Trainer Road ???

I've only been using it for a couple of weeks, but I think that it is great, and COMPLETELY worth it.

I've seen enough recommendations on here from dozens of people over the past several months that I knew that it was the right way for me to go.

As for accuracy - I'm assuming you're referring to it's virtual power calculations... I'd guess that it is accurate enough.  Most importantly, as long as your settings don't change, it's going to be the same from one workout to the next, so it will be a constant.

I've been a member a little over a year, got in as a Beta tester, so I got a discount on the monthly rate.

I want to use it more this year, mostly this winter to up my FTP, but looking at the total number of workouts I've done, divided by my total fees paid in, it's a little over $1.00/ride. 

So I'm paying to keep the workout data in "the cloud", for them to come up with training plans and new workouts, including synced workouts that go with sufferfest, and workouts that automatically do threshold testing.

For about a buck a workout; to me it's worth it.

^^^This.

If you're asking about accuracy, I'm assuming you will be using their "Virtual Power" calculations based on a trainer and ANT+ sensors.  You can read all you want about the relative accuracy of that method, but the bottom line is this: For the cost of a sensor (if you don't already have one installed) and $10 a month, you can get structured workouts and the benefits that come with Power-based training, without having to invest $1000+ on a power meter.  Plus is makes the workouts fun for a tech-head like me, so I'm not just spinning out hours on a trainer watching movies or reading a book.  I actually look FORWARD to trainer sessions... I know, that makes me more than a little unstable.

For recreational wannabe's like me...this system is awesome.  I'm a big fan. 

Best $10/mo I've spent in the sport and that's after14 years in the sport.

Andi

I can't say enough good things about TR.  I would 2nd (or 3rd) it's the best $10/month I have ever spent.

I use a quarq for power so I can't comment on the virtual power accuracy but everything else is great.  FTP testing, customized rides based on your FTP and complete training plans.  There's only a couple of minor things I would ask for but TR is alredy in the process of developing the features.

GSC-10 for speed and cadence.

I would recommend using a heart rate strap as well.  Any ANT+ heart rate monitor/strap will work.  You also need an ANT+ stick for your computer.  If you have an Garmin you should have an ANT+ stick but of not you can pick one up for approx $40.  I have the Garmin stick but for TR I purchased the Suunto mini USB stick.  It is smaller (hence the "mini") and less of a chance of it getting broken while moving my laptop.  

IMHO here's a list of what I would recommend:

1. trainer, TR should have the power curve for your trainer.
2. Heart rate monitor/strap
3. ANT+ stick for your computer
4. Garmin GSC 10 speed/cadence or Cycleops Speed/Cadence Sensor.

Thanks for all the responses and recommendations.

I ordered my Ant+ USB stick yesterday, when it shows up I'll start my subscription with Trainer Road.

TrainerRoad is awesome!

As for accuracy, I use virtual power related to Cyclops Fluid 2 (beta) trainer and I recall Nate advising that it is generally accurate to +/- 30 watts.  Tire pressure and tension of the trainer roller will affect the power reading.

Either way, accuracy isn't that relevant for me as I never use an actual power meter and so my FTP calculation and workouts are solely based on TrainerRoad. 

I do maintain the same tension and try to keep tire pressure at 100 psi.

If you're a numbers geek and find that the objective data from workout to workout motivates you, you'll LOVE trainerroad. 

It's like a smorgasboard of helpful metrics - TSS scores, NP, watts/kg, FTP, all automatically calculated for you with each workout, as well as descriptions of the TSS and intensity scores for all the workouts they have (which are ridiculous in number and variety. I never used these numbers be but I'm finding I really enjoy the metrics, particularly TSS.

The included "plans" also look very good. I'm only in week 3  of the "Intermediate Base Build 1" but so far it's been absolutely great, and 100% as-advertised. The workouts seem to favor intensity of distance, as most workouts are 60 minutes, but the TSS scores allow you to compare the ipmact of those workouts compared to the longer ones, which is fantastic. 

Gotta say - this piece of software is already the most polished piece of work I've yet seen for workouts, bar none. Modern and up to date, and very easy to just get up and running. 

Did anyone mention that it's the best $10 they've ever spent in the sport?  If not- that's what I'd say. 

As for accuracy- I try to put the same pressure in my tires and the same number of turns on the steel wheel that pushes against my tire.  It calculates power via speed of the trainer wheel, and each trainer uses a different power to speed curve.  The question is less about how accurate the power number is (does it really matter if you're trying to hit 250w or 230w if it's the same effort as a % of your FTP?), but whether it's stable - both from ride to ride and during the course of a single ride as the fluid in your trainer heats up.  I got the Kurt Kinetic Road machine- as this has been a trainer which is shown to be very stable with its power curve.  I'd imagine that most good mag trainers would be stable over time and temp as well?  dunno'.  Many fluid trainers change viscosity with temperature.

Anyway- here's yesterday morning's workout.  this is what you get:  red line is my HR.  Yellow line is my power output vs time.  Blue area is the target.  There are seemingly an endless selection of workouts and plans to choose from (all included) to help guide you.

(Kid.JPG)

yeah- I use 3s

To add more info to my previous post, I spent as much as $200/mo for a coach and rarely had cycling workouts as good as TR. And that was with HR training, not Power like TR.  Power training would have been $250 through a personal coach (I have a power tap).  I started using TR this month (2 weeks ago) because I broke my foot and running and swimming are impossible and risky in that order.

I think TR just cost my coach my biz cause I don't see going back.  These workouts kick a$$ and the variety is great.  Hers were getting stale after only a few months.  I was with her 8 months.  Same thing over and over.  I know what I need to do and I will do it.

What have you got to lose?

Andi

I received my Ant+ usb stick this weekend and I got in my 8 minute test last night.

Thanks for all the responses to my question on the product.

I love it.  I have always wondered if I was working hard enough, or too hard, with the display and some organized workouts, I can at least try to train with a plan.

Scott