Turbo Trainer Advice

Other thing that I forgot to mention was that I had thought (based on no evidence, it is true) that the PowerCal would over-read rather than under read.

I'm not sure why I had that feeling mind you.

The many reviews I read, had it over calculating by around 20 watts. I guess it depends on how its calibrated. But if you take your foot off the gas, your hearts going to carrying on. If they calibrate this away. It would'nt read the power peaks well. I guess they went for a middle ground, which means a zone 2 would over read.

But on a short turbo session your heart rate will lag behind your effort. You then turn off the reading when you stop pedalling. That could be it. Like I said it disapointed me for the 45 min session though.

My heart rate builds mad slowly. I've nearly quit a few half marathons at the 2-3km mark. Because my body just isnt ticking. It then drops to normal in practically no time, when I stop the effort. I've been training using HR for years. Even without a belt on I can judge whether my effort is maintainable, by gauging my HR. Thats running though.

I love using HR for running analysis. In my veiw the the powercal is just HR translated to cycling speak. Not a power measurement in itself. Which is fine by me.

Just ordered the Cycleops Fluid 2. Had my finger on the trigger for the Road Machine. But at 1500 nok for the CF2, and 2699 nok for the KKRM, it just was'nt justfiable.

Hopefully I'll be able to combine calculated power from the powercal belt on the road, with calculated power from the trainer indoors, to focus my training. Neither are accurate. But should be fine for my needs.

Calculated my Suffer levels, as kph, for Sufferfest vids, based on a FTP of 250, and the Fluid 2 power/speed curve. Might be a bit tough. But I'll adjust it when get my Powercal, and get out on the road to get a better idea of my FTP.

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Just ordered the Cycleops Fluid 2. Had my finger on the trigger for the Road Machine. But at 1500 nok for the CF2, and 2699 nok for the KKRM, it just was'nt justfiable.

Hopefully I'll be able to combine calculated power from the powercal belt on the road, with calculated power from the trainer indoors, to focus my training. Neither are accurate. But should be fine for my needs.

Calculated my Suffer levels for Sufferfest vids based on a FTP of 250, and the Fluid 2 power/speed curve. Might be a bit tough. But I'll adjust it when get my Powercal, and get out on the road.

this is all a bit greek to me but i've got a cycleops fluid 2 as well but have no idea how to measure power. from what you're saying it sounds like you don't have to buy an expensive power crank thing.
any idea on what i need to buy? i'm not very familiar with this stuff! cheers

this is all a bit greek to me but i've got a cycleops fluid 2 as well but have no idea how to measure power. from what you're saying it sounds like you don't have to buy an expensive power crank thing.
any idea on what i need to buy? i'm not very familiar with this stuff! cheers

You dont need to buy anything. Theres a power vs speed curve. You use that to see what power output each speed relates to. Al you need is a speedo.

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I posted figures that were a little closer to the mark. Once it's warmed up (~5min @ >18mph) it kicks in and settles. There may be some variation between units, but I've had my figures echoed by PT owning Fluid2ers and it's more like 300W @ 19mph and 400W @ 22mph.

FWIW.

I posted figures that were a little closer to the mark. Once it's warmed up (~5min @ >18mph) it kicks in and settles. There may be some variation between units, but I've had my figures echoed by PT owning Fluid2ers and it's more like 300W @ 19mph and 400W @ 22mph.

FWIW.

I think I used your figures for my 'suffer level' calcs. They're pretty rough, but they're just for intervals.

Just ordered the Cycleops Fluid 2........

The store I ordered the Fluid 2 from doesnt actually have them in stock. The website listing was an error. As its their error, I'm getting a Super Magneto Pro sent to me at no extra charge. Dont know much about it though.

I really wanted a fluid trainer for simplicity, and the ease of using gears to vary resistance. The SMP still has a pre set power curve, and flywheel. So should feel equally road like. Using speed/gears to up the resistance. But it has several built in power curves. So will possibly be better.

Anyone know more about this turbo?

No, but i'll be hanging around this like a bad smell, as i too have just taken delivery of the SMP....

It has the coolest name. So I've said 'thanks, send it'.

Magnetics and centrifugal force. How does that work?

You're in for a world of hurt...

Recieved my Cycleops Supermagneto Pro last night.

It seems a very simple, and very well made piece of kit. It was uber simple to set up, even for a turbo virgin like myself.

Tested it out with an intense session of intervals, using the Sufferfest vid, Revolver. Which is basically 16 x 1 minute, at 100+ cadence, and 130% FTP. With minute long recoverys inbetween, of 90 cadence, and 50% FTP. Rough calculations show I was maintaining 340 watts during the intervals, and recovering at around 120 watts. Nothing to shout about. But I'm pretty happy with that.

The vid is pretty intense, and I figured if it was possible to break the trainer. I'd best do it now. Each time the gunshot went off for a new interval. I jumped out of the saddle, shifted down the cassette, and gave it 'the beans'. The stand did'nt budge, the tyre did'nt slip, and the resistance unit smoothly ramped up the effort. When you take your foot off the gas the flywheel gives a nice smooth spin down

I had the trainer on its second power curve 'road'. Which meant I needed to accelerate a lot, and pump through a lot of gears to hit the trargets. Going to up it to 'interval' setting next time. Should make things simpler, and the bike quieter (less crosschaining). The trainer itself is super quiet.

