The Indoor Riding/ Zwift/ TrainerRoad etc. Thread

[Lethal`]

What are people's turbo trainer mat solutions for carpet?

I want something wider and preferably longer than a typical trainer mat to have space around the bike to get on and off, take off shoes etc. Also, the typical mats are fairly thin so I feel like carpet underneath will still end up getting damaged from trainer movement. Ideally something about 300x200mm without spending a ton.

A material like the Ikea desk chair mat would likely work but need something bigger.

I've also thought about rubber flooring tiles but I feel like they might mark the carpet and generally there are some gaps between each tiles so they'll probably come apart.

 

[#Chri5#]

What are people's turbo trainer mat solutions for carpet?

I want something wider and preferably longer than a typical trainer mat to have space around the bike to get on and off, take off shoes etc. Also, the typical mats are fairly thin so I feel like carpet underneath will still end up getting damaged from trainer movement. Ideally something about 300x200mm without spending a ton.

A material like the Ikea desk chair mat would likely work but need something bigger.

I've also thought about rubber flooring tiles but I feel like they might mark the carpet and generally there are some gaps between each tiles so they'll probably come apart.

Generic rubber matting? This is only 140cm wide (I presume you mean cm not mm) - 3mm thick, 140x300 works out at £65 delivered.

https://www.rubberco.co.uk/products/premium-grade-rubber-sheet-linear-meter

Mind you, Planet-X own Deluxe training mat (I think it's the one I have) is 6mm thick, 920mm x 1982mm and only £25 (plus delivery), so you could get two of them and overlap them perhaps?

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TRD365/planet-x-365x-deluxe-training-mat

 

[SoliD]

I've got some big piece of 7 or 8 mm thick foam, it came with a delivery once and I kept it. Ifs perfect as it doesn't matter if it gets wet, sweat, spit or gels on it. It's got enough space to get on and off either side and long enough to have the whole bike and trainer on. Not much use as I have no idea where you'd get a piece from but I can't imagine itd be too expensive.

Big benefit of it is that it indents where the turbo and wheel block sit so you can move it around and know exactly where things need to go when you put it back.

 

[mrthingyx]

So, did my FTP ramp test today, hoping to realise some FTP gains from 5-6hrs a week for 8 weeks...

Managed 267W. An increase of 2W over previous.

To admit I was disappointed would be a big understatement: I really enjoyed the first 6 weeks of TT Tune Up but the last 2.5 were just a bit silly. Sure, I wasn't feeling great today, and have only managed 6hrs sleep a night for the past three nights, but I'm pretty crushed by 2W increase. Considering how strong I felt during big intervals in week 6, I do feel like I have pretty much wasted the past 8 weeks.

It is sad because I really liked most of the plan, but I will look for something easier and less monotonous... And maybe take my next test after a week of great sleep.

 

[SoliD]

What was the plan like over the last couple of weeks did you have a recovery week in there? Might just be fatigue or you've just benefitted elsewhere that isn't distinguishable by the damp test. If you felt it was good don't feel disheartened, sometimes adaptions aren't as 'instantaneous' loosely speaking and may take a few weeks to show as your body recovers. See how your riding is over the next few weeks.

 

[mrthingyx]

What was the plan like over the last couple of weeks did you have a recovery week in there? Might just be fatigue or you've just benefitted elsewhere that isn't distinguishable by the damp test. If you felt it was good don't feel disheartened, sometimes adaptions aren't as 'instantaneous' loosely speaking and may take a few weeks to show as your body recovers. See how your riding is over the next few weeks.

I think a fair bit of it was not feeling great going into the test so I might have a fair bit of head room for the next round of workouts.

Secondly you're right about potential gains that aren't realised by a short, specific test: I am going to do a bit of trundling this week to keep my legs moving and heart going and hit a new regime next week.

TT Tune Up has no rest week across it and doesn't let up in weeks 5-8, so accumulated fatigue is definitely a consideration - both muscular and neurological - but there we go... I need to set up my PowerPod, anyway!

