Trainer road on rollers and turbo difference

[Andy_G]

I usually just use my turbo for training and my rollers for recovery but i thought id try 3LC Climbing on the rollers.

http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/609530-3LC-Climbing Turbo

http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/618336-3LC-Climbing Rollers

I cant believe the power difference.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Really like the 3lc videos. They are really well done and informative.

How are you measuring the power?

 

[Andy_G]

I use the one on TR, its supposed to be quite accurate.

 

[DaveL]

Are you sure your using the right power profiles for the rollers and turbo?

 

[Andy_G]

Are you sure your using the right power profiles for the rollers and turbo?

Yeah, both are listed.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Where is TR taking its data from (not familiar with TR) is it calculated power or taken from a calibrated source?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Where is TR taking its data from (not familiar with TR) is it calculated power or taken from a calibrated source?

Trainer power curve and speed which leads to all sorts of accuracy issues

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Trainer power curve and speed which leads to all sorts of accuracy issues

Just seen on the TR website that's its calculated power as such things such as different tensions on the wheel affect rolling resistance and can skew your readings from one day to the next.
I believe that the pressure the turbo puts on the back wheel to create resistance would result in a noticeable difference to the calculation taken from rollers.

I would expect the data to be unreliable and inconsistent at best

 

[DaveL]

Yeah, both are listed.

I would drop them an email, their customer service is excellent, and see if they can shed any light on the problem, as it does seem way out.

Dave

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Just seen on the TR website that's its calculated power as such things such as different tensions on the wheel affect rolling resistance and can skew your readings from one day to the next.
I believe that the pressure the turbo puts on the back wheel to create resistance would result in a noticeable difference to the calculation taken from rollers.

I would expect the data to be unreliable and inconsistent at best

Depends on the turbo really. If you're screwing a cup towards the QR and/or screwing the roller to the tyre then obviously there is massive potential for variance, before you take turbo type into account, heat and tyre pressure/wear

There's a reason it's much cheaper than a power meter, ultimately the idea is structure not accuracy