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Smart Trainer Modes Explained

A "smart" ("electronic") bike trainer has electronic features that allow riders to choose how they would like to work out: with resistance that's controlled automatically, or resistance controlled manually a la a mechanical trainer. This can be accomplished using two modes. The terminology for each mode differs between manufacturers, but the functionality of each mode is the same. Let's dive in... Note: TrainerRoad will display the modes that are supported by your trainer when you pair your trainer. ERG Mode (Resistance Control Mode) This is the most commonly used mode. TrainerRoad can automatically control the trainer's resistance in accordance with the workout's profile while in ERG mode. There's no need to shift in this mode as the resistance will change automatically, and we recommend keeping a steady and easy-to-hold cadence throughout the entire ride (unless workout instructions tell you otherwise or you need to "ramp up" your pedaling for a tough interval). Tips when using ERG mode: Gearing can affect the nature of your workout. Follow these gearing tips when completing a workout in ERG mode: Set your gearing - In order to maintain smooth, even power across all of your power zones, you should maintain a mid-ring gearing in the rear cassette, and either a mid (if you have three) or inner (if you have two) front chainring. Your chain should follow a straight path from rear to front. This will also help you avoid hitting a wattage floor. When in doubt, check your Trainer's manual for their recommended gearing settings or reach out to us. Mid-gear in the rear cassette IMG_0284-2.jpg Inner chainring in the front IMG_0293-2.jpg Maintain your gearing - In most cases, you should not change gears once you've set your gearing. Changing your gears may confuse your smart trainer and can result in a temporarily uneven delivery of resistance. Cadence can directly change your output power during your workout if you're changing your RPMs significantly (e.g. >10-15 RPM). When increasing your cadence, your power will attempt to rise; to counteract this, your trainer will lower the resistance. The opposite will occur when lowering your cadence; an increase in resistance will be felt. Anticipate upcoming intervals by slowly ramping your cadence before the interval begins. You should ramp to your desired cadence that you'd like to maintain during the interval. This will help you be able to manage the upcoming change in prescribed power. Maintain a steady cadence - With the exception of the previous point, it's recommended to maintain a constant cadence within a range from 80-100 rpm during your workout. This is the best practice unless otherwise stated in the workout description and/or text. For even more information on ERG mode, click here. Resistance Mode This mode mimics the functionality of a magnetic trainer with a linear power curve. This mode includes a variable resistance setting that can be electronically adjusted. Tips using Resistance Mode: Changing Gears When using resistance mode, you'll need to change gears as you typically would while riding outdoors. To reduce wear on your trainer, try to select your gearing that limits cross chain as much as possible. This will also keep you riding as quietly as possible indoors. Finding the right Resistance Percentage You may find that the "default" resistance percentage of 50% that many trainers default to is far too high to actually train at based on your gearing - it might be impossible to turn the pedals. If you plan on using Resistance modes, we highly recommend finding the right Resistance mode percentage before starting your workout. If you use the TrainerRoad desktop app, you can use the left and right arrow keys to adjust the Resistance mid-workout. Standard Mode This mode mimics the functionality of a fluid trainer with a non-linear, exponential power curve. This mode includes a variable resistance setting that can be electronically adjusted. The major advantage of the Fluid Power Curve (Standard Mode) is that one setting can cover a wider range of wattages. Since the curve ramps up, the maximum power you can generate in a giving setting is greater than the Magnetic curve (Resistance Mode), which can be seen in the graph. magnetic-resistance-turbo-trainer-power-curve-2.jpg Shown above is a power curve of magnetic and fluid trainers. Resistance Mode mimics the linear power curve of a magnetic trainer while Standard Mode mimics the non-linear curve of a fluid trainer. Our Recommendations For most training sessions, we recommend using ERG mode. In this mode, smart trainers constantly adjust resistance to match TrainerRoad's target power - no shifting or cadence adjustments necessary. ERG mode allows you to focus purely on the workout at hand. That said, there are a few special cases where using ERG mode is not recommended. 1. FTP testing intervals on an 8-minute or 20-minute FTP Test Test intervals inside of one of an 8 minute or 20 minute FTP test will need to be done in either Standard or Resistance mode. Since these intervals should be done as hard as you can, we don't want ERG mode limiting your power output. Don't worry though, TrainerRoad will automatically switch your trainer out of ERG mode during test intervals. Note: The Ramp Test used to calculate FTP can be completed in any mode, but ERG mode is recommended. 2. Sprint intervals ERG trainers perform a brief ramp up to an interval’s target power. For longer, less-intense intervals, this ramp-up is hardly noticeable. However, this ramp is more pronounced for short, high-intensity intervals. If an interval is under 30 seconds, riders may want to consider riding in Resistance mode to avoid any lag time in reaching their target watts. Changing Modes on Mobile (Android & iOS) Before starting your workout - First pair your device under the Device tab. - Once paired, tap on your trainer to bring up the device settings. - From this page, you can now change between your trainer's available modes. settings_KICKR.gif During a workout - Tap the devices button in the bottom right-hand corner of your workout screen. - This will take you to the Device Quick Actions menu. - Tap Smart Trainer to initiate a spindown calibration - Tap Power Meter to initiate a zero calibration. quicksettings_KICKR.gif Changing Modes on Desktop (Windows & Mac) Before starting your workout - First, pair your device under the Device tab. - Once paired, tap on your trainer to bring up the device settings. - From this page, you can now change between your trainer's available modes. change_mode_before.gif During a workout - From the bottom toolbar, click on the menu showing your current mode. - From the menu, select your desired mode. - Use the slider to the right to adjust modes (if applicable). - Then continue to ride! change_modes_during.gif