 

[SoliD]

Cor that's a big block with no rest/adaption. Give it a week or two, steady easier riding and give it another go. If no luck then always other things to try.

 

[Adam-r]

I think a fair bit of it was not feeling great going into the test so I might have a fair bit of head room for the next round of workouts.

Secondly you're right about potential gains that aren't realised by a short, specific test: I am going to do a bit of trundling this week to keep my legs moving and heart going and hit a new regime next week.

TT Tune Up has no rest week across it and doesn't let up in weeks 5-8, so accumulated fatigue is definitely a consideration - both muscular and neurological - but there we go... I need to set up my PowerPod, anyway!

As @SoliD said it sounds like you're too fatigued. Unless week 8 was all Z1 then you need to let the adaptations happen. I'm sure you've heard this before, but you get fit during the rest, not the session itself

 

[Lethal`]

Generic rubber matting? This is only 140cm wide (I presume you mean cm not mm) - 3mm thick, 140x300 works out at £65 delivered.

https://www.rubberco.co.uk/products/premium-grade-rubber-sheet-linear-meter

Mind you, Planet-X own Deluxe training mat (I think it's the one I have) is 6mm thick, 920mm x 1982mm and only £25 (plus delivery), so you could get two of them and overlap them perhaps?

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TRD365/planet-x-365x-deluxe-training-mat

D'oh! Of course I mean CM.

Hmm. Certainly something to consider but that exact matting would be £175 at a 2000mm width and 3m length. I'm a little unsure if the movement of the trainer on the mat might mark the carpet too. (Rented place... so don't want to damage things.)

I wonder if potentially another option is to get some offcut lino.

 

[mrthingyx]

D'oh! Of course I mean CM.

Hmm. Certainly something to consider but that exact matting would be £175 at a 2000mm width and 3m length. I'm a little unsure if the movement of the trainer on the mat might mark the carpet too. (Rented place... so don't want to damage things.)

I wonder if potentially another option is to get some offcut lino.

You can always try those nursery closed cell foam mats that slot together...? Might be a bit squishy, I guess...

 

[Jonny ///M]

I was going down the route or the tiles that slot together like a gym floor or mechanic floor.

No idea on cost but I feel it would give the best noise cancelling for my neighbours.

 

[dod]

I was going down the route or the tiles that slot together like a gym floor or mechanic floor.

No idea on cost but I feel it would give the best noise cancelling for my neighbours.

If you go for those I'd suggest also putting something on top to stop sweat going down through the gaps as well.

 

[dodg3rman]

What are people's turbo trainer mat solutions for carpet?

I went to a carpet shop and had a word with the guy there and he did me an off cut piece that was perfect for my needs for a tenner. Its marked/flattened where all the bits sit but is still going strong after a couple of years. Best thing is I can just lob it out whenever and havnt had to pay a fortune

 

[Roady]

A material like the Ikea desk chair mat would likely work but need something bigger.

That's actually a good thought and although I had one of those a few years back I didn't use it for trainer, it would be a good fit. The plastic is very hard, so would spread the load perfectly. Something like carpet and trainer mats are made to absorb and cushion, not really to protect the floor. But something like that, below the trainer with a 'normal' trainer mat on top I would say is perfect. Especially if you're using a riser for the front wheel, as that would protect the carpet from the front wheel too, although as that's a much smaller area it would be easier to find something to protect - like a flat tea tray or such.

So, did my FTP ramp test today, hoping to realise some FTP gains from 5-6hrs a week for 8 weeks...

Managed 267W. An increase of 2W over previous.

Sweet gainz bro!

As others have said, it's probably fatigue, or just a 'bad' day to do the test on. Get some base and good recovery in for a week and try again!

I wonder if potentially another option is to get some offcut lino.

Lino like carpet is made to cushion and absorb, not really to protect what's below. Consider how marked carpet can get from things like sofa's and how you would protect it and you're somewhere near...

