The official TrainerRoad thread

Andy19111964

Dinyull wrote:

I'mm mention it again, but stress is important to take into account too. I would have laughed it off before using TR, but if I'd had a stressful day I'd really struggle with a workout. I could knock the same workout again the next day no problem whatsoever (even with aching legs) if I'd had an easier day at work.

Yes I second that. I do use ithlete HRV monitoring in order to manage stress and the impact it can have. I can make sure that my reading is suitable for a hard workout.

Andy19111964

ohfreak wrote:

I'm 45 with what I thought was a pretty well-established base and jumped right into a mid-volume general build as my first real foray into structured training. I'm about four weeks in and I've definitely noticed the need for additional recovery/scaling back the TSS - particularly after the Tuesday & Thursday sessions.

I've also been doing relatively big outdoor rides (sometimes significantly more stressful than the ride TR prescribes) every Saturday, so that's complicating things.

Overall still satisfied with how it's going and digging the TR.

Thanks for your input - interesting that you've also commented on the recovery aspect. Maybe as we get older that 2 instead of the 3 HIIT sessions are more manageable?

vpnikolov

Question on the 20 min FTP test.

Did one yesterday, was feeling quite fatigued beforehand.

The results showed an increase by 4w, but the LTHR down by 10 - from 156 to 146. For a 24 year old, this does not seem quite correct. Would the decrease in the LTHR show the level of fatigue during the test?

bobmcstuff

vpnikolov wrote:

Question on the 20 min FTP test.

Did one yesterday, was feeling quite fatigued beforehand.

The results showed an increase by 4w, but the LTHR down by 10 - from 156 to 146. For a 24 year old, this does not seem quite correct. Would the decrease in the LTHR show the level of fatigue during the test?

I have also found my LTHR decreasing as my FTP increases. Admittedly over only 3 tests. Would be interested to understand why.

vpnikolov

bobmcstuff wrote:

vpnikolov wrote:

Question on the 20 min FTP test.

Did one yesterday, was feeling quite fatigued beforehand.

The results showed an increase by 4w, but the LTHR down by 10 - from 156 to 146. For a 24 year old, this does not seem quite correct. Would the decrease in the LTHR show the level of fatigue during the test?

I have also found my LTHR decreasing as my FTP increases. Admittedly over only 3 tests. Would be interested to understand why.

http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/arti ... heart-rate

I can only explain the decrease with fatigue. It does not make sense otherwise.

daniel_b

Nick Kanwetz wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

Hi Nick,

thankyou for all your help so far, I started a 6 week block 10 days or so ago, and am progressing nicely, although my pwoer is horrendously down due to being lazy and eating too much - hoping that will come back faster than you might otherwise expect improvements if that makes sense.

Couple of questions for you, and I should have grabbed a screenshot really, but on the devices screen, it shows me IIRC, the Ant+ turbo with power and cadence\speed, it also shows me a power meter seperately, and lastly my external speed and cadence sensors.

My issue with getting the turbo to calibrate on TR seemed to be because I was trying to calibrate through the first option, but as soon as I chose the lone power meter, it worked straight away - strange?
With regards to the cadence, I regularly see it drop to 0, and then come back up, do you think that could be because it is using the Tacx guesstimate rather than the external setup?
Do you think I should tell it to diconnect from the turbo\cadence and give it the power meter and external cadence\speed instead?
But then I guess the ERG mode would not work?

On the subject of the ERG mode, it seems to take around a minute, or sometimes longer for the power to come into line with the requirement of the workout, ie when it changes from say 100 - 120.
The only way I can find around this, is to knock it up a gear, and pedal harder about 6 seconds before the end of the previosu interval, this then getis it up to about the right level, and I can either stay in that gear, or knock it down again once the resistance kicks in.
Am I doing this wrong, or might it be an issue with the trainer, or is it just a limitation?

And finally, for the time being (Sorry!) I am finding I am useless at the 1 legged drills, they are always knocking, and I get tired quickly - I don't recall quite the same issues last summer, so assume it is just because I am down on power at the moment, but am wondering if I should persevere, or leave it out of this 6 week block, and try and get back to it in the next 6 week block - any thoughts?

