I know the concept of FTP testing protocols has been beaten to death here, but I’m curious to see what protocols you guys actually use (consistently) and how often. I suppose this could be viewed as a poll of sorts.
I used the 5’ all out followed by 20’ TT (using 95% of the 20’ TT power as my FTP) last year. I tested about every 8 - 10 weeks.
Anyone else?
Matt
That is pretty close to what I use, although I do the longer warm up and spin ups as well (as described by Allen). Come Spring, I just use my most recent 40K time trial 
Gives a very close CP60/FTP/xxx
Dedicated testing: Critical Power Model, 5 and 20 minute durations. 5 minute duration as part of power profile test
40K TT when available and able to taper
Consistently evaluate performance and RPE during longer intervals to
Only training as a cyclist these days, but even as a triathlete I preferred the CP model. I couldn’t help holding back on the 5 minute maximal effort prior to the 20 minute maximal effort when performing the one from “The Book”.
ETA - Also doing MAP testing these days
Consistent every time as to allow comparison:
20 spin moderate, 5 @ LT, 5 spin, 20 best averge … 25 cool down … 0.95 x 20 best average
I don’t have a powermeter on my bike so this is on the computrainer …
Everyone has their various protocols, as long as you’re consistent your results can be comparable.
I use 95% of 20’ power. Simple, repeatable, winner:)
I’m searching for the formula to pull FTP from like a one minute hard effort…anything longer than that gets really hard, and really sucks. Anybody?
I’m searching for the formula to pull FTP from like a one minute hard effort…anything longer than that gets really hard, and really sucks. Anybody?
I think I saw this one on Paulo’s blog:
1 min all out x HTFU + 1 beer then 58 min - puke = FTP
I’ve used the same for a year, then I tried endurance nation’s one when I tried their free trial membership for 30 days, 20’ (2’) 20’ and then you take the normalized power for the 42’ interval. Hard as hell, but yield pretty much the same results. I may stick with the shorter one from Coggan’s book but I’m looking into just using my graphs from wko+ instead of formal training, a lot easier during the off season!!!
I don’t do any formal testing at all, as I don’t see much point in it–and I’ve actually found it to be counterproductive at times.
As far as ‘establishing my threshold power’, the only real reason for me to do it is to establish my training levels and measure progress. Since training levels are a rough guide anyway, I start with a couple of hard 2x25:00 rides at the beginning of the season, set up my initial training levels, and go from there.
For ‘measuring my progress’, I simply look at the trend lines of my interval workouts to see how I’m responding. I never really understood the incredible desire for precision for something that’s by nature somewhat variable. I guess it helps to brag on the internet to say ‘my FTP is X’.
It seems to work pretty well for me. I can pretty much predict my 40K TT power and 10 mile TT power with a couple of watts the day of the event.
I’m searching for the formula to pull FTP from like a one minute hard effort…anything longer than that gets really hard, and really sucks. Anybody?
I think I saw this one on Paulo’s blog:
1 min all out x HTFU + 1 beer then 58 min - puke = FTP
That is clearly not a legal protocol for junior riders. 
Sergio
I just did a test tonight. Good warm up followed by an all out 20 minute on the trainer (actually a Saris 300 PT). x 93% to 95% for FTP.
I think there are 2 keys.
First be consistent with how you test.
But then once you’ve got your number, give it the sniff test. If the 20 minute test yields a 320w FTP and you don’t think there’s a snowball chance in hell you can ride for an hour at 320 watts…you should consider a full 40k TT to see what you’re really capable of.
That is pretty close to what I use, although I do the longer warm up and spin ups as well (as described by Allen).
X2
Paging Alex Simmons, Paging Alex Simmons!!!
Great point on consistency. Also look to the “where” of your test. We do 2 x 20’ with 2’ rest inside Endurance Nation, but a lot of folks have a tough time finding a stretch of road they can do that on safely, etc. We have 20 athletes in a 6 week Power Clinic right now, and part of what they are doing is comparing FTP determined using the above methods with both the 20’ power * .95 (coggan) and the 5’/20’ monod method…there are definitely some discrepancies, but more info on that in the future.
At the end of the day, as you get more experienced you should be able to tell by your charts and basic fitness where you are (someone said above) and won’t need to test much at all…
Patrick
I agree…I just didn’t think of that because I do my tests on the computrainer. same conditions and course every time.
5min and 20 min maximal efforts schedule on different days and then use Monod’s critical power model. I do this every 4-6 weeks, still I schedule a 40k TT or a 1hr max effort 4-6 weeks out of my main race to make sure my CP and my actual 60MP are close.
I’m searching for the formula to pull FTP from like a one minute hard effort…anything longer than that gets really hard, and really sucks. Anybody?
I think I saw this one on Paulo’s blog:
1 min all out x HTFU + 1 beer then 58 min - puke = FTP
That is clearly not a legal protocol for junior riders.
Sergio
Probably more character building than whatever protocol they tend to use now tho 
I know the concept of FTP testing protocols has been beaten to death here, but I’m curious to see what protocols you guys actually use (consistently) and how often. I suppose this could be viewed as a poll of sorts.
I used the 5’ all out followed by 20’ TT (using 95% of the 20’ TT power as my FTP) last year. I tested about every 8 - 10 weeks.
Anyone else?
Matt
Monod. Using 3 and ~18 minute durations.
edit: Oh…and NOT on the same day, but near each other as much as possible.
Great point on consistency. Also look to the “where” of your test. We do 2 x 20’ with 2’ rest inside Endurance Nation, but a lot of folks have a tough time finding a stretch of road they can do that on safely, etc. We have 20 athletes in a 6 week Power Clinic right now, and part of what they are doing is comparing FTP determined using the above methods with both the 20’ power * .95 (coggan) and the 5’/20’ monod method…there are definitely some discrepancies, but more info on that in the future.
At the end of the day, as you get more experienced you should be able to tell by your charts and basic fitness where you are (someone said above) and won’t need to test much at all…
Patrick
Thank goodness for that. I will admit though that the 2x20(2) tests are one hell of a workout.