Interesting how different people are. The overemphasis of the ramp test and plan builder plugs in the podcasts is what made me consider ditching it. Most overrated “features” ever.
Power curve analysis, calendar and good strava integration for me.
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Starting off, it was low tech requirements and virtual power.
Actually, still low tech requirements as before covid/ remote working I used to train on hybrid rollers with power meter before work, at work. It’s one of the biggest things I push on other forums if there’s a newbie looking for advice.
I love the plans, love the calendar, love plan builder (looking forward to the build in holidays/ vacation/ rebuild after deleting “B” events/ update for plan changes).
I have to be honest, and say the Grandfather pricing is a massive factor for me. I’m not sure I would’ve kept it going while playing on zwift at the start of lockdown.
I also love the podcast - I’ve no problem (and do) pay for content, so I did factor this into my internal debate as to whether I’d pay for Zwift and TrainerRoad. And this forum too, for the same logic.
I really rate the feature of Outdoor workouts, but I have such limited outdoor ride time I like to just group ride. A lot of riding for me is the social aspect of group riding, if I’m going to do a workout, I do it inside. This is partly topography of where I live though - to do them well, I’d essentially have to do hill repeats. I planned on using them this year on holiday, but Covid struck that out.
Things that have made me go meh - honestly I couldn’t care less for group workouts. I still get irritated by the RPE not Heart Rate for non-power rides and workouts - just give me the option, with a load of caveats! Still waiting for non-ride syncing…
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A properly-structured training plan.
I might now modify them and build around them depending on specific needs, but for most athletes, it’s the best you’ll get without hiring a coach.
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Calendar is definitely up there
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Workout Library (& Creator).
Forum.
Calendar.
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When my watch died I found the decent workaround for the runs in TR. Since I started using just the Edge 520 in my pocket, everything is recorded and uploaded as a ride, thus into TR.
Then I’d flip it to a run in Strava etc, and estimate stress on TR.
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Are there any features that they could add that you think would improve your user experience? Just out of curiosity.
The low tech requirement was a big thing for me- I’m a broke uni student, so even paying the subscription cost is a big consideration. 
The training plans and podcasts were invaluable to me as a beginner, and I feel like they accelerated both my fitness and the weird, awkward learning curve of starting road cycling way more than I would have fumbling around on my own.
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Virtual power
Ramp test
Grandfathered pricing
Support (TR and Forum)
Chad’s plans
Podcast
I don’t have enough money for a power meter, or a smart trainer, so back in 2013 I was really intrigued how Virtual Power could gauge my efforts, rather than just judging it myself (was that effort an 8 or a 9 for the whole 3 minutes). Since then I’ve stuck with VP, and sometimes when I see a Kickr thread pop up I’m glad I have stayed VP.
The Ramp test, or Step test 
meant I didn’t have to guess what my FTP was going to be before I did 8 minutes at a particular power and realise after 3 minutes I wasn’t going to make it. The old days!
The pricing for loyalty is very refreshing. It seems the way to get the best deal on most insurance or broadband is NOT be loyal, in fact you’d get ripped off if you stayed. So nice that TR is fixed.
The support I have received, not that I’ve needed much, has always been very prompt and courteous and they get it working, however much of an IT idiot I’ve been. And on the Forum there have been some really helpful people (does Chad McNeese ever sleep?)
Having a plan that I could just follow and hit the blue bars and then get ready for another workout meant I could just let training take care of itself. One less thing to worry about. And it works.
I’ve enjoyed the podcast and its many detours and dives. My little treat as I walk the dogs.
And something that wasn’t a game changer, but I really like, is that some of the workouts are named after hills close to me, so I feel like I’ve given back 
and apologies for those that see Brasted or Bluebell pop up in their plan
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Thanks for the suggestion, we like how you think and are definitely working on this feature for the latest version of our mobile app! We unfortunately don’t have a timeline for the release of the updated mobile version, but we are ultimately striving for continuity in function between desktop and mobile.