Smart Trainers • Last updated on Aug 20, 2026

Erg Mode Explained

A Smart trainer like the Wahoo KICKR includes a load-restricted mode called Erg Mode. This mode will set your trainer's resistance for you rather than leaving that responsibility on your shoulders. Riding in Erg mode is a little like loosening your grip on the reins of the horse you're riding. You basically give control to your trainer/horse and simply ride. In this mode, smart trainers constantly adjust the resistance to match TrainerRoad's Target Power. Each rider's Target Power is based on your profile's FTP and Erg mode will set your trainer's resistance based solely on this number. When you change that number following an FTP test, your smart trainer will adjust your intervals accordingly. For more specifics on assessing your FTP on a smart trainer, see our related article, How To Test With the Ramp Test. While an exceptionally effective way to train, there's a bit of a learning curve to Erg riding so here's an explanation of what Erg mode is all about along with a number of tips & suggestions to help you get the most out of your part-time ergometer. Erg Mode Basics Erg mode sets your Target Power regardless of your cadence or your gearing selection. You can turn a huge gear at 60rpm with a Target Power of 80% FTP and you'll face the same resistance as you would using a tiny gear at 100rpm even though your speed will be vastly different. Let's say you have a 200w FTP and you're riding an 80% interval with a 100rpm cadence. Any TrainerRoad-supported smart trainer with Erg mode, e.g. KICKR or CompuTrainer, will set the resistance to 160w as you spin steadily. Say your gear selection yields 20mph but you then change your spin to 100rpm but remain in that same gear. Your smart trainer will readjust in order to return the resistance to 160 watts after a couple seconds - some trainers adjust more quickly than others. Even though your speed is now 24mph, you're still only working at 160 watts. Even if you change your spin to 70rpm, the same thing happens - a quick readjustment to keep you at 160w even though you're now pedaling at 14mph. All of this happens in that one gear you've been in the entire time. Simply find a gear that keeps the noise down, leaves your chain pretty straight (no sense increasing wear on your drivetrain with a crossed chain) and forget about shifting, even when you move in & out of the saddle. Nutshell: Shifting is a thing of the past when you use ERG mode. Saddle Transitions Which brings us to a finer point of Erg mode riding. When you move from seated to standing, simply slow your spin & rise - no shifting. When you return to the saddle, try to wind your legs up a little bit as you take your seat and get your cadence back where you like it - again, no shifting. This is a practiced skill and might take some time, but it prevents big surges & drops in power when you change positions. In both instances, the power is going to rise or fall a bit for a couple of seconds but will stabilize rather promptly. Here's the catch though, and this applies to both saddle transitions and long periods of time in or out of the saddle: the more often you change your cadence, the more often your smart trainer has to readjust the resistance and the less "on target" your interval will be & the less accurate your end-of-interval metrics will be as well. This goes for any changes in cadence. When you speed up, the trainer has to make an adjustment to your new cadence, the same when you slow down. So when you alter your cadence, try to resist the temptation to shift; rather, wait for a couple of seconds and watch as your power comes right back in line with where you need it, i.e. your Target Power. Nutshell: Don't shift, don't change your cadence a lot, and have a bit of patience & faith in the technology. Wattage Floor Sometimes when riding low-wattage intervals, riders may come into contact with what we call the "wattage floor" - essentially the trainer's lower mechanical limit. When this happens, riders may not hit their target watts for recovery intervals since the target power is beneath the "wattage floor" of the trainer. In other words, the number of watts it takes to turn the pedals is higher than the target power. When you come into contact with the wattage floor, it will often appear as though your trainer is "floating" above the target power. Each trainer is slightly different, but most commonly riders will encounter the wattage floor when riding recover intervals below 100 watts. WattageFloor2.png The good news is that the wattage floor is usually pretty easy to avoid. If you find that you're running into the wattage floor, try shifting into an easier gear. The trainer's wattage floor is lower when using easy gearing combinations, so down-shifting should allow you to reach those low power targets. Smooth Power Output One advantage of smart trainers is how they keep your power exceptionally smooth. Check out the distinct difference in how closely Target Power matches Actual Power between the same workout done on a regular trainer (top) and on a smart trainer in Erg mode (bottom). Low Cadence Work It's also worth mentioning that during slow-force workouts, i.e. efforts where you're shooting for a really low cadence, say 50-60rpm, a big gear is necessary to hit higher watts with a slow, muscular spin. This is especially true on CompuTrainers but may not be an issue on more newly designed smart trainers. How Does ERG Mode Work in a Free Ride? Erg mode doesn't work well in a Free Ride because there is no power target to hold your trainer to. Instead, your trainer will automatically switch into Resistance mode. Conclusion We hope this helps you blow through the Erg mode learning curve a bit quicker than you might have without this advice. Feel free to contact our support team via live chat or with an email at [email protected].

Smart Trainers • Last updated on Aug 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

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

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