turbo trainer v outdoors cycling

[Dan Lotus]

If your turbo has a virtual flywheel (Neo has one, must be others) Rouvy at least, will continue to spin it at an appropriate speed if you are going downhill, and like in real life, you can increase speed.
I've moved from a Neo OG to a Kickr move, and this has a physical flywheel, so although you can freewheel on a downhill, and still pick up speed, the flywheel can (happy to be wrong here) completely stop, or at the very least slow down a lot, meaning that when you come to pedal again, presuming you have not shifted down the gears, it will feel like a major effort to get the cranks turning - unlike real life.

Personally if I rode a route in Rouvy (not a race) I wouldn't see this as any different to riding outside - in both scenarios I can work as hard, or not, as I choose - admittedly in Rouvy there will be no stops for traffic lights, roundabouts etc etc.

If I am riding a workout on TR or Rouvy, or a Race, I would definitely say that would be harder work than out on the road.

 

[yello]

Strikes me there are turbo trainers and there are turbo trainers. I don't have apps or tv screens, or things to catch sweat, or any other kind additional fixtures or fittings. I'm not looking to best my previous or push myself to new heights, I look only for a fluidity of pedal stroke. I pass the time invariably listening to Radio 4 - hardly the stuff to motivate me to 'work that body'. I did a turbo session at a gym once. Once.

 

[Binky]

Well I've literally just finished a turbo session and it was grim! A regular hour long session with mixture of tempo/threshold/climbing and boy I found it tough.
More than I expected as I thought my fitness was good after weeks of longish and tough rides outside. Obviously totally subjective as it might be just me on an off day. The numbers overall pretty much match with what I've done before but perceived effort was more.
Doesn't really help OP but just thought I'd thrown it in.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Years ago an old coach told me that for 15 mins on turbo trainer or rollers is equal to one hour on the road

Does anyone know if this is correct ?

A minute on the turbo is torture, outdoors can go for hours, days even. A turbo will never be the equal.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Ghastly things. An utter bore-fest.

I use mine mainly to keep my butt 'saddle-worthy' during periods off of the bike.

Mind you, the thing does rack up Garmin Intensity minutes much faster than my treadmill.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Back to the original question - 15 min on turbo vs an hour outside.

It obviously depends what you're doing, but for me it's probably not a million miles off.

I use my turbo for training, intervals, or other high effort things. I end up out of breath and sweaty. But when I ride my bike outside I just ride my bike. I don't get out of breath unless a big hill gets in the way.

So yeah, it could well be 1:4 in some cases. Ish. Give or take. There or thereabouts. That order of ballpark

 

[Webbo2]

Back to the original question - 15 min on turbo vs an hour outside.

It obviously depends what you're doing, but for me it's probably not a million miles off.

I use my turbo for training, intervals, or other high effort things. I end up out of breath and sweaty. But when I ride my bike outside I just ride my bike. I don't get out of breath unless a big hill gets in the way.

So yeah, it could well be 1:4 in some cases. Ish. Give or take. There or thereabouts. That order of ballpark

If you tried doing intervals outside then you would get a more direct comparison🤔

 

[Dogtrousers]

If you tried doing intervals outside then you would get a more direct comparison🤔

Why would I want to ruin a bike ride by doing something like that?

 

[CXRAndy]

You do know there is no rule that says you can’t freewheel on the turbo.👍

I know, but it just doesn't really happen that often. Today I did an hours group ride,you can see only two micro dips in cadence

This is where the intensity multiplier comes in.

I have in the past, exclusively trained on a turbo, doing no more than 2hr30 mins sessions and then taken that fitness, did a week's riding in Tenerife, finding the riding comfortable even some days I was out 6-8 hours climbing around and up Mt Teide

 

[CXRAndy]

Strikes me there are turbo trainers and there are turbo trainers. I don't have apps or tv screens, or things to catch sweat, or any other kind additional fixtures or fittings. I'm not looking to best my previous or push myself to new heights, I look only for a fluidity of pedal stroke. I pass the time invariably listening to Radio 4 - hardly the stuff to motivate me to 'work that body'. I did a turbo session at a gym once. Once.

You could enhance the experience by having an app or indoor setup. You don't need to push yourself but it does make the time pass much quicker.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I just hate busy traffic filled roads. So that above screen shot would be a turn off.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I think trying to compare outdoor vs. Indoor is like comparing apples and oranges. It’s just different, so trying to equate them doesn’t make that much sense.

 

[fossyant]

A minute on the turbo is torture, outdoors can go for hours, days even. A turbo will never be the equal.

With you there. I am currently doing an hour on the turbo just to build my left leg as my hip heals up. At least if I am in pain, I can get off. It's no real answer for outside. You can make both as hard as you like but at least real riding is less painful on your ass and far better for mental health.

Despite having got some major injuries from real riding, I only use a turbo for recovery. There is a world to explore out there. I'd rather pick up injuries than sit on a turbo day after day.

 

[CXRAndy]

I think trying to compare outdoor vs. Indoor is like comparing apples and oranges. It’s just different, so trying to equate them doesn’t make that much sense.

I know you do lots of training and use outside as your training ground. There is nothing wrong and probably something to admire the dedication come all weathers.

I just prefer the convenience of ease, jumping on my turbo setup at a moments notice. My room is temperature controlled so winters are warm and summers cool.

I do ride outside but these days ride with my wife on ebikes. We travel to restaurants ,pubs and seeing friends, family locally.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I think trying to compare outdoor vs. Indoor is like comparing apples and oranges. It’s just different, so trying to equate them doesn’t make that much sense.

Very much this. My turbo is a bit of high tech exercise equipment. My bike is ... well ... it's my bike.

Yes, could equate them in terms of watts and wotnot, but really they are totally different things.

I'm a bit odd, because I actually enjoy using the turbo. But it's not cycling.