Poll: What's your Functional Threshold power?

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Indicate your resent FTP, age, best resent result, and total years cycling.

I'll start:
FTP:310
age: 39
result: 2nd Cat4 state championship RR
years cycling: 3
Hi !

FTP:250 (done after Treshold Test provided by the Book "Training and Racing ...)
Age:39
best Result: 290 on my Indoor Trainer
years cycling: my first year
weight: 86 Kilo
height: 184 cm

Regards, Oliver

I know sometime in my future I will be hitting over 400 watts as this is my first year as a junior and my lactate threshold is 330, which is at 70% of my VO2 max. I recently hit 6.1 watts per kilo and my VO2 max is 76 right now and for some reason it is increasing with me.

I also had a lot of back problems which lead me to decrease watts.

Okay, just completed the 2x20 minute test and have 354 FTP @ 86kgs.

Got into cycling in June of this year. Got dropped in first 3 cat 5 races and in 7th race finished 11th out 32. 40 years young in November...
Happy Holidays!!
Update:
Had always noticed that my stationary trainer/power meter (RealAxiom VR by Elite) speed readings were consistently 1mph slower than my VDO cyclometer (on rear wheel). So I conducted an unscientific test and discovered the displayed power reading, at the same speed as to the VDO, was down by ~32 watts!! I know the VDO is relatively accurate as its speed readings correlate favorably (within 1%) with the Polar 725x unit I have taking speed readings from the front wheel.

If my figures are relatively accurate, and I believe they are very close, my FTP is actually (being conservative) 380 watts!!:D Talk about someone who can't wait for racing season to begin!!!

Update:
Had always noticed that my stationary trainer/power meter (RealAxiom VR by Elite) speed readings were consistently 1mph slower than my VDO cyclometer (on rear wheel). So I conducted an unscientific test and discovered the displayed power reading, at the same speed as to the VDO, was down by ~32 watts!! I know the VDO is relatively accurate as its speed readings correlate favorably (within 1%) with the Polar 725x unit I have taking speed readings from the front wheel.

If my figures are relatively accurate, and I believe they are very close, my FTP is actually (being conservative) 380 watts!!:D Talk about someone who can't wait for racing season to begin!!!
get thee a real power meter and there'll be no doubt :D

Update:
Had always noticed that my stationary trainer/power meter (RealAxiom VR by Elite) speed readings were consistently 1mph slower than my VDO cyclometer (on rear wheel). So I conducted an unscientific test and discovered the displayed power reading, at the same speed as to the VDO, was down by ~32 watts!! I know the VDO is relatively accurate as its speed readings correlate favorably (within 1%) with the Polar 725x unit I have taking speed readings from the front wheel.

If my figures are relatively accurate, and I believe they are very close, my FTP is actually (being conservative) 380 watts!!:D Talk about someone who can't wait for racing season to begin!!!

My Elite Axiom was so wildly optimistic that at very submaximal levels (e.g. zone 3) it would overestimate power by almost 20%. Can't recall how inaccurate it was at TTpower.

As Rmur suggests you really need a proper power meter.

Ric

My Elite Axiom was so wildly optimistic that at very submaximal levels (e.g. zone 3) it would overestimate power by almost 20%. Can't recall how inaccurate it was at TTpower.

As Rmur suggests you really need a proper power meter.

Ric
I would like to get an on-the-bike power meter, but for my level of involvement in cycling it's not practical - other priorities come before dropping $1000 of discretionary income on a training tool. If I was at an elite level or pro it make more sense, but racing in local crits and road races does not justify the expense.

Anyway, I highly doubt that my ergometer is as "wildly optimistic" as yours was/is - probably an older model?? Elite's engineers are not that sloppy and you know Elite manufacturers probably more stationary trainers than any other company in the world. Nonetheless, I'll take the power figures I get for what their worth. When I get results in my local crits and road races, I'll know my efforts on my less than adequate power meter/ergometer were not in vain...and that's all that really matters.:)

I would like to get an on-the-bike power meter, but for my level of involvement in cycling it's not practical - other priorities come before dropping $1000 of discretionary income on a training tool. If I was at an elite level or pro it make more sense, but racing in local crits and road races does not justify the expense.

