New to Turbo Training - help needed

[neilo]

Congrats on getting a Tacx, let us know what your FTP is, guess it will be in the region of 250-300 straight off the bat =)

I had to google the term to find out what it meant, so I guess that gives you the answer...

[The return of Marty Wild]

No problem, we are have to start somewhere.

Get it all set up, run any calibration exercises that you can so you get as accurate readings as possible. Then always have the setup the same, i.e. same tyre pressure every time etc.

Then go to 'Training' on Zwift and do the Shorter FTP test. This way you will have a base power output, from here you will be able to have Zwift tailor any training sessions to your given power. Also you will know what level of races or events you should be entering. Finally, you will then be able to repeat the FTP tests down the road and see how much you have improved.

[The return of Marty Wild]

The reason I flippantly mentioned your FTP is because of an ongoing joke we have on the board about the iffy power readings people get from Tacx STs. Don't let that worry you though, won't stop you from improving your fitness and having fun on Zwift.

[neilo]

No problem, we are have to start somewhere.

Get it all set up, run any calibration exercises that you can so you get as accurate readings as possible. Then always have the setup the same, i.e. same tyre pressure every time etc.

Then go to 'Training' on Zwift and do the Shorter FTP test. This way you will have a base power output, from here you will be able to have Zwift tailor any training sessions to your given power. Also you will know what level of races or events you should be entering. Finally, you will then be able to repeat the FTP tests down the road and see how much you have improved.

Cheers for the info Marty. Don't worry about iffy settings on my part, I'll be the fat lad at the back as usual (which is why I bought the trainer).

[The return of Marty Wild]

You’ll be smashing it with the best of them after a Winter on Zwift!

[ibbo68]

Being new to turbo trainers, I went and bought myself a Tacx Flow Smart from H......s (only £180 with my BC discount so I thought it was quite reasonable).
Neilo

Ey up Neilo
I have that very same Tacx and although a good ST for the money I'll just offer a heads-up.I'm on my third one(replaced under warranty).The cover on the Magnet is easily dislodged and can then vibrate and/or snap off.If moved/folded a lot this can be a factor in it's fragilely.
As I said I'm on my third one and this one has been fine but I secured it with Duck tape straight out of the box
Anyway scare-mongery out of the way......welcome to the World of indoor Winter Training
It is boring,can be very boring but there are so many Apps/platforms to help with this that it's almost rude not to partake
Enjoy!

[Boxhilljunkie]

the free but solitary rides of RGT are getting boring.

Right chum....Thursday night,7pm Canary Wharf ...im suppose to be meeting a mate on there...who has just started getting back into cycling after a 2 year lay off due to health...we can all draft each other into the sprints.

we won't ever get to No1 spot ..so cheating fook has 'done in less than 2 seconds'.....yeah right...it takes me 23....must be taco power

[portia]

Right chum....Thursday night,7pm Canary Wharf ...im suppose to be meeting a mate on there...who has just started getting back into cycling after a 2 year lay off due to health...we can all draft each other into the sprints.

we won't ever get to No1 spot ..so cheating fook has 'done in less than 2 seconds'.....yeah right...it takes me 23....must be taco power

Deal. Great! I'll try to get home back from work by that time - I might be late though. Don't wait for me, haha.

By the way, on my way back from work I'll be actually passing Canary Wharf

[neilo]

I secured it with Duck tape straight out of the box

Good info Ibbo, Thanks

I'll check mine and probably do the same

[Nick1020]

Ey up Neilo
I have that very same Tacx and although a good ST for the money I'll just offer a heads-up.I'm on my third one(replaced under warranty).The cover on the Magnet is easily dislodged and can then vibrate and/or snap off.If moved/folded a lot this can be a factor in it's fragilely.
As I said I'm on my third one and this one has been fine but I secured it with Duck tape straight out of the box
Anyway scare-mongery out of the way......welcome to the World of indoor Winter Training
It is boring,can be very boring but there are so many Apps/platforms to help with this that it's almost rude not to partake
Enjoy!

Good call on the cover.

Think I returned my first one for that very reason, and the replacement cover worked its way loose too. I used an interlocking elastic strap to secure it since and it seems to do the job.