turbo trainer v outdoors cycling

[Dogtrousers]

One thing that many/most turbos can't simulate is very steep gradients - the ones where you grind to a halt, standing on the pedals and grimacing.

Mine claims to top out at 16% simulated but I'm a bit sceptical about even that.

Quite why you'd want an accurate simulation of that I'm not entirely sure.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

One thing that many/most turbos can't simulate is very steep gradients - the ones where you grind to a halt, standing on the pedals and grimacing.

Mine claims to top out at 16% simulated but I'm a bit sceptical about even that.

Quite why you'd want an accurate simulation of that I'm not entirely sure.

The gradient simulation is dfependent on weight iirc, I doubt my Saris H3 could give me a proper simulation of 20% while I'm ~96Kg.

When I was fitter and usually sub 80Kg, I'd often use max gradient simulation. It was great to get an idea of what to expect in real life ahead of climbing Road To Hell for the first time, as there's a ~0.5 mile stretch around Peniel that is around 20% leading to the first of the climb's peaks. Getting an idea of that on Rouvy's video course was so helpful!

https://riders.rouvy.com/route/36075

 

[Pblakeney]

One thing that many/most turbos can't simulate is very steep gradients - the ones where you grind to a halt, standing on the pedals and grimacing.

Mine claims to top out at 16% simulated but I'm a bit sceptical about even that.

Quite why you'd want an accurate simulation of that I'm not entirely sure.

I queried the claimed maximum simulated gradient 25% of my Neo 2T with Garmin/Tacx as in my case it starts to deviate around 14% and in my view cannot replicate 20% never mind 25%. This was their response (bold by me) and I'd imagine all trainers are calibrated in a similar manner. FWIW I'm generally somewhere in between 75-80 kgs.

"All Tacx bike trainers are spec'd with a maximum incline value. This value is calculated with a body weight of 143 lbs (65 kg) in reference to the "strength" of the resistance unit when cycling 6 mph (10 km/h). It is important to understand that when your body weight is higher, the maximum incline the trainer is able to simulate will be lower."

As for the why, in line with NOTG above I like to reccy climbs I'm going to do while on holiday to have a rough expectation of what's to come.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The gradient simulation is dfependent on weight iirc, I doubt my Saris H3 could give me a proper simulation of 20% while I'm ~96Kg.

Doh! Of course it is! I didn't think of that. Obvious when you think about it.

So being at the high end of the scale (~90kg) it's not surprising that I find it unconvincing. Maybe it can realistically simulate up to only (say) 13% (or something like that) for me. That would make sense.

I rode up Grand Colombier last year and did a lot of simulations as prep. They got me fit, and I managed my two ascents without too much trouble. But we're they realistic? I don't think so, not for the steep bits.

 

[CXRAndy]

That's probably true re resistance for heavy riders.

Being a Clydesdale myself, I tend to stay seated and spin up almost all gradients.

I geared my outdoor bike to be able to climb very very steep gradients whilst seated.

I set my Neo 2 for easier resistance to simulate my seated cadence upon Zwift. It has been a perfect training tool for mountain climbing in Europe and the Canary Islands

 

[gasinayr]

going back to original post, when i said years ago i meant about 55 years ago, and coach referred to old stye rollers the same as Trax ones. this was way before invention of turbo trainers and smart devices even computers.