CompuTrainer handlebar controller

Leslie Sedlak

I was handed down a used ComputTrainer Lab and have it 'mostly' set up.  I struggled getting it connected to a computer (I think the software is so old it's not supported, so I need to find out how to upgrade to then new software), but I figured out how to test the resistance and see my power on the handlebar controller.  I went to do my FTP test with just that unit working - but once I stopped the time - I lost all my data - so my best guess what remembering the number I saw most during the ride.  Does anyone how now to extract power data when just using the handlebar controller?

Any tips on using the old version of the CompuTrainer are welcome!

If this was posted previously - feel free to send that link and I'll revert to that for info - Thanks much!

Leslie

Darren Freeman

IMO, The best way to deal with this is to have a power meter on your bike to record the data from and then just use the Computrainer for resistance to get your close to your target watts and adjust it as needed. You can't really grab data directly from the headset unit without the CT software running or some other software. (ie.. Trainer Road)

Also, if you are mounting the headset on your handlebar be careful about the data cable to the headset unit falling out the back in the middle of a workout or while you are testing. I've had several occasions where the data cable fell out mid-session and killed my calibration and I had to stop (insert loads of cursing), plug it back in, re-calibrate and continue on. If you bump or wiggle the headset from motion of the bike it can cause this to happen. I really need to mount it on something other than the handlebars with some type of insurance so the cable doesn't fall out.

Al Truscott

Darren begins to hint at the multitude of issues which can arise with a CompuTrainer.  To reiterate the key points he makes:

• "Compu" means … you need a PC to be able to save the data. The controller is just that, a controller. It's not a modern head unit like a Garmin 500. Hooking the controller to the computer and using the software (which looks like its from the '90s) will get the job done, but as you note, don;t expect much support. I'm still using that old ("Coaching Software 1.6") program to run my CT.
• If you do have a power meter on your bike and a head unit to collect data from that, that;s probably the easiest way to deal with your concern, which is to capture and understand your FTP from a ride on the CT. It's best to do it that way, as you will be riding with your power meter and not the CT out on the road. There is usually a drop of from bike-based power meters to the CT, meaning the CT numbers are usually lower, having to do with the inevitable leakage of power as the work moves from legs to pedals to cranks to chain to rear hub to wheel - it's the wheel, the last stop on that train, that the CT is basing its power readings on.

If you don;t have a power meter already on your bike, then the CT will be a useful tool for some aspects of training, but you should also be sure to incorporate heart rate monitoring into your system, as that is what you;ll be using when out on the road.

Trainer Road is a fun, web-based tool which can make managing the CT easier, but it does cost $10 per month, and again is only useful for indoor work.

As to your comment about the CT being "mostly" set up … it took me at least 6 months before I felt I was beginning to understand how to use my CT after I bought it. The machine itself works great. The software is ante-diluvian, and the "manual" associated with it is written in Engineer English, which I have little facility with.

Rich Stanbaugh

I do all my indoor training on a CompuTrainer. The, software is ancient, customer support is dire, documentation is sketchy, incomplete and arcane... having said all that the visual stimulation and having access to some of the Ironman Courses and, especially, the multi rider setup keeps me for completely dying of boredom!

Some things that may help...
1. If you are riding with power, do all your testing, your training, your power analysis... everything relating to power with the power meter on your bike. Regardless of what any manufacture is promising, I have found a lot much variation. I use the power meter on my bike because this is the power meter that I use on the road.

2. Make certain your bike is level. Having just started riding on the trainer again this season, my setup (which feels great outside) feels a little off inside. Find a place to setup your gear that is stable and use a level to make certain that your bike is close to level.

3. If you need to take the power from the CT, you need to have it setup with a computer rather than in the standalone. mode. I do the following:
a. Configure the racermate software to automatically save the ride data files. In my version, I can save them to a WKO format. You can also save them to a text file or a a 3D (computrainer) format that can be imported in to GoldenCheetah, Training Peaks, etc.
b. Load a flat course
c. Do the ride following the EN protocol
d. End the ride... I think that I press F1 on the controller to pause it, then press something esoteric on the computer - maybe "r" ???) to exit the ride. The file is then automatically saved into whichever format I specified in the config.
e. Upload/import that file into whichever software you use for power analysis.

4. You can pause the rides to recalibrate at any time. You do this by pressing F1 on the controller, doing the calibration, then pressing F1 to resume. I think there are some recommendations for calibration levels... the main thing is to have the calibration at a level so that your tire doesn't slip at all. That level varies depending on the course you are riding (hills need more pressure) and whether or not you are using a trainer tire (highly recommended). With a trainer tire on a perfectly flat course, 2.00 is good. 6%+ climbs, probably 3.00, and in between is in between.

5. As bad as the CompuTrainer SW is, the HW is pretty stable and you can control it from a number of different packages. Tour de Giro for rides with friends in different cities for example.

I hope this helps a little...

Good Luck!

Leslie Sedlak

Wow Rich - You are amazing!! Thanks so much for the in depth info. I must admit after having technological difficulties before my test on Monday, I was losing some major training mojo - this was much needed. When I started out in tris 8 years ago I had a heart rate monitor and used that for a few years - but the last couple I have trained and raced without much more than feel, and it served me pretty well. The last two years I didn't even race with a watch on (other than the one on my bike at times) Being a part of the EN team and having to test and use HRM as well as power meters gets me a bit flustered at times because I feel like it 'slows' me down in a way that training/racing by feel. I have some extra time during my ride on Friday - I'm going to print out your comments, re-read them, and step through them on my CT to try to become more familiar with it.

I really need to get this squared away as I will be doing all my winter IM training indoors - ice - but a necessity - and this will help!

Side Note - I grew up in Saginaw, MI, got my post grad degrees from UM Dearborn, and lived/worked in many areas around there. My family still lives in surrounding areas. Glad to hear from a Michigander

Rich Stanbaugh

Good luck Leslie - I thought my indoor season was long, but MN winters are even colder, darker and longer than MI winters!

I haven't figured out everything on my CT, but will help you if I can. Feel free to reach out at any time.