turbo trainer v outdoors cycling

[gasinayr]

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 ?

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Know? No.

But on days when saddle discomfort becomes the biggest issue rather than legs/lungs, on the turbo that usually kicks in after an hour or so.

Outdoors maybe 2-3 hours.

 

[Baldy]

I can go out for a cycle and happily go for hours. 15 minutes on the trainer and I'm bored out my brains.

 

[Binky]

Far too open ended to say. Is that an hour on road with tailwind on flat? On a turbo there's no wind resistance but usually pedalling non stop and no free wheeling. Then again 15mins climbing continually on road can be brutal.

Just depends. I use turbo as means to exercise when it's crap weather. I ride outside for pleasure although that regularly involves suffering!

Think it all comes down to how you approach it.

I'll add, I guess this is where power meters are so useful as can judge effort pretty exactly whether indoor or out. I don't have a PM but would think this is case although I'm sure someone can confirm.

 

[yello]

Dunno. But I reckon Blinky above covers it.

Different beasts for me and the weather would need to be pretty bad for me to actually prefer the turbo. I use it as a warm down, spinning to get rid of any lactic acid ('cause, yer know, I'm such a pro) In theory, I could use it for recovery rides but.... nah. It's lumpy around here so any outdoor ride is going to require effort.

 

[HLaB]

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 ?

Depends on your turbore environment. A hot sticky turbore room, on a stationery trainer with nothing to keep you entertained maybe, but a well air conditioned set up, with maybe a rocker plate and Zwift (or whatever floats your boat) to keep you engaged may be closer to the road timewise.

 

[Dan Lotus]

1 to 4 sounds rather optimistic to me.
I've seen 1.5 times (60 minutes turbo equivalent to 90 minutes on the road) mentioned, probably in relation to TrainerRoad, and that I would tend to agree with, well especially if you are doing an ERG workout, as the resistance is controlled, there is no free wheeling, and no easing off the power, you have to hit the targets or you grind to a halt and fail.

For me to ride on a trainer for a longer amount of time, I need a bit of left to right movement, and not just a bike locked into a 100% static position - front to back is useful, but not as important - also key to get up out of the saddle from time to time, and even more key to have decent shorts, and the same style saddle as you ride outside.

If I'm doing a workout, I'll likely have something to watch on another screen, either drama, or sporting event, pretty much always on catch up.
If I'm in a Rouvy race or group ride, then I'll focus on that fully, and you need to in a race if you want to stay in a group.

 

[Pblakeney]

As above, it depends entirely on the effort being put in. Does anyone cycle at 100% effort 100% of the time outdoors? My simple strategy is indoors is for serious training (get it over and done with ASAP) so I can enjoy outdoors at whatever pace I feel like.

 

[Webbo2]

My ten minute warm up on the turbo isn’t equivalent to 40 minutes on the road. As PB says it’s about the effort put in.
I try to do my interval training outside when I can. Todays efforts in to a 30 mph gusting head wind meant I didn’t get much rest when resting.🤔

 

[cougie uk]

It's probably not too far out. It's definitely easier to focus on a turbo.
Depending on the weather and where you are - it might be right. I used to take about 20 minutes to get all my layers on and lights ready for winter night rides.
Jumping on the turbo is pretty instant.
No distractions - no traffic, potholes, litter to watch out for.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Turboredom covers it for me. I've never had a longer 5 minutes than on a Turbo.

 

[CXRAndy]

I would say it's like 1.5 to 2 times. Riding on a turbo normally involves pedalling continuously for several hours. Riding outside seems to involves lots of recovery freewheeling down inclines.

I've done group rides Upto 5 hours indoors and they always felt like a whole day on the saddle outside

 

[Webbo2]

I would say it's like 1.5 to 2 times. Riding on a turbo normally involves pedalling continuously for several hours. Riding outside seems to involves lots of recovery freewheeling down inclines.

I've done group rides Upto 5 hours indoors and they always felt like a whole day on the saddle outside

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

 

[Alex321]

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

You can't though. If you stop pedaling on the turbo, you will stop moving in Rouvy or Zwift, or whichever app you use. Not the same as outside at all.

Though I would say more like twice the effort than the 4 times suggested in the OP.

 

[Pblakeney]

You can't though. If you stop pedaling on the turbo, you will stop moving in Rouvy or Zwift, or whichever app you use. Not the same as outside at all.

Though I would say more like twice the effort than the 4 times suggested in the OP.

Not going downhill though, surely.