Temperature & turbo resistance
StuartAsh
Posts: 10
How significant is the effect of ambient temperature likely to be on the resistance of a magnetic turbo?
I have a basic Tacx Flow & have been using it a bit over the last few months. Recently I have found that average speed/distance travelled for set sessions (2x20, 3x20, trihardist podcasts) is 5-15% lower for a similar effort. The turbo is in an unheated building outside & I often use it in the evenings so likely sub-zero a lot of the time. Turbo settings & tyre pressure constant. I use my old winter bike which does get mucky on the roads but the drivetrain gets a wipe & lube - could do with a proper clean up tho I guess.
Could this be explained by temperature alone or other mechanical factors (bottom bracket/hub etc)? Or is it the painful truth that the old duffer riding the thing is the problem?!
I have a basic Tacx Flow & have been using it a bit over the last few months. Recently I have found that average speed/distance travelled for set sessions (2x20, 3x20, trihardist podcasts) is 5-15% lower for a similar effort. The turbo is in an unheated building outside & I often use it in the evenings so likely sub-zero a lot of the time. Turbo settings & tyre pressure constant. I use my old winter bike which does get mucky on the roads but the drivetrain gets a wipe & lube - could do with a proper clean up tho I guess.
Could this be explained by temperature alone or other mechanical factors (bottom bracket/hub etc)? Or is it the painful truth that the old duffer riding the thing is the problem?!
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Comments
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Having had a Flow, but now using a Sartori for simplicity and no need for a plug...I wouldnt set much 'store' by that little computer gizmo.
I use something that cannot alter and that is cadence and gearing and with a simple resistance unit the Sartori has, pick a number on the changer (I trust it to be quite consistent) and go on HR and 'feel' for the sessions.
Some days, it is 'harder'.0 -
This.JGSI wrote:...I use something that cannot alter and that is cadence and gearing... and go on HR and 'feel' for the sessions.
Some days, it is 'harder'.
Turbo sessions are not (to my mind, anyway) about distance. What's the point in getting hung up over distance on something that doesn't move. I think it's reasonably well accepted that turbos don't give an accurate representation of riding on the road. What they do give is a controlled ride for a given time and intensity/intensities - work to that and you can't go far wrong.Twitter: @FunkyMrMagic0 -
Oops - maybe it's not a Flow - basic turbo with handlebar resistance controller - maybe Sirius tho it is a few years old. Distance/speed/cadence measured with Garmin & cadence/speed sensor. Agree that distance/speed meaningless other than to compare to similar sessions done previously. Should give a good comparison of the actual "work" done though. Seems to be consistently lower recently but maybe I'm just not trying hard enough!0
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:CakeLovinBeast wrote:
This.JGSI wrote:...I use something that cannot alter and that is cadence and gearing... and go on HR and 'feel' for the sessions.
Some days, it is 'harder'.
Turbo sessions are not (to my mind, anyway) about distance. What's the point in getting hung up over distance on something that doesn't move. I think it's reasonably well accepted that turbos don't give an accurate representation of riding on the road. What they do give is a controlled ride for a given time and intensity/intensities - work to that and you can't go far wrong.
:? was I hung on distance as well?0 -
Yes the resistance of the Tacx Flow will change with temperature. If the one you have doesn't plug into the mains then it will not be magnetic resistance, but I can imagine other resistance methods might change as well.0
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SBezza wrote:Yes the resistance of the Tacx Flow will change with temperature. If the one you have doesn't plug into the mains then it will not be magnetic resistance, but I can imagine other resistance methods might change as well.
That's just wrong. Plenty of magnetic resistance trainers that don't need to be plugged into the mains!More problems but still living....0 -
I thought most would be electro magnetic, and hence need a power supply. Apologies. :oops:
Anyhow any magnetic resistance turbo I would expect the resistance to change with temperature.0 -
Nope.JGSI wrote::? was I hung on distance as well?
Sorry. I was quoting you as a correct example, before launching straight into a reply to the OP. Crossed wires!Twitter: @FunkyMrMagic0 -
SBezza wrote:I thought most would be electro magnetic, and hence need a power supply. Apologies. :oops:
Anyhow any magnetic resistance turbo I would expect the resistance to change with temperature.
I'd expect much, much less temperature dependence compared to a fluid trainer. And for a magnetic trainer it's probably more to do with the temperature of the tyre as opposed to the actual turbo.More problems but still living....0 -
amaferanga wrote:SBezza wrote:I thought most would be electro magnetic, and hence need a power supply. Apologies. :oops:
Anyhow any magnetic resistance turbo I would expect the resistance to change with temperature.
I'd expect much, much less temperature dependence compared to a fluid trainer. And for a magnetic trainer it's probably more to do with the temperature of the tyre as opposed to the actual turbo.
All I know is that with temperature change, my Taxc Flow and Powertap figures drift closer together the colder it gets for the same resistance setting, meaning the Flow is obviously reducing the resistance.0
