add opener workouts in the days leading up to their B race when adding events using Plan Builder. C Races - These races are strictly for practice, experience, and fun. The outcomes should carry much less emotional value, and as such, you will simply "train through" them. They should hold a similar value as a key hard workout. - Keep in mind that structured work is what makes you faster, not simply riding hard all the time, and recovery is just as important. - Since these are essentially viewed as a form of training, no taper is required, and if possible, you should schedule them in the same manner as which you’d find a really tough workout, i.e., following an easy or off day. Takeaway: You can't perform at your peak physical fitness forever, so it is important to decide when you want to be your fastest and plan accordingly. How Event Priority Affects Adaptations - A Events - TrainerRoad will add a taper for the event and an opener workout the day before the event (if you've enabled this option in the Plan Builder flow). - B Events - TrainerRoad will add an opener workout the day before the event (if you've enabled this option in the Plan Builder flow). - C Events - These events are essentially training/workouts, no taper is involved so TrainerRoad will remove any scheduled workouts on this day. For more on how to prioritize your events to build a training plan, check out this Article: - How to Prioritize Your Races and Build a Seasonal Race Plan Adding an Event to the Calendar 1. To add a Race/Event to your calendar, either click on the specific day that your event will take place, or the "+ Add" button on the top right part of your screen. 2. Select "Event" from the drawer on the right of the screen. 3. Enter the pertinent information regarding the event, such as whether it's an A, B, or C event, its duration, and intensity, etc. 4. Once the event is added, you'll be prompted to adapt your plan to include the event. Select "Adapt". Editing an Existing Event in the Calendar To edit an Event, simply select it from the Calendar to open the dialogue box then click the Edit/Pencil icon. To simply move the event, you can also drag and drop the event from one day to another if, for example, it was rescheduled. After editing your Event adaptations will be prompted based on A, B & C Events prioritization. Marking an Event Complete If you import an outside ride file on the day of your event, it will automatically match that activity to the event and mark it as complete. In case that doesn't happen automatically you can also associate your event's ride file manually (see Match a Planned Workout with a Completed Workout/Ride). If you don't have a ride file for your event, you can also manually mark the event as complete by clicking on the event from the Calendar and selecting Mark as Complete. Add an Event in Plan Builder You can use Plan Builder if you'd like to build a training plan leading up to a specific event as well as add multiple events during the Plan Builder flow. To learn more about how to use Plan Builder check out this article: - Plan Builder Overview For more information on A, B, and C, races and how to prioritize them, check out the resources below! Podcast Discussion: [13:20] Podcast 134: How to Prioritize your races [31:30] Podcast 134: A, B, and C Race Definitions Further education: Peaking for Multiple "A" Races Not Enough Time Too Much Time! Related Training Articles: Peak on Race Day: 5 Questions to Plan Your Perfect Season

Calendar • Last updated on Aug 20, 2026

What is TrainerRoad's Fatigue Detection?

TrainerRoad monitors your training to help prevent long-term fatigue and unproductive workouts. Our built in fatigue detection tells you when you might be overdoing it with Avoid Intensity days and Rest recommended days on your TrainerRoad Calendar. Screenshot 2026-01-21 at 11.08.47 AM.png What are Avoid Intensity Days? Days on your TrainerRoad Calendar will change color in response to accumulated training stress. If you are in a potentially “unproductive” range it will display an Avoid Intensity day on your Calendar. If you see a yellow highlight on your Calendar and a yellow caution sign it means we recommend slowing things down. Screenshot 2026-01-21 at 11.11.03 AM.png If you have a workout scheduled on an Avoid Intensity day TrainerRoad will adjust your scheduled workout to an Endurance workout. You will know that your workout has been adjusted because the previously planned workout will be listed behind the newly scheduled workout. Avoid Intensity days aren’t necessarily a bad thing! If you’re nearing the end of a challenging training block, or pushing your boundaries multiple days in a row (like at a training camp), you might see a few yellow highlights appear on your calendar. What are Rest Recommended Days? If you’re pushing it into long-term fatigue territory, you’ll see a Rest Recommended day on your Calendar. Rest Recommended days will display red highlights and a warning sign on your Calendar. If you have a workout scheduled on a Rest Recommended day your workout will be swapped for a rest day. You will know that your scheduled workout has been swapped because a rest day will be displayed and the previously scheduled workout will be listed in behind it. Screenshot 2026-01-21 at 11.19.01 AM.png If you try to schedule a workout on a Rest Recommended day you will be advised to keep your day open and focus on rest instead. You might see red days after big training rides, a hard race, or multiple days of challenging riding. A Rest Recommended day is a Warning sign. These days indicate that you’ve likely overdone it and adding additional stress onto this day won’t be benefitting you. When a rest day pops up on your Calendar we recommend taking the day off from all forms of training stress and focusing on recovery. Screenshot 2026-01-21 at 11.21.54 AM.png How Does it Work? TrainerRoad uses your data from all indoor and outdoor training sessions, as well as other metrics specific to you, to monitor your training. As you train, recover, and get more fit, the amount of stress you can productively manage changes. You don’t need to do anything to enable the fatigue detection! Train as you normally would, following a TrainerRoad plan, TrainNow workouts, and training outside. If a workout pushes you over the boundary of productive stress, you may see a yellow or red highlight show on your TrainerRoad Calendar for the following day. If those days have workouts scheduled, you’ll be offered a suggestion to an easier ride or a full Rest Day to prevent long-term fatigue. Can I Adjust How Cautious Fatigue Detection Is? Yes! You can directly adjust how conservative or aggressive TrainerRoad is when it comes to recommending rest. You can do this by adjusting your training approach. This can be done for your entire training approach or by zone. To learn more about making adjustments to your training approach read: How to Adjust Training Approach Overall and by Zone What Should I Do on Rest Days? Whenever possible, we recommend refraining from any type of physical exercise on rest days. We don’t recommend using these days to incorporate additional training activities like recovery cycling activities, strength training, or other forms of cross-training. For further reading on rest and how to maximize recovery we recommend checking out these Blog Posts on recovery from the TrainerRoad Blog: 1. Rest Week Nutrition: What to Eat to Recover 2. Why Rest, Recovery, and Tapering are Necessary to Get Faster 3. The Complete Recovery Week Guide for Cyclists 4. Recovery: The Elements of Getting Faster Frequently Asked Questions: Are outside activities considered by this tool? Yes! TrainerRoad considers all outside workout files imported into TrainerRoad. What kind of activities does the fatigue monitor take into account? TrainerRoad considers all activities on your Calendar. Can I decline changes prompted by red and yellow days? Just like any other recommendation that appears on your Calendar, you can decline any fatigue related adjustments. In most cases, we strongly recommend accepting these suggested changes though. TrainerRoad's AI is aiming to prevent long term fatigue and make you faster in the future Are these days bad? Yellow and Red days aren't necessarily a bad thing! In fact, it's normal to see Yellow and Red days pop up on your Calendar after pushing your limits with a hard race, a tough workout, or several big training days. Your Red and Yellow Days can become troublesome or "bad" if you are consistently training through them and ignoring TrainerRoad's suggestions. To help prevent long-term fatigue and keep your training on track we recommend accepting these suggestions whenever possible. Do I need to be following a training plan to get fatigue detections? No! TrainerRoad will notify you when you have Yellow and Red days even if you are not following a TrainerRoad training plan. Am I not training hard enough if I never get Avoid Intensity days? Not necessarily! If you are never seeing Yellow days on your Calendar, this could be an indication that you are managing your fatigue well and recovering from your training quickly. If you are never seeing a Yellow day on your Calendar and you feel you have more time and energy to dedicate to your training you might be in a good position to increase your training volume, though. How long do I need to rest after a Rest Recommended day? A day fully off the bike should be enough to ease back into your training. After really large efforts, you may see multiple red days on your Calendar followed by a Yellow day. In these cases, you want to take extra recovery and ease back into your training. What if I have a race on one of these days? Should I skip it? These aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Rather red and yellow days are meant to remind you when you are reaching or going down a path that could lead to long-term fatigue. You can still feel good and have a great race or a solid training day on a red day - just make sure you get the necessary recovery time after! If you find that you’re getting into the Yellow or Red before an A events though, you should prioritize the extra rest TrainerRoad recommends to ensure you are getting enough prior to your event. What if I get Rest Recommended during a stage race? Keep going! Stage races and training camps are situations where you’re likely going to accrue a lot of training stress which will yield yellow and maybe even red days on your Calendar. Just make sure you take the time to recover properly once it’s wrapped up. Will these appear in the desktop and mobile apps? Yes! You’ll see red and yellow days in the mobile and desktop apps. Do I have to use TrainerRoad inside for fatigue management to work? Nope! TrainerRoad works even if you only ride outside. Do my post-workout survey responses influence fatigue detection? Yes, TrainerRoad considers your post-workout surveys. Make sure to answer your post-workout RPE survey. Do my outside activities need power data to be considered by TrainerRoad? Nope! Activities that only have Heart Rate data will count if you use TrainerRoad’s Heart Rate TSS Estimation. Following my plan made my current training day Rest Recommended. Is everything working as it should be? If you’re following a TrainerRoad plan exactly as prescribed and getting into the red, that may indicate that you’ve selected too high of a plan volume. If you find yourself in a situation like this we recommend lowering your plan volume to prevent long-term fatigue. TrainerRoad wants to remove a key workout. Should I move the workout to another day? If a Rest Recommended day pops up on the same day as a workout we recommend accepting the Rest Day and focusing on your recovery. Rest days are key workouts in their own regard! Furthermore, TrainerRoad will make any necessary adjustments to your upcoming weeks of training to make sure you get the key training sessions that you need. I trained through an Avoid Intensity or Rest Recommended day. Shouldn’t this make tomorrow a yellow or Rest Recommended day too? Not necessarily! Training on a yellow or red day doesn’t automatically yield another red or yellow day in your Calendar. I feel like I need rest but there isn't an Avoid Intensity or Rest Recommended day today. What should I do? Just because you are not seeing a yellow or red day doesn’t mean you don’t need rest! Fluctuating changes in personal stress, illness, or a bad night's rest might require you take an easy day outside of TrainerRoad's recommendations. If you need to take a rest day on a non red or yellow day go ahead and skip your workout and TrainerRoad AI will make any necessary adjustments. I accepted a rest day recommendation and now I want that workout back. Can I undo it? There is no way to reverse recommendations that you have already accepted. If you’d like to recover a workout that was replaced by a rest day or an endurance workout and you can’t remember what workout was on your Calendar reach out to [email protected]. What should I do when an Avoid Intensity day appears on my Calendar? When a yellow day appears on your Calendar, and you have nothing scheduled we recommend taking the day off. If a yellow day appears when you have a workout on your Calendar you will be prompted to adjust your scheduled workout to a workout that allows for a bit more rest than your scheduled workout. What should I do when a Rest Recommended day appears on my Calendar? When a red day appears on your Calendar we recommend taking a rest day and refraining from as much physical activity as you can. What happens to Runs and Swims on Avoid Intensity and Rest Recommended Days? Swims and runs will be adjusted on these days too! If you have a run or a swim scheduled on an avoid intensity day, TrainerRoad will suggest that you do an easier swim or run on that day. If you have swim or a run on a Rest Day, TrainerRoad will suggest swapping any workouts scheduled on this day for a rest day.

