Except here we kind of do! We’re that awesome!
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I hate the FTP testing /the end. If a platform can work out when your FTP increases without needing to test, that’ll probably be a winner.
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TR has hinted they’re headed in that direction.
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My son’s did the Zwift ramp test yesterday, and I am not impressed. It did not take into consideration their current FTP at all and started them at their current FTP within 1st couple steps. My boys are in the 100-125 FTP range. Had one of my boys do ramp test on my TR account and delete test later and TR is much better like we all know. Just my 2¢.
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Yup, I expect some interesting results for those on the outside ends of the bell curve. Likely worst affected will be those with low FTP. The start level and fixed 20w steps may lead to premature failure. But that is just speculation on my part.
Exactly right. My sons tests lasted less than 10 min including warm-up that was way too high for a warm-up at their level. Zwift may make it better, but TR is much better. If I want eye candy, I can tie Zwift into the real work I’m doing in TR. JMO.
It is nice when you get an alert from Training Peaks to say your ftp has increased. Normally when I have done a time trial and then I ignore it as I have not done a 5 minutes all out beforehand.
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I wonder if this will be at all similar to what Garmin does with their metrics and gives you recommended FTP’s after rides?
Like people have said, TR are apparently trying to implementing this, and there’s a Garmin app that estimates it based on a few max efforts.
But you’ll need to go to exhaustion to get an accurate FTP whatever the method. I get the impression some people think they can do a few sweetspot intervals and it’ll randomly give them a new FTP…
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I’m thinking it will be much more involved than what Garmin is doing. TR can see every trainer workout you do, if you take breaks/backpedals, if you raise/lower intensity, cadence trends, hitting TSS weekly targets, workout substitutions, ect. It could also take your sleep, nutrition, weight, age and other self reported metrics to coincide with their other data. There are countless “big data” points to draw from depending how in depth TR wants to get. For example, if you’re in week 3 of Build and have nailed every workout or possibly even raised intensity, a TR popup could suggest “Looks like you’re getting stronger, raise your FTP to XXX? Yes/No”
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I did TR and Zwift ramp test and both are matching,
My oncle used to do this test with British cyclist in 2007 so it’s nothing new lol
I don’t get that video. What should have been done is each test separately (and rested) to exhaustion. Doing them simultaneously is kinda pointless. Each test uses 75% of your best 1 minute power, so of course they will be the same. What is different is the starting wattage and step increases. So the question is if you do the Zwift protocol versus TrainerRoad will the end results be the same? 
For my TR ramp test it will take me 19:00 to reach 384 watts (17 watt steps) while in Zwift it will take me about 15:00 to reach 380 (20 watt steps). Then TR ups me to 401 at 20:00 (new FTP) while I reach 400 at 16:00 on Zwift. I have to believe working 4 minutes less I would be fresher on Zwift.
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Off topic a bit, but it seems like a lot of people here subscribe to both TR and Zwift. Out of the handful of cyclists I know personally, I’m the only one using TR. I might try out a free trial this week and run them simultaneously. I know it’s only another $15 a month, but for those who are using both, do you believe you’re getting your money’s worth?
Honestly I could live just fine without zwift and it really isn’t worth it, I ought to cancel. I did, but then I signed again thinking I’d do some semi-regular races or possible group rides with guys on my club. I’ve done like 2 races but otherwise just let it run while I do TR and try and manipulate my laps so I can bag an orange jersey. But the way I have it isn’t visually engaging (it’s on my desk which is kind of at 2 o’clock position)
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My brother lives across the country and encouraged me to sign up so we can ride together. it’s a 3 hr time difference so I already know it’ll hardly ever pan out. I am curious though because i’ve started watching pov crit races while getting through the TR workouts. Seems like it could be pretty engaging.
- I asked about this. He did it that way to confirm the function/calculation aspect. At the time he did it, I don’t know if the official calculation for the Z version was posted anywhere. Either way, he did it as a validation between the two for the basic approach.
- Yup, he agrees to that, and said as much when I asked about it.
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for me, it was more engaging when it was directly in front and I had brought down a 32" tv. I have a 27" I hook up to a macbook and even that isn’t super immersive for me. I’d love to get a 32" since they’re so cheap but I don’t want to devote too many resources to zwift when there’s other stuff I’d rather get lol
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It is not a necessity for me, but I do like having the visuals even when I do around 75+% of my riding as controlled by TR workouts. As above, I have a 40" 4k TV about 28" from my head, and I use the 1st person view. It is surprisingly convincing to a ride outside when you do this.
I like doing the big fondo events and races on occasion. The variety and ability to hop on any time and have others to ride with is kinda fun. I come to this as a former auto sim racer, so the virtual world coupled with my cycling passion was a slam dunk.
If I was cutting budget, Zwift would be easy to drop. I would simply use YT vids or Netflix for entertainment. However, TR is for life 
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Yeah that’s the ideal setup. If I give it a try, I’ll be running TR on my phone and Zwift on my macbook. It’d be alright. I’ll eventually get a TV on the wall in my space but it’s not a necessity…yet.
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