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Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad
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out at the line
Feb 27, 12 2:21
Post #1 of 11
(1057 views)
Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad
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When I do intervals on the TRAINER I tend to keep my cadence in the mid 80's to maximize my watts during the interval. However, when I race (road) I am consistently between 100-105 cadence, my watts seem to be lower than when Im on the trainer, but feel like I maximize my speed/power at 105 cad.
Is this normal? Thoughts???
Thanks... Hope this wasnt already posted.
sciguy
Feb 27, 12 4:05
Post #2 of 11
(1018 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [out at the line]
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out at the line wrote:
When I do intervals on the TRAINER I tend to keep my cadence in the mid 80's to maximize my watts during the interval. However, when I race (road) I am consistently between 100-105 cadence, my watts seem to be lower than when Im on the trainer, but feel like I maximize my speed/power at 105 cad.
Is this normal? Thoughts???
Thanks... Hope this wasnt already posted.
You're not the only person who feels better road racing, especially criteriums, at a higher cadence than you might use on your trainer. Many find it much easier to accelerate out of turns and other slow spots while applying a lower torque as you do at a higher cadence. If you really are road racing at the 100+ cadence you ought to be spending some good quality time at that cadence on the trainer too. Specificity is a good thing.
YMMV,
Hugh
Genetics load the gun, lifesyle pulls the trigger.
jackmott
Feb 27, 12 5:00
Post #3 of 11
(990 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [out at the line]
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Trainer is not an acronym.
Heat buildup is often a power limiter on a trainer, use a big fan or two.
The inertia with the trainer is usually quite a bit different than in real life, which can affect your power and preferred cadence, so what you are observing is common.
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eclouis
Feb 27, 12 8:09
Post #4 of 11
(921 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [out at the line]
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Same here. An hour on the trainer and I'm whipped.
Nate Pearson
Feb 27, 12 8:31
Post #5 of 11
(891 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [out at the line]
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out at the line wrote:
When I do intervals on the TRAINER I tend to keep my cadence in the mid 80's to maximize my watts during the interval. However, when I race (road) I am consistently between 100-105 cadence, my watts seem to be lower than when Im on the trainer, but feel like I maximize my speed/power at 105 cad.
Is this normal? Thoughts???
Thanks... Hope this wasnt already posted.
What trainer do you have? You could have a low inertia trainer which might make you feel like you're working harder at low cadences. If you're a high torque rider you're supposed to do better on trainers with high inertia.
*btw, this is just a theory on Alex Simmons blog and the wattage forum, I have no data to back this up other than anecdotal.*
----------------------------------------------------------------
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Physiojoe925
Feb 27, 12 9:52
Post #6 of 11
(836 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [out at the line]
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I'm the same way, although the higher cadence is probably partially due to the constant power flunctuation. If I'm doing ftp work or similar on the trainer, I just do it at whatever feels reasonable, and the higher cadence comes when I do more specific work on the road.
-Physiojoe
out at the line
Feb 27, 12 13:42
Post #7 of 11
(760 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [Physiojoe925]
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Physiojoe925 wrote:
I'm the same way, although the higher cadence is probably partially due to the constant power flunctuation. If I'm doing ftp work or similar on the trainer, I just do it at whatever feels reasonable, and the higher cadence comes when I do more specific work on the road.
-Physiojoe
Im riding a Kinetic Trainer.... I should also clarify that I am talking about Triathlon racing not "road" as I stated. Also my watts seem much higher when Im on the trainer.
Trainer: Low Cad, High watts
Outside: High Cad, Lower watts
jackmott
Feb 27, 12 13:43
Post #8 of 11
(757 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [out at the line]
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high watts for a given 'speed'? or high watts for a given perceived effort?
out at the line wrote:
Physiojoe925 wrote:
I'm the same way, although the higher cadence is probably partially due to the constant power flunctuation. If I'm doing ftp work or similar on the trainer, I just do it at whatever feels reasonable, and the higher cadence comes when I do more specific work on the road.
-Physiojoe
Im riding a Kinetic Trainer.... I should also clarify that I am talking about Triathlon racing not "road" as I stated. Also my watts seem much higher when Im on the trainer.
Trainer: Low Cad, High watts
Outside: High Cad, Lower watts
Boardman Bikes now in stock in Texas! A review and a field test
AustinTri-Cyclist Has a NEW location off of 360, stop by!
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter
mcmetal
Feb 28, 12 9:09
Post #9 of 11
(643 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [out at the line]
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out at the line wrote:
Physiojoe925 wrote:
I'm the same way, although the higher cadence is probably partially due to the constant power flunctuation. If I'm doing ftp work or similar on the trainer, I just do it at whatever feels reasonable, and the higher cadence comes when I do more specific work on the road.
-Physiojoe
Im riding a Kinetic Trainer.... I should also clarify that I am talking about Triathlon racing not "road" as I stated. Also my watts seem much higher when Im on the trainer.
Trainer: Low Cad, High watts
Outside: High Cad, Lower watts
How are you measuring watts? SRM, Quarq, PT?
out at the line
Feb 28, 12 11:44
Post #10 of 11
(573 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [packetloss]
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Im riding a Quarq.... Long story short is that I feel like I'm maximizing my speed at the high cadence when riding outside.... Should I be trying to maximixe speed at a lower cadence, or is this not to far off what some other people are doing?
Nicko
Feb 28, 12 13:03
Post #11 of 11
(538 views)
Re: Trainer vs. Road Watts/Cad [out at the line]
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out at the line wrote:
Im riding a Quarq.... Long story short is that I feel like I'm maximizing my speed at the high cadence when riding outside.... Should I be trying to maximixe speed at a lower cadence, or is this not to far off what some other people are doing?
Let me get this straight:
when riding outside, you pay attention to your speed.
when on the trainer, you pay attention to your power.
Huh?
I don't even have speed as a data field when I am on my bike. Speed is not a variable inside the feedback loop. Speed is the outcome of the rate of energy production.
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