Anyway, I highly doubt that my ergometer is as "wildly optimistic" as yours was/is - probably an older model?? Elite's engineers are not that sloppy and you know Elite manufacturers probably more stationary trainers than any other company in the world. Nonetheless, I'll take the power figures I get for what their worth. When I get results in my local crits and road races, I'll know my efforts on my less than adequate power meter/ergometer were not in vain...and that's all that really matters.:)
26 years old
20 minute TT test: 174 watts
Est. FTP: 165
Weight: 55 kg
W/Kg: 3.0

Anyway, I highly doubt that my ergometer is as "wildly optimistic" as yours was/is - What's your evidence of that?

Elite's engineers are not that sloppy and you know Elite manufacturers probably more stationary trainers than any other company in the world. Doesn't mean very much. General Motors used to be the largest car manufacturer in the world. Now look at them.

There is only so much that is within the control of the engineers to make it a stable measurement system and there's only so much that the engineers can do to meet the price point that the marketeers tell them to meet. Anything beyond what the engineers can control will be a source of error. Off the top of my head: roller pressure, tire choice, temperature of whatever they use to measure torque/power in the trainer.

What's your evidence of that?

Doesn't mean very much. General Motors used to be the largest car manufacturer in the world. Now look at them.


There is only so much that is within the control of the engineers to make it a stable measurement system and there's only so much that the engineers can do to meet the price point that the marketeers tell them to meet. Anything beyond what the engineers can control will be a source of error. Off the top of my head: roller pressure, tire choice, temperature of whatever they use to measure torque/power in the trainer.
1.) Do you have evidence to prove that it is as "wildly optimistic" as the previous poster claimed? No you don't, so we both don't know and because I have my other cyclometer to reference I can make the claim that I don't believe it to be "wildly optimistic".

2.) Because GM has fallen off their perch, what does this have to do with the Elite company?? Poor analogy, IMO...

Rather than entertain a tit for tat with you, I will just agree to disagree...

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LOL, nice to be an anonymous sniper, isn't it?:D

LOL, nice to be an anonymous sniper, isn't it?:DAgain, get thee a real power meter and there'll be no doubt :D

If you only train with power indoors, believe me it will be a real loss without that ability outdoors. I got my CT in fall 2002 - trained on it all winter but figured I could get by outdoors as I planned on doing key workouts once a week indoors. But when good weather arrived, I couldn't be bothered riding in the basement.

As it turned out, my power levels pretty much stagnated (slightly declined) all that summer but I didn't pick that up until Sept. when I got back on the CT again. My TT times improved as I was working on my position etc. but that wasn't as a result of higher power output.

An indoor AND outdoor proper PM are highly recommended.

Again, get thee a real power meter and there'll be no doubt :D
Sorry to hear about YOUR negative experience, but due to the fact I'm an amateur seeking only glory, there is no reasonable justification for spending $1000 on an on-the-bike power meter. My $500 indoor trainer with power functions is serving me quite well, thank you. I will be fitter and faster come my 2nd racing season thanks to my lowly indoor trainer...:D

It's all relative, but not all of it's relevant...

I would like to get an on-the-bike power meter, but for my level of involvement in cycling it's not practical - other priorities come before dropping $1000 of discretionary income on a training tool. If I was at an elite level or pro it make more sense, but racing in local crits and road races does not justify the expense.