Thanks

Dan

Really happy to help, Dan! And that totally makes sense. Haha

So if I understand correctly, you're seeing the following pairing options: ANT+ FE-C trainer (which also provides a "virtual" cadence reading and speed readings), a separate speed/cadence sensor combo, and a separate power meter.

Then, when you try to calibrate when having just the ANT+ FE-C trainer paired, you're not receiving a "calibration successful" message. Correct? Then when you pair the separate power meter by itself, you're able to calibrate? If you're trying to calibrate the separate "power meter" (which is just the power-measuring device within the Vortex) this is a different form of calibration than what should be performed with the ANT+ FE-C trainer. The calibration for the trainer is what's known as a spindown calibration.

I know we've mentioned this before, but our first recommendation is to play with the roller tension on the wheel with unsuccessful calibrations. If you're still unable to get this done please shoot us an email and we'll be able to look into things a little further within your career.

Regarding the cadence, you're definitely going to get more reliable cadence readings from a dedicated cadence measuring device. The Vortex provides a "virtual" cadence, so if users' have the extra equipment we recommend they use the dedicated sensors. If you pair the ANT+ FE-C trainer + the dedicated sensors (without pairing the additional "power meter"), the dedicated speed and cadence sensor will take priority over the trainer's speed and cadence readings while still giving you ERG control. But you're correct, by pairing the "power meter" and speed/cadence sensors you would no longer have ERG control.

I recommend pairing the ANT+ FE-C trainer + dedicated speed&cadence combo.

On the subject of ERG taking a while to adjust: this sounds a bit wonky. I think it would be a good idea for you to shoot us an email at support@trainerroad.com so we can look into things a bit more in-depth. That way we can take a look at the calibration stuff as well.

The isolate leg training shouldn't be as much a focus on power as it is more a focus on efficiency. If you're finding you have temporarily low power with the ILT, no need to worry. Switch your trainer mode out of ERG so you're not locked into the power and can still get some isolated leg focus in. We usually recommend users include these drills 2-3 times per week, but if you want to focus solely on getting some of your power back before hopping back into these drills feel free to do so.

We'll look forward to hearing from you to get you back on track. Thanks again Dan!

Community Manager at TrainerRoad — Cycling's Most Effective Training System

Hi Nick,

I had a puncture last night, so had a break in my workout, and thought this morning I should re-calibrate, and adjust the tension - managed that no issue with the Tacx utility:


But no matter what I tried could not get TR to calibrate.

I have taken your advice, and sent screenshots, and details of the issues to the support mail address - also took some vids of me attempting calibration.
Marginally concerned, as I have my second FTP pencilled in for the 23rd, and would like to know that all is in order before the next 6 week block.

Thanks

Dan

BrolyPT

Hello everyone,

I've been using TR since December and I'm pretty satisfied but since I got to the general build I have had problems when I have to achieve high percentages of my FTP, for example 125%.

Use in ERG mode and my turbo is a tacx flow smart t2240

The ERG works without any problems at medium low or even high loads up to 100%!! but everything goes from there, the turbo does not gain enough resistance to achieve the target power.

I have to switch to manual and set a resistance to achieve the target and then put back into ERG mode.
Has anyone had such problems?

thankx
regards

Nick Kanwetz

vpnikolov wrote:

Question on the 20 min FTP test.

Did one yesterday, was feeling quite fatigued beforehand.

The results showed an increase by 4w, but the LTHR down by 10 - from 156 to 146. For a 24 year old, this does not seem quite correct. Would the decrease in the LTHR show the level of fatigue during the test?

bobmcstuff wrote:

I have also found my LTHR decreasing as my FTP increases. Admittedly over only 3 tests. Would be interested to understand why.

A tandem relationship between you power output and your heart rate in a workout is known as coupling. Not so much scientific literature on the matter, but with limited research, some sports scientists and physiologists believe this close relationship indicates a progression in aerobic endurance. The argument is: if you do the same effort for longer durations without your heart rate and power drifting away from that close relationship (i.e. decouple) you're allegedly adapting to the stress inflicted on your body. The problem that makes us dubious of this is the various things outside of fitness that can cause "decoupling" which are exogenous from your workout (e.g. dehydration, nutrition, and a whole myriad of things that affect HR).

