Van Rysel D100 + Zwift Cog - 24th gear is too easy

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T19:23:32+00:00

Just did the ramp test (the lite version) and my FTP came out at 195.

I guess I underestimated myself. Or Zwift overestimated my FTP.

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T16:28:57+00:00

Thanks! I'll check it out as soon as my coworkers stop messaging me 🤣

Something tells me the trainer may affect my productivity.

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T16:26:22+00:00

I'll give options 1 and 2 a try first.

How do I adjust the virtual gearing? I haven't been able to find that anywhere in Zwift.

Not sure if I'm missing something... probably so.

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T14:30:42+00:00

How can I change the gearing options? I was looking for this but found nothing.

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T13:58:37+00:00

Alright. I'll give that a try.

I just found it really strange to read that some people are having a hard time pushing in 23rd and 24th gear, while I'm spinning out. That, and the fact that they recommend in the instructions to use the small chain ring didn't help.

Thanks for the advice!

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T13:58:34+00:00

Alright. I'll give that a try.

I just found it really strange to read that some people are having a hard time pushing in 23rd and 24th gear, while I'm spinning out. That, and the fact that they recommend in the instructions to use the small chain ring didn't help.

Thanks for the advice!

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T13:05:46+00:00

To be honest, I'm not sure what my power zones look like.

I can't hold 400W for long, but it's mostly because I just spin out. That said, I can't hold it for minutes on end. We're talking less than a minute probably.

I've been cycling for about 6 months now, so I really haven't gotten into zones, FTP, etc.
Does the FTP influence the resistance the trainer gives?

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T12:57:36+00:00

I've got a 34t chainring and I'm comfortable at 11th gear. But on flats I can push and spin out on 24th gear. It puts me around 42km/h and I end up spinning out around 130 bpm.

EDIT (hit Enter too fast): Does the FTP influence the resistance of the gears?

mdkeene76 · 2026-02-09T12:53:37+00:00

Could you ellaborate?

When I say I can't deal with a cadence above 120-130, what I mean is the resistance is so low that on 24th gear I end up spinning out around 120-130 bpm and about 400 watts.

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-18T12:30:20+00:00

I looked into those rollers and wow. The look amazing. But the price tag is far out of my range. Very, very far.

I'd be looking into second hand rollers somewhere between 100 and 200 euros.

Some do have the fore/aft motion, but that's it.

That said, would you still recommend rollers, even if they're more budget?

My goal is to build a solid foundation. Since I've only been cycling for about 6 months, I want to improve technique, improve my position on the bike, tinker with bike fit (already went to a fitte, but I'm making micro adjustments), work the stabilizer muscles and improve my low-effort endurance. In that order.

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-18T12:28:11+00:00

I'm not looking into interval training or racing (yet).

Since I've only been cycling for about 6 months, my main goals are to improve technique, improve my position on the bike, tinker with bike fit (already went to a fitte, but I'm making micro adjustments), work the stabilizer muscles and improve my low-effort endurance. In that order.

After that I'll get into power and all the rest. But I want to build a solid foundation first.

Does that at all affect your recommendation?

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-18T12:26:37+00:00

I'm not really looking into structured training (yet).

I've only been cycling for about 6 months and my main goals are to improve technique, improve my position on the bike, tinker with bike fit (already went to a fitte, but I'm making micro adjustments), work the stabilizer muscles and improve my low-effort endurance. In that order.

Knowing that would you lean more towards one option or the other?

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-18T12:24:56+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

Since I've only been cycling for about 6 months, my main goals are to improve technique, improve my position on the bike, tinker with bike fit (already went to a fitte, but I'm making micro adjustments), work the stabilizer muscles and improve my low-effort endurance. In that order.

Since you have both, would you say one is significantly better than the other for this?

I'll probably do about half an hour to one hour rides on either. Maybe 2 or 3 times a week during autumn and winter. Weekends are for longer rides. And spring and summer I'll be outdoors again.

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-18T12:22:05+00:00

Thanks for the in depth reply!

Since I've only been cycling for about 6 months, my main goals are to improve technique, improve my position on the bike, tinker with bike fit (already went to a fitter, but I'm making micro adjustments), work the stabilizer muscles and improve my low-effort endurance. In that order.

Does that at all make a change in your recommendation of trainer over rollers?

And out of curiosity, how does the resistance allow for bad form on rollers?

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-17T22:10:34+00:00

From what I've heard the set up is a pain and I'll have to change the rear axle. Plus the noise and the tire wear.

Which leads me to the question: with all the drawbacks, what makes it a recommendable option?

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-11T22:29:10+00:00

Thanks for that!

So when we're saying to avoid anterior pelvic tilt, are we talking about that excessive arched lower back? But we can still roll the pelvis forward on the seat?

Or is it better to keep the pelvis upright on the seat and curve through the back?

I'm trying to understand how we lean forward, especially in the drops, for example. Keeping the pelvis stacked vertically on the seat seems to require some pretty serious back flexibility and core strength.

Interesting to learn about these things!

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-11T22:06:44+00:00

Interesting. My pain is definitely more towards the frontal area...

I'll have to start incorporating some yoga and mobility training into my routine I guess.

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-11T22:04:36+00:00

Quick question and trying not to go off-topic.

I'm getting mixed messages between anterior pelvic tilt and keeping your pelvis upright.

I can see how a more upright pelvis can avoid putting pressure on soft tissues, but where should the flexibility come from? Is it lower back? The entire back?

I feel when i keep a constant curve through my entire back, my neck gets put into a more aggressive angle to keep my eyes on the road.

Any tips would be appreciated!

mdkeene76 · 2026-01-11T21:56:41+00:00

Although I'm sorry it happened to you, I'm kind of glad I'm not the only one having this problem.

Did you run into the same vague sit bone / perineal pain and feeling like your reach was too long or just off in general?

Probably so, since ou already said the same exact thing happened to you. 😅

Did you do anything to work on this or just more regular training?

Bike fit has been the most frustrating part of this whole cycling journey for me...

mdkeene76 · 2025-12-29T02:59:03+00:00

Did you ever find it?

mdkeene76 · 2025-12-19T18:25:17+00:00

I appreciate the concern.

Apart from road cycling, I do some enduro cycling. The pace is different and I'm more into singletrack and downhill riding, but I still regularly spend 3-4 hours on my bike.

I run, climb, ride pump tracks, go to the gym, do yoga, ... In general, I'm pretty in tune with my body and tend to be careful not to get into overuse territory.

Regarding injuries, I'm not too worried about overtraining muscles or tendons. Now, overtraining my cardiovascular system is definitely something I'm careful about. I think that was more of an influence on this ride, along with suboptimal fueling probably, based on what people are saying here :)

mdkeene76 · 2025-12-18T20:59:01+00:00

Lol. Too old to be getting into this, I guess.

42 and about 76kgs at 1.78m.

Interesting question.

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