I notice that some people on this forum use an SRM/Powertap/Quarq AND a separate indoor power measuring device. I am curious as to why one would want to use an indoor device as well as an outdoor power measuring device? Am I missing something here?
The reason I ask is that I am on the verge of buying a powermeter for the very first time (a new powertap ant+ hub that will work with an Edge 705). To me it seems the cheapest way to train with power indoors would simply be to clamp my powertap-equipped bike onto the turbo. Would that not give me the same benefits of indoor powertraining as say a computrainer, as well as the distinct advantage of being a lot cheaper?
I too ask myself "why do some people wear a belt AND suspenders"???...
Other than for calibration purposes, I'm not so sure people that have both consistently use both at the same time. I could be wrong though, of course...
.... I am curious as to why one would want to use an indoor device as well as an outdoor power measuring device? Am I missing something here?...
I use a PT and CompuTrainer, but only use the PT for recording power. I use the CT for it's ergometer mode, to program set interval routines, and very rarely for its graphics to break the monotony. The ergometer mode in particular is really nice for winter SST and pure L4 threshold work. Dial in a particular power and just ride, the power stays steady across a very wide cadence range and you don't have to continually monitor your effort like you'd have to on a standard trainer. Preprogramming workouts like HOP style microintervals is very useful as well.
I don't see the need to have more than one power measuring device and if that's all the CT did I wouldn't own one. But having an indoor trainer that works in ergometer mode and one that you can program specific workouts or ramped tests is quite useful.
I keep a different bike setup on my computrainer without a powermeter. It saves a lot of time to just hop on and ride without having to clamp the bike in, clean tire, set tire press on force, verify and adjust press on force, and then pull the bike off the trainer for the next outdoor ride. Sometimes I use my Powertap bike with the CT just to make sure they still match reasonably well. I find erg mode to be a big advantage over my Kurt Kinetic because I don't have to concentrate on maintaining the same wattage. Just set the wattage on the controller, turn the pedals over and let your mind go numb. 🙂
I use a PT and CompuTrainer, but only use the PT for recording power. I use the CT for it's ergometer mode, to program set interval routines, and very rarely for its graphics to break the monotony. The ergometer mode in particular is really nice for winter SST and pure L4 threshold work. Dial in a particular power and just ride, the power stays steady across a very wide cadence range and you don't have to continually monitor your effort like you'd have to on a standard trainer. Preprogramming workouts like HOP style microintervals is very useful as well.
I don't see the need to have more than one power measuring device and if that's all the CT did I wouldn't own one. But having an indoor trainer that works in ergometer mode and one that you can program specific workouts or ramped tests is quite useful.
-Dave
I agree entirely. I used to take a bike on and off a turbo all the time and it was a complete pain in the backside. P/T on the road and C/T indoors is just great :-)
Sergen, I train with a PT and a Fluid2. Works well. I should be a poster boy for Cycelops.
Bailsibub - funnily enough I've been looking at getting the same Fluid 2 trainer as well!
I currently have an old Tacx with an adjustable resistance switch which clips onto the handlebars but it's almost 15 years old and the switch is now jammed on one resistance setting.
The whole resistance curve thing on the Cycleops sounds interesting but from what I can gather you don't need a resistance switch - the resistance literally changes as you shift gears.
What sort of power work are you limited to with the Fluid 2? I estimate my FTP to be around 220w so I suppose I'd be able to do L6 work easier than somebody with, say a FTP of 300w? What's the largest wattage numbers you see on your powertap when using the Fluid 2?
It has a pretty stiff resistance curve. Your legs will give out before your gears do. IOW, if your FTP is around 220, there won't be any limit to the type of work you can do.
It has a pretty stiff resistance curve. Your legs will give out before your gears do. IOW, if your FTP is around 220, there won't be any limit to the type of work you can do.
But will the resistance still be enough for L6 or L7 once I've raised my FTP to 300w (ha ha!)