But decoupling/coupling aside, as fitness improves, lower heart rate for the same power outputs or same heart rate for higher power outputs is indicative of improved fitness. This can be thought of as an ongoing process as your aerobic threshold increases and as you reassess your limits while progressing through your training.

So for "vpnikolov", the decrease in LTHR could be showing the fatigue during your test (or any of the other variables mentioned that can affect HR)...or it could be revealing that you've become more fit and can output higher wattage with less strain on your body (despite perhaps being mentally exhausted). That being said, if your fatigue doesn't shake off over the next week or two of workouts, you may want to back off and take a little bit of time to rest. Unrelenting noticeable fatigue in combination with consistently lower HR compared to steady power output can also be indicative of nonfunctional overreaching which can lead to overtraining syndrome.

And for "bobmcstuff", it sounds like you're getting what all endurance athletes are after: more power with less strain on your body as well.

Hope this helps clarify!

Community Manager at TrainerRoad — Cycling's Most Effective Training System

vpnikolov

Thanks for the response!

From what I've read online my understanding is that a sign that LTHR improves is when it actually increases. I guess that I should skip any riding what-so-ever before a test as I usually do it after I get back home (bike commuting - 45 mins each way). I guess it puts a strain.

How do the 20min and 8 min FTP test calculate LTHR? Reason asking, I know a recommended way to test LTHR is to run a 30min TT test which obviously would be different from the FTP ones.

pollys_bott

Nick Kanwetz wrote:

Pollys Bott wrote:

Just started using TR and did an 8 min FTP test in resistance mode as the wording in this piece

http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us ... RG-Trainer

just confused the hell out of me. On the one hand it says "If an electronic trainer is left in Erg mode, any test workouts won't assess FTP improvement" but in the preceding paragraph it says "Fortunately, TrainerRoad switches modes for you when you assess your FTP via our 20-Minute Test or our 8-Minute Test." Looking through the comments section at the end I have since concluded that I should do the FTP test in ERG mode and it will automatically default to Resistance mode for the 2 x 8 min intervals; but could someone please confirm that my conclusion is correct?

Many thanks...

Sorry for the confusion here!

For all future FTP assessments on an electronic trainer, you'll simply just leave it in ERG mode and we'll take care of the rest. Like you saw in the comment thread, we'll automatically change the mode of your trainer to allow you to give your all-out effort for the duration of the testing interval(s).

Here's a video that'll help make sure you know the ins & outs of the test for your next go at it: How to: 8-Minute Assessment

Let us know at support@trainerroad.com if you run into any other questions or concerns—we're happy to help.

Cheers,

Community Manager at TrainerRoad — Cycling's Most Effective Training System

Nick, thanks for confirming. Am working my way slowly through sweet spot base low volume 1 and despite not being able to follow the timings very closely (working a variation of a continental shift with alternating blocks of days & nights is not conducive to doing anything consistently from one week to the next) I have been pleasantly surprised at the effect it appears to be having on my fitness. I've done two FTP tests but haven't paced either properly, first one gave me 300 and the second 323; both done with massive negative splits. Did Eclipse on Sunday which was definitely uncomfortable but not a massive struggle so am curious about how much higher my FTP actually is. I had NPs of 335 & 384 for the 2x8 min intervals on my second test and was pushing well over 500 for the last 30 seconds so clearly I can't pace for toffee . The daft thing is that despite knowing anecdotally that I have a half-decent engine (and having that confirmed by a VO2 max test result of 62.6 18 months ago) and the TR numbers clearly telling me that I can produce 'x', I still can't quite believe that I am actually doing it. (The mind is weak, yes?! :oops: ) So I'm going to do another FTP test on Friday, but what output do you think I should be aiming for / capable of for the intervals? I'm thinking 380w-ish...

Nick Kanwetz

vpnikolov wrote:

Thanks for the response!

From what I've read online my understanding is that a sign that LTHR improves is when it actually increases. I guess that I should skip any riding what-so-ever before a test as I usually do it after I get back home (bike commuting - 45 mins each way). I guess it puts a strain.

How do the 20min and 8 min FTP test calculate LTHR? Reason asking, I know a recommended way to test LTHR is to run a 30min TT test which obviously would be different from the FTP ones.

Very welcome!

