The official TrainerRoad thread

jgsi

How to use this thread....
we seem to be getting just a few ... should I say obvious or even irrelevant questions being asked on here.
No one is an accredited cycling coach methinks... so asking what plan to use is not best suited... really it isnt, most of us still training in the dark ages in fact.
Asking which is the easiest Sufferfest is just plain stupid or trolling.

New users.. go through this thread at your leisure, there are some good nuggets of user information but most of all use the FAQs on TR or post a support request. The guys at TR are very , very good.

This thread is most useful for personal experiences or bouncing off those experiences for others.. such as eg really good feedback from a particular turbo trainer that didnt cost the earth.. like my Satori.. bought 4 years ago for under a ton from Decathlon and still going strong.
cheers

reimorei

Just asked so I didn´t need to search all this thread for an answer, but was hoping for some help, not a stupid answer like this!! Maybe you need some more outdoor riding to refresh your mind
Ps: congrats on your sartori

manxshred

I always hate the first turbo session after a long summer of riding. Even though I am fitter than I have ever been, and have done more riding, and set better times in my events than I have ever achieved, I am pathetic on the turbo. I just cannot hold any type of reasonable power at all.
Anyway, hopefully it will just take a few more sessions for my legs to adjust.

handful

reimorei wrote:

I´m looking for a video workout, what is the easiest sufferfest video?

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=what+is+the+easiest+sufferfest+video&oq=what+is+the+easiest+sufferfest+video&aqs=chrome.0.57j62.14034&sugexp=chrome,mod=0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

matt-h

reimorei wrote:

I´m looking for a video workout, what is the easiest sufferfest video?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+the+easies ... fest+video

reimorei

handful wrote:

reimorei wrote:

I´m looking for a video workout, what is the easiest sufferfest video?

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=what+is+the+easiest+sufferfest+video&oq=what+is+the+easiest+sufferfest+video&aqs=chrome.0.57j62.14034&sugexp=chrome,mod=0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Handful and matt-h, thanks for the help!

iron_duke

2 weeks into the intermediate build programme.... meant to do sweet spot base but in my haste to get started accidentally selected wrong rides initially :oops: Still having had a solid summers riding thought I may as well enjoy it till the new family addition comes along and then can drop down to base as the sleep deprivation kicks in!

Have enjoyed the sufferfest vids before to provide motivation on the turbo but only going on RPE alone I am sure was not pushing as consistently hard throughout intervals. As had been said the visual motivation provided on screen which correlates to effort is addictive and really helps.

FWIW always found the Hunted/Angels as two of the gentler ones for building back in but not sure there are any real easy options (you get out what you put in).

bungalballs

Looks like the Intermediate Sweet Spot Plans have been replaced. Probably a good thing, but...

A little annoying as I am 2 weeks into Sweet Spot Base 1, feeling like I'm progressing nicely, and now it's gone! Wonder if there is a way of finding out the order of workouts for the old plan, time for a google.

Anybody else's plan been scuppered?

mickcee

Well I have 150 quid for a new Turbo, Trainer Road has giving me a new lease of life for my winter trainer!

So recomendations please? I was going to go with the Elite Crono Fluid Elastogel at 149.99 on wiggle as that one is on the list at Trainer Road.

Hopefully better then the one I was giving which to be honest I get a decent workout on which is http://gtturbotrainer.com/shop/article_1/GT03-Turbo-Trainer.html?sessid=aSnSvjneR3xmrgDSfLCUZFcWna9vfshn4A2AMwy1ji52cigFUN0CHTiay76lDWy5&shop_param=cid%3D2%26aid%3D1%26

hugo15

Bungalballs wrote:

Looks like the Intermediate Sweet Spot Plans have been replaced. Probably a good thing, but...

A little annoying as I am 2 weeks into Sweet Spot Base 1, feeling like I'm progressing nicely, and now it's gone! Wonder if there is a way of finding out the order of workouts for the old plan, time for a google.

Anybody else's plan been scuppered?

The post on the TR Facebook page says "For those of you on the previous Sweet Spot plan that now corresponds to the "Low Volume" plan."

bungalballs

hugo15 wrote:

The post on the TR Facebook page says "For those of you on the previous Sweet Spot plan that now corresponds to the "Low Volume" plan."

