I think there could be a lot of collaboration ideas. Get them to set up a separate server for EN folks and purchasers of your training plans. It would be a massive pile of data to mine. Keep it separate so your training plans aren't freely distributed to the world. Track everyone's 2X20's and see what is working, what is not.
I set up the virtual trainer for my wife's bike as she doesn't have power. Very easy, very cool. It would get a lot more EN folks dialed into power for really cheap.
I've bought a couple of the SufferFest videos to follow along with. Completely sync'd with TrainerRoad. The 2x20 Hell Hath No Fury is really, really hard. Normally 2x20's are doable for me as I sit at a very even cadence and power output. The variability in power and cadence really up the difficulty. Totally fun hooked to a big screen - staring at the power bar and really hoping it's still green!
I will ask them to set up an extra server for us. Seriously though, they have some major plans...we'll keep banging away until we get something that works for everyone!!!
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'm completely with Al here and don't get it. How is this different than looking at your bike computer?
@Jeff - n=1 but my feedback and like of the tool has to do with the ability to actively see the work I am doing in a graphic manner. I have a visual learning bias and that probably is reflected in my liking of this tool. When i am doing the tough OS workouts I turn on the trainerroad 60 minute free workout and have my laptop right in front of my bike. There are a couple specific things that I like:
I can see my work on the screen and it helps me make sure that I am not slacking off in the latter half of tough intervals. Instead of riding the top half of Z4 during the first interval and the bottom half during the second (still being in compliance with the workout) I keep my workout "above the line." All of this I could do with the Garmin but it isn't as easy or fun.
I didn't realize I had such spikes in power when riding. It has forced me to pay more attention to riding smooth and driving consistent power. I have my graph set up to display based on 5-second rolling average power.
I like the potential of this tool. These guys have put together a very valuable tool now and haven't even scratched the surface of what they are talking about doing. I can see this going some really cool places for collaboration and workout comparison/competition.
Below is a picture of a ride I did this past week. My goal was to make sure that the 2nd 10' Z4 interval was stronger than the first. I wanted to finish it strong and knew where I was for the ride. Based on this workout I am looking forward to my next FTP test because I was definitely riding way above 295 for the intervals.
I've never had a speed/cadence sensor that was compatible with my 310XT and have been meaning to buy one. This seems like a perfect time to do so. I've read a couple reviews about the Garmin sensor failing when it gets wet. Has anyone here had any problems with that unit? Any other recommendations on an Ant+ compatible cadene/speed sensor?
This is great! I just ordered the speed sensor for my KK trainer. I'm in the market for a power meter and was undecided between a PT or Quarq. Then I found out Garmin is coming out with the Vector in March. This is a great compromise for a noob (and also until I can stomach dropping $$$$ on one of the above!)
Ok, I'm all signed up. Grabbing a new GSC sensor from my LBS on the way home today. So excited about this, I'm blowing and extra $18 on the sensor vs. buying online from Amazon. This is such a great intro into power while I'm saving forand EN PT setup.
My first ride with Power today...via TrainerRoad and their Virtual Power Meter set up....so instead of the the proscribed 2x12 @ z4 I did their 20min. Threshold test setup...which is warmup - 5min. all out...5min. recovery...20min test...cooldown...I think this fairly approximates what we were doing today anyway. There were some glitches..first in getting the TrainerRoad interface to run on top of the video I was running...and then in the power/FTP results (the output not the tracking)....I'm awaiting feedback from TrainerRoad support....the inworkout and resultant graphical output gives me a good view of my effort and an eyeballing of this give me a good idea of the Avg HR and Avg Power but the results kicked out ath end don't seem to match...so like I said waiting...but all in all a good workout...excited to work with Power.
Really enjoying this training with Power thing....Did the Trainerroade Donner workout today 3x12 @ Z4...I felt this approximated the 3x8 we were scheduled to do (at first I was only going to do the first 2 segments but just tried to push on through...and I saw a dropoff in the 3 segment...I suppose as expected)...but the good thing is that as I monitor this program...I see good correllation between HR and Power...ie. I am in Z4 HR when I am in Z4 Power....and...in fact...peeking out the top end of Z4 of HR as I see the dropoff in power...as I overcook the interval/effort...so feeling good about Trainer Road and my ability to use the Virtual Power effecitively.
I am a fan as well. I've been using the Wahoo Fitness ANT+ Speed and Cadence Sensor on my trainer. I did their FTP test with it and arrived at a FTP of 278 with a LTHR of 158. I was just wondering if any of you has experience with this sensor as well and could tell me something about the accuracy. I do use the same resistance and tire pressure for all my ride, so should be able to track my progress over time. But was curious to see if the FTP results from this sensor are accurate with "real" powermeters?
