David, I have about 25 hours spent using trainerroad.com (started using as soon as the Mac version came out) I'm a paying member now.
For me it's great, I don't have a Computrainer (only a Powertap) and it is a great way to provide a screen with data that really keeps me interested and honest in the work that I'm doing.
IMO once they build in the ability to create your own workouts (I do my EN OS rides with their generic "free ride" sets and make sure I hit my own marks) it will be fantastic.
They currently have Computrainer control in beta....which is making me consider a computrainer for the the first time now....
Short Version: I love it! I fulfills my lust for real-time data at a much lower price point than I felt I could get elsewhere.
What am I missing. Why would one already want this if he already has a power meter and a display device, like the Joule, which shows real time IF, etc?
This seems simply another Ant+ "head unit", with the added schtick of displaying on a computer, instead of a smaller unit.
I've been watching this develop for a while and think it's a really interesting product from some good guys. Apparently they are working on an editor and once that exists, I can see this potentially being pretty appealing from an EN perspective.
@Al while I do not have it i have been following it for some time. The ability to give a "virtual power" number to those without power seems to me a no brainier for the OS. $10 a month is just silly. As for those who have power, is it really needed, maybe not. But I can throw my sufferfest videos into it and my FTP and it keeps me honest. Plus no longer need to keep looking down to see my power numbers. I bought the videos to watch, not the power numbers. Also, they are working on the ability to do "group" rides. I could foresee OS groups "training" together in real time. Say have a 5am, 6am, 7am, etc group ride. Group training is great for motivation. Just my thoughts.
Also, they are working on the ability to do "group" rides. I could foresee OS groups "training" together in real time. Say have a 5am, 6am, 7am, etc group ride. Group training is great for motivation. Just my thoughts.
I assume you mean using the internets to do group rides with virtual buddies. Now THAT'S a cool idea for EN. Depends on the price, though.
I had a great 45' call today with Nate. They definitely have some cool stuff coming down the pike, much of it very applicable. First steps is to see if / how we can get more non-powermeter folks to check out the virtual power application, etc.
Also, they are working on the ability to do "group" rides. I could foresee OS groups "training" together in real time. Say have a 5am, 6am, 7am, etc group ride. Group training is great for motivation. Just my thoughts.
I assume you mean using the internets to do group rides with virtual buddies. Now THAT'S a cool idea for EN. Depends on the price, though.
Yes Al. I've heard they are working on that. Price is cheap. $10. $50 for the OS is a no brainer. Patrick spoke with them maybe he can speak more on this. My opinion is if it's done right, total game changer for the OS.
I really like the idea of being able to see my zones as I ride and keep myself honest and from slacking off in the 2nd Z4 interval. This mornings OS ride I was in the zone for both intervals but my NP was 10w lower for the 2nd Z4. I think this will help me see that since I don't have a Joule and my garmin doesn't show lap NP.
New to TrainerRoad and as a EN member (not to the philosophy as I have had the EN full and half plans) Figured for the $10/month and the Garmin Ant+ stick cost of less then $30 it's worth a shot to try it out and see some power numbers. If EN workouts or the ability to program your workout of the day into TrainerRoad would be huge. Hope to see something happen along these lines in the near future. I know Nate has been real responsive on some other Tri forums with answering questions.
Been using Trainer Road for a few weeks now, as I wait for my 910xt to use as the power head unit .... brand new to power so take this for what its worth.
The program is easy to set up and use, and its been better than nothing to see the power numbers on the Jan OS workouts. The big drawback for me so far is there is no way (that I've found) to set up your own workout, so I've been using the "free ride" 60 minute workout. I can see roughly where I am power wise at any given moment in time, but the intervals are all set at 10 minutes, so for an 8' interval 2' rest you don't get an actual power number of what you've done for the entire interval. Admittedly, some of this may be operator error as I've spent very little time with it besides just getting on and riding so far.
Add the ability to do the OS workouts and/or virtual group rides and its a home run at $10 per month.
I signed up today with a link Patrick gave me. I received an email almost immediately from the owner Nate asking why I used that particular login. Told him I was with Patrick and he set me up with a beta login. Damn quick response if you ask me.
