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Road gains lost on trainer...is this usual?

CdiangeloCdiangelo
in General Training Discussions

So I tested today...and didn't really see a change in FTP. It went up a couple of watts, but no big change. Now via the OS I've gone from 175# to 160# (+) but kept the same wattage basically (-).

I'm confused by this since on this past weekend's rides I was booming around at higher wattages and felt good. So I had high expectations for today. Is there usually a difference between road wattage and trainer wattage? I've never tested on the road.

It may well of been a bad test on my part - but I wanted to see if this is common. I probably need to find a stretch to test on the road.

Comments

  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    Craig - it all depends..... Some test to a higher FTP outdoors. Some, like me, test the same indoors and out.

    Finding a good stretch of road is key to a good FTP test. However, there are many other ways you can ascertain your 'outdoor FTP'. One of which is to go ride with a group and just shell yourself. After the ride, you can analyze your power file and see how it shook out. (check out the wiki article on Alternate Methods to Determine FTP)
  • morpheusmorpheus
    Hey Craig, not sure if it's relevant, but I've been discussing something similar in another thread....

    http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/11954/Default.aspx#145740

    there are many reasons why your outdoor test came out lower than the indoor.
    Fatigue load from many weeks to terrain.
    Losing 15 pounds in a short period of time may leave you a little weaker on longer efforts until you finish adjusting to the recent calorie deficit.
    A battery that needs replacing or a power meter that didn't get zeroed.
    stuff like that.

    not looking for 'excuses' but most people get a decent jump in FTP when they go outside. tho, like Joe said, some people are able to push themselves hard enough in The Pain Cave that the numbers are much closer than others.

  • CdiangeloCdiangelo

    I never actually tested outside yet...just seems that I'm able to run at > wattage outside than on the trainer

  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    Craig - one thing that is almost universal is that you are able to push yourself harder when going up a hill. Lots of discussion about it.....physiology, physics, psychology....no consensus on which is the predominant factor.

    Have you read this article in the wiki? : http://members.endurancenation.us/Resources/Wiki/tabid/91/Default.aspx?topic=Alternate+Means+of+Determining+FTP

    If you go out and do a bunch of rides, especially with a group that forces you to work hard, the Power Distribution Chart method can be be instructive (4th option listed in article above).
  • cgres123cgres123
    Short answer Yes ! Not only that but a difference using a tribike vs a road bike too. It is the principle of muscle specificity you want to be good at outside bike training ride outside you want to be good riding on a trainer ride your trainer. image
  • Joseph LombardiJoseph Lombardi

    The answer is not to compare the two against each other.....they are different..IMHO. 

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