Here's where things get a little tricky....a sign of improvements in aerobic capabilities is indeed an increase in LTHR, overtime. A precursor to this is often achieving a higher power output with the same or lower heart rate. Basically, the more aerobically fit you get by training like this, the more lactate you can metabolize and use for fuel (become more aerobically efficient). So if you work harder (higher HR), you produce more lactate to slow down the buildup of acid in the muscles. Overtime you can buffer this excess lactate better (use it for fuel), which results in a higher HR because you're at that point able to put out more power. More work, higher HR, more lactate, but a system that utilizes and accommodates it better.

There are of course exceptions to this that would result to no changes in LTHR, like increased stroke volume.

This should help clarify if still unclear: Training effects on LTHR

Similarly to how FTP is derived, your average HR for the testing interval in the 20-minute test will be multiplied by .95. For the 8-minute test, your average HR during the two testing intervals will be multiplied by .9.

Community Manager at TrainerRoad — Cycling's Most Effective Training System

Nick Kanwetz

Daniel B wrote:

Hi Nick,

I had a puncture last night, so had a break in my workout, and thought this morning I should re-calibrate, and adjust the tension - managed that no issue with the Tacx utility:

But no matter what I tried could not get TR to calibrate.

I have taken your advice, and sent screenshots, and details of the issues to the support mail address - also took some vids of me attempting calibration.
Marginally concerned, as I have my second FTP pencilled in for the 23rd, and would like to know that all is in order before the next 6 week block.

Thanks

Dan

Thanks for sending that over Dan! Darden let me know you guys are in communication with one another.

Good luck crushing that FTP test!

Community Manager at TrainerRoad — Cycling's Most Effective Training System

vpnikolov

Nick Kanwetz wrote:

Similarly to how FTP is derived, your average HR for the testing interval in the 20-minute test will be multiplied by .95. For the 8-minute test, your average HR during the two testing intervals will be multiplied by .9.

Community Manager at TrainerRoad — Cycling's Most Effective Training System

I completely understand the adjustment of the FTP for an hour, but am quite confused as to why the HR would be multiplied by the same value. Naturally the power would decrease over the period, hence the adjustment by 95%(logically), but isn't it quite the opposite for the heart rate? Not that it would continue to rise, but remain more or less constant over the period. I am struggling to see the correlation.

daniel_b

Nick Kanwetz wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

Hi Nick,

I had a puncture last night, so had a break in my workout, and thought this morning I should re-calibrate, and adjust the tension - managed that no issue with the Tacx utility:

But no matter what I tried could not get TR to calibrate.

I have taken your advice, and sent screenshots, and details of the issues to the support mail address - also took some vids of me attempting calibration.
Marginally concerned, as I have my second FTP pencilled in for the 23rd, and would like to know that all is in order before the next 6 week block.

Thanks

Dan

Thanks for sending that over Dan! Darden let me know you guys are in communication with one another.

Good luck crushing that FTP test!

Community Manager at TrainerRoad — Cycling's Most Effective Training System

Thanks Nick, think Darden might have already cracked it, sent him a detailed word doc full of screenshots last night, will see what he comes back with :-)

Hoping to do something decent (for me) in the FTP test, and then keep on progressing from there, I think it is fair to say I am addicted!
The ILT's are getting a little bit easier - think jacking the saddle up a few mm, and dropping the cadence has helped, but I am loving the 4 quadrants drills especially, and linking a couple together, I am almost finding myself doing some of it without thinking now, or if I start tiring.
Also never thought I would be happy, and finding it easier to ride at such, to my original mind, a high cadence, 100-110 seems pretty effortless at the moment - once I have a proper FTP under my belt that may well change, but so far so good.

Just an idea that occurred to me, the bits on screen where you ask for someone to watch their knee for 30 seconds for example, I do this, but have to keep looking back up to the screen, could you maybe just add a single 'beep' in to alert someone to look at the screen when that 30 seconds is up?
And also, not sure if you have ever considered an audio option as opposed to the screen text?
This wouldn't be a happy bedfellow to watching something on the same screen of course.
Personally I really like the text on the screen, so no arguments from me, just an idle thought!

peteco

I have similar problems with my T2240. TrainerRoad support were really helpful, but I think the problems are down to limitations with the Tacx trainer - it is pretty cheap after all !

