My opinion is by no means an expert one, but I'd chalk your dilemma up to individual differences. Some people's spectrums of HR values during exercise are just high/low for no real reason.

I'd set your threshold heart rate for the Sufferefest videos to be in line with what you experienced during your LT test.
Setting it to 170bpm would be pointless and you'd just burn out.

Is there any way you can quantify the work done on the spin bike and compare it to other workouts? Speed at a consistent/specific tension?
Have you done this test before?
Are you new to training on the bike?

jaretj

Its the same thing for me. I can get my HR into the 180s pretty easily while running, but TrainerRoad generally suggests a LTHR in the low 140s after doing a 20 minute FTP test.

The PE and power numbers are where I expect them to be so I just accepts that my HR is lower and don't worry about it.

I am the same way. Did a 20-minutes FTP test. Averaged 145bpm max. 152bpm at 295W NP. I also have a low avg. HR of about 31bpm (rested, taken before I get out of bed in the morning).

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Your pumper might be a little bigger than other people.

can I ask what your "red herring" cadence is on the bike?

Scotty,

The heart rate you'll be able to attain on the bike will increase as your bike specific fitness increases. Over time as you build muscle, mitochondria within the muscles, blood vessels and coordination specific to cycling you will see the difference between your run and bike hearts decrease. Athletes that are pretty much strictly bikers often can get their heart rates as high on the bike as on the run.

So the up shot is to work hard on the bike training.

Hugh

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Genetics load the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.

Did you have a HUGE fan on you for the LT test? You need one for an inside LT test on the bike.

What was your fatigue level (training in the past week or so relative to the previous 2 months or so, recent sleep, nutrition, etc.)

Did you do any hard or long training sessions within a few day prior to the test?

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____________________________________________
Don Larkin
Reach For More
http://www.reachformore.fit/
USAT Lvl1 Coach, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT, BS Exercise Science

Just other work outs on this same bike. IT has no computer, and is not the most well maintained. But the PE and HR seem consistent. PEis pretty high, then i look at my HR and it lows, compared to my same PE for running. I have been biking for about 2 years now, but not much since last Jan, as I am deployed and only have use of this spin bike.

Sure, and I will tell you, as soon as you tell me what Red Herring Cadence is? :)

cadence is a "red herring", however, if you are trying to push a really low cadence for an ftp test, I would guess that might lead to decreased HR as well as decreased power(even though effort will feel like it is not). put it this way, if you were trying to push a 100x11 gear(obviously completely made up) you are not going to get very far and your HR is going nowhere above your resting rate.

my power and HR go up with higher cadence(personal) I don't do vo2 intervals at 70 rpm, I do them at 100-110 when I do them

No Fan, I was outside, and it was about 82, and humid. I did 3 runs and 2 other sufferfest workouts, and 2 weight training sessions the week prior. 24 hours before the test I did an easy 15km run, but it was very hot. About 90. But that is a pretty normal week for me the last 2 months. Im under a bit off stress with my job, as I am deployed. Sleep is usually not bad, and my nutrition is pretty good as well.

I just find it odd, I would think that if my legs are burning then the opposite would happen and my HR would high? I guess that is because when I do speed work while running, my legs brun and I'm in Z5.

Like i said there is no computer on this bike, but im pretty sure I am around 90-95 cadence.

There's likely the issue. Test again, but this time, do it rested, (in the AC if possible) and with a big ass fan.

Fatigue can result in a higher HR than normal, or it can do what you're describing - low HR relative to RPE. No matter how hard you work, it doesn't want to come up.

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____________________________________________
Don Larkin
Reach For More
http://www.reachformore.fit/
USAT Lvl1 Coach, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT, BS Exercise Science