Power #s going the wrong direction...

carls10

I trained with my PM since Novemeber (when I got it) on my road bike, got FTP on trainer up to 140W.  Switched to tri bike and watts dropped off considerably.  Last and first FTP test (5/11/11) in aero on trainer was 118W. 

I'm trying not to flip out as the number is really small as it is and now it's moving in the wrong direction.  I have read that power will drop in the transition from road to tri bike, but mine doesn't seem to be coming back up.  My workout this AM was 2x20' (4') with nPower of 112W, although wasn't really in 'testing' mode.

My first HIM is in 3 weeks with RR this weekend.  I'm trying to get a solid number for my RR without over or under estimating.  Maybe some way to SWAG in WKO+.  I'm open to suggestions from the powers that be!

mgraffeo

Carly,

My experience has been that my indoor road bike upright FTP has been pretty close to my outdoor tri bike locked in the aero bars FTP.

If you really want to have a solid rehearsal to feel good about the race, I'd SWAG 130.

If you want to try to push it and see what happens, I'd try 140.

John Withrow

Carly-- My FTP outside on my tri bike is about 10% lower than I was on my road bike indoors upright... I was depressed for about 2 minutes, then got over it... Now I'm back to work trying to get it back up, but it hasn't budged. The WSM's are better at suggesting a swag, but if I used a number close to my indoor upright FTP I'd totally fry myself in a HIM. Even with the lower FTP number, you're still faster in the aero position and the work you did in the OS really is in your legs. If it were me, I'd swag something closer to 120-125 and make it up on the run...

Tom Glynn

My opinion, don't get hung up on the numbers. Take Mike's advice on the SWAG numbers. That's what race rehearsals are for. You can analyze data in WKO for a while (look at your power distribution over the past four weeks and look for a large drop off - that's the area of your FTP), but I would just go ride and figure it out that way.

tom

GSmith821

@Carly, I bet you are faster with slightly less watts on the tri bike!  Go with 130w as FTP in RR and see how it feels. Remember, there are no medals for pushing the most watts or "hitting your number"...its speed and following it up by CRUSHING the run.

Brenda Ross

I have been feeling the same way Carly. I rode my road bike all winter and last test had me at 184w, but I am confident that I am not there on the tri bike. I need to find out what my FTP is on the tri bike outside. I will look ahead to see if there is an FTP test on the schedule and if not, I will switch out my Sat bike ride for a test to see what comes up. I do not want to fry myself on the bike in my race on June 26. Looking forward to seeing you at the LP camp in a couple of weeks.

Peter Greagg

Hi Brenda — I did what you are suggesting to test my FTP outside on my TT bike. I reasoned that 2 times 20 mins @ 95-100% with a 2 min rest would just replace saturday's scheduled intervals. I then did my Z3 for 60 mins and then Z2+ to finish off the 180 mins long ride.

BTW, I was also doing the intermediate HIM.

Cheers

Peter

chris malone

My opinion is Tom Glynn's opinion is Mike G's opinion. Don't get crazy about the numbers.

I'd go to my data bin in wko+ and see what you hold outdoors, tri bike, for your all out 30 min power and 60 min power (if available) and swag from there. Trainers are great but not really real in many ways. What you do on the road, in the race environment I believe is a better representation. Apples to apples.

[Deleted User]

Interesting possibly related post I just came across: http://www.powertri-blog.com/biking/analisys-of-ftp-tests-how-fatigue-and-form-can-influence-test-results.html

mgraffeo

Jim, that's a really long way to tell someone that they weren't well rested!