Trainerroad expectations
Discussion
wobert said:
Well done, did the same yesterday and thought it the hardest session yet.
Into Week 4 tomorrow......
I also did a short (20 miles) loop today. Last ride out on the road was mid-November and conditions today were pretty miserable.
A three mile slog into a head wind, mixed with fine rain meant I had to concentrate, but managed to keep my cadence high and speed consistent, so the work done so far seems to be working, although my average speed was 13 mph, down from last summer, when it was 15.5.....
Still it can only improve....
This was my last ride of last year and also the hardest, typically I do 100m climbing per 10km and like to average 31kph most of the time, generally that was going all at my old "90%" feel. Which has been recalibrate since taking up TR. There is a sportive on the 28th around my local area which I may do, need to get back out on the road, Into Week 4 tomorrow......
I also did a short (20 miles) loop today. Last ride out on the road was mid-November and conditions today were pretty miserable.
A three mile slog into a head wind, mixed with fine rain meant I had to concentrate, but managed to keep my cadence high and speed consistent, so the work done so far seems to be working, although my average speed was 13 mph, down from last summer, when it was 15.5.....
Still it can only improve....
Edited by wobert on Sunday 22 January 17:25
Previous best power efforts out on the road have been up reasonable gradients where getting off isn't a possibility (well it is you like quitting), this TR stuff is good.
https://www.strava.com/activities/816956842
I can see the next intervals will getting shorter and going up to and over FTP. I imagine looking back at this time in the future and being amazed it felt so hard, thats training for you.
I've always been a bit of a low cadence slogger, my local circuit is 18 miles and 4 short hills.
My cadence is usually 30rpm on a 15% grade as I simply don't make the power to lift my bulk quickly up the hill.
Even on the flat I would be spinning at 80 rpm.
What TR has guided me with is to drop a gear and spin quicker. Doing so, means my legs last longer, until I run out of gears due to the gradient!
Whilst my average speed was much lower today than last summer (mainly due to the rain and cold), my interval times for nearly every segment we level with those from July time, but not the fastest I've ever done.
To me that says the TR is working, but that I'm still developing technique and ability.
Time will tell. I need to persevere in order to progress, despite the piss ripping I'm getting from one of my so called friends, I've deleted him off Strava, as the constant negativity is something I could do without..... :-(
My cadence is usually 30rpm on a 15% grade as I simply don't make the power to lift my bulk quickly up the hill.
Even on the flat I would be spinning at 80 rpm.
What TR has guided me with is to drop a gear and spin quicker. Doing so, means my legs last longer, until I run out of gears due to the gradient!
Whilst my average speed was much lower today than last summer (mainly due to the rain and cold), my interval times for nearly every segment we level with those from July time, but not the fastest I've ever done.
To me that says the TR is working, but that I'm still developing technique and ability.
Time will tell. I need to persevere in order to progress, despite the piss ripping I'm getting from one of my so called friends, I've deleted him off Strava, as the constant negativity is something I could do without..... :-(
wobert said:
I've always been a bit of a low cadence slogger, my local circuit is 18 miles and 4 short hills.
My cadence is usually 30rpm on a 15% grade as I simply don't make the power to lift my bulk quickly up the hill.
Even on the flat I would be spinning at 80 rpm.
What TR has guided me with is to drop a gear and spin quicker. Doing so, means my legs last longer, until I run out of gears due to the gradient!
Whilst my average speed was much lower today than last summer (mainly due to the rain and cold), my interval times for nearly every segment we level with those from July time, but not the fastest I've ever done.
To me that says the TR is working, but that I'm still developing technique and ability.
Time will tell. I need to persevere in order to progress, despite the piss ripping I'm getting from one of my so called friends, I've deleted him off Strava, as the constant negativity is something I could do without..... :-(
Why is he taking the piss? Someone wants to improve, and are working well to doing that....why would someone take the piss out of that? Doesn't sound like a very good friend.My cadence is usually 30rpm on a 15% grade as I simply don't make the power to lift my bulk quickly up the hill.
