What 'gear' should i do my Ramp Test in?

[mcneese.chad]

@seth.frankel

Not if you’re in erg mode.

• That is not a concrete statement, and in fact is quite in question these days.

@seth.frankel

Of course, a mechanically maintained drivetrain with the rear somewhere in the middle of the cassette (most straight line possible from front ring to rear ring) is likely to be the smoothest for pedaling and therefor would not influence the test.

• Many people (via anecdotes) have different experiences with Low vs High gearing while in ERG mode, and this includes Ramp tests.

• The core issue is the influence of the flywheel speed and how that impacts the rider effort and fatigue.

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My preference and recommendation is to use the same gearing (no matter what it is) for your testing AND your training.

• Exceptions exist with some lower end trainers that have wattage ceilings and floors. Those may require the use of shifting (front or rear derailleurs) to reach the specified power targets. But if possible, try to use the gearing in a similar way as you would in a workout at the same wattage. It’s an attempt to keep testing and training consistent.

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Some related discussion:

• What 'gear' should i do my Ramp Test in?
• Big vs Small Chainring - Same Power (ERG Mode Gearing)