I signed up yesterday as well...unfortunately I need to wait for my ANT stick to arrive before enjoying the benefits. Can't wait to take it for a spin.
I sent Nate a message about the programming aspects to work better with our interval work. While you cant program your times in it does sound like something they want to work on. Another thing they may make available even sooner would be the ability to analyze segments of yoir workout so you can get power numbers from a time segment to make the numbers work better. Not sure how long this will take but hope its soon.
As Coach P said, I've been using for awhile. They have dozens and dozens of workout set up...I used it during my cyclocross season for work above vo2m..its improved a bunch since day 1.
They've partnered with sufferfest so your power targets are up with the videos, although I have to turn throttle it down as I can't get some targets. I think revolver is defaulted to 140%.
For users without power, they've taken the known power curves for 10-15 trainers and now estimate power. This would allow folks without power a cheap entry to power for inside riding.
They are in beta for the computrainer now which will control the unit. Computrainer has been in a legal battle trying to release their next software release with an outsourced developer. That is a game changer.
looks like several folks here can answer questions as they come up....for me the price was a no brainer.
I signed up last night and used it this morning for my planned 2x10 Z4 ride. Even without the ability to program the workout in TrainerRoad I really liked being able to see the active graph on the screen. I found that it made me really strive to keep my power up during the 2nd 10' interval and not cheat down towards the bottom of the Z4 zone. When they create the ability to program your own workouts this program is going to be a real homerun. The price is definitely right!
I have been using TrainerRoad.com for the past 4 weeks since I got a powetap over the holidays but didn't have a cycle computer that displays power. (Still waiting on my Garmin 910xt). Anyway, it only took about 30 seconds to register, plugged in my Ant+ stick in my laptop, and it was that easy. It picked up my PowerTap, my Garmin Speed/Cadence Sensor, and my HR monitor no issues at all and I was literally riding within 10 minutes of my first visit to the website. I've found several WO's that are very similar to the EN OS's plans and there is always the option to pick the free ride and do what you want. It gives TSS, IF, NP, Avg Power, Speed, HR, etc for the whole workout and each WO interval too. A big thanks to Alexendar who made me aware of this site in late December.
Enjoy it Joe! It really is a great little program. I've turned 5 people onto it already and everyone seems to really enjoy. I've had a few issues, and Nate has responded immediately.
All sorts of problems getting my devices connected!..frustrating...had to just do a normal workout...communicating with Nate and Reid but no solution yet...could be a bad Ant Stick?!..just got it...anyone else have this problem...very anxious to ride the TrainerRoad.
I had trouble getting Trainerroad running, the old beat laptop I initially loaded it on was probably a poor choice. As I ran thru some troubleshooting, I loaded the program on the a different computer and put a HR monitor on to see if it would pair. If you have access to a different computer, this test should eliminate the ANT stick question.
Comments
Looks pretty cool...I may give it a try. I like the HR/trainer power estimation..
For me it's great, I don't have a Computrainer (only a Powertap) and it is a great way to provide a screen with data that really keeps me interested and honest in the work that I'm doing.
IMO once they build in the ability to create your own workouts (I do my EN OS rides with their generic "free ride" sets and make sure I hit my own marks) it will be fantastic.
They currently have Computrainer control in beta....which is making me consider a computrainer for the the first time now....
Short Version: I love it! I fulfills my lust for real-time data at a much lower price point than I felt I could get elsewhere.
What am I missing. Why would one already want this if he already has a power meter and a display device, like the Joule, which shows real time IF, etc?
This seems simply another Ant+ "head unit", with the added schtick of displaying on a computer, instead of a smaller unit.
Al, for me the advantage is seeing my entire set on the computer screen.
It's charting my power (along with HR), Is the same data on my garmin, basically, but I do enjoy looking at the entire set like that.
When I'm doing the Vo2 intervals it's nice to look back and see ok, I'm trending down/up on these intervals.
Take a look at the ride I did last night for an idea of what I'm talking about: http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/14240
I have been a beta tester and now paying customer. Like it a lot and am opent to questions.
