Transitioning from lower trainer-based FTP to outdoor pedal-based FTP

TrainerRoad Software
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I have recently been training indoors with a Garmin Rally pedal-based power meter and I see a difference of about 15W compared against my Wahoo Kickr (Rally pedals showing higher power). My FTP and zones are all setup based on the Wahoo Kickr readings (so while everything is ok inside, my outdoor rides are prescribed too low for me). I would like my TR Outdoor rides to be set to the right power zones, and I could use some advice on what to do.

I am aware of PowerMatch - but I think my situation is reversed from how PowerMatch would help me (if I had outdoor based FTP/zones then I could force them onto my indoor rides with PowerMatch).

Should I just up my FTP by the 15W and then push the workouts to outdoors? That would cause issues with progression levels and I don’t know what the Adaptive training algorithm would do to me. Or do I just continue riding on the high side of my TR Outdoor recommended power ranges?

Any recommendations on getting out of this predicament while keeping adaptive training happy? Would doing a short indoor ride with powermatch somehow straighten this out? THanks.

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If able I’d switch to use the pedal power meter inside and out, so single source of truth for everything.

From there I think you have two options.

  • Just start using the pedals, answer RPE survey honestly, and adaptive training and AI FTP will ramp you up over time to the right level

  • Do a ramp test or some other ftp test now with the pedals to reset zones.

2 Likes
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Some PMs offer an offset setting, which you could set to -15w in case.

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As @NateP said, it would be best to start using the pedals indoors and out if you can so you’re onto using just one power meter.

If you’re confident that the difference between the new power meter and the old one is 15 watts, you could manually change your FTP and begin using PowerMatch. If you’re uncertain, then doing an FTP Test would be a good idea just to be sure.

From there, TR should get “caught up” on the changes pretty quickly. As Nate also mentioned, you could just let TR work on its own and it would eventually get there for you – but if you know the difference between the two power meters and/or you’re willing to do an FTP Test with the new power meter, that would help speed the whole process up.

Hope that helps – feel free to let us know if you have any additional questions!

1 Like
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Once you have that, you could adjust your settings or use PowerMatch to balance it out. It might also help to stick with one power meter for both indoor and outdoor rides if you can.