If I set my FTP too low will the software catch up?

TrainerRoad Software
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I’m new to training with power and did my first FTP test. I don’t have a trainer, so all of my testing and riding will be outside. This means the AI FTP won’t work for me. My question is if I ended up setting my FTP too low and I’m doing really well on the workouts, will the software still adjust and make things harder even if I don’t change my FTP? (I’m coming from a weight lifting background and at least in that context it is always better to err on the side of a lower max lift for setting training numbers than a higher max lift and I’m thinking the same principle probably applies here too.)

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Do you have a power meter on your bike(s)?

  • One is needed if the aim is to use AI FTP Detection. That and the need to actually complete 10 TR Inside Workouts are the prerequisites for AIFTPD to function.

What AI FTP Detection Needs to Detect Your FTP

In order for AI FTP Detection to have enough data to accurately detect your FTP, you need a minimum of 10 completed TrainerRoad indoor workouts. If you haven’t completed enough workouts, don’t stress—you’ll see how many more you need when you click the button to use the feature. Once you’ve completed these 10 workouts, AI FTP Detection will analyze and incorporate all indoor and outdoor rides with power data, whether or not they’re TrainerRoad workouts.

Additionally, for TR to be able to adjust your Progression Levels (that drive plan changes via Adaptive Training) you need to complete actual TR Outside Workouts with power data for best results. TR is not adjusting PL’s for “unstructured rides” at this time either.

AFAIK, unless you are doing both of those via power above, there is no real function where TR will track your AIFTPD or PL in tandem with plan updates.

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Yes, I just got a power meter for my bike. I just don’t have a trainer and so won’t be doing any indoor rides.

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OK, so you can get most of the AT & PL related function as long as you follow TR Outside Workouts.

  • To that end, TR claims that AT & PL’s can overcome a slightly incorrect FTP value. I believe it to a degree, but only within some reasonable range.
  • If you ever seriously doubt your FTP, the best thing to do is re-test.

You just won’t get AIFTPD under the current implementation unless you can sneak in 10 inside workouts via a loaner or other method.

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Thanks! I’m also tracking everything in intervals.icu so I’ll see what it does with my estimated FTP as I progress through the training.

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Keep in mind that Intervals eFTP needs more maximal type efforts to give decent results. Depending on the workouts you do, you may not really be hitting those efforts at a high enough level to give the best results.

I watch mine there too and rarely see it match TR AIFTPD until I get to doing some particularly harder workouts or outside group rides & races. TR and Intervals are using very different methods since TR apparently doesn’t rely on those maximal efforts. Moot point unless you can get in 10 inside workouts to access AIFTPD, but figured it was worth noting.

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