Power Figures - Home Trainer vs real world

[spangelsaregreat]

Hi,

I have an Elite Volare Mag Force Elastogel home trainer and I intend to use PowerPod for some interval training. I appear, however to have quite a difference in power figures on the trainer and using PowerPod on the road. I am aware that some riders do find there are differences in home trainer vs real world power figures.

My trainer does have 5 resistance levels but when selecting it in Isaac it does not offer any way to show what resistance level you have used. I have it set at 3. It isn't a big issue for me to do a FTP test for both the trainer and the road but it would be easier to have the two FTPs as close as possible.

As a rough guide my at threshold HR my power was sitting about 186w. On the road my threshold sits about 333 (from my last FTP test, I have lost fitness but I would guess based on recent rides it is probably down around 290w at present). So I have about a 100w difference.

Do I have the resistance set to high on the trainer skewing the Power? Is the Elite Mag Force (it has 5 resistance settings in Issac) a better choice?

Regards

[Velocomp]

It's good that you have FTP test results.

You can manually select a trainer setting that will give you comparable perceived power, as compared to your FTP test.

It sounds like you're about 100W low with your current trainer. I would look at the speed/power curve for the trainer you're currently use. If it reads (for example) 200W @ 20 mph, find a trainer curve that reads 300W @ 20 mph.

You might need to experiment a bit but I am sure you can find something that will work.