Yeah i did check, its similar, but not quite the same! It uses similar workouts but with lots of different ones mixed in. I've managed to find a picture on a review website which shows the workouts, as long as I have the names I can follow it.

Silly really, probably doesn't matter and could switch to the new one, but I already feel like I'm improving so I'm keen to see the plan through.

camerauk

Hi
I have had to change my Turbo Trainer from a Elite Alu (as it broke on me ) to a Tacx Blue Motion which I believe is the newer version of the Satori
I thought it best to do another test on TrainerRoad I had previously done a 8 Minute test on my elite which suggested a FTP of 143, I selected the 20 minute test upon recommendations, now it has given me a FTP score of 263 Is this correct seems strange I have improved that much in about a month
Could this just be its a better Turbo and I may have been having a very bad test?

handful

My ftp improved a lot when I changed turbos. I wouldn't worry too much, now you have a starting point for the new one just use that as a new benchmark. My old one was an elite as well, maybe they have this in common?

mickcee

Camerauk how is the Tacx Blue Motion? Is it noisey as I considered it but reviews said it isn't the quietist If trainers.

camerauk

mickcee wrote:

Camerauk how is the Tacx Blue Motion? Is it noisey as I considered it but reviews said it isn't the quietist If trainers.

I don't find it noisy at all I am using it in my shed which had a concrete floor with Carpet on it
I would say its a tad quieter than the Elite I had before

mickcee

Cheers for the response

pipipi

I am very happy with the Sufferfest videos I have so far and I will probably be adding more to my list soon, they link extremely well to TR.

I think I ought to be starting one of the TR plans but having got used to the videos already, I don't think I will find watching a yellow line very interesting.

What does everyone do when they are following a normal TR workout?

Photosynthesis

My first ride with TR. I did a 20min test. http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/1179971

Any thoughts? Where do I go from here?

My only problem was that the workout kept Pausing during the ride for some reason. Like it wasn't detecting any cadence or something. I had my Ant+ and laptop right next to the bike. So I'm not sure why it would keep pausing/stopping the workout.

shockedsoshocked

Photosynthesis wrote:

My first ride with TR. I did a 20min test. http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/1179971

Any thoughts? Where do I go from here?

My only problem was that the workout kept Pausing during the ride for some reason. Like it wasn't detecting any cadence or something. I had my Ant+ and laptop right next to the bike. So I'm not sure why it would keep pausing/stopping the workout.

All I'd say is your power seems quite erratic during the twenty minute test. Possibly try repeating the test? Is is it spiky because of when the workout was pausing itself?

Photosynthesis

ShockedSoShocked wrote:

Photosynthesis wrote:

My first ride with TR. I did a 20min test. http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/1179971

Any thoughts? Where do I go from here?

My only problem was that the workout kept Pausing during the ride for some reason. Like it wasn't detecting any cadence or something. I had my Ant+ and laptop right next to the bike. So I'm not sure why it would keep pausing/stopping the workout.

All I'd say is your power seems quite erratic during the twenty minute test. Possibly try repeating the test? Is is it spiky because of when the workout was pausing itself?

I'm not sure. I will do the test again on Tuesday probably and check the "Don't use cadence to play and pause workouts" option. Hopefully that will help. If it's not that then maybe possibly the battery in my speed/cadence sensor is getting weak. Also, http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/201802644-Device-Dropouts says that it could be other devices interfering with the Ant+ signal. The room that I was training in did have my wireless router in it too, so that might be a possibility as well.

EDIT: Would the spikes be from not having "Power Smoothing" turned on? I have it set to none.

jgsi

Turn on the 3 sec or even 5 sec power smoothing for a 20 minute test.
Check the 'Dont use cadence' box to eliminate the sensor dropping out for cadence.
See if the signal strength for the sensors is good to excellent
and try again, as you do need a consistent test to give yourself the most realistic setting for future workouts.

phil485

As a new trainer roader, can I install the software in more than one p.c. So I can generate data in the garage but analyse and plan in the comfort I my study???

Going to be using
Stages crank
Garmin heart rate
Garmin speed sensor
Garmin ant+ stick.

