Originally Posted by
carpediemracing
You may have a bit of a leak. I have an older Fluid trainer (first gen) and I thought I was progressing really well (when I didn't have a powermeter). At some point I got on a friend's CycleOps fluid trainer and I was shocked at how hard it was. I warranteed a second CycleOps I had, an e-trainer (mine literally started to smoke, melting wires and such). I asked for just a resistance unit but they sent me a Fluid2. This is what I've been using now, and it's much harder than my prior trainer.
Other than that I'm sure tires have something to do with it. The resistance goes up exponentially on the trainer, and at 20-25 mph the changes are significant. 2 mph and change and power goes up 30%. I realize now that it would be hard to replicate the set up. For example if I reduce roller pressure I think power requirements would go down. I'll experiment a bit when I ride the next time.
What's interesting is that your numbers don't comport with the TrainerRoad Fluid2 power curve estimates.
According to that, you'd need to do roughly 21-22mph to hit 300w, but a 53x19 at 88rpm is well under 20mph, like 19.2mph, which does sync up with your measured results. Power, though, at 19mph, looks like it should be more in the 220w-230w range according to TrainerRoad.
What's your take on that?