Hi, I started using Trainerroad in November with my Tacx Neo.
I am 90kg and I do timetrial competitions.
Before having the tacx trainer I did a lab ftp test (with a mask for VO2) and my ftp resulted to be 409w.
Previously, on a time trial competition (25 minutes), my average power had been 455w while the NP was 472.
I did my first ramp test using trainerroad in November and the value was 337
In a later ramp test, after starting training with bicycle twice a week, the result of a further ramp test using trainerroad was 345w.
One month ago I have done the trainerroad 8 minutes ftp test and the result was FTP=370.
Hence I am using this value (370w) as my FTP in the trainerroad workouts.
Using this value the workout is really hard: for example I recently have been doing the Dardanelles workout and in the beginning I could stay over 85 rpm. In the last part my average rpm was 72 and my average heart rate was 173. (in the race I mentioned above my average heart rate was 172 and my rpm was 87).
So, my questions are:
Is it normal this big difference between these FTP values?
Which FTP value should I use?
Thank you in advance for anyone who can give any answer to this.
So you have an FTP from a lab test (ramp or CP60 or something different?) from last year
Then you have a 25 minute power number, also from last year
Then you have a two different sets of TR FTP values using different tests, ramp and 8 minute.
Select an FTP test that fits your racing goals and stick to testing regularly.
An 8 minute test is very unlikely to be any use for TT testing
Your result from a TR trainer test is NOT the same as Time To Exhaustion or what you can hold for something like Dardanelles.
Your numbers outside are from a different power meter so you would need to test using this PM to be able to draw any comparisons/use indoor training numbers to train or race outdoors.
So impossible to say what is your ‘right’ FTP number, but I would use a consistent method for setting zones using TR and do your indoor training using that. Then if you are training and racing outdoors you need to figure out what the difference is between your Neo and your other PM.
Do you happen to have a pm on your trainer bike?
If so compare the data to your Neo.
My Neo2 for example reads 15-25w low depending on the gear compared to my s-works power cranks and i have heard other people report the same thing with vector pedals.
I’m currently using a different bike on the trainer so i actually ended up using 2 ftps for training (indoor, outdoor). Not ideal but better than guesswork.
Hi,first of all thank you for your reply.
Following my comments.
So you have an FTP from a lab test (ramp or CP60 or something different?)
It was an incremental test done with a doctor (cardiologist).
Select an FTP test that fits your racing goals and stick to testing regularly
Considering that my TT races last, usually, between 20 and 30 minutes, what would be, in your opinion, the right FTP test?
Your result from a TR trainer test is NOT the same as Time To Exhaustion or what you can hold for >something like Dardanelles.
I am not sure if I understood you well here. What I meant when I posted some data from my Dardanelles workout was to show how hard it was for me to complete that workout using an FTP (370) that is much lower than the one that I had in the lab test (409).
Your numbers outside are from a different power meter so you would need to test using this PM to be >able to draw any comparisons/use indoor training numbers to train or race outdoors.
My power meter is Garmin Vector 3. Yesterday I did the TR Tweed workout: I used as power meter for the workout my Tacx Neo but I recorded on my Garmin the activity using as power meter my Vector pedals. So I could compare the data. Following the results:
Second 10 minutes interval: NP (NEO) 379w AvgP(NEO) 378 NP(Vector) 374w AvgP(Vector) 378
Third 10 minutes interval: NP (NEO) 378w AvgP(NEO) 378 NP(Vector) 376w AvgP(Vector) 380
Fourth 10 minutes interval: NP (NEO) 379w AvgP(NEO) 379 NP(Vector) 375w AvgP(Vector) 379
First interval is missing since I missed to press lap button on my Garmin.
It looks that the power value are really close between the 2 devices.
but I would use a consistent method for setting zones using TR and do your indoor training using that
What kind of method would you use?
Hi Scapewalker and thank you for your answer.
As you could read in my answer above to theakstons, I have a power meter on the bike that I use on the trainer. I usually use in TR, as power meter, the one from the trainer.
Yesterday I used both. I copy and paste from my other comment:
My power meter is Garmin Vector 3. Yesterday I did the TR Tweed workout: I used as power meter for the workout my Tacx Neo but I recorded on my Garmin the activity using as power meter my Vector pedals. So I could compare the data. Following the results:
Second 10 minutes interval: NP (NEO) 379w AvgP(NEO) 378 NP(Vector) 374w AvgP(Vector) 378
Third 10 minutes interval: NP (NEO) 378w AvgP(NEO) 378 NP(Vector) 376w AvgP(Vector) 380
Fourth 10 minutes interval: NP (NEO) 379w AvgP(NEO) 379 NP(Vector) 375w AvgP(Vector) 379
First interval is missing since I missed to press lap button on my Garmin.
It looks that the power value are really close between the 2 devices.
That’s great your PM and Neo are so close, so that solves at least one issue - I would just use the same FTP number for your zones both on the turbo and outdoors.
20 minute test, or maybe Critical Power 30, as your target events are this length. Lots of discussion on here about the test protocols, have a search and see what takes your interest.
The first link also answers the TTE point as well.
I would say if you are using TR then you should use the numbers you get from the TR test - either Ramp/20/8 min - whatever…it may not be your FTP but it fits with how the workouts are designed by coach Chad. I don’t get the initial readings of 455W for a TT - if you could do that for 25 minutes on a TT bike you would be a world tour standard time triallist - Wiggins and Dowsett were only putting out in the low 400’s during their hour records. Even in the UK when Marcin Biloblocki road a 1:31 50m tt ( the fastest in history) which is 2 back to back sub 46 min 25m tt he was averaging 390W and he was doing 34mph all the way!