TrainerRoad AI • Last updated on Mar 06, 2026

Choosing the Right Discipline For Your Events

TrainerRoad builds your plan around your A event's selected discipline or type. This guide is here to help you understand what each discipline trains and how to choose a match for your event. Why Event Type Matters Your event type influences: - Which training phases you get (for example, a plan that emphasizes sustained power vs short, punchy power) - Which training zones and workout profiles are emphasized - What fitness you are most prepared to express on event day No discipline is “better” than any others. Each discipline simply trains your body in a different way to prepare for different event demands. The Simple Way to Choose In many cases, the event’s advertised label is enough: - Criterium → Criterium - Time Trial → Time Trial - Cyclocross → Cyclocross - XCO, XCM, Short Track → the matching MTB discipline - Triathlon Event → the matching triathlon discipline It gets trickier when the event label is broad, like Road Race, Gravel, or Gran Fondo. When that happens, use these four factors to identify the dominant effort type your event will demand: 1. Advertised discipline 2. How long you will ride (duration) 3. Climbing profile (how many climbs, how long, how steep) 4. Your goal (race for results vs ride for a steady finish or target time) A helpful reminder: distance alone is not a reliable guide. The same distance can mean very different effort types depending on terrain, surface, and speed. Duration tells you much more about pacing demands. A quick Decision Guide For More Ambiguous Road & Gravel Events Road races: Rolling Road Race vs Climbing Road Race Start here if your event is a mass start road race and you are unsure which road discipline fits. - Rolling Road Race is usually best when the decisive moments are repeated surges, attacks, and short climbs. Think punchy efforts and frequent changes in pace. - Climbing Road Race is usually best when long, sustained climbs are the defining feature. Think sustained climbing power and longer efforts. Helpful shortcut: - If the key climbs are short and punchy, lean Rolling. - If the key climbs are long and sustained, lean Climbing. If you are not sure, pick the discipline that best matches where you expect the hardest efforts to happen. On some courses, long climbs early do not decide the race, and the event can still be ridden like a Rolling Road Race. Long Road Events: Gran Fondo Gran Fondo is the best fit for events where the dominant demand is steady pacing and endurance. - Typical match: long road events where your goal is to finish strong, ride a steady pace, or hit a target time. - Terrain can be flat or mountainous. For most riders, the pacing challenge is still the main limiter once the duration is long enough. Gravel Events Gravel events can be very different, so the best match depends on duration and how the event is raced. - If your event is primarily a long, steady endurance day where pacing is the priority, Gravel is usually the best fit. - If your event is shorter and raced aggressively with frequent surges, you may also consider Rolling Road Race, Climbing Road Race, or Cross Country Marathon, depending on terrain and surface. Helpful shortcut: - Over about 4 hours: Gravel is usually the best starting point because pacing and endurance are critical for most athletes. - Under about 4 hours: Gravel still works well, but a more race-focused discipline(Rolling/Climbing Road Race) can be a good option if the event is punchy and you are racing for position. Time Trials Time Trial discipline is built around steady, controlled efforts against the clock. - Best fit: most TTs, especially flatter courses or those where pacing is steady and continuous - If your TT is unusually punchy or very climb-heavy, Climbing Road Race can be a reasonable alternative, depending on how the effort actually feels on the day. Hill Climbs There is no dedicated hill climb discipline, so match based on climb duration: - Over about 20 to 30 minutes: Time Trial - About 2 to 30 minutes: Climbing Road Race - Under about 2 minutes: Rolling Road Race or Climbing Road Race (choose based on whether the effort is more punchy or more sustained) If you are doing a season of mixed hill climbs, Climbing Road Race is usually the most well-rounded option. Stage Races Stage races are their own category because day-to-day recovery becomes part of the performance demand. Choose the discipline that matches the stage race type you are doing. If your stage race includes mixed stages, pick the discipline that best represents the dominant demands across the event. Off-Road Event Types in TrainerRoad Off-road events vary significantly. The easiest way to pick the right TrainerRoad event type is to match the discipline to the effort you will repeat most often: short surges, sustained hard laps, or long pacing with hard climbs late. Short Track Cross Country (STXC) Pick STXC if your event is: - About 20 to 30 minutes - Very fast and intense with constant accelerations This plan builds repeatable high-intensity efforts and quick recovery between surges. Cross Country Olympic (XCO) Pick XCO if your event is: - About 60 to 100 minutes - Lap-based with repeated climbs and technical features This plan builds the ability to repeat hard efforts near and above threshold across a full race-length effort. Cross Country Marathon (XCM) Pick XCM if your event is: - About 3 to 8 hours - Off-road with meaningful climbing and repeated hard sections This plan builds long endurance and fatigue resistance, while still preparing you for surges and hard climbs late in the race. Cyclocross (CX) Pick Cyclocross if your event is: - About 45 to 70 minutes - Constantly changing pace with repeated bursts, corners, and short run-ups This plan builds repeatable high-intensity efforts and recovery for one-hour racing. Off-Road Triathlon Many off-road tri formats align closely with Olympic distance demands on the bike, even if the bike leg is shorter, because the terrain is more demanding. - Best starting point: Off-Road Triathlon - Only choose Sprint, Half, or Full if the event distances truly match those formats Quick Tie-Breakers - XCO vs XCM: around an hour and very intense, choose XCO. Multi-hour pacing with hard climbs late, choose XCM. - XCM vs Gravel: if it feels like an off-road race with frequent punchy efforts, choose XCM. If it is more about steady pacing for a long day on mixed surface, choose Gravel. Common Exceptions: When A Different Event Might Help You If there is more than one good option, that is normal. Look at your event’s advertised type, expected finish time, and whether you are racing for results or pacing for a finish or target time. Long events where you are racing for results If the event is long but your goal is explicitly competitive and the race is likely to be decided by surges, attacks, and climbs, you may choose a discipline that places more emphasis on variability and intensity. That can be a good choice, but there is a trade-off: - More emphasis on punchy and race-like fitness - Less emphasis on the deepest steady endurance compared to Gran Fondo or Gravel If your main goal is to pace steadily and finish strong, Gran Fondo or Gravel is still usually the best match. longer climbing events or stage races where you will ride a steady pace In these cases It can be smart to pick a Gran Fondo or Gravel plan, to train for smooth steady efforts instead of training to chase and make breaks up a climb. Mixed terrain/discipline race like a stage race or mixed surface event In those cases, pick the discipline that best matches: - The effort type you will spend the most time doing - Will you be holding a steady pace, or chasing and making breaks? - The effort type you most want to improve for your goal An example could be a longer event where you ride Road, Gravel, & Single Track with plenty of elevation gain: - If you intend to hold a steady pace, Gravel would be a good choice. - If you are going to race it, Climbing Road Race or Cross Country Marathon would better fit that intent for most athletes. Between those you would want to pick what you want to improve. Have More Than One A event? A events should be planned at least 8 weeks apart. TrainerRoad will focus the plan around your A events, in order. After each A event, the plan can shift focus toward the next A event. After the final A event, the plan uses your last B event discipline, or your last C event discipline if there is no B event. A events are the strongest drivers of plan focus. Changing Your Event Type In many cases, you can change an event’s discipline. When you do, TrainerRoad may prompt you to update your plan so training matches the new discipline. There are a few situations where changing discipline requires deleting and recreating the event instead, such as switching between cycling and triathlon categories, or switching between stage race and single-day event categories. FAQs How do I Build a Custom Training Plan? You can use the resources below to learn how to build a custom plan and to dig deeper into their structure: - TrainerRoad Plan Builder Over View & Walk Through - Understand the structure & science behind TrainerRoad Plans. How to Choose Which Event to Make My A Event? In most cases, you want your A event to be your primary event for the season. You can learn more here: - How to Add A, B, & C Events to Your Calendar - How to Prioritize Your Races and Build a Seasonal Race Plan I'm not Training For an Event, What can I do? TrainerRoad has many goal-based plan options as well. You can learn about them here. How Should I Choose the Event Intensity? It's helpful to think of the intensity rating of the event as the aspirational pace you want to ride it. Every athlete is different but here is a bit of general guidance: - Recovery - Tempo could be an all-day or repeated-day effort(rest day or easy day during a stage race). - Tempo - Hard could be a race level effort for 3-8 hours. - Hard - All out efforts would be a max level effort for shorter events(1-3 hours)

