Adjusting resistance - extending handle

[balugaa]

Hey all,

Weird one this, but thought id check if anyone has the same problem and potentially a solution/hack.

I am finding, i have to bend way too low to adjust the resistance dial, in pretty much all cases i have to stop pedalling, bend down change it to the setting i want, and then start pedalling again.

Was wondering if anyone has this issue and what they did to solve it. For instance in the wattbike the dial adjuster is extended, which makes it alot easier to reach, if fact can pretty much get to it from the drops. On the bike erg, i need to go wayyyyyy down ..

[Cant Climb]

I always felt this was a bigger problem on the Rower.

On the BikeErg if you stand and bend it is more reachable I think.

I'm thinking Concept2 didn't design longer handle or knob because it could be easily broken off.

[DavidA]

Hey all,

Weird one this, but thought id check if anyone has the same problem and potentially a solution/hack.

I am finding, i have to bend way too low to adjust the resistance dial, in pretty much all cases i have to stop pedalling, bend down change it to the setting i want, and then start pedalling again.

Was wondering if anyone has this issue and what they did to solve it. For instance in the wattbike the dial adjuster is extended, which makes it alot easier to reach, if fact can pretty much get to it from the drops. On the bike erg, i need to go wayyyyyy down ..

I think most people adjust it before starting, when it isn't an issue.
If you want to adjust it during your session, you could probably just tape a stick, for instance, to the lever.

David

[djsquared]

I ride the BikeErg and use Zwift almost exclusively. I follow workouts and training plan that call for different power outputs at various times during a ride. I have not yet felt it to be burdensome to adjust the damper during a ride. I kind of "hacked" my damper by using a white paint pen to enhance the visibility of the damper numbers, and I also added lines and dots (as halfway hash marks to the top of the flywheel. (see attached pic--I verified the marks using the PM5 calibration) I can usually figure out pretty quickly what damper setting corresponds to a specific power output at a particular cadence. For example, if I will a sprint workout that has me putting out intervals of 400 watts for 30 seconds followed by 2 minutes of 175 watt rest, I can figure out that at a cadence of 90 rpm, a damper setting of 4.5 will achieve 400 watts, and a damper setting of 2 will give me 175 watts. (These are just examples, I can't recall exact damper numbers off the top of my head). It may take some fine-tuning, but once the first interval is done, I can remember those settings and quickly reach down to make the adjustment about 3-5 seconds before the next interval begins (it takes about 3-5 seconds for Zwift to recognize a change in output). Overall, it's about as quick as shifting gears on an outdoor bike, and I find it totally workable.

[balugaa]

Thanks

This is a great idea, re the markers.

[balugaa]

And completely forgot to add,

Extended the handle using a locking long nose plier gripping onto some old handlebar tape. works perfectly for me at east

Wrapped the whole thing with handle bar tape, will get something more pleasing to they eye, once i dont have to wait in line to get into a hardware store ..

[VivaTerlingua]

Does your knee/leg come close to hitting the extended handle?

[balugaa]

not even close, I am 6ft tall btw.

The one i use is Long Nose 165mm (6½") Length 55mm Jaw which i picked up from amazon ..

this gives me about a 10-12cm extension

[Nomath]

I wonder whether the displayed power and pace is still accurate when you change the damper setting while in motion.
On a RowErg the drag factor is recalculated during each recovery when the power input is zero. On a BikeErg you don't have such zero-power periods, so it can't recalibrate itself. Does the displayed drag factor change when you move the damper to a different setting?

[CaseyClarke]

I wonder whether the displayed power and pace is still accurate when you change the damper setting while in motion.
On a RowErg the drag factor is recalculated during each recovery when the power input is zero. On a BikeErg you don't have such zero-power periods, so it can't recalibrate itself. Does the displayed drag factor change when you move the damper to a different setting?

You can only have drag displayed whilst riding if you’re using ErgData or other similar App.

You get a distorted instantaneous split reading for about one to two splits after changing the drag whilst in motion during a session. Typically super fast after changing from High drag to a lower drag, and the other way around changing from a low drag to a higher one.

[nsgymd]

I took belugaa's great idea a step further using the Titan 60762 15" Straight Nose Locking Pliers from Amazon:

https://imgur.com/gallery/Aoal0W0

There is clearance even at resistance level 2 because the handle angles outward.

[Nomath]

...I am finding, i have to bend way too low to adjust the resistance dial, in pretty much all cases i have to stop pedalling, bend down change it to the setting i want, and then start pedalling again.
...

I guess that C2 designed that short dial handle on purpose, so that you have to stop pedaling when you reset the drag. If you don't stop pedalling, the BikeErg cannot measure the drag factor and the displayed wattage and speed will be wrong.

[johnlvs2run]

If you don't stop pedalling, the BikeErg cannot measure the drag factor

That's not correct. You can pedal as much as you wish while changing the drag factor, and the pm5 will show the right speed.

[Nomath]

How do you know this for sure?
How can the PM5 detect that the air drag has changed and by how much?

[johnlvs2run]

Checking the middle of each number on the cage this morning showed the
following drag factors: 46 .. 55 .. 76 .. 95 .. 119 .. 143 .. 173 .. 180 .. 191 .. 207.

Notice that the change in resistance varies greatly. For example the increase from 2
to 3 is 38 percent, and the increase between 7 and 8 is only a tenth as much at 4 percent.

As the average increase was 18.2 percent, multiplying each setting from 46 by 1.182
resulted in the following drag factors: 46 .. 54 .. 64 .. 76 .. 90 .. 106 .. 125 .. 148 .. 175 .. 207.
Now marking with white tape shows the 10 different settings with a consistent change of resistance.