FTP for Tandem on Computrainer
 

I recently set up one of my tandems on the computrainer so my wife and I can work out together during the winter months.

We both know our individual FTP and use that when we put our single bicycles on the computrainer but are not entirely sure how to set up FTP for a team. Should we just add up our two FTP numbers and enter that in the computrainer or should we use some other formula?

I'm sort of surprised nobody has responded. Is it because nobody puts their tandem on a computrainer?

I think adding them would be a good starting point, and probably to further refine it, you would need to do something like k*A+j*B, where the k and j are coefficients that would have to be figured out experimentally. On a flat, the tandem will be faster, but on uphills the power to weight ratio will come into play even more.

That's what I was thinking, some sort of formula likely comes into play. Also, I only thought of this a day or two ago, but I suppose we can do a FTP test with both of us on the tandem to arrive at a pretty accurate number. Right now, we're trying to get comfortable with using the tandem on it, so a full-on FTP test won't be in the offing for at least a couple weeks.

I must have missed seeing this post as we also use our tandem on the Computrainer. We had an old unit that was 20 years old and it gave up the ghost so I replaced with the latest edition. I have been experimenting with FTP settings and have found a setting that gives us the results that we are looking for. It is not much higher than my individual FTP setting. What weight are you using, actual wight of both riders plus the bike or some other weight.

We are almost exclusively using the ErgVideos and really like them, they are so realistic that it does not feel like you are riding indoors.

We are riding the SWTR in April and I have the GPS files so we are able to pre-ride the courses. I had to go through every leg of the file and eliminate any "0" inputs and crazy grades. It takes some time but it comes out OK.

Wayne

[MENTION=177892]DubT[/MENTION] I'm using our actual weights plus the bicycle. I think I might try using something closer to my FTP.

We're using PerfPro for the software and just now figuring out its capabilities. When I was taking classes the trainer used ErgVideos, they are pretty cool. We actually tried to get the trainer to let us bring the tandem but she'll only allow singles which is why we bought our own used computrainer. She could have made some money off us if only she would have allowed the tandem.

FTP for Tandem on Computrainer
 

The limited Data indicates that the captain has a drive train loss of about 7%, compared to 2% for a stoker or a single bike.

Given that the computer only cares what the power at the wheel is, it would appear that the answer would be stokers FTP plus 95% of captains.

Based on actual experience of others that doesn't appear to be the answer in practice, so I'm curious what the disconnect is.

I find it interesting that the captain's loss is as high as it is, given the fact a captain to stoker chainline is normally nearly perfect.

We did a workout last PM using solely my FTP number. I got a pretty decent workout. I'm not so sure about her. I'll bump the number up a bit for our next workout and see how it goes. I'm training for a 200k I plan to do in early April on a single, but will be doing a fair amount of time on the tandem to get us in shape for the riding season.

We have had very good luck with training on the tandem using HRMs, since pedal PMs are way too much money for our level. Stoker has a Garmin Edge because I sure as heck don't want to navigate. I have a Cateye Stealth 50. My HRM strap is paired with both the Cateye and the Edge. Stoker uses a Polar HRM, but could also use an ANT+ compatible unit and pair with that. So I see my HR. Stoker sees both my HR and her HR. She matches HRs according to some formula, plus she feels a some changes in the pedals as I initiate an acceleration or deceleration which helps, because of course the HRMs lag power. Thus we can transfer what we see on our trainers or singles to the tandem on the road and everybody's happy, which is the real issue.