Indoor Trainer vs Road kms

[Spat]

Hi

 

New to using indoor trainer, it seems like riding on the indoor trainer is much harder than say riding outside. (have fluid one, which increases resistance the fastser I go)

 

I know that both would be variable depending on how fast etc... but is there a general rule which says for every km on a indoor trainer its equal to so much km on the road.(all things being equal)

 

 

[Joe Low]

I would say that "all things being equal", then they'd be equal.

 

IDT maybe you work harder than road but for shorter periods and get boreder quickerer.

 

So mix up both.

 

 

[Gerhardc]

Definitely no freewheeling on a indoor trainer....

[pastapouch]

there are no downhills on IDT... so the time you spedn on IDT is much more productive.

[Aquatic]

It all comes down to cadence and heart rate on a trainer,NOT distance or gradient,lot indoor trainer programs focus on intensity and time rather than mileage

[Slave]

No contest. The road is the better way by far. (OK, I just have a normal friction resitance IDT.)

 

You can simulate hills on it but not gentle gradients.

 

I find the road to be far more beneficial. Besides the mind numbing boredom you get iwth an IDT.

 

And it doesn't help I watch TV because my glasses steam up and I can see even less than if I take 'em off, which is very little.

 

Out on the road you have all sorts of dstractions. Cars, dogs, pedestrians and other cyclists to chase down and pass.

 

Granted and IDT is better than nothing.

 

Get out on the road man. That is what you bought the bike for isn't it.

 

Or have you been following that car forum thread and got all chicken of riding on the road?

[Spat]

No I love the road, only bought the trainer for days when I cant get out there.

 

For me its hardly a substitute but at least I can get a workout if its raining etc...

 

 

[HappyMartin]

I spend way more time on the road than the IDT but the IDT kills me. Not sure why, perhaps it is the ability to see the power and heart beat constantly so I just try harder. When I ride in the morning it is pitch dark so all I concentrate on is not nailing a pothole and not freezing to death. When on the IDT I jsut stare at the power and heart rate so after an hour I am totalled and walk funny untill the late afternoon.

[FanieFiets]

 

No I love the road' date=' only bought the trainer for days when I cant get out there.

 

For me its hardly a substitute but at least I can get a workout if its raining etc...

 

 

[/quote']

 

gaan eerder velodrome toe.