Computrainer training?
Hello,
I was wondering if there is any ladies out there who have been training with a computrainer? I am trying to complete my bike tests, and plan on training on my computrainer but I am also new to the computrainer. Does anyone know if you calibrate the computrainer to a different number for women. I can't seem to get my numbers close to my outdoor numbers?i was thinking that thecalibration may be the reason. Any ideas?
Thanks,Pam
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My numbers were always a little off from PowerTap to Computrainer. Probably around 8-10W off. I'd calibrate every time I rode on the CT - spin up >25mph, make sure I got between 2-3, and then hit start.
That said, my CT (that my husband bought from a friend) is going on eBay very soon. I'm NOT a tech person at all, and I thought I'd love it, but I just don't. I'm finding that I'm using my PowerTap for most of my indoor training anyway, since that's what I'll be using outside and when racing. So I guess I'm not much help! Sorry! I'm sure someone will have the answer for you!
Jess said I could peak behind the curtain of the women's forum, so here I am...
The Computrainer doesn't know (or care) if you are a woman or a man. A watt is a watt is a watt. Many people have different FTP numbers indoors vs outdoors. I personally think the reason is because indoors on a CT, your bike is fixed in one spot and outside your bike can move around a bit under you. Other reasons might be because there is more airflow outside or any number of other physiological or psychological reasons. So, many people will have an FTP that is say 10% higher outside than inside (I happen to not be one of those people) even if both are measured on the same device (a Powertap for instance).
It is also hard to compare CT numbers to a powertap or a quarq, or even between 2 different powertap's for instance. They all have their own margin of error and specific calibration. The most important thing is that you have consistent and repeatable numbers indoors to indoors or outdoors to outdoors. Once you learn these differences, you can simply scale your effort depending where you are training. It is also important to warm up your CT for at least 5-10 mins before you calibrate it (use this as your warmup), then calibrate every time. Assuming you have a Powertap or Quarq or SRM for outside riding, have you ever tried to use that while indoors on the CT to see if the numbers match what you see on your CT readout? If they match, then it is the Indoor vs. Outdoor phenomenon that is common. If they don't match, then it is likely just a difference in calibration. It doesn't really matter if they are different as long as you know by how much, and if they are always different by the same amount.
One final note is that you might get more (or better) responses if you put this in the Power/Pace forum as that is where most of the Power Geeks lurk.
Thank you... I appreciate your advice. It is really strange the amount of effort that I am requiring to put out to ride. It is like I am riding with a brake on or rubbing. And my watts show under 100 on CT, it is defeating to say the least. However, yesterday I calibrated my CT a tad lower (1.5) and my training felt similar to my outdoor rides. I am not sure if this is the way to go, but I feel like I am hitting my head against the wall. I will post in the Power/Pace area, thank you again.