Even on the flat I would be spinning at 80 rpm.
What TR has guided me with is to drop a gear and spin quicker. Doing so, means my legs last longer, until I run out of gears due to the gradient!
Whilst my average speed was much lower today than last summer (mainly due to the rain and cold), my interval times for nearly every segment we level with those from July time, but not the fastest I've ever done.
To me that says the TR is working, but that I'm still developing technique and ability.
Time will tell. I need to persevere in order to progress, despite the piss ripping I'm getting from one of my so called friends, I've deleted him off Strava, as the constant negativity is something I could do without..... :-(
I have a mate who's into cycling, and when I started regularly using TR he used to say it was stupid, riding outdoors was so much better etc etc....yet he's the one who moans when the weather is bad. We used to be similar speeds, but I'm now considerably quicker.
I even used TR regularly throughout the summer....I genuinely enjoy some of the real gutsy sessions as much as riding outdoors some times.....the sense of satisfaction from getting a real solid session in is superb, and it's SO, SO hard to get a decent session out on the road. But doing the sessions indoors makes you faster outdoors, without a doubt.
I was always pretty fit, able to cycle 100 miles without any real issue, but in the space of 12 months I improved my FTP (using my 2nd FTP test as I didn't pace the 1st very well) by 15-20%....
Keep it up and don't listen to negative comments, you can do without it.
Suffering indoors is great
Some context, most of the club Chaingangs I went on last year were pretty easy a lot of the time, it was only in the tail of summer when some cat1 came down did it start getting silly. That was probably more to do with people not doing through and off in a balanced way. Sunday club runs I could speed a fair bit on the front and feel ok.
A chap at work who was kona level IM athlete at uni and did some coaching predicts that post TT training I will simply get annoyed on the road as I get better than those I normally ride with. To be fair that's why most of my riding is solo most of the time, I just prefer it, however group riding does force you to up your game.
Looking forward to trying to crack 300w for 10-15mins. I need to get back on myfitnesspal and get the last 5-6kg dropped, too much chocolate lying around after Xmas!
A chap at work who was kona level IM athlete at uni and did some coaching predicts that post TT training I will simply get annoyed on the road as I get better than those I normally ride with. To be fair that's why most of my riding is solo most of the time, I just prefer it, however group riding does force you to up your game.
Looking forward to trying to crack 300w for 10-15mins. I need to get back on myfitnesspal and get the last 5-6kg dropped, too much chocolate lying around after Xmas!
ALawson said:
Some context, most of the club Chaingangs I went on last year were pretty easy a lot of the time, it was only in the tail of summer when some cat1 came down did it start getting silly. That was probably more to do with people not doing through and off in a balanced way. Sunday club runs I could speed a fair bit on the front and feel ok.
A chap at work who was kona level IM athlete at uni and did some coaching predicts that post TT training I will simply get annoyed on the road as I get better than those I normally ride with. To be fair that's why most of my riding is solo most of the time, I just prefer it, however group riding does force you to up your game.
Looking forward to trying to crack 300w for 10-15mins. I need to get back on myfitnesspal and get the last 5-6kg dropped, too much chocolate lying around after Xmas!
I may be way off here, but were you based around Southampton? I know someone from this forum is, but can't remember who! A chap at work who was kona level IM athlete at uni and did some coaching predicts that post TT training I will simply get annoyed on the road as I get better than those I normally ride with. To be fair that's why most of my riding is solo most of the time, I just prefer it, however group riding does force you to up your game.
Looking forward to trying to crack 300w for 10-15mins. I need to get back on myfitnesspal and get the last 5-6kg dropped, too much chocolate lying around after Xmas!
E65Ross said:
Why is he taking the piss? Someone wants to improve, and are working well to doing that....why would someone take the piss out of that? Doesn't sound like a very good friend.
I have a mate who's into cycling, and when I started regularly using TR he used to say it was stupid, riding outdoors was so much better etc etc....yet he's the one who moans when the weather is bad. We used to be similar speeds, but I'm now considerably quicker.
