Every time I feel good on my trainer I go out for a real spin and I totally lost the feeling. I have set up the bike on the trainer same height of saddle and handlebar as it is on the ground. So can't think of anything else is different. I mean it's not a little difference, it's totally different. I don't feel good on the road so try a trainer, often I feel good on the trainer but whenever I hit the road the good feeling is gone. In particular is my right leg, it's a bit weaker, shorter and not as straight as left. I have visited two bike fitters and they couldn't figure where is the problem. One of them couldn't see anything wrong. The other suggest there might be something with my right leg and suggested me to see a podiatrist. But the strangest thing is why I feel very good on a trainer than without a trainer?

I'm not clear if wheen you say "good feeling"'if you're talking about your comfort on the bike (as in riding position) or your ability to ride strongly (as in energy level)?

If you could elaborate on what the loss of "good feeling" actually means, perhaps we could be of some help.

As it stands, I'm not inclined to think this is a fit issue, but rather a combo of wrong equipment and the dynamic nature of bike riding. Being jostled and shaken out on the road is a very different environment from the stable, smooth, ride on a stationary bike.

Remember I have right leg/foot issue. On the road, my right foot just tends to slip off the pedal without clipless, when with clipless it will not slip but still tries to get off the pedal so in a twisted status (front foot is connected, heel is pointing out), so can't exert power. On the trainer my right foot is more stable and can exert more power with or without a clipless.

You're simply pedaling differently on the trainer for some reason. Try pedaling one-legged on the trainer and see what's really different between the legs. Maybe you can train the right one to work better. Or maybe your right leg is shorter, and you need a shim on that side. The fitter should have caught that if it's the problem.

Maybe your trainer has a big flywheel that makes it easier move the pedals around. Riding slowly on the flat should have a similar feeling, but climbing will not.

EDIT: Okay, having re-read it, I think I understand what you're saying, and my thoughts turn to your feeble leg not being developed and strong enough to handle actually balancing and propelling a bike simultaneously. Not exactly a fit issue, but rather a fitness issue, which some specific training and conditioning of the weak leg may ameliorate.

I think I know the feeling. Many times I fooled with my fit, it felt perfect on the trainer, but on the road it was obvious the fit was wrong . . . like I was on someone else's bike. Still trying to figure that out . . .

Thanks for the replies. I feel one of the possibilities is on the trainer I can focus on my legs, I even look down at my right leg. But on the road, I have to be vigilant. Another thing is tiredness. My right leg is a lot better when it's not tired (about first 20 minutes) on the road. On the trainer I seldom do 20 minutes (too boring).

One thing for sure is my right leg is weaker. Is there a way to know what's the difference between left and right? I feel my left leg is at least 'one gear stronger' than the right. I plan to do some one leg pedalling on the right in coming winter. Some other options?

One-legged pedaling is good. I have a lazier leg so I do it religiously for a few months each year, on my rollers. Trainer is fine, too. I use a system of intervals like this:
Each leg for 2 minutes, 50-55 cadence.
2 minutes legs together, moderate effort
Each leg for 2 minutes, 80-85 cadence
2 minutes legs together, moderate pace.
Repeat until exhausted. The chain must never go slack. Use a gear that allows you to keep a taut chain all the way around. When it starts to go slack, the leg is done for that interval. You probably won't be able to manage 2 minutes to start with. Do what you can and still keep a taut chain. It'll gradually get better over a period of months. I can keep doing those intervals for up to 45 minutes, but I've been doing this for many years.

Another good way to strengthen a leg is doing one-legged leg presses and one-legged leg extensions at the gym. You can also do one-legged knee bends on a chair with one hand on the wall. Do 3 sets of however many you can.

Thanks for the points. One question, if you exercise both legs, would it strengthen both legs so the weaker leg would be still weaker?

I think if you exercise both legs the same, they'll gravitate toward the same strength. Thus the same length intervals and rpm for both legs and the same weight and reps for each leg when doing weight work or knee bends. So work the lazy leg first, then the stronger leg the same.

You don't give enough detail to tell what they problem is. From experience, I do feel that powering the bike on a trainer is very different than doing it on the road. It seems to burn up the quads way more (less hamstrings & glutes) and you are not using much of your core and hip stabilizers. Having said that, perhaps it has something to do with your hip adductors or some other core muscles that support the low back. You don't need them much on the trainer like you do on the road. Once again, I don't know what areas on you feel like crap.

Nick Z
Bought A Bike Online? I Come To You Build & Fit It. Road Mountain Tri

I don't know where is the problem, but I guess it's that I can focus on my weaker leg (right) on the trainer, while on the road, I am distracted, so the weaker leg goes not optimal position. Remember my right leg is not as straight as left, so I will need to focus on that one. And my right leg is weaker so it gets tired quicker and more easily to go not optimal position. My left leg is just perfect compared to my right, I never give it a thought, it just keeps going and going in straight line (almost).