I just did a best ever FTP test in training today and just for fun I wanted to benchmark against Coggan’s tables. Since I use a Powertap, do I get to add 2.5% to my number, since I’m told that is roughly the drivetrain power loss which makes the PT number equivalent to that produced by SRM?
I say, “Ya Dude! Go nuts!”
If that’s the only reason you’re adding 2.5%…
If it makes you feel like a hero, sure go ahead and add them. What number are you going to base your zones on?
Well obviously I’ll base my zones on the raw FTP my PT produced, since that’s what I look at when I train. I just wanted to make sure that the Coggan charts are based on SRM numbers, so that I can add 2.5% and compare apples to apples. It’s just for fun to get an idea of where I stack up - I find it motivating to move up the “Cat’s”.
Thanks, will do!
Gotcha, I see what you’re talking about. Those charts are not fun reading for me and at 135 lbs I don’t see myself moving up on them unless I actually put in some work. I’ve heard of this “work”, but so far in my life I have been able to get by doing as little as possible.
Or you could get a TACX trainer and instantly put out 40-50 more watts for the same RPE.
The best way to figure out how you stack up against roadies in the w/kg department is to do a mass start hill climb for a 15+ min climb on a grade of over 6%. When you get to the top, ask the guys around you what category they ride in.
Also, don’t forget that shorter duration power is also important to roadies as well. Don’t assume that if your FTP puts you in the Cat 2 section that you can ride with a group of 2s. That is around the area where I am; however, my 5 second power is “untrained” and 1 min power is cat 4 or 5 (i forget). Accelerations in that range
totally smoke me. Yeah we might be able to TT with the best of the guys in that pack, but it doesn’t really help us if we get blown off the back of the group…
You are probably safe if you add the 2.5%. What testing protocol did you use in order to calculate FTP?
Looks like we’re in the same boat - 5s and 1min are untrained or Cat 5 but FTP is Cat 2. I seriously doubt I could do much in a mass start road race, but I’m pretty focused on the TT.
To calculate FTP I just did 3 laps of a large local park. Today traffic was pretty bad and I had to come to a dead stop a couple of times (once for an ambulance under flashing lights) but NP was higher than ever, so I’ll take it. The 3 laps take roughly 52min and, since it’s done with training motivation, I think it’s a good estimate of FTP. It’s maybe a bit conservative compared to a lot of the 2x20 tests that are commonly used, but probably good enough.