Choosing Your Training Plan • Last updated on Feb 13, 2026

Wahoo KICKR

The KICKR, made by Wahoo Fitness, is a direct drive smart trainer that uses automatic resistance control (ERG mode) to seamlessly match your power output to the prescribed power of your TrainerRoad workout. Its heavy flywheel provides a smooth power output as you ride to give you a true road feel. First thing’s first! Make sure you’ve downloaded the TrainerRoad app here. daniel_wahoo-kickr-17-power-trainer-2.png Device Compatibility | | Connections | | Modes | | Calibration | | Cadence 1 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Ant+ | Bluetooth | ERG | Resistance | Ant+ | Bluetooth | | | iOS | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 4 | | Android | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 4 | | Windows | ✔ 2 | ✔ 3 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 4 | | Mac | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 4 | Show footnotes [1] Cadence transmitted by a smart trainer is an estimation of your cadence. This may not always be 100% accurate given potential changes in ride data throughout pedal stroke especially during periods of inconsistent cadence. For best results, the use of a dedicated cadence sensor is suggested, but not required. [2] ANT+ USB or key may be required to connect to ANT+ devices. [3] In order to use Bluetooth on Windows devices, a Bluetooth dongle is required. See more information here. [4] Cadence is not a feature that the KICKR supports. In order to have cadence with TrainerRoad using this trainer, you will need a dedicated cadence device. How to Use Your KICKR - Choosing Your Connection - Connect via ANT+. - Connect via Bluetooth. - Click here to learn how to pair your devices and adjust device settings. - Choosing Your Trainer's Mode - Erg Mode (default) - Resistance Mode - Calibration - Perform a Spindown calibration before each ride to ensure that your power is always as consistent as possible. - Note: KICKR v5's and newer models (any model past 2018) automatically calibrate on the fly as you ride. There's no need to calibrate manually with a spindown due to this functionality. You can learn more about this self-calibrating process here. - PowerMatch - Using a power meter along with your trainer? Here's how to use PowerMatch. KICKR Troubleshooting Device Dropouts - Dropouts can be seen while riding as an absence of data. You may be experiencing device dropouts if your data values drop to zero, or to a null '--' value. - Why this happens: The most common culprit of dropouts are typically low batteries which cause a weak signal, and interference from other nearby devices. - The solution: Click the following link to learn how to avoid device dropouts. ANT+ USB not recognized - Click here to learn more about ANT+ Troubleshooting. Bluetooth not connecting properly - Click here to learn more about Bluetooth Smart 4.0 Troubleshooting. Issues pairing your device - When trying to pair your device if you're unable to see, or pair your device properly, there may be a connection issue. This could be caused by a faulty connection with the device or another application may be using your Bluetooth or ANT+ connection. - The solution: Click on the following link to learn more about device pairing troubleshooting. Wattage Floor - It takes a minimum amount of watts to simply turn the pedals on a bike. This minimum wattage requirement can increase even more in higher gears. For more information on wattage floor and what it can look like, click here. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower thus allowing it to reach lower power values. Inaccurate Speed - Speed readings when riding indoors on a smart trainer are inherently unreliable. The "speeds" riders achieve indoors are often not representative of speeds they'd be going outdoors at equivalent power levels. - Simply put, indoor speed readings can be misleading and don't add any value to the workout so TrainerRoad does not display them during your ride. To learn more about speed readings on a smart trainer, click here. Floating Power / Power Not Following Prescribed Power - Dropouts can cause your power values to get "stuck" in place and follow a constant power rather than changing with the workout profile. - The solution: Avoiding dropouts will help reduce the possibility of this happening. - Wattage floor/ceiling - If you find that your power is floating above your prescribed power, typically during a recovery interval, you may be experiencing wattage floor. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower thus allowing it to reach lower power values. To learn more about what a wattage floor is, click here. - Power smoothing set to too high of a value can give the illusion that your power is not following the target power when in reality, it is. Power smoothing takes a running average of your incoming power over the span of time that you have selected in your settings, 1-30 seconds. Your average power over that time span is then shown on your workout player. - Common cases - You would notice this at the onset of an interval. When the interval starts, you may notice that your power is lagging behind quite a bit and then eventually rises to meet the prescribed wattage. This is due to the running average that's being calculated. - The solution - To fix this, you may need to lower your power smoothing value in your settings. If power smoothing is desired, we recommend adjusting your settings to around 4-7 seconds for most workouts. This should allow you to visually smooth your power while still allowing it to your power to catch up quickly when entering intervals. - NOTE: PowerSmoothing only visually adjusts your power during your workout. Only raw data is stored during your ride. Due to this, you may notice a difference between post, and during, workout graphs. - ERG Mode Not Set: If your trainer is set to resistance mode (or slope/standard mode with some trainers) your power will not be automatically adjusted to match the target power. In this case, your power may be graphed similarly to that of a power meter and float around without following any workout profile. Resistance Lock-up During Ride - When pedaling at a low cadence, or if you change during a change in prescribed power, it's possible that your KICKR can dramatically increase the resistance and prevent you from pedaling as the resistance continues to climb. - The solution: Begin backpedaling for around 5-10 seconds as the resistance unit loosens its grip. Then carry on pedaling. Erratic Power Values and Dropouts: Generation 1 KICKR Only - If you're using a generation 1 KICKR (notice it does not have a handle and it has a zebra pattern opposite the cassette) and you're experiencing wildly fluctuating power, or a continual dropout, you may need to clean your optical sensor. - To clean the optical sensor, gently rub a paper towel through the area shown below. image-2.png image-3.png KICKR Best Practices Calibration - For the most accurate and consistent power readings, make sure to perform a spindown calibration before each ride. - If time allows, the optimal solution would be to perform a spindown calibration after spinning for around 5-10 minutes to warm up internal components. Update Firmware - Updating your trainer's firmware to the latest release is very important. Many of these updates contain fixes that the manufacturer has been working on. Updating your firmware whenever the latest release is available will make sure that your device is always up-to-date with the most recent features and improvements. - To update your KICKR's firmware using an Android device, follow the directions found here. - To update your KICKR's firmware using an iOS device, follow the directions found here. Gearing - When using ERG mode, follow the gearing suggestions found in our smart trainer modes explained article for best results. - If using resistance, or standard/slope mode, you will need to make sure to shift your gears just as you would when riding outdoors. Doing so will allow you to reach your prescribed target power during your workout.

