Direto Resistance Fluctuations in Level Mode

[stevenvancoillie]

I have the exact same problem.
My Direto is one of the older (noisier) models, so I can actually hear the stepping motor in level mode.
I contacted Elite before about this, but they keep saying that the used software is the problem.
Which it is not, as the same thing happens with My E-training, Zwift, Road Grand Tours, Rouvy, ...

This makes training in level mode annoying and doing an FTP test nearly impossible.

[gerrad.ferrier]

I've been using my Direto for about 8 weeks now, all on ERG mode and have been really enjoying it.
I've just done a 4DP test in Sufferfest on level mode and straight away noticed the fluctuations same as everyone has described.

During the hard efforts there were swings of 50 - 60 watts which is pretty off putting and affected my cadence. Looking back at the data you can see the power trace rhythmically going up and down in a regular wave.
I even tried to set it in level mode on the my e training app and that just made it drop power all together.

Has anyone had a resolution to the issue?

Cheers

[stevenvancoillie]

No, unfortunately still the same problem.

[gerrad.ferrier]

Hi guys,

I got a solution / explanation from Sufferfest, seems if you get the elite cadence sensor it will improve level mode as the auto sensing of cadence in software affects level mode.

Therese Kirchner (The Sufferfest)

Apr 16, 18:30 CDT

Hi Gerrad,

So I've been reading lots today on the Elite Direto. It seems that the flywheel magnets are what causes this issue. It is very sensitive to changes in cadence and the magnets shift to keep the flywheel spinning smoothly. This gives you that oscillating resistance feeling that you are describing. There's technically nothing wrong with the trainer, it's more of a matter of how to deal with it so that you feel it less.
Having a separate cadence sensor will improve your experience.
Keeping the flywheel speed up will decrease the oscillation resistance that you are feeling. Smooth cadence increases and power changes will probably work best.

Level mode in the Elite app is not the same as our level mode. Ours is based on a slope, theirs is a brake resistance, so that is why you won't feel it in their app compared to ours.

So along with the other suggestions previously given, here are some more. Please let me know how this works out for you, and if you notice some improvement in your experience. Like I said previously, there's nothing technically "wrong" with the trainer, it is just how it works.

Hope that helps.
Candence sensors are only £15 so I will give it a go

[maximilian.krause]

@gerrad.ferrier Did the external cadence sensor solve the problem??

I recently experienced something similar on my Elite Direto.
During FTP training in Zwift all went good in the Erg mode session. But when it comes to the test session of 20min free spinning to reach highest power, there is a constant, rhythmical up- and down regulation of the resistance.
That sounds similar to what you describe of "holding the flywheel stable" by magnetic resistance.

This is Super-Annoying as it pushes me above and below my FTP and therefore I cannot maintain a good average because of too much stress to my legs.

I actually have an external cadence sensor, the tacx Speed and Cadence sensor, but I do not know whether this does the job.

Any suggestions from you?

[andiyatsia]

No.
I believe this is exactly what I reported to the team 1 or 2 months ago.
You can almost spin out because of the variation.

Its like if the trainer releases the resistance.
(This only happens to me in some very specific tests that I reported internally)

So this morning I calibrated the unit using the Elite app and got consistent calibration numbers over three runs (6011. Unit is marked 6015.) Then I tried a steady level 5 300 watt effort in Sufferfest and got the same fluctuations as during my FTP test. I then tried using my wahoo cadence sensor instead of the internal Direto sensor and that didn't help either. Power Smoothing setting in Elite is 2.

[info257]

Direto Resistance Fluctuations in Level Mode, i have the same. I did the sufferfest 4ftp in level mode 4. When i wan't to do the 5 min power i feel the fluctuations in power every 4/5 pedal strokes. The software seems to be up to date. How can i solve this.

[Rixter]

I don't know if it's the Rouvy route that I chose, but the other day, every 30-32 seconds I was getting resistance drops of about 30-40 watts. My cadence didn't change nor did the incline of the hill. This was super annoying.