- That is very likely. The basic difference is that the lower gearing and lower flywheel inertia will likely demand more muscle engagement for the same power and the same duration. In this case, it took more out of you than a higher gearing option that maintains more flywheel inertia (and therefore is less demanding no your body).
- We only have “one FTP”. What varies is our ability to express that in any given situation. We often “lose power” in a TT position compared to a road position. The reality is we haven’t changed, but the limitations based on our body from the positioning is the limiter, not our body itself.
- That also applied to climbing vs flats. We may have better ability with one type of inertia than another. It could come from training history, muscle type distribution or other factors.
- We all know people who prefer one type of riding over another. I wouldn’t be surprised to see that preference show up in testing.
- Yes, they have discussed flywheel inertia on a couple of occasions. The rule of thumb is to try to match the flywheel inertia to the majority of your events.
- Flat and fast road riding = large gearing and faster flywheel inertia
- Hilly and off-road = small gearing and slower flywheel inertia
- They core idea being to ride and train close to the conditions you expect to experience outside.
- In this case, I say that you should also do the Ramp Test in the same gearing as you plan to train.