Setting Up Equipment and Connecting Devices • Last updated on Aug 20, 2026

Power Rankings and Rider Types Explained

Power Rankings in TrainerRoad give you a clear view of where your power stands compared to other TrainerRoad athletes. This feature also determines your power phenotype, helping you understand what type of rider you are based on your performance across different effort durations. How is Your Phenotype Determined? TrainerRoad measures your power over various durations, from short sprints to sustained efforts. Based on this data, you are categorized into one of six power phenotypes: - Sprinter – Excels in short, high-power efforts. - Puncheur – Strong in repeated, punchy surges over rolling terrain. - Rouleur – Powerful and consistent over flat and rolling terrain. - Time Trialist – Best at sustained, steady solo efforts. - Climber – Thrives on long, high-intensity climbs. - All-Rounder – Versatile across different types of efforts. Your power phenotype reflects your natural strengths and performance distribution across different types of efforts. Over time, as your training evolves, your phenotype may shift. How to Use Power Rankings and Your Phenotype Knowing your power phenotype helps you: - Optimize Your Training – Focus on your strengths while improving weaker areas. - Plan Race Strategies – Choose tactics that match your natural abilities. - Set Performance Goals – Compare yourself with other riders and track progress. You can view your Power Rankings and Phenotype directly in TrainerRoad. Head to your Career on the TrainerRoad website and select "Power Ranking" from the lefthand menu. Understanding Each Power Phenotype Sprinter Overview: You have exceptional finishing speed and generate your highest power in short, explosive efforts. You excel in races that come down to a final sprint, where your ability to accelerate past others in the last few seconds gives you an advantage. Your strength lies in anaerobic power and top-end speed. Relative Strengths: - Exceptional short-burst power - High top-end speed - Best suited for races that come down to a final sprint Excels at: - Flat or rolling races with sprint finishes - Short, punchy efforts - High speed positioning (criteriums, group rides) Pro Rider Examples: - Mark Cavendish - One of the greatest pure sprinters, excels in bunch finishes - Caleb Ewan - Compact, explosive sprinter with a low riding position - Fabio Jakobson - Powerful finishing speed, thrives in mass sprints - Charlotte Kool - A top sprinter with a strong finishing kick in bunch sprints - Lorena Wiebes - One of the fastest sprinters in the peloton, dominant in flat finishes Pro Races that Match Your Strengths: - Milan-San Remo - A long, flat race with a sprint finish - Tour de France sprint stages - Flat, high-speed finishes - Scheldeprijs - Known as a "sprinters" classic Puncheur Overview: You excel at strong, punchy efforts that make you competitive on short, steep climbs and rolling terrain, where you attack repeatedly and recover quickly. Your ability to surge over hills and power through rolling courses gives you an edge in races that feature short, sharp climbs. Relative Strengths - Strong 30-second to 5-minute power - Quick recovery from repeated surges - Best on short, steep climbs Excels at: - Hilly road races and rolling terrain - Attacking and responding to short surges - Breakaways and uphill finishes Pro Rider Examples: - Julian Alaphilippe - Aggressive, explosive on short climbs, thrives in classics - Lotte Kopecky - Excels in short, steep climbs and explosive attacks - Alejandro Valverde - Strong puncheur with uphill sprinting ability - Mathieu can der Poel - Great on rolling terrain, excels in attacking moves - Marianne Vos - A powerful puncheur who dominates across punchy, technical courses Pro Races that Match Your Strengths - Fleche Wallonne - Steep, short climbs with an uphill sprint finish - Liege-Bastogne-Liege - Rolling terrain that rewards explosive climbers - Strade Bianche - Punchy efforts on gravel climbs Rouleur Overview: You're a steady, powerful rider who performs well on flat and rolling terrain. Your ability to maintain high, consistent power over long efforts makes you a key player in breakaways, pacing, and setting the tempo in a race. You thrive in solo efforts, long pulls at the front, and courses that demand endurance and sustained speed. Whether controlling the peloton, bridging gaps, or driving a breakaway, your strength lies in keeping the momentum high and pushing the pace when others start to fade. Relative Strengths: - Sustained high power output - Strong on flat and rolling terrain - Durable in breakaways Excels at: - Holding a steady pace in group rides - Long solo breakaways - Setting tempo in a peloton Pro Rider Examples: - Wout van Aert - A powerhouse in breakaways and on rolling courses - Lucinda Brand - A relentless engine who thrives in tough conditions - Mads Pedersen - High power and versatility on rolling terrain - Marlen Reusser - Consistently one of the most durable riders in the peloton - Jasper Stuyven - Strong in classics, excels in solo efforts Pro Races that Match Your Strengths: - Paris-Roubaix - A long, punishing race over cobbles - Tour of Flanders - A mix of rolling terrain and power climbs - Breakaway-friendly stages in Grand Tours - Where strong engines can go the distance Time Trialist Overview: You are strongest in steady, solo efforts, where pacing and efficiency matter more than quick bursts. You can hold power for long durations, making you a strong time trialist or breakaway rider. You don’t rely on sprinting or repeated surges but instead on a smooth, controlled effort over long distances. Relative Strengths: - Consistent power over long durations - Best at steady-state efforts - Strong in solo racing situations Excels at: - Time trials - Solo breakaways - Long endurance rides at constant effort Pro Rider Examples: - Chloe Dygert - Consistently one of the best TT riders in the peloton - Filippo Gana - Dominates in flat TTS, raw power specialist - Stefan Kung - Consistently strong in time trials - Josh Tarling - A powerhouse time trialist with relentless high power - Ellen van Dijk - A multiple-time world champion in the time trial Pro Races that Match Your Strengths: - Time trials in Grand Tours - Where pacing is everything - World Championships (ITT) - The ultimate test against the clock - Flat courses - Where solo breakaways have good odds Climber Overview: You thrive when the road tilts upward, relying on your exceptional power-to-weight ratio to sustain efforts on long, grueling climbs. Your endurance and aerobic capacity shine on mountain routes, making you a formidable force when the terrain gets steep. Relative Strengths: - High power on long climbs - Strong aerobic endurance - Best on sustained high-intensity efforts Excels at: - Long climbs and mountain stages - Hilly group rides or races - Sustained intensity over extended durations Pro Rider Examples: - Egan Bernal - Strong climber, especially at high altitude - Sepp Kuss - Grand Tour climbing specialist - Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio - A strong climber with endurance for hilly and mountainous races - Annemiek van Vleuten - One of the best climbers ever, thrives in long, high-mountain races - Adam Yates - Thrives on long, sustained climbs Pro Races that Match your Strengths: - Tour de France mountain stages - Climbs like Alpe d'Huez - Giro d'Italia & Vuelta a Espana - Multi-day races with relentless climbing - Il Lombardia - A one-day race dominated by steep climbs All-Rounder Overview: You’re a versatile rider who can perform well across multiple types of terrain. You don’t have a single standout specialty but instead have a balanced mix of strengths that allow you to compete in different race situations. You may not be the best sprinter, climber, or time trialist, but your ability to handle a bit of everything makes you a strong competitor. Relative Strengths: - Adaptable to varied race conditions - Competent in climbing, sprinting, and endurance efforts - Consistent performance across multiple effort durations Excels at: - Stage races requiring multiple skills - Rolling terrain and mixed courses - Endurance-based rides with varied demands Pro Riders Examples: - Remco Evenepoel - Versatile across different terrains - Kasia Niewiadoma - Strong acress multiple disciplines, from climbing to rolling terrain - Tadej Pogacar - Balanced across all race types - Jonas Vingegaard - Excels in multipls disciplines - Demi Vollering - Versatile across climbing, time trials, and hilly races Pro Races that Match Your Strengths: - Stage races (Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana, Giro d'Italia) - Where versatility is key - Strade Bianche - A mix of climbing, rolling terrain, and endurance - Hilly one-day races - Where different strengths come into play As your training progresses, your phenotype may shift. Keep training, refining your strengths, and improving your overall performance with TrainerRoad!

Power 101 • Last updated on Aug 20, 2026

Bkool Pro

The Bkool Pro is an electronic, wheel-on trainer that uses an electromagnetic system to automatically control resistance during your workouts. First thing’s first! Make sure you’ve downloaded the TrainerRoad app here. bkool-pro-trainer.jpg Device Compatibility | | Connections | | Modes | | Calibration | | Cadence 1 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Ant+ | Bluetooth | ERG | Resistance | Ant+ | Bluetooth | | | iOS | ✔ 2 | ✔3 | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 5 | N/A 5 | ✔ | | Android | ✔ 2 | ✔3 | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 5 | N/A 5 | ✔ | | Windows | ✔ 2 | ✔ 3,4 | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 5 | N/A 5 | ✔ | | Mac | ✔ 2 | ✔3 | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 5 | N/A 5 | ✔ | Show footnotes [1] Cadence transmitted by a smart trainer is an estimation of your cadence. This may not always be 100% accurate given potential changes in ride data throughout pedal stroke especially during periods of inconsistent cadence. For best results, the use of a dedicated cadence sensor is suggested, but not required. [2] ANT+ USB or key may be required to connect to ANT+ devices. [3] When pairing the Bkool Pro via Bluetooth, ERG and Resistance mode are not available. The Bkool will only be able to pair as a power meter without any automatic resistance control. [4] In order to use Bluetooth with TrainerRoad, a device with Bluetooth 4.0 is required. See more information here. [5] Bkool trainers come "factory calibrated" and thus doesn't require nor can you complete a spindown calibration. How to Use Your Bkool Pro - Choosing Your Connection - Connect via ANT+. - Connect via Bluetooth. - Click here to learn how to pair your devices and adjust device settings. - Choosing Your Trainer's Mode - Erg Mode (default) - Resistance Mode - Calibration - Perform a Spindown calibration before each ride to ensure that your power is always as consistent as possible. - PowerMatch - Using a power meter along with your trainer? Here's how to use PowerMatch. Bkool Pro Troubleshooting Device Dropouts - Dropouts can be seen while riding as an absence of data. You may be experiencing device dropouts if your data values drop to zero, or to a null '--' value. - Why this happens: The most common culprit of dropouts are typically low batteries which cause a weak signal, and interference from other nearby devices. - The solution: Click the following link to learn how to avoid device dropouts. ANT+ USB not recognized - Click here to learn more about ANT+ Troubleshooting. Bluetooth not connecting properly - As mentioned above, when pairing your Bkool Pro to TrainerRoad, you will not be able to use ERG or resistance mode. Via Bluetooth, the Bkool Pro will only be able to pair as a power meter without any type of resistance control. - Click here to learn more about Bluetooth Smart 4.0 Troubleshooting. Issues pairing your device - When trying to pair your device if you're unable to see, or pair your device properly, there may be a connection issue. This could be caused by a faulty connection with the device or another application may be using your Bluetooth or ANT+ connection. - The solution: Click on the following link to learn more about device pairing troubleshooting. Wattage Floor - It takes a minimum amount of watts to simply turn the pedals on a bike. This minimum wattage requirement can increase even more in higher gears. For more information on wattage floor and what it can look like, click here. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower, thus allowing it to reach lower power values. Inaccurate Speed - Speed readings when riding indoors on a smart trainer are inherently unreliable. The "speeds" riders achieve indoors are often not representative of speeds they'd be going outdoors at equivalent power levels. - Simply put, indoor speed readings can be misleading and don't add any value to the workout so TrainerRoad does not display them during your ride. To learn more about speed readings on a smart trainer, click here. Floating Power / Power Not Following Prescribed Power - Dropouts can cause your power values to get "stuck" in place and follow a constant power rather than changing with the workout profile. - The solution: Avoiding dropouts will help reduce the possibility of this happening. - Wattage floor/ceiling - If you find that your power is floating above your prescribed power, typically during a recovery interval, you may be experiencing wattage floor. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower thus allowing it to reach lower power values. To learn more about what a wattage floor is, click here. - Power smoothing set to too high of a value can give the illusion that your power is not following the target power when in reality, it is. Power smoothing takes a running average of your incoming power over the span of time that you have selected in your settings, 1-30 seconds. Your average power over that time span is then shown on your workout player. - Common cases - You would notice this at the onset of an interval. When the interval starts, you may notice that your power is lagging behind quite a bit and then eventually rises to meet the prescribed wattage. This is due to the running average that's being calculated. - The solution - To fix this, you may need to lower your power smoothing value in your settings. If power smoothing is desired, we recommend adjusting your settings to around 4-7 seconds for most workouts. This should allow you to visually smooth your power while still allowing it to your power to catch up quickly when entering intervals. - NOTE: PowerSmoothing only visually adjusts your power during your workout. Only raw data is stored during your ride. Due to this, you may notice a difference between post, and during, workout graphs. - ERG Mode Not Set: If your trainer is set to resistance mode (or slope/standard mode with some trainers) your power will not be automatically adjusted to match the target power. In this case, your power may be graphed similarly to that of a power meter and float around without following any workout profile. Automatic Resistance Control (ERG) mode is not working - If you're pairing your Bkool Pro via Bluetooth, your trainer will only be able to be paired as a power meter. Using this method of pairing will only allow power data transfer without the ability to manually or automatically control resistance levels - The Solution: In order to pair your trainer as a smart trainer, you'll need to pair via ANT+ instead. - Note: Bkool had indicated that there was a bug in their firmware that caused the resistance adjustment problems many Bkool users were experiencing. Not to worry though! They've released a firmware update with a fix for this, which is necessary for the best performance and functionality. Please read this article for instructions on how to update the Bkool firmware. Bkool Pro Best Practices Update Firmware - Updating your trainer's firmware to the latest release is very important. Many of these updates contain fixes that the manufacturer has been working on. Updating your firmware whenever the latest release is available will make sure that your device is always up-to-date with the most recent features and improvements. - Follow the steps found in this article to update your Bkool Pro's firmware. Gearing - When using ERG mode, follow the gearing suggestions found in our smart trainer modes explained article for best results. - If using resistance, or standard/slope mode, you will need to make sure to shift your gears just as you would when riding outdoors. Doing so will allow you to reach your prescribed target power during your workout. Tire Pressure - To ensure that you're experiencing the most consistent training with a wheel-on trainer, make sure to check the following: - Calibrate before each ride - Ensure that your tire is inflated to the same pressure before each ride. Trainer Contact Pressure - To ensure that you're experiencing the most consistent training with a wheel-on trainer, you should make sure that your trainer contact pressure is the same each time that you install your bike on the trainer. When tightening the roller onto your wheel, once the trainer touches the wheel, turn the knob 2-3 full rotations. Remember how much you tighten this tension before each workout and follow the same steps each time you place your bike back on the trainer.

Smart Trainers • Last updated on Aug 13, 2026

Training Adjustments and Notes

When you need to take time off the bike - be it due to illness, injury, or travel - add a Training Adjustment and TrainerRoad will adapt your training for your goals or events. For any other relevant information that might impact training - fuel intake, hydration status, menstrual cycle - but not require adaptations, add a Note. Screenshot 2024-10-14 at 11.59.19.png What are the Different Types of Training Adjustments and Notes? Time Off Select this option if you have any planned obligations that may interrupt your training, which may include: - Relaxing vacations - Family time around the holidays - Low-stress work functions - A much-needed break from structured training These types of interruptions are unique because, if planned carefully, they can act as recovery time, which helps to minimize their impact on your training. Injury If you sustain an injury, you should consult a medical professional to see how you can proceed. Athletes who take time off from training due to an injury need to be sensible by listening to their body (and physician if applicable), then ease back into their training load. You can account for this time away from training by selecting the Injury option, and TrainerRoad will take care of the rest. Illness If you fall ill, you should rest your body. If possible, meet with a medical professional to determine the full extent of your illness. Enjoy the time out of the saddle and use it as a break from structured training. TrainerRoad will ensure you reach your goals by taking this into account and ensuring your training is still on track by the time you can ride again. Notes Notes are what you make them! Use them to record any pertinent information that could be helpful to plan and analyze your training. As mentioned above, some athletes use Notes to track fuel intake, hydration status, menstrual cycle, race reports, etc. but you can use them however you want. Differences Between Training Adjustments and Notes Training Adjustments (Time Off, Injury, Travel) will prompt a plan adaptation if the it overlaps with scheduled workouts. Notes do not prompt an adaptation if it overlaps on a day of a workout(s). Skipping Workouts While the options above will allow you to account for scheduled adjustments preemptively, simply skipping a workout will still prompt the necessary adaptations with no extra input needed. How to Add a Training Adjustment or Note 1. Click the “+Add” button in the top right-hand corner or select the specific day on the Calendar. 2. Click the preferred option from Training Adjustments or add a Note Screenshot 2024-10-14 at 12.08.43.png 3. Enter the title of the Training Adjustment or Note. 4. Select the date range if the Training Adjustment applies to more than one day. 5. (Optional) Enter any additional information you would like to add in the "Description" box. 6. (Optional) Select the preferred color displayed on the Calendar. How to Edit an Existing Training Adjustment or Note Quick edits can be made to Training Adjustments by right-clicking on them. From here you can edit, delete and change the colour. Screenshot 2024-10-14 at 12.10.58.png To change the title or the description you'll either need to select the Training Adjustment, or select "Edit Time Off" after right-clicking on it. Screenshot 2024-10-14 at 12.13.27.png Once satisfied with those changes, select "Save" and any changes will be applied to that Training Adjustment. If there are any changes to the dates of a Training Adjustment, you will be prompted to adapt your plan to account for the change. Screenshot 2024-10-09 at 10.10.38 AM.png Note: If there are edits to the Training Adjustment other than type or date range – e.g., name or description – you will not be prompted to adapt their plan when clicking Save. How to Delete a Training Adjustment or Note Similar to above, simply right-click on the Training Adjustment or Note you want to delete and select the option to delete. Screenshot 2024-10-14 at 12.10.58.png Likewise, you can delete from the drawer by selecting the Training Adjustment or Note. Screenshot 2024-10-14 at 12.18.05.png Syncing Training Adjustments Across Platforms (Website, Mobile, Desktop Applications) You can add, delete, or edit Training Adjustments on the web, desktop, and mobile. When a Training Adjustment is added, deleted, or edited on one platform, the changes will be reflected across all platforms (i.e. web, desktop, and mobile). Image_from_iOS__3_.jpg Making a Training Adjustment on the mobile app. FAQs How does adapting around Training Adjustments help me get faster? Very few of us can execute a full season-long training plan without needing to take time away from the bike, whether for work or leisure, but taking time off the bike doesn’t have to derail your training plan or goals. By adjusting your plan to take into account the time off, you can continue to progress your training at an appropriate pace to make sustainable gains toward your goals. We help you do this by taking the guesswork out of the process and adapting automatically, so it only takes a few seconds to update your training to account for time off, eliminating stress and uncertainty. How does TrainerRoad adapt my plan to accommodate Training Adjustments? We balance your schedule constraints with progressing training at an appropriate pace, taking into consideration both the time off and your future goals. In other words, we’ll keep you on track without throwing you into something too hard right after your time off the bike. Can I delete Training Adjustments if my plan has already adapted around it? Yes. To do this, right-click on the Training Adjustment in your Calendar, then click on the trash icon to delete the time off. We will adapt your plan to reflect the changes. I deleted a Training Adjustment and got different workouts for those dates than were originally scheduled. What happened? We know it can help with motivation to keep things fresh! This means the workouts that are added back to your plan after you delete a Training Adjustment take into account a few things, including how your training has been going and ensuring to add a little variety to the mix. For example, if you’ve increased your Progression Levels since creating the initial Training Adjustment, TrainerRoad will take that into account when adapting your plan. I’m in the middle of a block, but when I added a planned vacation to my Calendar, the adapted workouts include a Ramp Test when I get back from vacation. Why is that? If your time off means you’ll go more than 14 consecutive days without completing a workout, you may want to re-test and see where your FTP settled. You can easily get back on track, but to do so effectively will require recalibrating your power zones after a period of time away from the bike. I just came down with a cold, and I’m worried this is going to mess up my training. What should I do? Go to Calendar and add a Training Adjustment. Choose “Illness” as the type, and select the range of dates you think you’ll be away from training. Save the it and adapt your plan when prompted. TrainerRoad will adapt your plan around the time off. If you don’t need as much time away from the bike as you thought, you can edit the Training Adjustment date range and adapt your plan again. TrainerRoad will adapt your plan around the shorter time off. You can do the same if you need more time off the bike; just click into the Training Adjustment and extend the date range as needed. Save and adapt your plan. I have to miss one workout this week. Should I add a Training Adjustment Training Adjustment, or just skip the workout and leave it on my Calendar? You can do either. If you add the Training Adjustment ahead of time, TrainerRoad will adapt your plan before you miss the workout. If you skip the workout but leave it on your Calendar, it will suggest adaptations the following day. The only difference will be when you see the plan adaptations; choose one method or another won’t affect how TrainerRoad adapts your plan.

