Can You Optimize a 12-Speed Bike's Performance on an 11-Speed Trainer?

Question

Can a 12-speed bike work well on an 11-speed trainer?

Answer 1

Although an 11-speed trainer has certain limitations for completely optimizing a 12-speed bike, it is still possible to make some shifts to enhance shifting performance. This consists of not manipulating the limit screws or the B-screw, which might result in better shifting performance without any tweaking. Nevertheless, with these settings even then the setup can be referred to as a sub-optimal state and should be regarded only as a short term solution.

Comments

For working on the turbo trainer, it seems to be good enough.
You just need a good gear to be working in the middle of the range, and ERG will take care of the rest, so no issues with ramps, etc.
If you want to use it outside with an HG wheelset, there are a couple of cassetes from SUNRACE, SUNSHINE, ZTTO, etc that are 12 speed on "regular" HG hubs, so that could be an option !
Smallest cog is 11, but other than that, you should be all good.

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The hack that is needed , is for the shifters as the Signal is the same , just another frequency,  use the 11s shifters and only AXS /derraileur /cassette / chainrings ..
What you made here is easy and a good option, but what we need is the above

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This content is very helpful. I'm planning the same setup

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Even with a 12 speed SRAM cassette on the kickr core runs horrible for me Unless I make major rear and front derailleur adjustments.

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Always had 11-30 and 11-28 cassettes … move into disc two years ago… and recently just got a cervelo pX with axs etap 10-33… I am not touching my wahoo shimano cassette… just erg mode and done, am I right??

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Do you use your trainer like this? How does it work under loads, it looks like is going to make a lot of noise and fail the gear. Sram should have a way to make it work well in a trainer with 11 speed cassette, since the cassette is expensiveeeee! And could be done in the app and enabled with one click. Did you end up buying another cassette how di you resolve a way to make it work with the other 11 speed bikes you have.. CHeers

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Very interesting. But need to know if you lose something in terms of friction?
Do you think you can do the same adding a dura-ace 11s chain instead the 12s axs?

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But what happens when you're using an 11 spd cassette and the chain is on the biggest cog? When the limit is set correctly the derailleur can't go any further but there's still one gear left to shift. When you push the shifter, will the derailleur try to reach the 12th cog each time, or is it permanently blocked because   it allready  knows it has reached it's limit?