Thanks for your patience! Keep an eye on the Forum announcements for the next mobile app update!
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I’ve only been with TR for a year and a half, and I can see how the ramp test is probably #1 on most people’s list but it was always there for me. I ride outside more for the social aspect or for easy recovery (though I tried some intervals once. I didn’t like it.) So no game changers during my time as a subscriber.
What WOULD be a huge game changer for me though is the ability to import my TR workouts into my TrainingPeaks calendar instead of doing it manually since I use that to record everything I do. Also, as a triathlete that does his own swim/run plan, I would LOVE to be able to add just the TR bike workouts into my TR calendar without all the run and swim stuff.
Right now whenever I change up a plan or start a new one, I’ve got to spend upwards of an hour manually putting TR workouts into my calendar there as well as deleting all the swim and run workouts from the TR calendar.
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Good question. There are a few things off the top of my head
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A control / power match algorithm that reduces power fluctuations. My setup of Assioma Uno + Direto X produces pretty hefty swings at high power. Vo2 intervals often escalate into 5-sec over-overs which makes workouts unbearable. It appears that either the TR algo or the Trainer have a deadband that’s too tight. I’d appreciate a control algo that reduces swings and does not reinforce them. I know that overall the swings are pretty normal and I see similar fluctuation in resistance mode. But it is a difference if I let my power drift for a few seconds to manage my RPE or if the power kicks up 30w right when I would need 10 seconds of 5w below target. I am constantly micromanaging my effort to complete the tough workouts and erg & power match work against me.
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Interval zones calibrated on my 4-week power curve and not on a single data point. I know the ramp test is all things considered a solid approximation. But taking into account more markers for specific energy systems might reduce the number of failed workouts and improve my effectiveness. Adding an FTP estimate to the PR function (like intervals does) would also be awesome.
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Full integration of running and swimming into the calendar. If that happened, calendar would become useful and I could ditch TrainingPeaks for good.
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Different FTPs for different scenarios (in - vs outdoor rides, TT vs roadbike)
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- If you haven’t seen it, TR is on the cusp of releasing an updated PowerMatch funciton. Testing and feedback in the thread linked below seems to be very positive. Available in Win/Mac right now and likely in the pending Mobile update (whenever that gets released).
- PowerMatch Experiences - #475 by mcneese.chad
- This is also apparently underway in at least a “minimal form” (my wording, not theirs), but it is more than the “we want to get to it, but it’s not on the radar” comments of the past in that thread an others.
- Upload Run and Swim workouts from Garmin/Strava to TR calendar (Feature Request) - #286 by Nate_Pearson
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This is something we want to do as well! It’s not quite on our roadmap for development yet, but we can see how beneficial it would be for all of our multi-sport athletes, and we can see how frustrating it would be to spend so much time manually deleting those activities after making changes!
Thanks for your patience!
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*Podcast and virtual power got me to subscribe initially
*TR team members that are so awesome @Nate_Pearson @Bryce and responsive
*Plans that just work if you follow and trust them @chad
*Recently - The Forum, Plan Builder, Outdoor workouts, Calendar
And grandfathered pricing also does not hurt
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Yes! Forgot about this, for us lucky few old timers.
Speaks to TR looking to create a positive cycling community (as much as they can) vs solely a successful business.
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Might want to memo the big orange on that.
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The podcast and forum are big winners with me. I love the calendar and planning tools, but I hope they continue to integrate new features to enhance the experience of the calendar. Tracking of sleep, mood, stress, fatigue, morning HR, nutrition for me - or integration with MFP.
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- Updated workout creator, with the ability to switch smart trainers between erg / standard mode (and being able to set the standard mode level)
- Sync favorites across devices
- Updated minimalist mode or a video minimalist mode
I dunno if this counts or not, but especially this year, my vote is for the TR app in its entirety. It’s allowed me to rebuild my fitness during the winter lockdown/quarantine and now it’s enabling me to continue to train indoors and avoid the growing numbers of increasingly dangerous/reckless drivers in the COVID era.
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