Initially looking at using my sufferfest videos but will probably look into the training plans.

Looking at doing tour of Wessex next year as my focus.

Strava estimated FTP currently 280 was up to 310 before injury.
Joe friel calculation reckons 380, looking forward to getting there!

Just waiting for the dongle then I will test.

fukawitribe

Hi Phil,

Yes you can install it on as many computers as you like - the actual front-end you use to do the rides doesn't really have many analysis tools aside from LTHR/FTP estimates; it basically provides the power profiles, runs the videos and so on. All the workouts are uploaded the TrainerRoad website, which you can log onto and do more analysis with (so from anywhere regardless of whether you have the software installed or not). You can of course download/export the data from TrainerRoad (application or website) to whatever you want, e.g. TrainingPeaks, GC, and do your analysis there.

Good luck with the training, although TBH i'd love to get to where you're starting from !

phil485

Cheers for the info.
Had a chance to have a bit more of a play last night. Looks good really keen for my dongle to arrive.
Did Sufferfest elements of style , which was harder work than expected.

I am no Chris froome so my watts / kg is not that impressive.

phil485

Can anyone recommend a good turbo trainer. Not looking for something that will break the bank but something with more resistance than my elite chrono fluid trainer.

I've got stages on one bike but no power on the other do a turbo that correlates well with virtual power would also be a bonus.

PolarExpress

Hi,

I’m new to this forum and Trainerroad. I have been reading this thread for quite some time and jumped on the bandwagon. I started TR last week. Did the 8 minute test and started the Sweet Spot Base 1 low volume plan. I’m still riding on the weekends so my training schedule is erratic until the weather limits me to ride exclusively inside.

My main concern and question to inside training is comfort. My butt is killing me. I’m guessing it’s caused by always sitting and never standing. I did Baxter witch is 1h30m and had to stop for a 10-15 seconds twice during the session. I can ride 2-3 hours outside without any issues. Any reason or solutions for this discomfort? Or will this go away with time?

Looking forward to improve over the winter and bump up my virtual FTP.

Thanks for your input.

http://www.trainerroad.com/career/polarexpress

shockedsoshocked

It does happen polar, and it's part of the reason I prefer steady state intervals that give me a few minutes in between to stand up and stretch before the next interval begins. I suppose you don't appreciate the affect of getting out of the saddle for short times on the road.

PolarExpress

I do stand-up during outside riding. It’s hard to do inside when following a training plan. Standing up on a trainer necessitates being on a very low gear and that boosts the power making the target power hard to maintain. Thanks for your input.

fukawitribe

Phil485 wrote:

Can anyone recommend a good turbo trainer. Not looking for something that will break the bank but something with more resistance than my elite chrono fluid trainer.

I've got stages on one bike but no power on the other do a turbo that correlates well with virtual power would also be a bonus.

Personally I like the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine - and it seems to get good reviews and is recommended by TR. Feels much better resistance than the Elite (disclaimer : I returned my Elastogel and bought a Road Machine) but i'm not sure of the actual peak figures. One thing you would notice with a fully clamped trainer is that you don't get the slippage you can with the gravity weighted ones when getting in/out of the saddle. Tiny bit more faff setting up but that's being really picky and realistically it's not something that changes my mind about the trainer one jot.

The new version of the RM is a bit pricy but 'new old' stock used to come up quite a bit for a lot less (and they've not really changed anything on the resistance unit between the two) and they're robust enough that they're not really much of a gamble second hand. The Kurt Rock'n'Roll gives you more wobbly goodness but has the same resistance unit as well - normally more expensive but worth keeping an eye out for a bargain.

Cyclops Fluid 2 also seem to get very good reviews, also been recommended for use with TR and were on special with Evancycles earlier in the week - not tried them but i'd be happy getting on from what i've heard.

shockedsoshocked

PolarExpress wrote:

I do stand-up during outside riding. It’s hard to do inside when following a training plan. Standing up on a trainer necessitates being on a very low gear and that boosts the power making the target power hard to maintain. Thanks for your input.

The cadence auto-pause function may solve this. Or, a turbo like the Wahoo Kickr which will keep the load on even when out the saddle, but that's a pretty expensive solution!