The problem I was having was that at low power i.e. recovery intervals, it was dropping out of ERG mode. It seems that there is a minimum resistance that the Tax can generate, and if I am pedalling too fast in too high a gear, then it drops out of ERG mode as it can't set the resistance that low, and ERG doesn't kick back in when the power demands rise. The answer is to pedal slowly and in the lowest gear during the recovery slots, and this seems to keep the trainer in ERG mode ready for the next more demanding interval.

The same seems to sort of apply at higher power demands. If I am pedalling fast in a lower gear when the power demands rise, then the trainer can not generate enough resistance, so it struggles. The answer seems to be get up into a higher gear, and then ERG seems to work OK.

I bought this Tacx to replace my dumb Elite trainer, but in reality I now swap between them. If it's a Sweetspot steady type session, then the Tacx is fine, but if it's going to be a VO2 max session, then the dumb trainer works best, as I don't have to worry about whether ERG mode is going to kick in or not. I guess I need to play with Resistance mode on the Tacx a bit more for these sessions.

Hope this helps. I noted that the TrainerRoad team said on one of their podcasts that they get more support calls for the cheaper smart trainers than anything else. This is probably why !

Pete

BrolyPT wrote:

Hello everyone,

I've been using TR since December and I'm pretty satisfied but since I got to the general build I have had problems when I have to achieve high percentages of my FTP, for example 125%.

Use in ERG mode and my turbo is a tacx flow smart t2240

The ERG works without any problems at medium low or even high loads up to 100%!! but everything goes from there, the turbo does not gain enough resistance to achieve the target power.

I have to switch to manual and set a resistance to achieve the target and then put back into ERG mode.
Has anyone had such problems?

thankx
regards

markp80

Andy19111964 wrote:

So, I'm just reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced anything similar, of a similar age? Not necessarily looking for an answer as I'm guessing it's accumulated fatigue over the 4 months and therefore more recovery might be needed. As it's a generic plan recovery needs to be subjective. But it's a fine line between this and wandering if you should keep pushing to break through and adapt

Andy, just to add to the general chorus, I have also found it really tough in the past when switching from sweet spot base to sweet spot build plans (low vol in my case), and have also had to dial it down a bit in order to complete the workouts. I'm not so sure it's a fatigue thing, I think the workouts are just a big step up. Maybe they're just a bit too hard, if so many people are having issues with them? OR maybe, as you say, we should just keep pushing...

Cheers,
MarkP

markp80

So, just kicking off on sweet spot base II, which meant an extremely unpleasant FTP test last night. Anyway, my FTP was up by about 4% since last test, with Christmas pud break in between, so I'm happy with that.
TrainerRoad definitely works for me, again....

MarkP

dinyull

I'm missing it in a sadistic kind of way.

Stopped using towards the end of last year simply because I'd started commuting 5 days a week. Can't really fit it in without the workouts or outdoor miles suffering.

Andy19111964

MarkP80 wrote:

Andy19111964 wrote:

So, I'm just reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced anything similar, of a similar age? Not necessarily looking for an answer as I'm guessing it's accumulated fatigue over the 4 months and therefore more recovery might be needed. As it's a generic plan recovery needs to be subjective. But it's a fine line between this and wandering if you should keep pushing to break through and adapt

Andy, just to add to the general chorus, I have also found it really tough in the past when switching from sweet spot base to sweet spot build plans (low vol in my case), and have also had to dial it down a bit in order to complete the workouts. I'm not so sure it's a fatigue thing, I think the workouts are just a big step up. Maybe they're just a bit too hard, if so many people are having issues with them? OR maybe, as you say, we should just keep pushing...

Cheers,
MarkP

Thanks Mark. For what its worth, I took 4 days rest and re-tested using the 20 minute test instead, with a mindset that the FTP would be slightly lower due to the longer interval, and therefore the sessions just that little bit more manageable. It was, 12 watts lower in fact (and well rested too). So maybe it's a case of using the best to suit us. I also switched to Sustain Build as it seemed there were 2 x harder sessions a week rather than 3 in General Build, and started from week 1 again with the new FTP value. As it happens I then had to increase the intensity by 3% on the first over/unders session to feel the necessary burn that should be felt on these sessions. So maybe there's a middle ground between the 2 testing formats. However I'm not willing to try both within a few days in order to clarify this!! So, I'll stick with the 20 minute test and adjust the intensity slightly if needs be.

