Quick Zwift Question - ERG on or off?

[Spudmaster]

Relatively new to Zwift and went straight into the 6 week FTP builder as a starter.
After getting a bit confused and messing around a bit with settings - I eventually settled with ERG on as default choice as it is best suited to the rigid structure of a training programme.

Now that I have completed the program, I am keen to crack on with a couple of 1 hour rides during the week, saving longer outdoor rides for the weekends.

So, ERG on or off for general Zwift 'rides' - i.e. use gears or not?

Many thanks!

Spud

[Solocle]

If you go for a ride, Zwift won't ERG you. Unless you select a workout plan, that is.

Leave ERG mode on, that's just an enabling setting.

[NorthDave]

Erg mode on a normal ride will mean the trainer changes resistance for the terrain. It my normal setting to keep things interesting. I also do heart rides without erg as sometimes you just want to do an hour at X BPM.

[keith2.2]

ERG is a workout function esactly as you have described.

When I started working with a coach - he almost immediately told me to switch ERG off during workouts - and I'm MUCH better at controlling my power / cadence as a result.

You don't need to switch it on / off for a general ride, but you can select the extent to which gradient in game affects resistance on the trainer.

If you want to do a general ride but at a set power output regardless of terrain - the obvious solution would be to create a workout.