rpenmanparker 

I don't believe it. Why would a bike break on a trainer? What could be gentler on a bike than being mounted on a trainer. The only part that's fixed is the rear wheel axle, and that is able to swivel up and down. (My trainer doesn't clamp the wheel to the roller spindle. It is held there just by rider weight.) Urban legend crap.

Alias530

I said I was worried about breaking my frame in a trainer, you said some guys hit 2k watts and don't break frames in trainers. The only way their power output is relevant is if they're doing that power in the trainer. That's all, just thought you meant that. Miscommunication

I think I've got sprinting down pretty good, can hit almost 40mph on flat ground (36.5 anyway). I want to be able to put down good, solid power, for an hour. That's what I want to train.

Alias530

Because if you're putting down power to the point it flexes the frame and it's locked in a trainer, that strain has to go somewhere. On the road, it just flexes. In the trainer it flexes with part of it unable to flex. I've even seen manufacturers say their bikes can't be ridden in trainers. Do not recall the name though...

Vicegrip

Lots of good advice from people sandwiched between your (OP) excuses and useless sidetracks. Got the power meter and the book? Get riding, eating and sleeping per formula and build your motor. Road riding, with the far better controlled variables is a better and far simpler format to build and measure power which is what you asked about. Road power translates to MTB just fine. No magic to it. Merlin- spent the time and gave you good answers.

Bunyanderman

Wattage doesn't break frames, force does.

FLvector

You seem to have a ton of excuses for not wanting to do group rides and take the next step in training. It seems very odd that riders are either Cat 1's or newbies. Most areas have a variety of riders and groups to choose from if put some effort into it. Faster groups will make you stronger and improve your riding skill.

As mentioned earlier getting a coach would be your best approach to increasing your power and learning how to do intervals. You can read and attempt this on your own, but a coach can guide you, review your data and answer many of the questions that most have as they begin to train with power. I did this last year and stayed with the coach for about 8 months. He gave me a schedule of intervals to do during the week, along with group rides on the weekends. I had to stop due to a busy travel schedule. Since I have months of these weekly training schedules, I've been doing it on my own now, not at the same intensity. Coaching doesn't have to be too expensive, you just have to look around. If you approach this with a mediocre attitude and effort, you won't be happy with your results.

K.Katso

It sounds to me like he's looking for a shortcut without any type of commitment (doesn't exist! ). Not sure what the end goal here is anyway, but I agree that lots of good advice is being ignored.

therhodeo

I'd be interested in what his actual stats are given that most who don't want to lose weight for fear of "looking like a cyclist" are actually 50lbs or more overweight.

PepeM

There you go:

Dan333SP

Alias, where are you located? There are probably a handful of people on this forum in the same area that could give you advice on fast-but-not-Cat 1-fast groups to ride with. The best workout I get besides races is when I force myself to hang on to groups that are faster than me. Looking at numbers and pushing yourself solo is well and good, but at some point most of us lose a little motivation and go a little soft. Trying to hold the wheel of someone much faster than you with the knowledge that losing the wheel means you're dropped, solo, in the middle of nowhere is one thing that forces you to dig deep.

PepeM

Agreed, don't think I ever manage to push as hard when I am on my own than when I am on a group ride. It is also extremely fun to ride with a pack.

therhodeo

Group rides are a great way to push yourself. I know on the trainer I don't push as hard. All that fear of shattering my frame and what not.

Alias530

I simply don't see the value in group riding. I could probably count on two hands the number of times I've ever ridden with anyone but myself and feel it has had no impact on my riding. In fact, I feel it has IMPROVED my riding, because I take fewer breaks when I'm solo.

I didn't say that all riders are cat1 or newb, I said that's who my friends are. I don't want to go to a group ride with 50 people, I'm talking about just my friends, like people I talk to on the phone and hang out with outside of cycling.

I'm just saying I'd prefer to get the initial learning curve out of the way by myself so I'm not wasting precious coaching time learning the basics. I'm not ruling a coach out, just not ready for it. I don't think that's a mediocre attitude, I think it's a smart one.

Alias530

How much do you weigh?

I'm at or above the recommended weight limits on a lot of my gear. Not my frame, but at 6'6" 240lbs, I'm in real danger of breaking parts and have broken plenty.

If you're 140lbs, you simply have no frame of reference for what it's like to be at real risk of breaking things.

Alias530

I took a pic for you, see below... I could lose weight for sure, but not the kind I want to lose. I'm not fat...


Warning, shirtless Alias530...

https://i.imgur.com/JAorfeF.png

Dan333SP

To each his own, I guess, but I feel like you should at least try a fast group ride to see if you enjoy it. You already have the basics down with regular rides, so you're not going to be swerving around mid-pack trying to figure out how your shifters work (unless you get a bike with Claris). It's one of those things that can seem intimidating or useless from a fitness perspective until you try it and find a good group.

Plus, you said you're engaged. I got married a year ago, and I don't know what your work life/finacee are like, but I've found that since I got married my social life has gradually been whittled down to bike rides because I have no time for much else. That's great because I love the group of people I've met through cycling, so I can be social while also getting a workout in. I'd rather spend 3 hours with friends riding out on rural roads than 3 hours playing xbox or watching football like the pre-marriage version of myself. Food for thought.

therhodeo

I'm at 165. But I started at 235. Used a trainer (same brand you own) even at 235. Know plenty of guys who do the same.

therhodeo

Should have saved your power tap money and bought a camera.

Jseis 

I live very near a beach. Riding this makes a difference particularly over winter. There is no hiding from wind/sand. There are no distractions. Requires mental focus as there's no coasting and nearly a limitless horizon or fog. Here I'm doing two mile intervals both with a 14 mph wind and against. Few people, few cars, and the beach goes on for miles. This day was particularly bad as I forgot my tires where at 4-5 psi. I've put 700 miles in since mid January (about 6 hours a week though I'm currently at 10 hours/week). Any road cyclist who has access to similiar beach/conditions. Try it.

Brutal. Fun.

RollCNY

Just as a data point:
I am 6'4" ish, and have weighed between 200 & 225 lbs. I have a Tacx Vortex trainer that maxes out at 1100 watts. The frame on my trainer bike is a cheap aluminum frame with a bonded carbon rear triangle. If anything, it is a more frail build than your bike. I have never seen any problem with frame distortion or damage from pegging the trainer. If you have decent form, there is really very little discernible load tweaking the frame. The times that I have been sloppy, the trainer will move on the ground (lift a leg) way before any other sign of issues.

I have used a KK road machine, and honestly think it is one of the best trainers made. I believe that it would do the same thing before causing anything close to damage. When I was using one, my wattage was very similar to the power numbers you posted earlier. I would sincerely have no concern using a carbon frame on a trainer.

Alias530

How tall are you? 5'6" 235 and 6'6" 235 are two very different things. Hell, 6'6" 235 and 6'6" 235 can be two very different things depending on body fat. The point of my picture was to show that I don't look like Homer Simpson with my shirt off. I'm lean to the point where most weight loss will be muscle at this point.

therhodeo

6'. Could still put out enough wattage by your measure to make a frame asplode. Never happened.

RPK79

Here you are getting on your high horse and talking down about things you have no real experience with yet again. The group rides I go on there are no breaks. It is a hammerfest from leaving the parking lot until we return.

Seattle Forrest

You don't need to ride in a pack with your nose in another guy's butt, you just need to ride hard. If you have a power meter and know your FTP, you can keep yourself honest when you do that. And that will increase power.

therhodeo

Indeed.