Thanks

narbs

MarkP80 wrote:

So, just kicking off on sweet spot base II, which meant an extremely unpleasant FTP test last night. Anyway, my FTP was up by about 4% since last test, with Christmas pud break in between, so I'm happy with that.
TrainerRoad definitely works for me, again....

MarkP

I returned after the Christmas break too yesterday with an 8 minute test attempt.

It didn't go well

I always really struggle the first ride back after a break so I'm hoping for a more positive outcome tomorrow when I try again.

shamone

While doing the FTP test on a Kickr Snap, for the two all out intervals the trainer switches from ERG mode to resistance mode. I'm finding I have to change gear to the extent that the Snap vibrates like hell and the power measurement is all over the place.
I'm guessing the resistance level Trainerroad sets is too low - Any ideas how to have this set a higher level during the two intervals?

vpnikolov

Dinyull wrote:

I'm missing it in a sadistic kind of way.

Stopped using towards the end of last year simply because I'd started commuting 5 days a week. Can't really fit it in without the workouts or outdoor miles suffering.

I feel you... I find it increasingly hard to fit TR when commuting. I have to pootle in to and back from work to not affect the workouts in the evening. :roll:

markp80

narbs wrote:

MarkP80 wrote:

So, just kicking off on sweet spot base II, which meant an extremely unpleasant FTP test last night. Anyway, my FTP was up by about 4% since last test, with Christmas pud break in between, so I'm happy with that.
TrainerRoad definitely works for me, again....

MarkP

I returned after the Christmas break too yesterday with an 8 minute test attempt.

It didn't go well

I always really struggle the first ride back after a break so I'm hoping for a more positive outcome tomorrow when I try again.

I've been putting off the test for some time TBH. Really, I should have done it at the start of the 6 week base plan I was doing, but I stuck with the one carried over from November. So this one was well overdue - it just took me a few weeks to kick myself hard enough to get it done!

norfolkwhite

Been using TrainerRoad for about 18 months with a Kickr, RPM and TickrX successfully with no glitches over that period. Last night I did a firmware update to the TickrX and can not get it to reconnect to TR. I can see that there is a BT connection to the iPad in settings and the TickrX shows as being connected in the Wahoo App, but in the devices section of TR it is not recognised - any suggestions?

pirnie

Shamone wrote:

While doing the FTP test on a Kickr Snap, for the two all out intervals the trainer switches from ERG mode to resistance mode. I'm finding I have to change gear to the extent that the Snap vibrates like hell and the power measurement is all over the place.
I'm guessing the resistance level Trainerroad sets is too low - Any ideas how to have this set a higher level during the two intervals?

On my smart trainer, when in resistance mode you can press left and right on the keyboard to change the resistance. I presume it'll be the same on the snap

shamone

pirnie wrote:

Shamone wrote:

While doing the FTP test on a Kickr Snap, for the two all out intervals the trainer switches from ERG mode to resistance mode. I'm finding I have to change gear to the extent that the Snap vibrates like hell and the power measurement is all over the place.
I'm guessing the resistance level Trainerroad sets is too low - Any ideas how to have this set a higher level during the two intervals?

On my smart trainer, when in resistance mode you can press left and right on the keyboard to change the resistance. I presume it'll be the same on the snap

Sorry, should have said this is on IOS (iPad).

daniel_b

A question for Nick, or anyone who knows really.

I'm going for my second FTP tomorrow early doors, but was just reading some of the TR articles about the differences, and or benefits of either the twin 8 test, or the single 20.

It does say in the article, that even if the block you are doing starts with one, you can substitute for the other type.

Stupid question, but how would I do that?

bobmcstuff

Daniel B wrote:

A question for Nick, or anyone who knows really.

I'm going for my second FTP tomorrow early doors, but was just reading some of the TR articles about the differences, and or benefits of either the twin 8 test, or the single 20.

It does say in the article, that even if the block you are doing starts with one, you can substitute for the other type.

Stupid question, but how would I do that?