I've been watching this develop for a while and think it's a really interesting product from some good guys. Apparently they are working on an editor and once that exists, I can see this potentially being pretty appealing from an EN perspective.
Also, they are working on the ability to do "group" rides. I could foresee OS groups "training" together in real time. Say have a 5am, 6am, 7am, etc group ride. Group training is great for motivation. Just my thoughts.
I assume you mean using the internets to do group rides with virtual buddies. Now THAT'S a cool idea for EN. Depends on the price, though.
Yes Al. I've heard they are working on that. Price is cheap. $10. $50 for the OS is a no brainer. Patrick spoke with them maybe he can speak more on this. My opinion is if it's done right, total game changer for the OS.
I'm signing up this weekend...anxious to see the virtual power...will try to get it set up for this week and report experience.
The program is easy to set up and use, and its been better than nothing to see the power numbers on the Jan OS workouts. The big drawback for me so far is there is no way (that I've found) to set up your own workout, so I've been using the "free ride" 60 minute workout. I can see roughly where I am power wise at any given moment in time, but the intervals are all set at 10 minutes, so for an 8' interval 2' rest you don't get an actual power number of what you've done for the entire interval. Admittedly, some of this may be operator error as I've spent very little time with it besides just getting on and riding so far.
Add the ability to do the OS workouts and/or virtual group rides and its a home run at $10 per month.
I signed up yesterday as well...unfortunately I need to wait for my ANT stick to arrive before enjoying the benefits. Can't wait to take it for a spin.
I sent Nate a message about the programming aspects to work better with our interval work. While you cant program your times in it does sound like something they want to work on. Another thing they may make available even sooner would be the ability to analyze segments of yoir workout so you can get power numbers from a time segment to make the numbers work better. Not sure how long this will take but hope its soon.
They've partnered with sufferfest so your power targets are up with the videos, although I have to turn throttle it down as I can't get some targets. I think revolver is defaulted to 140%.
For users without power, they've taken the known power curves for 10-15 trainers and now estimate power. This would allow folks without power a cheap entry to power for inside riding.
They are in beta for the computrainer now which will control the unit. Computrainer has been in a legal battle trying to release their next software release with an outsourced developer. That is a game changer.
looks like several folks here can answer questions as they come up....for me the price was a no brainer.
I signed up last night and used it this morning for my planned 2x10 Z4 ride. Even without the ability to program the workout in TrainerRoad I really liked being able to see the active graph on the screen. I found that it made me really strive to keep my power up during the 2nd 10' interval and not cheat down towards the bottom of the Z4 zone. When they create the ability to program your own workouts this program is going to be a real homerun. The price is definitely right!
http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/15725
I have been using TrainerRoad.com for the past 4 weeks since I got a powetap over the holidays but didn't have a cycle computer that displays power. (Still waiting on my Garmin 910xt). Anyway, it only took about 30 seconds to register, plugged in my Ant+ stick in my laptop, and it was that easy. It picked up my PowerTap, my Garmin Speed/Cadence Sensor, and my HR monitor no issues at all and I was literally riding within 10 minutes of my first visit to the website. I've found several WO's that are very similar to the EN OS's plans and there is always the option to pick the free ride and do what you want. It gives TSS, IF, NP, Avg Power, Speed, HR, etc for the whole workout and each WO interval too. A big thanks to Alexendar who made me aware of this site in late December.
Got my ANT stick...can't wait to set this up tonite!
All sorts of problems getting my devices connected!..frustrating...had to just do a normal workout...communicating with Nate and Reid but no solution yet...could be a bad Ant Stick?!..just got it...anyone else have this problem...very anxious to ride the TrainerRoad.
Thanks Dusty..that seemed to be Mac related- I'm a PC guy...I think it could be a bad ANT stick?!...anybody ever have this issue?
I had trouble getting Trainerroad running, the old beat laptop I initially loaded it on was probably a poor choice. As I ran thru some troubleshooting, I loaded the program on the a different computer and put a HR monitor on to see if it would pair. If you have access to a different computer, this test should eliminate the ANT stick question.
Having my data super-imposed on the TDF video I am watching is epically cool.