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JuhaL

Guru
I though the default setting for trainer difficulty in Zwift is only 50%, rather than the 100% in BRVR and BKool. After spending a winter training on zwift with it set to 20% I had absolutely nothing for real world rides the following summer ... lesson learned ALWAYS train with it set to 100%
I have always ride 100% trainer difficulty, except when i have ride alpe du zwift. Then its been 75%. I have done that because i have felt that i might need one backup gear before i go to red.
 

Whorty

Gets free watts from the Atom ;)
Location
Wiltshire
I though the default setting for trainer difficulty in Zwift is only 50%, rather than the 100% in BRVR and BKool. After spending a winter training on zwift with it set to 20% I had absolutely nothing for real world rides the following summer ... lesson learned ALWAYS train with it set to 100%
I race on Zwift at about 30-40% depending on course, but if I'm doing a ride up the Alpe, MV or the KoMs I will set it to 100% the same as BKool and BRVR.

Still feels faster though on Zwift - MV for example, took me 1:45 on Zwift at an average of 209 watts but on BRVR at the same watts (and I'm 1 kg lighter now) it estimates I'll take 1:52. Now, this will also be impacted on when and where I can apply power but I still think Zwift is a little generous with its speed.

Never ridden up Box Hill in real life, I know some did recently, but did they notice any difference in speed/time?
 

Norry1

Legendary Member
Location
Warwick
How accurate is the ramp test at estimating FTP on zwift?

I got a figure, but I don't think I'd manage to maintain that figure for an hour.

It is probably as accurate as most Ramp Tests. Whilst FTP is nominally your hour power, not many people can actually ride at FTP for 60 minutes. How far out do you think it is?
 

straas

Matt
Location
Manchester
Not sure - I'm new to the world of turbos and have never ridden with power before.

I did an all out hour effort earlier this year and strava estimated 241w, so I think around that figure is about right. The ramp test came out at 267w
 

Norry1

Legendary Member
Location
Warwick
Not sure - I'm new to the world of turbos and have never ridden with power before.

I did an all out hour effort earlier this year and strava estimated 241w, so I think around that figure is about right. The ramp test came out at 267w

What turbo are you using?
 
The definition of FTP as the power you can sustain for an hour isn't very helpful - we use FTP to set a target power range for shorter intervals, not as a target for one hour power. As @Norry1 mentioned - you won't find many people who can hold their FTP for an hour (maybe a TT specialist?)!

There are lots of ways to measure FTP, and people will have their own preference. You would expect to get different results from different types of test, so don't get too hung up on it. For now stick with 267W - if you find that you can't complete workouts then rest up and complete a different type of FTP test to see if you get a figure where you can then complete your workouts (or move your target power slightly down the range).

When you are measuring your FTP, the best thing you can do is be consistent. Don't switch between different types of test, and keep your preparation consistent (i.e make sure you're always rested, well hydrated etc).

For what it's worth - I use a 2x 8min FTP test. Others will use a 20min test, some a ramp, etc. It doesn't really matter what test you do or what numbers you get as long as you're consistent and able to complete the workouts. Any repeatable test will give you the ability to target and then measure improvements.
 

bridgy

Legendary Member
Location
Cheddar
Not sure - I'm new to the world of turbos and have never ridden with power before.

I did an all out hour effort earlier this year and strava estimated 241w, so I think around that figure is about right. The ramp test came out at 267w
If you're comparing with a Strava estimnated power I assume that's an outdoor ride? In which case I'd caution against comparing with the Zwift ramp test too much. It's an estimated power and although these are sometimes OK, they can also easily be out by 10 to 20w (or more). I know this because I don't have a power meter on my road bike but my friend I ride a lot with does and he's similar weight to me so I can compare my estimated power with his power meter reading - sometimes they're quite close, sometimes not.There's a number of factors the estimated power can't factor in like road and weather conditions (eg wind).

My strava estimated power is different on a real world ride to on the trainer for a whole variety of reasons. On Zwift my FTP is around 290w (on a Tacx Neo), but if I look at some full-on efforts on the road of less than an hour where I'm not holding back, Strava shows much lower estimated watts of 255w for a 51 minute ride which is my PR on a local 20 mile loop; and 247w for a 24 minute ride round a race track as part of a duathlon earlier this year - both those rides were solo and flat out. But on Zwift, I can average between 280 and 300 watts over 45 minutes or so in a race which includes periods of drafting.

So, probably best not to compare.
 

Norry1

Legendary Member
Location
Warwick
Yes, I'd ignore Strava Power estimates completely
 

<Tommy>

Illegitimi non carborundum
Location
Camden, London
How’s everyone feeling on the eve of our next instalment of Zwift Race league action?
@Joffey whats on the pre-race menu?
@<Tommy> & @bridgy are youseuns recovered from your dose?
Im placing the atv remote on the floor this week 😀

I was going to hold off until tomorrow morning but maybe it’s better to say it now so you guys can try and re shuffle the pack if you can. I’ve had a bit of a mishap yesterday. I’m sat in a&e now waiting for x rays result on my knee, but the nurse thinks it’s most likely I’ve just pulled or strained a ligament rather than something worse which I’ve been a bit worried about today at work to be honest . But best case scenario I’m just out of action this week at least.
It kills me missing a race. Really sat here I should be relieved I’m not more damaged but I’m still pissed off I’m missing tomorrow sorry lads...

Maybe the captains to put their heads together and work out how to reshuffle so both teams have 6?
 

mjd1988

Guru
I was going to hold off until tomorrow morning but maybe it’s better to say it now so you guys can try and re shuffle the pack if you can. I’ve had a bit of a mishap yesterday. I’m sat in a&e now waiting for x rays result on my knee, but the nurse thinks it’s most likely I’ve just pulled or strained a ligament rather than something worse which I’ve been a bit worried about today at work to be honest . But best case scenario I’m just out of action this week at least.
It kills me missing a race. Really sat here I should be relieved I’m not more damaged but I’m still pissed off I’m missing tomorrow sorry lads...

Maybe the captains to put their heads together and work out how to reshuffle so both teams have 6?

Get well soon!

@BurningLegs is our star man, if he fancies it, we can talk reparations.

We demand two packet of jammy dodgers in return. Take it or leave it.
 
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