I’ve used the Trainerroad ramp test in the past to estimate FTP, and it seems to yield a decently usable number for me. However, I don’t normally use Trainerroad so I canceled my subscription. I’m thinking of using the Zwift ramp test instead, and am wondering how the algorithm/results of that test compare to the Trainerroad test? Has anyone here done both and can comment on how closely the results of the two align? I seem to recall that when the TR test was in beta there was some discussion on how exactly they calculated FTP from the results, and the jist was that there was some “secret sauce” that was more than just taking x% of the last completed interval. I’m not sure how exactly Zwift calculates it, and how that result compares to the TR ramp test.
I would say they are probably very close. I did the Zwift test first and then about a month or so later did the Trainerroad test. I scored 5 watts higher on trainerroad than zwift but I kind of expected that since the zwift test was completed after only about two weeks back from an off period and the trainerroad test was after about a month of somewhat structured training.
Fairly sure trainer road use 75% of your best one minute power from the test (ie final minute) and pretty sure Zwift uses the same calculation
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I seemed to recall that it was slightly more complicated than that, so I did a quick search and found this:
https://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003910912-How-to-Test-With-the-Ramp-Test
This seems to confirm that the result in TR is affected by how far you get through the last interval that you “fail” on. In the end though, the video posted above seems to validate that regardless of what the actual methodology is on the two tests, the results seem to track within 1-2W, so that’s good enough for me.
Thanks everyone!
How It’s Calculated
After completing the Ramp Test, we calculate your FTP using a 75% reduction to your highest 1-minute of power. Again, every second matters, so even if you only progress partly through your last step, it will affect the outcome.
(Note: More complicated calculations may be applied when determining FTP from a Ramp Test depending on how accurately a rider followed the format of the test. This means, %75 of a rider’s 1-minute power may not translate to their actual FTP calculation.)
I don’t use Trainerroad, but have done both Zwift tests (ramp and 20’). I feel that the 20’ test (and resulting FTP) is closer to my actual number for training and racing. I’ve also found that these tests are pretty worthless if you do proper training and know what kind of power you can sustain for differing interval lengths. I know that if I can have an AP of around 83-85% during a 3 hour, very structured ride with long intervals above goal 70.3 pace, that I can shoot for around 85% on race day. Training over time is a lot more indicative than a few tests.