Resistance for climbing workouts

[klripper]

I have purchased a Nashbar Watt Master Fluid Trainer and do not feel as though I am getting adequate resistance for hill climbing simulations. This is the first unit I have used that has a weighted flywheel that allows coast down. The unit is great for high cadence speed work but just does not maintain enough resistance for out of the saddle, climbing even at the highest resistance setting. Does anyone have a similiar unit? I am wondering if my resistance unit is defective. I am also able to maintain 40 minute efforts at 700+ watts according to the wattage meter on the trainer. I am confident that this is not correct and would like to know if anyone else has seen similiar elevated wattage readings from this unit?

[terrymorse]

700 watts for 40 minutes? Yeah, you're right in being skeptical. Figure 700 watts for 10 seconds, maybe 20 if you're really strong.

I have a CycleOps Fluid trainer, and it works fine for high tension climbing intervals. When I put the bike in its highest 53/12 gears, I can ramp up to a maximum effort standing at about a 75 cadence (for maybe 30 seconds maximum). That's probably about 500 watts, which should be more than enough for just about anybody.

[klripper]

Thanks Terry. It looks like I will be upgrading to a new trainer to get my indoor climbing intervals. This is my first winter on a fluid trainer and I just wasn't sure what to expect as far as resistance goes. I have used magnetic units in the past but it has been my experience that they last about one winter before they break. I will most likely go with the CycleOps or Kurt Kinetic.

[GuitarWizard]

700 watts for 40 minutes? Yeah, you're right in being skeptical. Figure 700 watts for 10 seconds, maybe 20 if you're really strong.

I have a CycleOps Fluid trainer, and it works fine for high tension climbing intervals. When I put the bike in its highest 53/12 gears, I can ramp up to a maximum effort standing at about a 75 cadence (for maybe 30 seconds maximum). That's probably about 500 watts, which should be more than enough for just about anybody.

Hmm....I'm sure you're familiar with the CTS Climbing DVD....

I can do the 5 minute muscle tension intervals in my 50x12 on my Fluid 2, and have to keep the cadence around 60 rpm to get some kind of a workout in. I really could use an 11t cog for that one, though.....not bragging, but on the trainer it's really not that hard. Outside though.....that's a totally different ballgame :). I wish climbing a hill outside was as easy as "climbing a hill" on a trainer.

Although by the time I hit my climbing repeats on my local favorite hill in the spring, I will be about 20 pounds lighter than last summer. By the time my "target" race happens, I should be 25 pounds down from last summer. Pretty excited about that.

[terrymorse]

I can do the 5 minute muscle tension intervals in my 50x12 on my Fluid 2, and have to keep the cadence around 60 rpm to get some kind of a workout in.

This chart estimates that's about 350 watts of power:

http://images.udctours.com/imgs/cyclops-fluid2-power.jpg

I'm convinced the chart overestimates power. It says that a 60 cadence in 53/12 is over 500 watts. I don't think so, since that's what I use for my 4-minute, James Brown "Get Up Offa That Thing" standing interval. No way can I put out 500 watts for more than a few seconds.

[klripper]

I am contacting Nashbar about this resistance unit. Understanding that it may be difficult to truly simulate hill work indoors it doesn't make sense that I spin out my 53/12 and the effort is not that hard. I do get some benefit in learning to spin a pretty high cadence 85+ while standing but It does not allow me to develop the leg strength I am looking for in my workout. From what you guys are saying you are able to do some pretty low cadence standing workouts and feel the resistance. I just bought the trainer in November and it has performed about the same since new. There must be something wrong with the unit. I will post Nashbars reply when I hear back from them. Thanks for the input. I am using Spinervals Uphill Grind 7.0 workout and No Slackers Allowed 1.0 for my indoor interval workouts.