Training & Nutrition - How do I calibrate my turbo trainer?

Hi folks,

Took a search for this on here, and couldn't find anything.

How do I calibrate my magnetic turbo trainer so its similar to riding on a road? I thought that if I road at 20mph on a flat road, then stopped - timed it, and set the resistance to do the same thing from the same speed, that that would do it - but it's nothing like it. It's only a tiny amount of resistance, and nothing like riding on the road.

It's just a cheap 'Tranzx' trainer, with a magnetic fly-wheel and a control on it to adjust from the handlebars (of a road bike). But I've got hold of lots of Spinerval DVDs - and am now just training in the garage with Troy helping me out. And I'd really like to get close to how it feels on the road.

Or am I on to plums?

Thanks in advance.

John.

You don't calibrate it. Trainers are not meant to have the same resistance at the same speed as the road. If you want it to feel similar, go by feel not speed.

Thanks Brian - good to know I'm not missing something. I guess if I want it to feel similar to being on the road, get the hell outta the garage and onto the road!!

I'll just set it by perceived effort then, thanks very much!!

John

Theoretically you could calibrate thetrainer with a powermeter. Speed could be calibrated to match watts on a trainer. This assumes a lot in regards to changes and wheels and such. If you match rear tires, air pressure and measure speed versus watts while on the trainer you can use speed to correlate back to power on a trainer. I just use feel of course.

I would not bother trying to calibrate your trainer so you known when it is giving you the same resistance as road riding. What I always do is stick on a heart rate monitor and give myself a workout that is equivilent to road riding. I have found that doing this is close enough to work reasonably well. And it does not require any specialized equipment.