Ergomo vs Trainer
I've just started using my trainer again (a friend borrowed for a couple of years...)...So I'm basically having to learn how to use it again..
It is a Tacx Excel (now sold as Tacx Flow).
One thing I notice is a big difference between the Watt readings of my Ergomo and the trainer...
I did a test a few daya ago, and got the following result:
Ergomo
Avg Watt: 188
Norm: 190
Trainer
Avg: 273
Quite a difference..
I'm fairly confident that the Ergomo is misreading my watts... I had some calibration issues with it last season, where it suddenly changed the calibration, and I have mad to change the K-factor more than once.. I recalibrated the Ergomo just prior to the test and obviously warmed up (body, trainer and tire)
As far as I can tell, the Watts that the trainer displays are not measured, but calculated based on resistance and speed. So this should teoretically be fairly accurate, right?
But, I have read a few articles on the net about the accuracy on trainers and while some seem to be suggest that they are quite accurate, others disagree completely..
I guess the easiest would be to change the K-factor of the Ergomo (again) to match the trainer, but is that the right thing to do?
The trainer also do not show NP Watts... but without hills and wind, I guess this is fairly close to the average watts, or....?
Comments
I think it's best to just keep the ergomo with whatever watts it picks up and go with it. Don't try to reconcile between the two. Just know that, generally, inside on the trainer will be about 10% harder.
Cheers
Peter
Yes, unless you're doing a bunch of intervals ( esp VO2) AVP and NP are typically close on a trainer.