So tonight I purchased a Saris H3 smart trainer. It’s the first thing I’ve bought that will give me real power data. Up until now I have been using a Kurt Kinetic with the Wahoo Speed and Cadence sensors for virtual power.
I put together the trainer, installed my ultegra cassette and opened TR. I paired the device and it asked to do a spin down. I did the spin down then exited trainerroad. I got to thinking, I can’t use my same FTP for tomorrow’s workouts since the virtual power and real powers are going to be different. So I fired up a ramp test.
Virtual power had me at a 306 FTP (3.5 w/kg). After taking the test, I’m now at a 338 FTP (3.9 w/kg). This just seems wildly too high. Either the data is wrong or I just hit my goal for 2020 in two weeks.
From what I hear on the podcast, anything 4 and above is really good. I just can’t believe I’m at that point. I did some indoor structured training this fall, otherwise I’ve just been one of those guys who just rides with no purpose. I’d classify myself as a beginner in terms of structured training.
So here’s the questions.
- Could having the trainer on a rug, on carpet throw off the estimates.
- Does unplugging the trainer, uncalibrate it?
- Is there anything else that may cause inaccurate power data?
- How do I turn off the trainer (Saris H3), that’s why I unplugged it?
Here’s the TR link to my FTP test. Log In to TrainerRoad
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/3020420520 (has picture of the rug on carpet set up)