# Why can't i mash while using a kickr as the power source? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [September 10, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236 "2019-09-10T20:57:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MARK\_LITTS](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/mark_litts/32/26907_2.png) [@MARK\_LITTS](https://forums.zwift.com/u/MARK_LITTS)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/1 "2019-09-10T20:57:18Z")
I almost always use my Stages power meter as my power source when I use Zwift. Last night I decided to use my Wahoo Kickr for my power source during my ride. While I was using my Kickr I noticed it didn’t really seam to matter what gear I was in since the Kickr adjusted for the gear. I could push quite hard and the wattage would go up for a very short time and then the Kickr would force me to pedal at a faster rate with a lower wattage. The only time I could notice a difference in effort was while climbing. I am not a spinner and I like to use the big gears to bring the watts up when I ride. This doesn’t seem possible while using the Wahoo Kickr. Am I missing something? ---
**Author:** ![Nigel\_Tufnel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/nigel_tufnel/32/487824_2.png) [@Nigel\_Tufnel](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Nigel_Tufnel)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 2:13am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/2 "2019-09-11T02:13:09Z")
Were you somehow stuck in erg mode, by chance? ---
**Author:** ![Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gerrie_delport_odz/32/437556_2.png) [@Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Gerrie_Delport_ODZ)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 9:49am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/3 "2019-09-11T09:49:53Z")
Or in workout mode? ---
**Author:** ![MARK\_LITTS](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/mark_litts/32/26907_2.png) [@MARK\_LITTS](https://forums.zwift.com/u/MARK_LITTS)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/4 "2019-09-11T16:37:33Z")
Nigel and Gerrie - The Kickr was not in erg. I restarted the Zwift program 2 times and finally on the 3rd time just decided to ride. I would like to be able to use the gears on my bike to increase resistance. I know the Kickr will add resistance on hills. I like to mash and push bigger gears at a slower cadence. It looks like this doesn’t work when using the Kickr as the power source. Thanks for the help Nigel and Gerrie. ---
**Author:** ![Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gerrie_delport_odz/32/437556_2.png) [@Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Gerrie_Delport_ODZ)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/5 "2019-09-11T17:24:08Z")
That really sound like erg mode…strange. did you connect the kicker as power source and as controllable FE-c? ---
**Author:** ![MARK\_LITTS](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/mark_litts/32/26907_2.png) [@MARK\_LITTS](https://forums.zwift.com/u/MARK_LITTS)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/6 "2019-09-11T20:44:16Z")
Gerrie - yes the kickr was both the power source and the controllable when I was having problems. They were both connected to my apple tv through bluetooth I believe. I run the zwift program on my ipad and then connect through the apple tv. ---
**Author:** ![Jason\_McGrody](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/jason_mcgrody/32/47767_2.png) [@Jason\_McGrody](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Jason_McGrody)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/7 "2019-09-16T19:13:36Z")
Strange behavior. It sounds exactly like what overs have said - ERG or workout mode. I have a Kickr Core and it works exactly like you want it to work as long as I’m not in ERG or workout mode. ---
**Author:** ![MARK\_LITTS](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/mark_litts/32/26907_2.png) [@MARK\_LITTS](https://forums.zwift.com/u/MARK_LITTS)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/8 "2019-09-19T21:05:58Z")
I agree it certainly feels like it is in ERG mode. I sign in and then choose a route to ride. I don’t think you can set ERG mode when you are riding a regular route. On my last ride I stopped during the ride to check the settings menu. I could not find anything related to ERG mode while I was there. Is there anyway to check and make sure ERG mode is turned off while you are riding?? Thanks for the help. ---
**Author:** ![dhi67540](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/dhi67540/32/61794_2.png) [@dhi67540](https://forums.zwift.com/u/dhi67540)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 1:52am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/9 "2019-09-20T01:52:17Z")
I’m a newb but I just found a support item that shows you can turn erg mode on or off during a ride (in the icon menu at the middle bottom of the screen). I have similar behaviour to what you describe on my Kickr Core so next ride will check out this erg on/off option. ---
**Author:** ![renxx](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/renxx/32/47767_2.png) [@renxx](https://forums.zwift.com/u/renxx)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/why-cant-i-mash-while-using-a-kickr-as-the-power-source/103236/10 "2020-05-17T21:54:22Z")
Hi, did your solution solve the problem?