Did the last interval folded in two, trying desperatly to breath through my ears, slipping all over the sweat soaked bars. Actually really enjoyed it. It doesnt compare to a proper ride. But having the possibility to beast myself when I cant get out is great.

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having the possibility to beast myself when I cant get out is great.

That pretty much sums up turbo trainers for me.

The cyclops supermagneto looks like a nice machine. Great that you got the free upgrade.

The 1500 nok price for the fluid2 was great. 1500 nok for something with a UK RRP of £330, in Norway is fecking amazing.

It seems to have all that I wanted from a fluid machine. Just quieter, and with a nice selection of power curves. I did'nt think I'd use that feature. But I'm already planning to swap to 'interval' for my Sufferfest sessions, and 'Mountains' for hill repeats. The combination of 'road' setting, and the heavy flywheel felt about as realistic as you could wish for. If realism is your thing.

The big thing for me is stability. I'm a heavy, uncoordinated, masher and really dislike flex, or 'play'. From what I read the Pro frame is a real improvement over the standard frame. Which is the biggest bonus. I was ready to pay an extra £110 to get the Road Machine mainly for its uber stabile frame.

I need a mat though, or possibly a guttering system for sweat drainage. Carpet was saturated last night, and that was with 2 layers of newspaper covering it.

If realism is your thing.

I prefer my 'training' to be slightly surreal thanks ;-)

I need a mat though, or possibly a guttering system for sweat drainage. Carpet was saturated last night, and that was with 2 layers of newspaper covering it.

Just get your kids to stand by with towels and buckets.

Heat is a killer- a lot of people "on here" have followed BMMF's recco of a floor standing fan I think.

I can sustain much higher power outdoors when I'm not on the verge of catastrophic meltdown- imagine doing a 10 mile TT at threshold, round Richmond Park, wearing a downjacket.

I was doing hill repeats on Sunday, after over a foot of snow fell on Saturday. The melting snow produces a grey, sand filled, fluid when it mixes with the powderised asfalt from a winters studded tyre abuse. It was 0 degrees in the shade, and any area of road shaded from the sun was still covered in sticky slush.

Within minutes of setting off I was covered in grey filth, and nasty fluids were pouring from my nose, eyes, and mouth.

I reckon I was sustaining 350watts for the 6:15 minute race to the top. Which I think is great. But it felt far more brutal than the indoor intervals.

I have a large workroom on the side of the house. Which I dont bother heating. This would be the best place for turbo work. I just need to dig out an old baby monitor, so I know when I'm ignoring the kids, winging after a glass of water.

If you really want some fancy way to measure your progress instead of using speed maybe look at using trainer road.

Just did my first TrainerRoad session. Using the sufferfest 'downward spiral' vid.

Love the screen set-up. Mrs Smallurry bought a 55" tele. So I've wired the laptop to that. Sweet ;)

Getting quite a lot out o this turbo trainer malarky.

http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/292125

Trainer road looks good- but I really don't want another web-based analytical tool to pay for!

I'm not too bothered about the post ride analysis. I just want an insteresting workout enviroment on the turbo.

A massive bonus for those stuck on the turbo, cuz their looking after their kids. Is being able to pause the video, and workout, simply by stopping pedalling for a bit. Then it all restarts when you do.

So if you think you here somthing upstairs, you just stop and listen. No need to unclip, slip along the floor to the laptop, etc.

That does look good to be honest. Looks like it should take the signal from my SRM?

What's the cost for Sufferfest+Trainer Road?

I'm not too bothered about the post ride analysis. I just want an insteresting workout enviroment on the turbo.

A massive bonus for those stuck on the turbo, cuz their looking after their kids. Is being able to pause the video, and workout, simply by stopping pedalling for a bit. Then it all restarts when you do.

So if you think you here somthing upstairs, you just stop and listen. No need to unclip, slip along the floor to the laptop, etc.

Don't you have them locked in a sound-proof cage with a feeding system?

That does look good to be honest. Looks like it should take the signal from my SRM?

What's the cost for Sufferfest+Trainer Road?

You already have a Ant+ dongle. So to use TrainerRoad you just need to pay $10 a month. You select which devices to pair yourself. Their database of turbo traner power curves makes it a very accurate way of monitoring power. Whichis the bit that makes it a cheap solution or me. You may be more interested in their more advanced features.The first $10 is refunded at any point in the first month, at the click of a link. So worth a try. All the workout profiles are adjusted to your FTP. So if you follow the profile, you're doing a good workout. No need to guesstimate effort.

Sufferfest vids are around $12 each. I like the tongue-in-cheek humor in them.

Both are nice on their own. But running a sufferfest vid in TrainerRoad is simply brilliant. I'm considering buying a dedicated LCD screen for the workroom. Making my own personal pain cave based on the two. I'm sold.

Don't you have them locked in a sound-proof cage with a feeding system?

My 7 year old makes an awsome director sportif. Screaming and jumping on the spot, when I start slidding of the back of the group. Telling him its just video, is just an excuse for weakness in his eyes.

Dad I am disapoint.

I'll echo all that's been said about Trainerroad. It's kept me on the tt over the winter and has given me a consistent set of numbers to try to improve on. I use a KK road machine and virtual power, so I don't believe the power numbers to be real (as much as I'd like to), but as I said they are consistant so useful in a training context.

With the sun finally coming out though I'm hoping it's possible to put the account on hold until next winter.