I even used TR regularly throughout the summer....I genuinely enjoy some of the real gutsy sessions as much as riding outdoors some times.....the sense of satisfaction from getting a real solid session in is superb, and it's SO, SO hard to get a decent session out on the road. But doing the sessions indoors makes you faster outdoors, without a doubt.
I was always pretty fit, able to cycle 100 miles without any real issue, but in the space of 12 months I improved my FTP (using my 2nd FTP test as I didn't pace the 1st very well) by 15-20%....
Keep it up and don't listen to negative comments, you can do without it.
Suffering indoors is great
I suspect he's taking the piss because I've got the bit between my teeth and trying something a little more structured than he's used to.I have a mate who's into cycling, and when I started regularly using TR he used to say it was stupid, riding outdoors was so much better etc etc....yet he's the one who moans when the weather is bad. We used to be similar speeds, but I'm now considerably quicker.
I even used TR regularly throughout the summer....I genuinely enjoy some of the real gutsy sessions as much as riding outdoors some times.....the sense of satisfaction from getting a real solid session in is superb, and it's SO, SO hard to get a decent session out on the road. But doing the sessions indoors makes you faster outdoors, without a doubt.
I was always pretty fit, able to cycle 100 miles without any real issue, but in the space of 12 months I improved my FTP (using my 2nd FTP test as I didn't pace the 1st very well) by 15-20%....
Keep it up and don't listen to negative comments, you can do without it.
Suffering indoors is great
Whilst he'll claim to be into cycling, he did nothing between Octber and the end of 2016. Now he's back on the bike, everyone else is fair game in his eyes l.
He too mentioned it's better to be out on the roads, but hey I tried that without any improvement, bumbling around doesn't work for me, so I thought I'd try something more structured to see what effect this has.
I'm time limited too, esp during the winter months, so need a structure that allows me to dip in as and when I have an hour free, either in the evenings or weekend.
The more he piss takes, the more resolute I will be.....
E65Ross said:
I tend to stand up (as if you might cycling up a steep hill) every now and again on the turbo trainer just to break the monotony.
I try this - but how the heck are you supposed to stand and pedal on a trainer? Can't get any smoothness in the legs when standing (which made yesterdays 90min session "interesting" 
Ian Lancs said:
E65Ross said:
I tend to stand up (as if you might cycling up a steep hill) every now and again on the turbo trainer just to break the monotony.
I try this - but how the heck are you supposed to stand and pedal on a trainer? Can't get any smoothness in the legs when standing (which made yesterdays 90min session "interesting" E65Ross said:
langy said:
I was talking to a friend earlier about TR and he has a Taxc Neo and I don't think he uses it to its full potential.
Does anybody have a 'free' months subscription email that they haven't already passed on?
TIA
PM me your email address and I'll get one sent over for you Does anybody have a 'free' months subscription email that they haven't already passed on?
TIA
E65Ross said:
Not sure what trainer you have, I'm using a Wahoo Kickr and standing whilst pedaling isn't an issue, in fact, I find it have to for really hard efforts like sprints. What problems do you have trying to stand?
I've a cycle ops fluid2 - just feels really "stuttery" if I stand and attempt to pedal. Suspect I just need to practice and sort technique out - not a smooth pedaller as I def favour a leg due to a knee op.I am fairly right leg dominant (typically 46/54 split. I suspect it's more the Trainer/set up there really are no issues at all standing whilst on the kickr.... It's a very heavy beast (23kgs IIRC) so it ain't moving! Admittedly I'm not the most powerful rider but even when sprinting out of the saddle and using the drops doing 700W it's rock solid.
I tried standing today on the same trainer, felt a little unusual but then again compared to rollers very safe. Will be getting out the same more just for a bit of a change but I agree a little funny. Probably as most usual out of saddle efforts in the real world result in some sideways movement which you don't get.
Hello all...ok, I've read the thread and spent long enough looking online to now being totally confused what smart trainer to buy. Please help me choose. Apologies if I have hijacked this thread!