Anyway, I highly doubt that my ergometer is as "wildly optimistic" as yours was/is - probably an older model?? Elite's engineers are not that sloppy and you know Elite manufacturers probably more stationary trainers than any other company in the world. Nonetheless, I'll take the power figures I get for what their worth. When I get results in my local crits and road races, I'll know my efforts on my less than adequate power meter/ergometer were not in vain...and that's all that really matters.:)For purposes of training, it is virtually irrelevant whether the power numbers of your ergometer are accurate or not. You still have the ability to target adaptations and measure performance changes, so long as your device is consistent from ride to ride. As you say, your power will be revealed in races. And I know lots of riders who have made huge progress on trainers without a power meter. But, forget about trying to defend the accuracy of your device unless you have a way of measuring it.

Anyway, I highly doubt that my ergometer is as "wildly optimistic" as yours was/is - probably an older model?? Elite's engineers are not that sloppy and you know Elite manufacturers probably more stationary trainers than any other company in the world.

i've tested against several of them (each unit gave different, but wildly optimistic readings). I've also tested quite a few other trainers that incorporate a 'power meter', and in general they're wildly optimistic too.

Off the top of my head, i've tested several Computrainers, a few Tacx Basics/Grand Excels, a Fortius (couldn't get it to work with my Power Tap), several Elite Axioms, about five or six Cateye Cyclosimulators, a Cyclops trainer and possibly some others (can't recall off the top of my head).

so what if Elite make more trainers than anyone else? Quantity production doesn't necessarily mean accurate.

Ric

For purposes of training, it is virtually irrelevant whether the power numbers of your ergometer are accurate or not. You still have the ability to target adaptations and measure performance changes, so long as your device is consistent from ride to ride. As you say, your power will be revealed in races. And I know lots of riders who have made huge progress on trainers without a power meter. But, forget about trying to defend the accuracy of your device unless you have a way of measuring it.
Preaching to the choir, my friend. I know you mean well though...

i've tested against several of them (each unit gave different, but wildly optimistic readings). I've also tested quite a few other trainers that incorporate a 'power meter', and in general they're wildly optimistic too.

Off the top of my head, i've tested several Computrainers, a few Tacx Basics/Grand Excels, a Fortius (couldn't get it to work with my Power Tap), several Elite Axioms, about five or six Cateye Cyclosimulators, a Cyclops trainer and possibly some others (can't recall off the top of my head).

so what if Elite make more trainers than anyone else? Quantity production doesn't necessarily mean accurate.

RicRic, as always, your expert analysis and perspective are always spot-on. You may have the last word. You're welcome...:)

Originally Posted by peterwright
the holster 370 67 5.52
Camoscio 340 62 5.48
scotmart 385 72 5.35 19:58 (47:21 on a 37.8km course)
musher 340 64 5.31
bigmatt 396 75 5.28
BullGod 365 70 5.21
joemw 354 68 5.20
whoawhoa 320 62.5 5.12
gvanwagner 325 64 5.08
musher 318 65 4.89
Markster 335 70 4.79 19:57 51:55
gonzalovilaseca 310 68 4.56
kennethn 320 70.3 4.55
JohnMeyers 350 77 4.54
PSUCycling 305 68 4.48 (40k 58:30 @ 250W ave-asthema!)
peterpen 290 65 4.46
zaskar 280 63 4.44
midbunchlurker 275 62 4.43
joule 266 60 4.43
HammerHead 300 68 4.41
bikeguy 315 72 4.38 5 km rolling TT, 7:15; standard, no aero bars, after 90k
rouleur 315 72 4.38
postal_bag 333 76 4.38
Thorman 340 78 4.36
rmur 370 85 4.35 (PT Pro, ~380W on SRM)
Chowderm 325 75 4.33 52:19
Lazy Llama 286 66 4.33 13.3 mi TT, 30:12
dshep27283 345 80 4.31
RobM 312 73 4.27
cadence230 280 4.24
mattv2099 314 75 4.19
Stanette 313 75 4.17
Atsic 252 61 4.13
yzfrr11 310 75 4.13
Xav 318 77 4.13
pledac 285 69 4.13
Spunout 280 68 4.12
NomadVW 322 78 4.12
RapDaddyo 325 80 4.06
jbvcoaching 310 77 4.03 21:10 52:17
velobob 310 77 4.03
jack.hutchinson 285 71 4.01
PeterWright 280 70 4
bspurgeon 315 78.5 3.99
K50 275 69 3.99, (no TT's) all XC baby!
cube 290 73 3.97
Old Junker 250 63 3.97
velomanct 310 79 3.92
My02Sti 305 79 3.86
Otb4evr 385 100 3.85 22:19 58:48
BlueJersey 230 60 3.83
robkit 280 75 3.73
amartinez 250 67 3.73
Trailhead 312 84 3.71
11ring 256 70 3.66 22.10
sugaken 240 66 3.64
woodgab 321 89 3.61
bigbevans 260 73 3.56 21:30 (270 w) 56:46
Hookyrider 284 80 3.55
Krazyderek 260 78 3.33
AndROOb 232 71 3.27
spomanski 310 96 3.23
netscriber 143 47 3.04
beerco 220 78 2.82
fmarques25 204 74 2.76
offthebackCT 200 76 2.63