I would just search for the other test in the workouts section and do it, personally... It'll still calculate your FTP. Then afterwards you can select the plan workout, click "assign" and assign it to the ride you substituted.

daniel_b

bobmcstuff wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

A question for Nick, or anyone who knows really.

I'm going for my second FTP tomorrow early doors, but was just reading some of the TR articles about the differences, and or benefits of either the twin 8 test, or the single 20.

It does say in the article, that even if the block you are doing starts with one, you can substitute for the other type.

Stupid question, but how would I do that?

I would just search for the other test in the workouts section and do it, personally... It'll still calculate your FTP. Then afterwards you can select the plan workout, click "assign" and assign it to the ride you substituted.

Thanks Bob!

As it happened, I decided to stick with the twin 8, and it worked out better than I could have hoped, but if I get in to TT-ing, I may switch to the single 20.

Still a cr@p figure by all accounts, but I managed to come out of it with an FTP of 180, which was well beyond what I had hoped for if I am being honest - this nearly puts me back to where I was last spring, and in only 6 weeks!

Question for people, Nick etc.

I have the Tacx Vortex, and am riding a bike with a 50\34 at the front, and the smallest cog on the back I am pretty sure is 11.

For both of my 8 minute efforts I was in the highest gear I could be, and running at a cadence of circa 92rpm, which I believe for me (currently) is the optimal balance between muscular and cardio effort (May have used the wrong word there but you get the idea hopefully!)

So my concern is, that in 6 weeks time I will need to FTP again, and the only way I can see I will be able to boost my wattage is to spin faster, which I am not sure I want to do, although it may not be that much of an issue at the next time, I can see 6 months down the line, hopefully I should be up in excess of 200, and then it may be a real issue.

So my question is:

Is this a limitation of my gearing?
Is this a limitation of the trainer resistance?
Or is it a limitation of both?

Could I fudge it by putting more resistance on the rear wheel by winding up the tension on the roller - at the moment i have it back in the middle, or is that a super bad idea?

Thanks

Dan

pirnie

Daniel B wrote:

bobmcstuff wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

A question for Nick, or anyone who knows really.

I'm going for my second FTP tomorrow early doors, but was just reading some of the TR articles about the differences, and or benefits of either the twin 8 test, or the single 20.

It does say in the article, that even if the block you are doing starts with one, you can substitute for the other type.

Stupid question, but how would I do that?

I would just search for the other test in the workouts section and do it, personally... It'll still calculate your FTP. Then afterwards you can select the plan workout, click "assign" and assign it to the ride you substituted.

Thanks Bob!

As it happened, I decided to stick with the twin 8, and it worked out better than I could have hoped, but if I get in to TT-ing, I may switch to the single 20.

Still a cr@p figure by all accounts, but I managed to come out of it with an FTP of 180, which was well beyond what I had hoped for if I am being honest - this nearly puts me back to where I was last spring, and in only 6 weeks!

Question for people, Nick etc.

I have the Tacx Vortex, and am riding a bike with a 50\34 at the front, and the smallest cog on the back I am pretty sure is 11.

For both of my 8 minute efforts I was in the highest gear I could be, and running at a cadence of circa 92rpm, which I believe for me (currently) is the optimal balance between muscular and cardio effort (May have used the wrong word there but you get the idea hopefully!)

So my concern is, that in 6 weeks time I will need to FTP again, and the only way I can see I will be able to boost my wattage is to spin faster, which I am not sure I want to do, although it may not be that much of an issue at the next time, I can see 6 months down the line, hopefully I should be up in excess of 200, and then it may be a real issue.

So my question is:

Is this a limitation of my gearing?
Is this a limitation of the trainer resistance?
Or is it a limitation of both?

Could I fudge it by putting more resistance on the rear wheel by winding up the tension on the roller - at the moment i have it back in the middle, or is that a super bad idea?

Thanks

Dan

Is this a Tacx Vortex, or a Vortex Smart? If it's the vortex smart it has erg mode etc, and when doing the FTP test the trainer will be put into slope mode, meaning you should be able to change the resistance to suit in TraineRoad. It's definitely not a trainer limitation as on my last test I hit ~300W with a 50t at the front and somewhere around the 14 on the back. That was at a resistance setting of about 60% within TrainerRoad