Budget 200 - 400quid, or 250 - 500Euro (I live in Germany, where it was -16C this morning!)
Wants
- resistance controlled by the training software
- ok road feel/flywheel properties...must not be brilliant
- ok power capacity...I'm not a very powerful cyclist, but I am fairly sure I can hit momentarily hit 1000W
- Reliable, low level of faffing about
What experiences do you guys have? I know spending more gets me a better trainer, honestly I don't need a great trainer. I just want to try some different training software.
Thanks for any advice!
Budget 200 - 400quid, or 250 - 500Euro (I live in Germany, where it was -16C this morning!)
Wants
- resistance controlled by the training software
- ok road feel/flywheel properties...must not be brilliant
- ok power capacity...I'm not a very powerful cyclist, but I am fairly sure I can hit momentarily hit 1000W
- Reliable, low level of faffing about
What experiences do you guys have? I know spending more gets me a better trainer, honestly I don't need a great trainer. I just want to try some different training software.
Thanks for any advice!
You won't get a smart trainer for that price, but you'd get a decent "normal" trainer....but you budget is quite wide, £200 gets you a pretty average trainer, yet £400 gets you one a fair chunk better. To be honest, have a look on somewhere like wiggle.co.uk, put your budget in and see what comes up and what the reviews say.
I've just got off from doing an edited version of Carillon....instead of 2 sets of 2x10mins I did 3 sets, and I paused the workout and skipped 1min off each recovery as I didn't need 5mins between each set.
Felt....alright, considering yesterday I was pretty pleased.
I've just got off from doing an edited version of Carillon....instead of 2 sets of 2x10mins I did 3 sets, and I paused the workout and skipped 1min off each recovery as I didn't need 5mins between each set.
Felt....alright, considering yesterday I was pretty pleased.
Yes you will.. a tacx smart flow or even a vortex is easily within that budget.
resistance controlled - well, that's the smart bit. they all do that
ok road feel - well, that's a bit subjective. Bigger flywheels are better, but that can be improved by using a bigger gear (in erg mode), more speed = more momentum (which is what rather defines road feel). Bottom line, I'd get over that bit to a certain extent. It's never going to be that great.
power capacity - yes we all can. Momentarily. The ratings for turbos are somewhat sustained numbers (momentarily you'll get a lot more), at a given speed, and at the wheel. Gearing is a force multiplier.. so if you ever feel you need more, just use a bigger gear. Trust me, even a '700w' unit will happily destroy you.
resistance controlled - well, that's the smart bit. they all do that
ok road feel - well, that's a bit subjective. Bigger flywheels are better, but that can be improved by using a bigger gear (in erg mode), more speed = more momentum (which is what rather defines road feel). Bottom line, I'd get over that bit to a certain extent. It's never going to be that great.
power capacity - yes we all can. Momentarily. The ratings for turbos are somewhat sustained numbers (momentarily you'll get a lot more), at a given speed, and at the wheel. Gearing is a force multiplier.. so if you ever feel you need more, just use a bigger gear. Trust me, even a '700w' unit will happily destroy you.
E65Ross said:
You won't get a smart trainer for that price, but you'd get a decent "normal" trainer....but you budget is quite wide, £200 gets you a pretty average trainer, yet £400 gets you one a fair chunk better. To be honest, have a look on somewhere like wiggle.co.uk, put your budget in and see what comes up and what the reviews say.
Thanks for replyingI've spent hours looking at reviews...I still feel no better informed!
Is this Tacx a decent trainer..for 300 quid?
Kawasicki said:
Thanks for replying
I've spent hours looking at reviews...I still feel no better informed!
Is this Tacx a decent trainer..for 300 quid?
The Tacx flow smart is approx €100 cheaper and very similar in spec, just 100w less capacity than the Vortex.I've spent hours looking at reviews...I still feel no better informed!
Is this Tacx a decent trainer..for 300 quid?
I've just started using the flow and it's worked perfectly out of the box, probably the "road feel" isn't as good as higher priced trainers, but if you want the true road feel just go outside
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff