The official TrainerRoad thread
Comments
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Hi,
I quite agree, there is a good gap between the Sweet Spot and Endurance levels.
I completed "Morgan" last night, (week 7) 8 x 3 min at 110 - 120 FTP with 3 min rests, with a high cadence.
It was achievable but hard, my HR was approaching 98% of max on the last effort, it was a very good challenge which makes you work hard. Due to work commitments I tend to only get on the Trainer two to three times a week so I tend to spend a few extra weeks completing a phase, and of course it's nice to get out on the road when I can.
Al0 -
It's really important to make sure you're recovered from Sweet Spot before diving into a Build plan. Sometimes an extra recovery week before starting the new training block is necessary. If the workouts are really hard but manageable, you know you're doing them right. But if they're so hard you either can't finish them or have to turn down the intensity, it's best to take a few extra days to fully recover before continuing.0
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Do rollers work with TR?
I do my TR on a turbo (Jet Fluid Pro, oldish one) but fancy having a go on rollers. I've read plenty on the differences, pros and cons, but am still left uncertain as to whether a resistance set will be necessary?
On the trainer I usually pedal between 80 and 90rpm and have half the block left to get the power outputs required (we're only talking 240 at present). I'm wondering if rollers will have me in my longest gear (50/12) and not making the target power without my little old legs needing to go faster than they'll go.
This is specifically for TR (doing sustained power again) and not for riding rollers in general - which looks like fun.
So I think my question is, do you guys that use rollers with TR manage to get the required wattage in the hard rides with a non resistance set?
Thanks, Eeb.0 -
Hi Eeb,
I've got a set of Elite Digital rollers, - they have variable resistance which you control from a headset (or your I-phone) via Bluetooth. They also provide a power and cadence readout, again via Bluetooth to the headset or your phone. Getting a max wattage is not difficult, and the rollers seem to have plenty resistance to spare.
But....
For these rollers anyway, I'd assume they would be good for TR, so signed up last year, and got ready to give it a go. It seems though, that TR will only give virtual power, and this is providing you set it on the same resistance, and keep it there. (level 8, out of 20 IIRC). TR is unable to read the Bluetooth output from the rollers, which for me was enough to abort TR and use the inbuilt Elite training plans.
So yes, you can get the required resistance on the right rollers, but you'll need to be running a PM to use TR properly.0 -
Do rollers work with TR?
I do my TR on a turbo (Jet Fluid Pro, oldish one) but fancy having a go on rollers. I've read plenty on the differences, pros and cons, but am still left uncertain as to whether a resistance set will be necessary?
On the trainer I usually pedal between 80 and 90rpm and have half the block left to get the power outputs required (we're only talking 240 at present). I'm wondering if rollers will have me in my longest gear (50/12) and not making the target power without my little old legs needing to go faster than they'll go.
This is specifically for TR (doing sustained power again) and not for riding rollers in general - which looks like fun.
So I think my question is, do you guys that use rollers with TR manage to get the required wattage in the hard rides with a non resistance set?
Thanks, Eeb.
Have you purchased a set of rollers yet?0 -
No, not bought any yet. Researching.
And thanks Harry, very useful.0 -
Cool, totally depends what kind of power you can output now then, if your a big guy then you will probably need resist rollers, mountain goat climber wanting to increase power then can probably get by with non resist.
I purchased a set of Elite Ghibli Parabolic Rollers from wiggle when they were on special at £70, I was originally looking at Planet X / Sportcrafters Resist rollers as these seemed to be the pick of the bunch for resistance rollers, but 110 cheaper was too much for me to ignore.
So with non-resist rollers I attempted the 20 minute FTP test and aborted it when I face planted my sofa, but here is the activity on Strava.
I started a tad too hard for me, but at my 'fastest' I was using a 53/13 at 100rpm, so really on these rollers with a cadence of 100rpm I only have 10% -15% scope for improvement and then I need to spin faster to get higher power figures - maybe not necessarily a bad thing - the rollers really do help with posture on the bike!
To give an idea of my fitness, I started cycling 3 months ago, weigh 200lbs and run a 10mile TT in a shade under 25 minutes.
Hope this helps0 -
Yes, very helpful - thanks. I'm looking at the Elite E Motion. They seem a bit pricey but hopefully I'll only buy once.0
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Hi,
I use Trainer road with both turbo (jet fluid pro) and rollers (sportcrafters progressive resistance rollers).
Love both for different reasons, turbo for really high intensity & resistance stuff (climbing simulation etc)' rollers for threshold and tempo stuff).
I find I need to drop intensity of TR workouts to about 85% of my TR FTP (determined by turbo) to hit right level when using rollers and rarely.
Here are a couple of examples.....
Rollers...
https://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/2137782-Sufferfest-ISLAGIATT
Turbo
https://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/2135221-Sufferfest-Angels0 -
^sorry meant to say I think the Planet X rollers are re-badged Sportcrafters ones.0
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Trainer Road really is a great training tool and for those who have other commitments outside of cycling it really helps maximise the 2-3 hours a week I can train (when the kids are in bed). The difference between sweet spot base and sustained is noticeable but if you are consistently on it is manageable. Although unlike sweet spot you need to be hitting the weekly TSS otherwise you cannot maintain the fitness/conditioning to stay so close to your VO2 Max.
How do people find the TC 30 minute sessions? I find I cannot really warm up in time as my best intervals are always the last ones in a 60-90 minute sessions and the first two are horrible.0 -
Hi all I've been reading through some of the comments and it looks like there is a lot of experience in here regards to the TR programme.
I've recently bought a turbo power sync pro and signed up to TR. because riding to watts power etc is new to me I'm not that up on it and I'm wondering if anyone can offer advice. I don't really understand all the different workouts and don't find them that easy to understand. Because I have a toddler getting out for a spin on a evening is a struggle so my riding usually consists of 4/5 hours on a. Weekend. I'm looking for the best programmes to loose weight or help. And also increase my threshold vo2 etc.... What do you advise?
Thanks
ChristianLook 595 ultra - F+F for sale.....
Cervelo r5
Kinesis T2 2013 winter bike
Merida Carbon 1500 flx MTB0 -
The build training plans offer a ride range of workouts - just pick the plan that suits how much time you have.
I've just started the climbing high volume plan, it is ridiculously hard - I've done a base and build plan but the step up for this is incredibly hard.VO2 Max - 79 ml/kg/min
W/kg - 4.90 -
Hi all I've been reading through some of the comments and it looks like there is a lot of experience in here regards to the TR programme.
I've recently bought a turbo power sync pro and signed up to TR. because riding to watts power etc is new to me I'm not that up on it and I'm wondering if anyone can offer advice. I don't really understand all the different workouts and don't find them that easy to understand. Because I have a toddler getting out for a spin on a evening is a struggle so my riding usually consists of 4/5 hours on a. Weekend. I'm looking for the best programmes to loose weight or help. And also increase my threshold vo2 etc.... What do you advise?
Thanks
Christian
Hey Christian, welcome to TR! If you're new to structured training with power and are looking to lose weight, I'd recommend starting with a Base plan. Traditional Base (https://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/plans/base) is going to be your most straightforward starting point and will keep you in a fat burning zone through most rides and allow you to practice hitting simpler power targets before you progress to other blocks of training with more complex intervals.
In regards to structured training with power, check out the below webinar with Coach Chad (the coach behind our plans and workouts) for more info on it. I think you'll find the information useful and you'll have a better understanding of what all of your hard work is for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9eJSnpL5jY0 -
Do rollers work with TR?
I do my TR on a turbo (Jet Fluid Pro, oldish one) but fancy having a go on rollers. I've read plenty on the differences, pros and cons, but am still left uncertain as to whether a resistance set will be necessary?
On the trainer I usually pedal between 80 and 90rpm and have half the block left to get the power outputs required (we're only talking 240 at present). I'm wondering if rollers will have me in my longest gear (50/12) and not making the target power without my little old legs needing to go faster than they'll go.
This is specifically for TR (doing sustained power again) and not for riding rollers in general - which looks like fun.
