I have an odd issue when doing workouts in ERG mode on my Elite Direto, where the resistance changes with changes in gradient. And the changes are actually backwards - when the road goes from being flat to a positive gradient (or from a negative gradient to flat), the resistance drops, so I have to up my cadence to maintain the same power; where the gradient reduces, resistant increases so my cadence drops to maintain the same power.
I only use ERG mode rarely, but I don’t recall this happening earlier in the year when I used ERG. It’s very noticeable now though every time I use ERG mode. At first I thought it might have been me subconsciously changing my pedalling as I could see changes in gradient, but I can feel the changes even with my eyes closed so it’s definitely ‘real’.
Now I’m aware that this absolutely shouldn’t be happening, but I’ve no idea if it’s a problem Zwift side or Elite side. I suspect Zwift will say it’s Elite and vice versa! I could avoid it by riding Tempus Fugit for workouts, but that’d be really dull.
Is there anyone out there with a Direto or other trainer who’s observed anything similar and, if so, is there a solution?
When riding not-in-ERG mode, everything appears to be working as expected.
Just to add, I’m using an Apple TV and paired via the Companion app (I’ve not actually tried pairing direct with bluetooth - I should have tried this before asking the question!).
I am using a Saris H3 on PC via bluetooth, and the same happens to me. I just assumed it was my H3, since I have never seen anyone else post about this.
Are you running the latest version of firmware on your reainer?
I have the impression that in the april 2025 release zwift added some sort of algorithm that somehow changes the power target in erg mode before sending it to the smart trainer. Before it worked perfectly fine, but since then some weird anomalies happen. Like indeed sometimes it feels as if the gradient affects the power, often increasing cadence also increases resistance (which should not be the case in erg mode), … I’ve made a post about it a while ago Bad experience with ERG mode since April - #11 by Glenn_Van_Loon .
Sounds a similar issue, but not exactly the same. Thinking more, I did a firmware update on my trainer to enable virtual shifting a couple of months back. I tried virtual shifting, but it was a really poor experience with the Direto (over/under shooting wattage when I changed virtual gear) so I’m not currently using it. Perhaps this is somehow related to updates for virtual shifting.
I reported this to Zwift support and received the following response:
“This specific “backward” resistance behavior is an issue we sometimes see, and it is almost always related to using the Zwift Companion (ZC) app as a Bluetooth bridge.
Your setup (Apple TV + Companion App bridge) is the exact scenario where this can occur. To resolve this, we need to change how your trainer connects to Zwift.”
Followed by the recommendation to connect via Bluetooth instead of the CA. I’ve yet to try this, but note that one of the responses above reported similar behaviour when not connected via CA.
And an update on this - I don’t believe it’s related to my trainer as I’ve just experienced the same behaviour on a JetBlack Victory. So that seems to narrow things down to Zwift itself or the Apple TV, or both.
Yes, should have mentioned. I paired directly with the Direto and (yesterday) the the Victory, and still see the same behaviour. All devices on latest firmware/software, all devices fully shut down between sessions, no other apps paired to the trainer while using Zwift. Only other thing I can think to try is removing and the reinstalling Zwift on the Apple TV.
All devices switched off entirely (at the plug). I put the Apple TV into sleep mode before switching off at the plug. I’m not sure if that’s the same as force closing Zwift on the Apple TV though?
I can’t think of anything that could be. I use the Elite app on my phone for spindown calibration, but do this only rarely. I always force close the app. I used the JetBlack app for a spindown calibration yesterday, but I definitely disconnected and force closed the app. That just leaves the companion app, which I normally have running whether I’m using it as a bridge or not, but I didn’t use it yesterday. It’s certainly odd as obviously it’s not a common issue, though Zwift have indicated they’re aware it can happen, but only when the Companion app is the bridge.
Same. I’ve updated my Apple TV, but I’m still seeing the changing resistance with gradient when in ERG mode on the JetBlack Victory, connected via WiFi. It has a significant impact in hard intervals, so I can only do L5+ stuff on flat routes.