According to the data on their website the correlations are very good but is dependent upon the trainer your using (and wether they have accurate powercurve data on it) rather than the Ant/cadence sensor....What trainer are you on?
The other thing to keep in mind is that it is all relative; Consistency and ability to measure the delta you put on(or not) between tests is more imporant than the actual number.
According to the data on their website the correlations are very good but is dependent upon the trainer your using (and wether they have accurate powercurve data on it) rather than the Ant/cadence sensor....What trainer are you on?
The other thing to keep in mind is that it is all relative; Consistency and ability to measure the delta you put on(or not) between tests is more imporant than the actual number.
Yes. You're looking for consistency vs accurrate. That is, your numbers on Tuesday are consistent with your numbers on Thursday. Does't really matter, for this purpose anyway, if the number itself is inaccurate.
I just did my first bike FTP using trainerroad.com. I know there were suggestions thrown out about having the EN workouts on there, which I totally agree with!
So far so good! It's only my first workout so it'll be interesting to see how consistent the numbers stay.
Comments
I think there could be a lot of collaboration ideas. Get them to set up a separate server for EN folks and purchasers of your training plans. It would be a massive pile of data to mine. Keep it separate so your training plans aren't freely distributed to the world.
Track everyone's 2X20's and see what is working, what is not.
I set up the virtual trainer for my wife's bike as she doesn't have power. Very easy, very cool. It would get a lot more EN folks dialed into power for really cheap.
I've bought a couple of the SufferFest videos to follow along with. Completely sync'd with TrainerRoad. The 2x20 Hell Hath No Fury is really, really hard. Normally 2x20's are doable for me as I sit at a very even cadence and power output. The variability in power and cadence really up the difficulty. Totally fun hooked to a big screen - staring at the power bar and really hoping it's still green!
I'm completely with Al here and don't get it. How is this different than looking at your bike computer?
@Jeff - n=1 but my feedback and like of the tool has to do with the ability to actively see the work I am doing in a graphic manner. I have a visual learning bias and that probably is reflected in my liking of this tool. When i am doing the tough OS workouts I turn on the trainerroad 60 minute free workout and have my laptop right in front of my bike. There are a couple specific things that I like:
Thanks.
I've had the GSC10 (paired with my Forerunner 305) for 2 years in all sorts of weather...alot of rain...never had a problem.
I have the Garmin Speed/Cadence sensor as well - never had a problem
A few times I should have gotten found shelter instead of continuing my ride and never noticed any issues with the unit.
This is great! I just ordered the speed sensor for my KK trainer. I'm in the market for a power meter and was undecided between a PT or Quarq. Then I found out Garmin is coming out with the Vector in March. This is a great compromise for a noob (and also until I can stomach dropping $$$$ on one of the above!)
Victor - I agree! I just set up my GSC and did test run on it. power is sweet!
My first ride with Power today...via TrainerRoad and their Virtual Power Meter set up....so instead of the the proscribed 2x12 @ z4 I did their 20min. Threshold test setup...which is warmup - 5min. all out...5min. recovery...20min test...cooldown...I think this fairly approximates what we were doing today anyway. There were some glitches..first in getting the TrainerRoad interface to run on top of the video I was running...and then in the power/FTP results (the output not the tracking)....I'm awaiting feedback from TrainerRoad support....the inworkout and resultant graphical output gives me a good view of my effort and an eyeballing of this give me a good idea of the Avg HR and Avg Power but the results kicked out ath end don't seem to match...so like I said waiting...but all in all a good workout...excited to work with Power.
Really enjoying this training with Power thing....Did the Trainerroade Donner workout today 3x12 @ Z4...I felt this approximated the 3x8 we were scheduled to do (at first I was only going to do the first 2 segments but just tried to push on through...and I saw a dropoff in the 3 segment...I suppose as expected)...but the good thing is that as I monitor this program...I see good correllation between HR and Power...ie. I am in Z4 HR when I am in Z4 Power....and...in fact...peeking out the top end of Z4 of HR as I see the dropoff in power...as I overcook the interval/effort...so feeling good about Trainer Road and my ability to use the Virtual Power effecitively.
Thanks a lot for your help!
Niels
According to the data on their website the correlations are very good but is dependent upon the trainer your using (and wether they have accurate powercurve data on it) rather than the Ant/cadence sensor....What trainer are you on?
The other thing to keep in mind is that it is all relative; Consistency and ability to measure the delta you put on(or not) between tests is more imporant than the actual number.
Yes. You're looking for consistency vs accurrate. That is, your numbers on Tuesday are consistent with your numbers on Thursday. Does't really matter, for this purpose anyway, if the number itself is inaccurate.
I just did my first bike FTP using trainerroad.com. I know there were suggestions thrown out about having the EN workouts on there, which I totally agree with!
So far so good! It's only my first workout so it'll be interesting to see how consistent the numbers stay.