Originally Posted by peterwright
the holster 370 67 5.52
Camoscio 340 62 5.48
scotmart 385 72 5.35 19:58 (47:21 on a 37.8km course)
musher 340 64 5.31
bigmatt 396 75 5.28
BullGod 365 70 5.21
joemw 354 68 5.20
whoawhoa 320 62.5 5.12
gvanwagner 325 64 5.08
musher 318 65 4.89
Markster 335 70 4.79 19:57 51:55
postal_bag 345 75 4.6
gonzalovilaseca 310 68 4.56
kennethn 320 70.3 4.55
JohnMeyers 350 77 4.54
PSUCycling 305 68 4.48 (40k 58:30 @ 250W ave-asthema!)
peterpen 290 65 4.46
zaskar 280 63 4.44
midbunchlurker 275 62 4.43
joule 266 60 4.43
HammerHead 300 68 4.41
bikeguy 315 72 4.38 5 km rolling TT, 7:15; standard, no aero bars, after 90k
rouleur 315 72 4.38
Thorman 340 78 4.36
rmur 370 85 4.35 (PT Pro, ~380W on SRM)
Chowderm 325 75 4.33 52:19
Lazy Llama 286 66 4.33 13.3 mi TT, 30:12
dshep27283 345 80 4.31
RobM 312 73 4.27
cadence230 280 4.24
mattv2099 314 75 4.19
Stanette 313 75 4.17
Atsic 252 61 4.13
yzfrr11 310 75 4.13
Xav 318 77 4.13
pledac 285 69 4.13
Spunout 280 68 4.12
NomadVW 322 78 4.12
RapDaddyo 325 80 4.06
jbvcoaching 310 77 4.03 21:10 52:17
velobob 310 77 4.03
jack.hutchinson 285 71 4.01
PeterWright 280 70 4
bspurgeon 315 78.5 3.99
K50 275 69 3.99, (no TT's) all XC baby!
cube 290 73 3.97
Old Junker 250 63 3.97
velomanct 310 79 3.92
My02Sti 305 79 3.86
Otb4evr 385 100 3.85 22:19 58:48
BlueJersey 230 60 3.83
robkit 280 75 3.73
amartinez 250 67 3.73
Trailhead 312 84 3.71
11ring 256 70 3.66 22.10
sugaken 240 66 3.64
woodgab 321 89 3.61
bigbevans 260 73 3.56 21:30 (270 w) 56:46
Hookyrider 284 80 3.55
Krazyderek 260 78 3.33
AndROOb 232 71 3.27
spomanski 310 96 3.23
netscriber 143 47 3.04
beerco 220 78 2.82
fmarques25 204 74 2.76
offthebackCT 200 76 2.63
When do you all weigh yourselves, anyway?