Hi everyone, I need some help.
I have an Elite Direto XR indoor trainer with an 8-speed rear cassette. Everything works perfectly on Zwift – climbs are simulated and the trainer can go up to 24% resistance.
Here’s my problem:
When I ride in Zwift races on flat roads (0% gradient), the resistance stays the same and is too light.
For example, mechanically in the big chainring in front and the smallest cogs in the back (so basically the hardest possible gear), I can barely push 280 watts at 90 rpm. Sprinting like this is basically impossible.
I want to increase the baseline resistance, e.g., a default 6% gradient or similar.
In workout mode, if I turn ERG off, I can adjust the trainer level/resistance, which is exactly what I need for racing or open world rides – but unfortunately, there’s no such button in races.
Under Controllable, I couldn’t select anything – Zwift only recognizes my trainer as:
Cadence
Resistance
Trainer
No “Controllable” option.
Please help! I have trainer difficulty set to max, and climbs work perfectly, but on flat sections the power is too low and sprints are impossible.
what size is your front chain ring? You are likely limited by your physical gear ratio.
this is for controllers, like the play controllers or the click controllers, and has nothing to do with your trainer or resistance.
Chainring is 50
Inwish I could have up the base resistance to simulate 6% on flats I mean the trainer has enough power
I think there is a 3rd party app that can help you, @Paul_Southworth doesn’t the qzdomos, or whatever it is called, app do this?
Yeah QZ can do that but I’m surprised that a Direto with a 50 tooth chainring and a small cog in back (even if it’s 12 or 13 teeth) can’t do 280W at 90 RPM. That does not make sense and it seems like something must be wrong with the trainer. This is not something that Zwift can fix since it’s a trainer issue, although using virtual shifting might affect it and the Direto could do that with a firmware update. I would be working with Elite about it.
By the way the “Controllable” option on the pairing screen in Zwift was renamed as “Resistance”. It does the same thing.
Anyone who wants support for QZ can either go to the qdomyos-zwift Facebook group or create a new issue on the project’s GitHub page: GitHub - cagnulein/qdomyos-zwift: Zwift bridge for smart treadmills and bike/cyclette
There’s something wrong with your trainer. I’ve got an Elite Direto XR too and I also use a 50-tooth chainring, and my experience is nothing like yours.
Assuming your trainer calibrates normally via Elite’s MyeTraining app (don’t do the calibration in Zwift itself) then you need to speak with Elite support as Paul said.
Do you really think it is the Trainer?
Because once it gets up a hill for example 2% i can feel a huge difference
Levelmode in ny elite e training works fine
And calibration aswell
Could it be that my firmware is 87 instead of 89
Thanks for helping
you should update the firmware, that might fix it
I was on firmware 87 for quite some time before I upgraded to 89, and didn’t notice any difference.
You’re not using virtual shifting, but you’re shifting physical gears via your cassette, right?
What are you running Zwift on, and do you have a different device (phone/tablet/computer etc) to try it on in case it’s specific to your device for any weird reason?
@Steve_Hammatt yes I am only using mechanical gears, no virtual changing
I use my Laptop with ant dongle with a longer cable version. When Choosing my Trainer I can choose between 3 versions with Ant wich all seem to be the same trainer. But just different naming
The ANT+ option you want is FE-C. Do you see that option?
Yes , Ive randomly used that one
OK that’s the only ANT+ option you should ever use. The others are ancient compatibility modes that you never want.
I would also try pairing via Bluetooth or via the Companion app, but if you upload logs to trainerdx.com and it says you don’t have any pairing interruptions, then you should keep talking to Elite about your trainer.
Does Level Mode in the myETraining app seem to work smoothly in terms of adjusting resistance? And how is the resistance at the lowest level?
Paul has already given you good advice, and I’m only chiming in because I’ve got the same trainer as you. Interesting that you are using ANT+. Follow Paul’s advice and make sure you’re only using the FE-C connection when using ANT+, and definitely try Bluetooth to see if that changes your resistance issues on the flat. I would also compare how Level Mode feels in myETraining with both BT and ANT+.
You might as well update your firmware to the latest version too, but I doubt that will change anything.
Thanks so much for all of you Guys for helping me..
Level Mode works perferctly smooth and fine in the myEtraining
The easiest level.. well it is easy:D it feelsn like the same when riding flat segments zwift
With Bluetooth i had issues like lossing connection thats why I went for Ant in the firstplace
So could you produce for example 1000 watts on the flats on yours?
Haha I don’t think that I could produce 1000 watts if my life depended on it, sorry. Nothing to do with the trainer, everything to do with the engine.
@Steve_Hammatt @Paul_Southworth @Mike_Rowe1 thanks all of you for giving advice
After upgrading firmware from 87 to 89, and readding the trainer to E elite app and this time picking circumreference for 28mm tyre instead of 23mm it now just seemed to work. I have a feeling that Injust didnt really push those Pedal hard enough.. hehe In 2 hours Il have a 60min and I hope it works fine