Indoor road bike training ?

[111Robin]

I think it's just a 32" screen. I was originally going to wall mount it but the position would have been completely wrong for viewing on the bike. The height and angle of the stand are ideal, right in your line of vision. Nowadays I just have Trainerroad on my phone mounted on the bars with videos etc. on the screen. I know Zwift is popular but for me it doesn't add anything to the training quality. The training programmes on TR are very well put together by a professional coach and there's something for everyone, whatever your goals. I'm about to start back into the base phase again for winter. Just make sure you do a realistic FTP test to begin with, it can take several attempts to get the effort just right. I prefer the 20 minute test but the 2x8 test suits some people.

[111Robin]

Thanks for all replies and the thoughts, not just about the tec but for making me start to think about what I want to get out of it.
Maybe I do need a target to make sure I keep the interest rather than my thoughts that if I enjoy it, I'll keep doing it.

Once you see your sustainable power output rising you'll soon forget about the boredom factor that often results in turbos being cuffed into a cupboard. Follow a structured plan then you will maintain interest as opposed to just aimlessly pedalling with no set goals to work towards.

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Thanks from me too Robin. Had thought about mounting the screen on a wall, but something similar to your setup is better. Is that a special trolley, or something modified to suit?


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[111Robin]

It's an exhibition trolley, not too pricey.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

[111Robin]

What size of TV is that Robin? Or what would you recommend for TR?
At the moment just using the built in training programmes on the Elemnt, but TrainerRoad appeals to me for training variety. I might look at Zwift, but not really a gamer, so not certain it will appeal. I'm quite happy to focus on the numbers and with a good music playlist, an hour session passes quickly.
A session on the trainer is much more time efficient than a spin class, even if I need to swap Katharine's bike off the trainer. With a smart trainer, you can't cheat the resistance either


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Aye, used to drive me nuts when I did ever go to a spin class. I keep winding up the resistance when the instructor shouted, until I was really hurting, and the gym bunny next to me would be spinning away with f'all resistance and gaining the praise of the instructor, did my head in. Training with power is absolute, 300W is 300W. You also soon realise how inaccurate training with HR is. It's so variable depending on how tired you are, what you've eaten or drunk, temperature, stress levels. Also when you maintain constant power over a prolonged interval your HR increases with time, and with the number of intervals. If you base your effort on HR you are actually reducing your effort with time while HR remains constant(ish). The power meter doesn't lie so even if you feel under the weather you still know you're putting out the required effort. Outdoors power is great for pacing. Based on your indoor power profile you know roughly what power you can sustain for any duration, be it a 10 mile TT or a 100 mile slog. I'm boring myself now, I'll get my coat.

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Aye, used to drive me nuts when I did ever go to a spin class. I keep winding up the resistance when the instructor shouted, until I was really hurting, and the gym bunny next to me would be spinning away with f'all resistance and gaining the praise of the instructor, did my head in. Training with power is absolute, 300W is 300W. You also soon realise how inaccurate training with HR is. It's so variable depending on how tired you are, what you've eaten or drunk, temperature, stress levels. Also when you maintain constant power over a prolonged interval your HR increases with time, and with the number of intervals. If you base your effort on HR you are actually reducing your effort with time while HR remains constant(ish). The power meter doesn't lie so even if you feel under the weather you still know you're putting out the required effort. Outdoors power is great for pacing. Based on your indoor power profile you know roughly what power you can sustain for any duration, be it a 10 mile TT or a 100 mile slog. I'm boring myself now, I'll get my coat.

I can see a power meter being on the wish list soon. Pacing has always been my issue in any endurance sport. If I ran with someone, or paced to music, I was fine, often surprising myself and others. This year my biggest improvement has been pacing for long climbs, providing the gearing was right. I now need to improve my power output, and improve my power/weight ratio.

Thanks



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[cjm]

I think it's just a 32" screen. I was originally going to wall mount it but the position would have been completely wrong for viewing on the bike. The height and angle of the stand are ideal, right in your line of vision. Nowadays I just have Trainerroad on my phone mounted on the bars with videos etc. on the screen. I know Zwift is popular but for me it doesn't add anything to the training quality. The training programmes on TR are very well put together by a professional coach and there's something for everyone, whatever your goals. I'm about to start back into the base phase again for winter. Just make sure you do a realistic FTP test to begin with, it can take several attempts to get the effort just right. I prefer the 20 minute test but the 2x8 test suits some people.

Have you tried the training plans in Zwift? They look reasonably similar to TR, but I've not tried either.

[111Robin]

I haven't looked at Zwift, it doesn't offer any benefit to me over TR that I can see really. I can see reasons for it's popularity but it's just too much "arcade game" than a training tool for my liking.

[istoo]

I have tried for decades to use an indoor bike at home, I just can't. End up worked no on bikes / cars / actually going out even for recovery I find something else

Weirdly I can happily use a wattbike in a gym.

Suggest trying it out to see if your brain allows you to do so.

Quite a few pals use zwift, if it urges you to use it then grand but personally I find it a bit like using a driving simulator rather than going out driving... if yo know what I mean.

Costco are doing cycleops turbos at the moment quite cheap.


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