TrainerRoad AI • Last updated on Dec 21, 2025

Bkool Pro 2

The Bkool Pro 2 is an electronic, wheel-on trainer that uses an electromagnetic system to automatically control resistance during your workouts. First thing’s first! Make sure you’ve downloaded the TrainerRoad app here. Bkool_Pro_2_360_00025.jpg Device Compatibility | | Connections | | Modes | | Calibration | | Cadence 1 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Ant+ | Bluetooth | ERG | Resistance | Ant+ | Bluetooth | | | iOS | ✔ 2 | ✔3 | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 5 | N/A 5 | ✔ | | Android | ✔ 2 | ✔3 | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 5 | N/A 5 | ✔ | | Windows | ✔ 2 | ✔ 3,4 | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 5 | N/A 5 | ✔ | | Mac | ✔ 2 | ✔3 | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 5 | N/A 5 | ✔ | Show footnotes [1] Cadence transmitted by a smart trainer is an estimation of your cadence. This may not always be 100% accurate given potential changes in ride data throughout pedal stroke especially during periods of inconsistent cadence. For best results, the use of a dedicated cadence sensor is suggested, but not required. [2] ANT+ USB or key may be required to connect to ANT+ devices. [3] When pairing the Bkool Pro 2 via Bluetooth, ERG and Resistance mode are not available. The Bkool will only be able to pair as a power meter without any automatic resistance control. [4] In order to use Bluetooth on Windows devices, a Bluetooth dongle is required. See more information here. [5] Bkool trainers come "factory calibrated" and thus doesn't require nor can you complete a spindown calibration. How to Use Your Bkool Pro 2 - Choosing Your Connection - Connect via ANT+. - Connect via Bluetooth. - Click here to learn how to pair your devices and adjust device settings. - Choosing Your Trainer's Mode - Erg Mode (default) - Resistance Mode - Calibration - Perform a Spindown calibration before each ride to ensure that your power is always as consistent as possible. - PowerMatch - Using a power meter along with your trainer? Here's how to use PowerMatch. Bkool Pro 2 Troubleshooting Device Dropouts - Dropouts can be seen while riding as an absence of data. You may be experiencing device dropouts if your data values drop to zero, or to a null '--' value. - Why this happens: The most common culprit of dropouts are typically low batteries which cause a weak signal, and interference from other nearby devices. - The solution: Click the following link to learn how to avoid device dropouts. ANT+ USB not recognized - Click here to learn more about ANT+ Troubleshooting. Bluetooth not connecting properly - As mentioned above, when pairing your Bkool Pro 2 to TrainerRoad, you will not be able to use ERG or resistance mode. Via Bluetooth, the Bkool Pro 2 will only be able to pair as a power meter without any type of resistance control. - Click here to learn more about Bluetooth Smart 4.0 Troubleshooting. Issues pairing your device - When trying to pair your device if you're unable to see, or pair your device properly, there may be a connection issue. This could be caused by a faulty connection with the device or another application may be using your Bluetooth or ANT+ connection. - The solution: Click on the following link to learn more about device pairing troubleshooting. Wattage Floor - It takes a minimum amount of watts to simply turn the pedals on a bike. This minimum wattage requirement can increase even more in higher gears. For more information on wattage floor and what it can look like, click here. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower, thus allowing it to reach lower power values. Inaccurate Speed - Speed readings when riding indoors on a smart trainer are inherently unreliable. The "speeds" riders achieve indoors are often not representative of speeds they'd be going outdoors at equivalent power levels. - Simply put, indoor speed readings can be misleading and don't add any value to the workout so TrainerRoad does not display them during your ride. To learn more about speed readings on a smart trainer, click here. Floating Power / Power Not Following Prescribed Power - Dropouts can cause your power values to get "stuck" in place and follow a constant power rather than changing with the workout profile. - The solution: Avoiding dropouts will help reduce the possibility of this happening. - Wattage floor/ceiling - If you find that your power is floating above your prescribed power, typically during a recovery interval, you may be experiencing wattage floor. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower thus allowing it to reach lower power values. To learn more about what a wattage floor is, click here. - Power smoothing set to too high of a value can give the illusion that your power is not following the target power when in reality, it is. Power smoothing takes a running average of your incoming power over the span of time that you have selected in your settings, 1-30 seconds. Your average power over that time span is then shown on your workout player. - Common cases - You would notice this at the onset of an interval. When the interval starts, you may notice that your power is lagging behind quite a bit and then eventually rises to meet the prescribed wattage. This is due to the running average that's being calculated. - The solution - To fix this, you may need to lower your power smoothing value in your settings. If power smoothing is desired, we recommend adjusting your settings to around 4-7 seconds for most workouts. This should allow you to visually smooth your power while still allowing it to your power to catch up quickly when entering intervals. - NOTE: PowerSmoothing only visually adjusts your power during your workout. Only raw data is stored during your ride. Due to this, you may notice a difference between post, and during, workout graphs. - ERG Mode Not Set: If your trainer is set to resistance mode (or slope/standard mode with some trainers) your power will not be automatically adjusted to match the target power. In this case, your power may be graphed similarly to that of a power meter and float around without following any workout profile. Automatic Resistance Control (ERG) mode is not working - If you're pairing your Bkool Pro 2 via Bluetooth, your trainer will only be able to be paired as a power meter. Using this method of pairing will only allow power data transfer without the ability to manually or automatically control resistance levels - The Solution: In order to pair your trainer as a smart trainer, you'll need to pair via ANT+ instead. - Note: Bkool had indicated that there was a bug in their firmware that caused the resistance adjustment problems many Bkool users were experiencing. Not to worry though! They've released a firmware update with a fix for this, which is necessary for the best performance and functionality. Please read this article for instructions on how to update the Bkool firmware. Bkool Pro 2 Best Practices Update Firmware - Updating your trainer's firmware to the latest release is very important. Many of these updates contain fixes that the manufacturer has been working on. Updating your firmware whenever the latest release is available will make sure that your device is always up-to-date with the most recent features and improvements. - Follow the steps found in this article to update your Bkool Pro 2's firmware. Gearing - When using ERG mode, follow the gearing suggestions found in our smart trainer modes explained article for best results. - If using resistance, or standard/slope mode, you will need to make sure to shift your gears just as you would when riding outdoors. Doing so will allow you to reach your prescribed target power during your workout. Tire Pressure - To ensure that you're experiencing the most consistent training with a wheel-on trainer, make sure to check the following: - Calibrate before each ride - Ensure that your tire is inflated to the same pressure before each ride. Trainer Contact Pressure - To ensure that you're experiencing the most consistent training with a wheel-on trainer, you should make sure that your trainer contact pressure is the same each time that you install your bike on the trainer. When tightening the roller onto your wheel, once the trainer touches the wheel, turn the knob 2-3 full rotations. Remember how much you tighten this tension before each workout and follow the same steps each time you place your bike back on the trainer.

