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A question for Smart Trainer users

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  • 08-02-2018 12:13pm
    #1
    martyc5674
    Registered Users Posts: 2,520 ✭✭✭


    I use a dumb trainer...use it with zwift, find it great in fairness. Granted it could be over/under estimating power but it’s consistent and repeatable.
    Zwift has a power curve for it so it adjusts my speed based on the incline/draft etc.

    I’m wondering if a smart trainer is actually easier on the body as you can freewheel a bit to recover etc.
    my question is, do you actually work out harder on a dumb trainer as there is no let up,whereas the smart trainer is trying to replicate the road so you’ll get the odd break.
    I notice even when I’m going down hill on my dumb trainer I’m often still flat out pedaling just to stay with lads who are putting out considerably Less w/kg.


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    #2
    thekooman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭thekooman


    martyc5674 wrote: »
    I use a dumb trainer...use it with zwift, find it great in fairness. Granted it could be over/under estimating power but it’s consistent and repeatable.
    Zwift has a power curve for it so it adjusts my speed based on the incline/draft etc.

    I’m wondering if a smart trainer is actually easier on the body as you can freewheel a bit to recover etc.
    my question is, do you actually work out harder on a dumb trainer as there is no let up,whereas the smart trainer is trying to replicate the road so you’ll get the odd break.
    I notice even when I’m going down hill on my dumb trainer I’m often still flat out pedaling just to stay with lads who are putting out considerably Less w/kg.

    i mainly use my Tacx Flux for the Workout /ERG mode feature so there is no difference in the quality of work i do between that and a dumb trainer. if you just want to cycle around Zwift Island/London, etc. and have Difficulty set high where the smart trainer changes resistance then yes, its easier on the downhills. but why you want to be free wheeling on a turbo/smart trainer is beyond me unless you are doing the Races on Zwift where you need to recover.


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    #3
    nordicb
    Registered Users Posts: 271 ✭✭nordicb


    To actually go fast on zwift downhills (more than what zwift gravity allows), one needs to produce a lot of power on smart trainer as well, it may be similar to what you are experiencing...

    As an example, on smart trainer, going downhill in zwift at 60kph, if I produce 3.5w/kg, my speed would not change, it would only reduce decelleration. There is a certain power barrier one needs to overcome to increase the speed, which may require, say, me surge the flywheel at an expense of me standind up and sprinting briefly.


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