- Yes, I firmly believe gearing and related flywheel speed are an important variable related to trainer use.
Here is a basic comparison I made related to higher and lower gearing. Just a quick ratio calc at the rear axle but it translates to flywheel speed:
Making large swings in gearing like you have done is likely to affect RPE even at the same power level measured with the same power meter. It’s one reason I recommend that people test and train using similar gearing when possible, and that is regardless of the trainer mode in use.