Smart Trainers • Last updated on Aug 13, 2026

Wahoo KICKR Snap

The Wahoo KICKR Snap is a smart trainer that connects to TrainerRoad via either ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart. TrainerRoad can automatically control the KICKR Snap's resistance in accordance with the workout's profile. This is a wheel-on trainer that uses its heavy flywheel to deliver smooth power. First thing’s first! Make sure you’ve downloaded the TrainerRoad app here. Screen_Shot_2019-02-16_at_18.12.25.png Device Compatibility | | Connections | | Modes | | Calibration | | Cadence 1 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Ant+ | Bluetooth | ERG | Resistance | Ant+ | Bluetooth | | | iOS | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 4 | | Android | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 4 | | Windows | ✔ 2 | ✔ 3 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 4 | | Mac | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | N/A 4 | Show footnotes [1] Cadence transmitted by a smart trainer is an estimation of your cadence. This may not always be 100% accurate given potential changes in ride data throughout pedal stroke especially during periods of inconsistent cadence. For best results, the use of a dedicated cadence sensor is suggested, but not required. [2] ANT+ USB or key may be required to connect to ANT+ devices. [3] In order to use Bluetooth on Windows devices, a Bluetooth dongle is required. See more information here. [4] Cadence is not a feature that the KICKR Snap supports. In order to have cadence with TrainerRoad using this trainer, you will need a dedicated cadence device. How to Use Your KICKR Snap - Choosing Your Connection - Connect via ANT+. - Connect via Bluetooth. - Click here to learn how to pair your devices and adjust device settings. - Choosing Your Trainer's Mode - Erg Mode (default) - Resistance Mode - Setup - Calibration - Perform a Spindown calibration before each ride to ensure that your power is always as consistent as possible. - Trainer Pressure - Rolling resistance (with regards to TrainerRoad) is defined as the amount of pressure on your tire from the trainer's roller. This is an important variable to keep consistent between rides to keep your training as consistent as possible. Keep track of how many turns you tighten your trainer onto your wheel and repeat the same steps each time you remove/install your bike. - Tire Pressure - Tire pressure can also affect rolling resistance. Make sure you pump your tires up to the same amount of pressure for each workout. - PowerMatch - Using a power meter along with your KICKR Snap? Here's how to use PowerMatch. KICKR Snap Troubleshooting Device Dropouts - Dropouts can be seen while riding as an absence of data. You may be experiencing device dropouts if your data values drop to zero, or to a null '--' value. - Why this happens: The most common culprit of dropouts are typically low batteries which cause a weak signal, and interference from other nearby devices. - The solution: Click the following link to learn how to avoid device dropouts. ANT+ USB not recognized - Click here to learn more about ANT+ Troubleshooting. Bluetooth not connecting properly - Click here to learn more about Bluetooth Smart 4.0 Troubleshooting. Issues pairing your device - When trying to pair your device if you're unable to see, or pair your device properly, there may be a connection issue. This could be caused by a faulty connection with the device or another application may be using your Bluetooth or ANT+ connection. - The solution: Click on the following link to learn more about device pairing troubleshooting. Wattage Floor - It takes a minimum amount of watts to simply turn the pedals on a bike. This minimum wattage requirement can increase even more in higher gears. For more information on wattage floor and what it can look like, click here. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower thus allowing it to reach lower power values. Inaccurate Speed - Speed readings when riding indoors on a smart trainer are inherently unreliable. The "speeds" riders achieve indoors are often not representative of speeds they'd be going outdoors at equivalent power levels. Simply put, indoor speed readings can be misleading and don't add any value to the workout so TrainerRoad does not display them during your ride. To learn more about speed readings on a smart trainer, click here. Floating Power / Power Not Following Prescribed Power - Dropouts can cause your power values to get "stuck" in place and follow a constant power rather than changing with the workout profile. - The solution: Avoiding dropouts will help reduce the possibility of this happening. - Wattage floor/ceiling - If you find that your power is floating above your prescribed power, typically during a recovery interval, you may be experiencing wattage floor. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower thus allowing it to reach lower power values. To learn more about what a wattage floor is, click here. - Power smoothing set to too high of a value can give the illusion that your power is not following the target power when in reality, it is. Power smoothing takes a running average of your incoming power over the span of time that you have selected in your settings, 1-30 seconds. Your average power over that time span is then shown on your workout player. - Common cases - You would notice this at the onset of an interval. When the interval starts, you may notice that your power is lagging behind quite a bit and then eventually rises to meet the prescribed wattage. This is due to the running average that's being calculated. - The solution - To fix this, you may need to lower your power smoothing value in your settings. If power smoothing is desired, we recommend adjusting your settings to around 4-7 seconds for most workouts. This should allow you to visually smooth your power while still allowing it to your power to catch up quickly when entering intervals. - NOTE: PowerSmoothing only visually adjusts your power during your workout. Only raw data is stored during your ride. Due to this, you may notice a difference between post, and during, workout graphs. - ERG Mode Not Set: If your trainer is set to resistance mode (or slope/standard mode with some trainers) your power will not be automatically adjusted to match the target power. In this case, your power may be graphed similarly to that of a power meter and float around without following any workout profile. Resistance Lock-up During Ride - When pedaling at a low cadence, or if your change cadence during a change in prescribed power, it's possible that your KICKR Snap can dramatically increase the resistance and prevent you from pedaling as the resistance continues to climb. - The solution: Begin backpedaling for around 5-10 seconds as the resistance unit loosens its grip. Then carry on pedaling. Tire Slippage - If you find that your tire slips when pedaling, you may need to increase the tension between your tire and the trainer. - Solution: Tighten the trainer contact knob in 45-degree increments until the slippage stops. Also, make certain that your tire is inflated to the proper pressure as this will help the contact pressure between the two surfaces. KICKR Snap Best Practices Calibration - For the most accurate and consistent power readings, make sure to perform a spindown calibration before each ride. - If time allows, the optimal solution would be to perform a spindown calibration after spinning for around 5-10 minutes to warm up internal components and tire to trainer contact. Update Firmware - Updating your trainer's firmware to the latest release is very important. Many of these updates contain fixes that the manufacturer has been working on. Updating your firmware whenever the latest release is available will make sure that your device is always up-to-date with the most recent features and improvements. - To update your KICKR Snap's firmware using an Android device, follow the directions found here. - To update your KICKR Snap's firmware using an iOS device, follow the directions found here Gearing - When using ERG mode, follow the gearing suggestions found in our smart trainer modes explained article for best results. - If using resistance, or standard/slope mode, you will need to make sure to shift your gears just as you would when riding outdoors. Doing so will allow you to reach your prescribed target power during your workout. Tire Pressure - To ensure that you're experiencing the most consistent training with a wheel-on trainer, make sure to check the following: - Calibrate before each ride - Ensure that your tire is inflated to the same pressure before each ride. Trainer Contact Pressure - To ensure that you're experiencing the most consistent training with a wheel-on trainer, you should make sure that your trainer contact pressure is the same each time that you install your bike on the trainer. When tightening the roller onto your wheel, once the trainer touches the wheel, turn the knob 2-3 full rotations. Remember how much you tighten this tension before each workout and follow the same steps each time you place your bike back on the trainer.

