Is there a Xert Fitness Test specifically designed for AUTO/ERG mode?
I have a Wahoo trainer with Zwift Cog, i.e. only one gear, so I can only use Xert EBC in AUTO or ERG mode.
I want to determine my fitness signature using a fitness test.
I found “Xert Fitness Test for Breakthrough Version 3” - the description says “This workout is intentionally designed to help you achieve a fitness breakthrough on your smart trainer using trainer control.” Does it mean it’s for ERG? I’m not sure, because the description also has a #MIXEDMODE, and from what I understand, mixedmode is not ERG.
Looking at the workout definition for Xert - LoginXert Fitness Test for Breakthrough Version 3 there are no slope mode intervals (despite the #mixedmode hashtag in the description) like the other fitness tests for breakthrough workouts, so it appears you can do the entire workout in ERG mode. I don’t know if the intention is to still be able to change gears during this workout.
Not having an on-bike / outdoor power meter and also using single cog trainer, I’ve found doing virtual free rides on other platforms useful for keeping my fitness signature honest. E.g. MyWhoosh, TrainingPeaks has free virtual Tuesdays, and Rouvy has 20km free per month; pick a ~20km route with good climbing or sprint segments and give it a full send. MyWhoosh and TP would need a middleman like BikeControl to use virtual shifting, and Rouvy natively supports Zwift Click gadgets. TP also just released an update where they announced implementation of the OpenBikeControl protocol, which is good progress toward hopefully standardizing virtual shifting hardware communication.
I’ll have to give the V3 breakthrough workout a few tries though and see how it feels and what happens.
While Version 3 mentions riding under ERG control (AUTO in EBC) this assumes your signature is reasonably close to dialed in. That ensures you fail on the two intervals designed for that purpose where MPA intersects your power output and flatlines.
This one – and later this one –
Since your signature is likely close go ahead and try it. You should fail at those points.
Other “fitness test” workouts are best performed in Slope mode so you can purposely ride to points of failure by exceeding target watts and/or duration.
You can also accomplish the same thing by riding a similar pattern outdoors.
E.g. here’s the standard test –
Outdoors you would warm up, execute two max 7-10 sec sprints with full recovery between, then four escalating intervals with minimal recoveries and a final effort to failure.
This demonstrates why you don’t need to perform traditional FTP tests with Xert.
These type efforts can occur organically on a lively group ride, cresting a climb, charging up a steep slope, etc.
Once your signature is dialed in future BTs can be few and far between. Your signature will rise and fall accordingly based on TL changes alone (volume and intensity).
and later this one – 