So I think my question is, do you guys that use rollers with TR manage to get the required wattage in the hard rides with a non resistance set?
Thanks, Eeb.
This is an interesting question for me too. I have a set of rollers - Tacx Galaxia. Because I got frustrated with the amount of setup a turbo requires. Although when I'm riding I find that I'm in 50/12 most of the time so I'm not sure if it will provide enough tension? If that's the case would swapping my cassette out for an 11T help?
I've yet to try it properly as I'm waiting for my power meter to be delivered before I look at the likes of trainerroad, but with a new baby set to arrive at the start of winter indoor training is going to be essential.0 -
Your rollers without a resistance unit will too easily spin up even with 53/11.
A very high cadence will deliver enough watts to deliver a workout but you will have to have a clear head to keep up a cadence over 100 on rollers.
My limit on rollers is about 120.. that gives about 370 - 400 watts as an instance... but it aint no party to keep that going for any length of time.
Maybe think about a simpler turbo ...?
I have use the Satori for about 4 years now from new... only needs an old wheel with an old tyre on it to be swapped into the bike. Setting up in the kitchen takes very few mins.. the messin about is because of the laptop and starting TR going and making sure the PM is calibrated... but even then .. up and training within 5 minutes .0 -
I've used various turbos for 10 years now and don't find them to be an issue.
With my Kickr I just take the rear wheel off, or prior to that, I replaced my rear quick release with a turbo specific one. Didn't bother with a spare wheel or turbo specific tyre...VO2 Max - 79 ml/kg/min
W/kg - 4.90 -
Awaiting delivery of a Kickr and would like to avoid buying a cadence meter if possible.
Can I connect my Stages PM as just a cadence meter? Im using the mac version of TR0 -
Awaiting delivery of a Kickr and would like to avoid buying a cadence meter if possible.
Can I connect my Stages PM as just a cadence meter? Im using the mac version of TR
I use my stages for power and cadence. I removed my garmin cadence sensor as it was no longer needed with the stages.0 -
Awaiting delivery of a Kickr and would like to avoid buying a cadence meter if possible.
Can I connect my Stages PM as just a cadence meter? Im using the mac version of TR
I use my stages for power and cadence. I removed my garmin cadence sensor as it was no longer needed with the stages.
I get you but I want to use TR to control the Kickr and the Stages for cadence only0 -
Awaiting delivery of a Kickr and would like to avoid buying a cadence meter if possible.
Can I connect my Stages PM as just a cadence meter? Im using the mac version of TR
Yup, Stages does cadence too. Having said that it depends on the software. e.g. On iPhone the Strava app won't recognise it as a cadence sensor. On cyclemeter is works fine. So you can but try. Worst that can happen is you have to get the likes of a Wahoo RPM.0 -
I've had a quick go of TR on iPhone and it works, but I only have rollers, not a turbo, so it ws asking me to do 60watts, about the minimum I can put out on the rollers and still stay upright is about 100watts!0
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Just completed the Sustained Power Build - Low Vol plan. It took me slightly longer than the 8 weeks for one reason or another, but I did an FTP test last night and my FTP had gone up by 9% since I started this plan.
I'm pretty pleased with that, but more importantly for me personally, my FTP is now back where it was just before I broke my leg 14 months ago, which resulted in quite a lay-off. So that's a big goal achieved for me.
All I need to do now is to try a bit harder to shed those last few kilos I acquired while my feet were up!
Cheers,
MarkPBoardman Road Comp - OK, I went to Halfords
Tibia plateau fracture - the rehab continues!0 -
I've had a quick go of TR on iPhone and it works, but I only have rollers, not a turbo, so it ws asking me to do 60watts, about the minimum I can put out on the rollers and still stay upright is about 100watts!
60 Watts - what kind of session is that ? Pretty sure that would only be for the last minute or so of any of my workouts.
The idea is that you test your FTP to set the levels. Turbo is much better than rollers for the harder sessions.0 -
Has anyone used TR for alpine sportive training, and if so, did it give appreciable results?