Setting Up Equipment and Connecting Devices • Last updated on Aug 13, 2026

Wattbike & Wattbike Atom

The Wattbike Pro/Trainer and Wattbike Atom are both adjustable stationary bikes that measure power output. The Wattbike Trainer offers a realistic cycling experience with manual resistance control and a robust, durable design suited for high-intensity workouts. You can learn more about the Wattbike here. In contrast, the Wattbike Atom features automatic resistance control (ERG mode) and advanced connectivity options, providing a seamless and highly interactive training experience. wattbike-pro.webp Wattbike Pro WattbikeAttom.jpg Wattbike Atom Wattbike Atom and Wattbike Pro/Trainer TrainerRoad Compatibility Both the Wattbike Atom and Wattbike Trainer/Pro are compatible with TrainerRoad. You can connect these bikes to TrainerRoad as a power meter via ANT+ or Bluetooth. However, speed data won’t be recorded in TrainerRoad. If you have a heart rate monitor paired to your Wattbike head unit, it’s not possible to rebroadcast the HR data to TrainerRoad. To use HR data with TrainerRoad, you’ll need to pair your heart rate monitor directly to the TrainerRoad app. Device Compatibility Wattbike Trainer/Pro | Connections | | | | Calibration1 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Ant+ | Bluetooth | Calibration1 | | | iOS | ✔ | ✔ | N/A1 | | | Android | ✔ | ✔ | N/A1 | | | Windows | ✔ | ✔ | N/A1 | | | Mac | ✔ | ✔ | N/A1 | | Show footnotes [1] All calibrations are done through the Wattbike Performance Monitor head unit. Wattbike Atom | Connections | | Modes | | Calibration 4 | | Cadence 1 | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Ant+ | Bluetooth | ERG | Resistance | Ant+ | Bluetooth | | | iOS | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ | ✔ 4 | ✔ 4 | N/A 1 | | Android | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ | ✔ 4 | ✔ 4 | N/A 1 | | Windows | ✔ 2 | ✔ 3 | ✔ | ✕ | ✔ 4 | ✔ 4 | N/A 1 | | Mac | ✔ 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ | ✔ 4 | ✔ 4 | N/A 1 | Show footnotes [1] Cadence transmitted is an estimation of your cadence. This may not always be 100% accurate given potential changes in ride data throughout pedal stroke, especially during periods of inconsistent cadence. For best results, the use of a dedicated cadence sensor is suggested, but not required. [2] ANT+ USB or key may be required to connect to ANT+ devices. [3] In order to use Bluetooth on Windows devices, a Bluetooth dongle may be required. See more information here. [4] The Wattbike Atom is factory-calibrated, which means there is no need to calibrate it. How to Use Your Wattbike: Choosing Your Connection - Connect via ANT+ - Connect via Bluetooth - Click here to learn how to pair your devices and adjust device settings. PowerMatch - Using a power meter along with your trainer? Here's how to use PowerMatch. Connecting the Wattbike Pro/Trainer to TrainerRoad First, make sure you’ve downloaded the TrainerRoad app here. The Wattbike comes with a head unit that broadcasts the data to TrainerRoad. There are two different models of the Wattbike head unit. - Model A Monitor - Can broadcast via ANT+ only. NOTE: Model A Monitor can be upgraded to Model B for a cost if the user sends their old monitor to WattBike - Model B Monitor - Can broadcast via Bluetooth or ANT+. NOTE: Not all Model B Monitors come standard with Bluetooth. If you have a non-Bluetooth-enabled version, you can upgrade the monitor for a cost. You will need to send the monitor to WattBike for this, and unfortunately, this service is only available to users in the UK at this time. - Ensure Bluetooth or ANT+ is available on your device running TrainerRoad - Plug in and turn on the Wattbike. - Open the TrainerRoad app. - Go to the devices tab and enable either Bluetooth or ANT+ - The Wattbike should show up as a pairable device. - Select the Wattbikes Atom as your Power meter. Note: You may need to spin the pedals to wake up your trainer. Connecting the Wattbike Atom to TrainerRoad First, make sure you’ve downloaded the TrainerRoad app here. Pairing - Ensure Bluetooth or ANT+ is available on your device running TrainerRoad - Plug in and turn on the Atom. - Open the TrainerRoad app. - Go to the devices tab and enable either Bluetooth or ANT+ - The Atom should show up as a pairable device. - Select the Wattbikes Atom as your smart trainer. Note: You may need to spin the pedals to wake up the Atom. Wattbike Pro/Trainer Best Practices Gearing Understanding and utilizing the gearing on your Wattbike Pro/Trainer can significantly enhance your training sessions. Here’s how to make the most of the gearing system: - Manual Resistance Control: The Wattbike Pro/Trainer features manual resistance control, allowing you to adjust the resistance level using the gear shifters on the handlebars. - Gear Settings: Experiment with different gear settings to find the optimal resistance for various types of training, whether it’s high-cadence sprints or low-cadence, high-resistance climbs. - Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on your power output, cadence, and heart rate to ensure you’re training within your desired zones. Adjust the gearing as needed to maintain the intensity. Regular calibration of your Wattbike Pro/Trainer is crucial for accurate power measurement and performance tracking. Calibration Calibration - The Wattbike Pro/Trainer does not have the ability to calibrate through TrainerRoad but you can calibrate it through the Wattbike monitor: - Warm Up: Warm up the bike by pedaling for at least 5-10 minutes. This ensures that the components are at an optimal temperature for accurate calibration. - Access Calibration Mode: On the Wattbike Performance Monitor (PM), access the settings menu and look for the calibration option. This might be labeled as “Calibrate” or “Zero” depending on the model and software version. - Follow On-Screen Instructions: The monitor will guide you through the calibration process. Typically, this involves pedaling at a specific cadence or power level. - Zero Offset Calibration: This step ensures that the power readings start from zero when no force is applied. You might need to stop pedaling and ensure that the pedals are stationary to complete this part. - Complete Calibration: Follow the prompts to finish the calibration. The monitor will confirm when the process is complete. Regular calibration is recommended, especially if the bike is moved or subjected to significant temperature changes. Update Firmware Keeping your Wattbike Pro/Trainer firmware up to date ensures optimal performance and access to the latest features. Here’s how to update the firmware: - Check Current Firmware: Go to the settings menu on your Wattbike Performance Monitor (PM) to see the current firmware version. - Download Updates: Visit the Wattbike website or use the Wattbike Hub app to check for the latest firmware updates. - Connect Device: Use a USB cable or Bluetooth (if supported) to connect your Performance Monitor to your computer or mobile device. - Install Update: Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the firmware update. Ensure the connection is stable during the update process. - Restart Monitor: Once the update is complete, restart the Performance Monitor to apply the changes. Regularly check for firmware updates to ensure your Wattbike is running with the latest improvements and features. Wattbike Atom Best Practices Gearing When using ERG mode, you won't adjust your gearing during your workout. The resistance is automatically controlled by TrainerRoad. Update Firmware Keeping your Wattbike Pro/Trainer firmware up to date ensures optimal performance and access to the latest features. Here’s how to update the firmware: 1. Turn on your device's Bluetooth. 2. Turn on your Wattbike Atom. 3. Open the Wattbike Hub app. 4. Start a "Quick Ride" 5. The bike should prompt you to update the firmware if an update is available. You can also try these steps to update the firmware on a Wattbike Atom Performance Touchscreen (PTS): - Make sure the PTS is connected to a Wi-Fi network Enable Auto Firmware Update on the PTS Turn on the PTS. - You can enable Auto Firmware Update by clicking the serial number in the top left of the screen, then clicking Advanced Settings and scrolling down to Auto Firmware Update. - After the update is complete, you can try turning the PTS off and on again by holding down the power button and then pressing it again. Troubleshooting Device Dropouts Dropouts can be seen while riding as an absence of data. You may be experiencing device dropouts if your data values drop to zero, or to a null '--' value. - Why this happens: The most common culprit of dropouts are typically low batteries which cause a weak signal, and interference from other nearby devices. - The solution: Click the following link to learn how to avoid device dropouts. ANT+ USB Not Recognized Click here to learn more about ANT+ Troubleshooting. Bluetooth Not Connecting Click here to learn more about Bluetooth Smart 4.0 Troubleshooting. Issues pairing your device If you're unable to see your device within the Devices section of the app, or the device isn't pairing, there may be a connection issue. This could be caused by a faulty connection with the device or another application may be using your Bluetooth or ANT+ connection. - The solution: Click on the following link to learn more about device pairing troubleshooting. Wattage Floor It takes a minimum amount of watts to simply turn the pedals on a bike. This minimum wattage requirement can increase even more in higher gears. For more information on wattage floor and what it can look like, click here. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower thus allowing it to reach lower power values. Inaccurate Speed Speed readings when riding indoors on a smart trainer are inherently unreliable. The "speeds" riders achieve indoors are often not representative of speeds they'd be going outdoors at equivalent power levels. Simply put, indoor speed readings can be misleading and don't add any value to the workout so TrainerRoad does not display them during your ride. Note: To learn more about speed readings on a smart trainer, click here. Atom: Floating Power / Power Not Following Prescribed Power Dropouts can cause your power values to get "stuck" in place and follow a constant power rather than changing with the workout profile. - The solution: Avoiding dropouts will help reduce the possibility of this happening. Wattage floor/ceiling - If you find that your power is floating above your prescribed power, typically during a recovery interval, you may be experiencing wattage floor. - The solution: Change into an easier gear. This will allow your trainer to spin slower thus allowing it to reach lower power values. To learn more about what a wattage floor is, click here. Power smoothing set to too high of a value can give the illusion that your power is not following the target power when in reality, it is. Power smoothing takes a running average of your incoming power over the span of time that you have selected in your settings, 1-30 seconds. Your average power over that time span is shown in the top left corner of the data field in the workout player. - Common cases - You would notice this at the onset of an interval. When the interval starts, you may notice that your power is lagging behind quite a bit and then eventually rises to meet the prescribed wattage. This is due to the running average that's being calculated. - The solution: To fix this, you may need to lower your power smoothing value in your settings. If power smoothing is desired, we recommend adjusting your settings to around 4-7 seconds for most workouts. This should allow you to visually smooth your power while still allowing it to your power to catch up quickly when entering intervals. Note: Power smoothing doesn't affect the graph on the workout player — only the power number displayed in the data field Atom: ERG Mode Not Set If your Atom is set to Resistance mode (or Slope/Standard/Gear mode) you may not see any power reporting in TrainerRoad. Be sure to switch the training mode back to ERG mode and this should correct the issue.

Smart Trainers • Last updated on Aug 20, 2026