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Bike power results

Pat WardPat Ward
in General Training Discussions

General question on my training in the last 5 weeks. I did my bike test before I started the OS training. I tested on a computrainer in the lab of the bike shop I was training in. I now am riding on a computrainer at my house. In 5 weeks I have not been able to hit my numbers. I'm riding a flat course and have calibrated my trainer once I warmed up. I am growing frustrated. Is it possible that the trainer i tested on gave me numbers that much different than i have on an identical trainer at my house? Am I just worn out?  Thoughts please.

Comments

  • Keith WickKeith Wick
    I would suggest retesting on the trainer at your house. Even though they are the same trainers there are bound to be differences. You can't even rely on the same reading between to PT wheels build at the same time by the same person.
  • andidunlopandidunlop
    I'm totally new to power but I agree w/Keith. Just retest. You likely haven't lost fitness, you just need realistic power zones - that assist you in training on the computrainer you are now using. image

    Andi
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Two computrainers, with similar coast-down numbers, should yield 'similar', but not identical power numbers. If you don't know how the coast-down was done at the testing center, then the comparability between the two is a pure guess. Rather than test again (since you've got another test coming up in a couple of weeks), I'd suggest doing the next workout or two based on your perceived effort (ie. try to work at the effort you put out in the test) and note approximately what the watts are at that level on average. Then I'd use that number to work off of until the next test.
  • Pat WardPat Ward

    Thanks all. I will retest in week 8 and I'm in week 6. I will train to precieved power until then.

  • gfzyriekgfzyriek

     I always make sure to test on the same device I'll be riding on.

    CT is supposed to be ~2.5% accurate.

    However, let's say you're truly riding 250w but  the bike shop CT is reading 2.5% low and your personal one is reading 2.5% high. That's a 13w difference (243w v. 256w) which is not insignificant.

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