API done better on a trainer?
- Puffy
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API done better on a trainer?
Postby Puffy » Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:22 am
I have been wondering if getting a computrainer trainer (power beam pro) which 1, forces me to keep the power in range, and 2 eliminates any interuptions/road inperfections would be better. Part of me says riding them on the road teaches me to keep the effort up (pain/lactate tollerance) so best to stay on the road. The other side of the coin is they are of a higher quality when done on the trainer since the power is always in range for the duration and I still need to keep pushing the pedals so the mental endurance side of things is still there.
Anyway, I'd like to hear your thoughts especially if you have done these sorts of intervals. Stay on the road or get a computrainer?
- Alex Simmons/RST
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Alex Simmons/RST » Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:11 pm
do them where you can get the work done safely is my priority. it might be a function of finding a good bit of road suitable for 4-5-min of uninterrupted hard riding without too many changes of gradient.
you may also find on a trainer the power you can sustain is lower than outdoors.
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Puffy » Wed Jul 03, 2013 8:57 am
I fully believe you regarding lower power on a trainer but I can't figure why, must me a mental fatigue thing.
Oh well, I guess I need to add some cement to my morning coffee and keep looking for a good bit of road.
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby filip » Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:50 am
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby jcjordan » Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:07 pm
I know form my experience I am always at least 30 watts low on a trainer for the same perceived effort and have never found a reason for this. I have tried on a number of different trainers including a Lemond and always get the same result.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:well the road is cheaper!
do them where you can get the work done safely is my priority. it might be a function of finding a good bit of road suitable for 4-5-min of uninterrupted hard riding without too many changes of gradient.
you may also find on a trainer the power you can sustain is lower than outdoors.
It's quite frustrating when your forced to train inside
Veni, Vidi, Vespa -- I Came, I Saw, I Rode Home
- Puffy
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Puffy » Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:15 pm
I was talking to an ex (low level) pro and he recons power on a trainers is typically 80% of what is on the road. He doesn't bother with a trainer for that reason. I suggested there is no reason why that would be the case other than mental, ie boredom, lack of motivation etc and he agreed. OTOH, riding in the pitch black a sparrows fart is likely to be close to sitting on a trainer given I can only see 3 meters in front!
I have actually discovered a good road that is a nice surface and consistant 5% grade which is perfect for doing these intervals but it's 45km away. I could drive down there I suppose.
In the mean time I'll check out the Tacx. Thanks
- nickobec
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby nickobec » Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:27 pm
My commute is my training ride and after a 12 minute warm up, I am rewarded with 17km of safe uninterrupted path to intervals on.
If I didn't have that maybe I would spend more time on the trainer.
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby vander » Fri Jul 05, 2013 10:55 pm
I find its a lot safer for the very hard intervals.
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Puffy » Sat Jul 06, 2013 4:42 am
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby vander » Sat Jul 06, 2013 9:46 am
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Strawburger » Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:20 am
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby filip » Mon Jul 08, 2013 2:35 pm
If you do your intervals on the road, do you look at the average while you're doing the interval ? I always struggle to get my power in the range, or is close good enough ? Especially on the longer intervals it's almost impossible to achieve.
- Puffy
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Puffy » Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:04 pm
Having said that, after being told to take a tall glass of "V" (Rule #5) and pedal harder on the back of rises I have found it is possible on undullating terrain to keep the power in range. The thing I am doing different is to get into the next gear before the cadence gets too high (usually above 105). I did a set of four at 115-130% FTP over some small hills no worries making sure I started clicking up gears as the gradient flattened out. The other thing is I am now more accustomed to these intervals so naturally they are easier.
For now I am going to forgo the trainer but you can be I'll be considering one again come the wet season.
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Alex Simmons/RST » Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:29 pm
where do you do these?Strawburger wrote:I live in the inner west of sydney. I've found an area where I can get intervals of up to 3mins in safely.
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Strawburger » Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:12 pm
With the fear of every inner west interval based rider crowding me, I'll just say it's in the back streets near popular riding circuits. It's by no means perfect terrain, but they are repeatable and consistent conditions.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:where do you do these?Strawburger wrote:I live in the inner west of sydney. I've found an area where I can get intervals of up to 3mins in safely.
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Re: API done better on a trainer?
Postby Alex Simmons/RST » Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:41 pm
perhaps PM me. it's just for my own curiosity.Strawburger wrote:With the fear of every inner west interval based rider crowding me, I'll just say it's in the back streets near popular riding circuits. It's by no means perfect terrain, but they are repeatable and consistent conditions.Alex Simmons/RST wrote:where do you do these?Strawburger wrote:I live in the inner west of sydney. I've found an area where I can get intervals of up to 3mins in safely.
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