My usual prep for these sort of rides are long hilly rides once a week building up to about 150 miles, with a couple of indoor interval sessions midweek and a tempo mid distance ride. Usually for a minimum of 3 months before the event. I've usually done ok, but I'm always interested in trying something else, especially if it's more time efficient or can raise the bar a little higher.0 -
60 Watts - what kind of session is that ? Pretty sure that would only be for the last minute or so of any of my workouts.
The idea is that you test your FTP to set the levels. Turbo is much better than rollers for the harder sessions.
It was the FTP test, I'm guessing it's going off some beginning FTP level to start with.
I seem to be able to do between about 100W and 200W on the rollers, at about 200W (30mph road speed) I start to spin out of my top gear.
So yes; a turbo would be good.
Is there an advantage of using the PC app instead of iPhone. As I could set up a turbo next to my wifes PC, although it would mean me looking to my right all the time
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Has anyone used TR for alpine sportive training, and if so, did it give appreciable results?
I'm doing an event in the Dolomites and TR has been my primary focus this time around, mainly due to time-contraints of my job.
I don't know how I'll perform, but my power improvment has been over 20% from when I first started training for it...VO2 Max - 79 ml/kg/min
W/kg - 4.90 -
Quick trainnerroad question?postby JackPozzi » Sat Aug 1, 2015 2:49 pm
I know there is a huge thread on TR which I've tried searching but there doesn't seem to be a conclusive answer in there so starting a new thread in the hope someone can help.
Thinking of using TR for turbo and roller sessions when the nights start drawing in and I also need a new laptop so want to make sure whatever I get will be able to run the software.
Will definitely be windows based, and hopefully sub £500, looking on the TR site the minimum spec is 2.33 ghz but everything I looking seems to be less than 2.
Does it really need to be that fast to run TR, doesn't seem like there's a huge amount to it so it sounds pretty high but hoping some of you have experience of what it really needs to run well?
Replying to this here... to keep TR thread .. no point in starting new threads on forums when one exists...
apart from that, any new laptop runing Win 7/8 will be adequate.. perhaps TR support can clarify in the software will run on Win10...?0 -
Quick trainnerroad question?postby JackPozzi » Sat Aug 1, 2015 2:49 pm
I know there is a huge thread on TR which I've tried searching but there doesn't seem to be a conclusive answer in there so starting a new thread in the hope someone can help.
Thinking of using TR for turbo and roller sessions when the nights start drawing in and I also need a new laptop so want to make sure whatever I get will be able to run the software.
Will definitely be windows based, and hopefully sub £500, looking on the TR site the minimum spec is 2.33 ghz but everything I looking seems to be less than 2.
Does it really need to be that fast to run TR, doesn't seem like there's a huge amount to it so it sounds pretty high but hoping some of you have experience of what it really needs to run well?
Replying to this here... to keep TR thread .. no point in starting new threads on forums when one exists...
apart from that, any new laptop runing Win 7/8 will be adequate.. perhaps TR support can clarify in the software will run on Win10...?
Sorry, wasn't sure! Thanks for the response, happier with my options now.
As an aside, spent yesterday updating my old, underpowered HP210 netbook to windows 10, it had got to the point where it was so slow it was unusable despite wiping and cleanly reinstalling the windows 7 that was on there. With Win 10 it's now much better, so installed TR on that and it seems ok. Haven't used it with a turbo yet but it paired it to my HR strap and it all seems to run ok.
Noticed that the software has an option to "use power meter to control electronic trainer". Does this mean that if I fit my vector pedals to my bike on my Powerbeam turbo and tell it I want to ride at x watts, it will take the data from the pedals and adjust the resistance accordingly rather than taking the power figure from the powerbeam? Because that would be awesome...0 -
Has anyone used TR for alpine sportive training, and if so, did it give appreciable results?
I'm doing an event in the Dolomites and TR has been my primary focus this time around, mainly due to time-contraints of my job.
I don't know how I'll perform, but my power improvment has been over 20% from when I first started training for it...
Your VO2 max is 79 ? Blimey. That sounds very high - are you an elite ?0
