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TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question
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GBord11965
Jul 20, 17 10:13
Post #1 of 14 (1336 views)
I have been using a dumb tack trainer for my trainerroad sessions up until this week when i purchased a Tacx Vortex smart trainer. I did my FTP test on the dumb trainer 1.5 weeks ago and it said my FTP was 152 (Low I know, but I'm a beginner :)

I set up my smart trainer and started a workout on Trainerroad today using ERG mode but jsut struggled during the entire workout to keep my power at the required level. I could not get out of the small chaninring and the 3rd sprocket sitting at 135watts.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks
George
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [GeorgeA11965] [ In reply to ]
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347CX
Jul 20, 17 10:29
Post #2 of 14 (1319 views)
do you have another power meter you're using or were you using virtual power with your dumb trainer? I think that might help folks answer. If you had virtual power previously, it's possible it was estimating too high.
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [pgp128] [ In reply to ]
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GBord11965
Jul 20, 17 10:41
Post #3 of 14 (1303 views)
Thanks for the reply.

I was using virtual power previously. Should I do another FTP test on the new trainer? (trembling in the background at the thought)
Last edited by: GeorgeA11965: Jul 20, 17 10:42
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [GeorgeA11965] [ In reply to ]
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walie
Jul 20, 17 10:57
Post #4 of 14 (1279 views)
When I got a power meter for my bike, I found the difference between it and virtual power with my KK road Machine was ~30 watts. Slightly humbling.
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [GeorgeA11965] [ In reply to ]
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wcb
Jul 20, 17 11:08
Post #5 of 14 (1272 views)
GeorgeA11965 wrote:
I was using virtual power previously. Should I do another FTP test on the new trainer? (trembling in the background at the thought)

Yes.
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [wcb] [ In reply to ]
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GBord11965
Jul 20, 17 11:11
Post #6 of 14 (1270 views)
Thanks guys. I'll get a new FTP test done this weekend.

Cheers!
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [GeorgeA11965] [ In reply to ]
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salmonsteve
Jul 20, 17 11:21
Post #7 of 14 (1251 views)
 

http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/201869584
http://www.sweat7.com
Facebook Page: Sweat7
Twitter: @sweat7coaching
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [GeorgeA11965] [ In reply to ]
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joelamb7
Jul 20, 17 12:56
Post #8 of 14 (1202 views)
make sure you've turned virtual power off , i had this issue when i set my smart trainer up :)
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [joelamb7] [ In reply to ]
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GBord11965
Jul 21, 17 2:54
Post #9 of 14 (1076 views)
joelamb7 wrote:
make sure you've turned virtual power off , i had this issue when i set my smart trainer up :)

I think virtual power is disabled automatically when the vortx is connected
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [GeorgeA11965] [ In reply to ]
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lassekk
Jul 21, 17 3:56
Post #10 of 14 (1056 views)
The things about the gearing makes sense.

In ERG mode the trainer does not care about which gear you are in. It will just keep you at 135 watts for example. So if you pedal slow it will be alot harder for each revolution while fast spinning will make it easier (but you will have to do more).
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [GeorgeA11965] [ In reply to ]
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1415chris
Jul 21, 17 3:58
Post #11 of 14 (1055 views)
Just make sure, when performing FTP test, ERG mode is off.
Not having external power meter with virtual power off, how you going to measure power output?
And if you don't puke after test, it doesn't count :)
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [1415chris] [ In reply to ]
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GBord11965
Jul 21, 17 4:11
Post #12 of 14 (1049 views)
The Vortex smart trainer needs to be selected instead of the default virtual power setting. The trainer provides its own virtual power output as opposed to the default one.
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [GeorgeA11965] [ In reply to ]
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1415chris
Jul 21, 17 4:15
Post #13 of 14 (1044 views)
Got ya, I was referring to turbo trainer virtual power, you to TR one. Forgotten that TR does it as well.
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Re: TrainerRoad and Smart trainer question [1415chris] [ In reply to ]
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GBord11965
Jul 21, 17 4:31
Post #14 of 14 (1036 views)
Cheers
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