 

[Roady]

Couple of rides from me... First up the TTT last thursday on the brutal Harrogate course - literally zero flat and lots of ramps makes this brutal at the best of times... Even worse in a TTT, 10 times worse when you have a mixed A/B team and you're one of the weaker & heavier riders!

https://www.zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=1293909
https://www.strava.com/activities/4426090267/

To say this one hurt is a massive understatement. With the course and 2 strong A's along it was non stop from the outset, think we managed 3 fairly well paced rotations until the course got the better of us and it became then a test of keeping the group together and holding any wheel in front. So much of it a daze but I can recall blowing up multiple times. Two of them properly, where I was actually sick, the second of which finished my ride and I had to let the group go within the last 4km. Brutal. It's been a while since I've thrown up from riding so hard, thankfully just bile, not proper 'food sick', but still not overly pleasant.

It was after this ride that I realised the freehub had moved on my trainer and the cassette lockring had been rubbing against my derailleur hanger. Lots of shredded metal/filings all over the floor. Thankfully easily resolved and the freehub was so tight on the axle part of me thinks I didn't get it back on there well enough when changing my tension arm a few weeks previously...!

https://www.strava.com/activities/4439417187
Sunday night (yesterday) I reached a point where I hadn't ridden (or eaten much) so jumped into the KISS race at 8pm. I utterly destroyed myself with barely a 60s warmup in my freezing garage at the start so just let the group go after blowing up, using a few minutes as a warmup, knowing there was a 3R race at 8.15. Ooops!

https://www.strava.com/activities/4439684946
Quite warmed up for this one and with a couple of riders I knew along I had high hopes of this being a good race. Pace out the pen was brutal and I found myself behind a split with one of the guys I knew as things stretched further. I really wasn't feeling it, so resolved myself to do a big tow for him, before easing and riding something more endurance based. Only problem was... I couldn't see any other races/group rides starting! So I stuck in the race, by that time I was in a mixed group of C's and B's. I put a good couple of tows in, before having a mechanical when doing a longer effort. Thankfully nothing to worry about, just a bit of chain suck and a weird noise. Gutted, just as my legs where opening up too! After that settled into a solo and 2up/3up chase with a couple of other riders. Some good high tempo/threshold sustained power work to finish the ride rather than dropping off. Even chatting and towing 1 C and helping him catch a couple of stragglers up front, followed by a long sprint effort.

I have noticed the last couple of weekends missing the usual 90 min or 100km group rides that I'm struggling to get the volume in with just the couple of races. So this week I'll try to squeeze in an additional race early this week to try and give myself a bit of a bump up, rather than the very gradual decline I seem to be starting.

 

[platypus]

What are people's turbo trainer mat solutions for carpet?

I want something wider and preferably longer than a typical trainer mat to have space around the bike to get on and off, take off shoes etc. Also, the typical mats are fairly thin so I feel like carpet underneath will still end up getting damaged from trainer movement. Ideally something about 300x200mm without spending a ton.

A material like the Ikea desk chair mat would likely work but need something bigger.

I've also thought about rubber flooring tiles but I feel like they might mark the carpet and generally there are some gaps between each tiles so they'll probably come apart.

A large piece of thin plywood underneath a mat might work well?

 

[SPG]

Dont bother with the click together tiles....

Even when you wipe down the matt and spray the surface nasty stuff will grow underneath, the GF will get unhappy about the smell after 5 weeks then force you from the conservatory into the garage which is cold and wet. Which in then forces you build a posh shed inside your garage, which then forces you to buy a epic TV which just happens to be better than the one you have in the house, which then forces you to go to IKEA as you might as well store all your bike stuff in their now..... and before you know it the money you saved up for nice holidays is gone.......Be warned.

 

[Lethal`]

That's actually a good thought and although I had one of those a few years back I didn't use it for trainer, it would be a good fit. The plastic is very hard, so would spread the load perfectly. Something like carpet and trainer mats are made to absorb and cushion, not really to protect the floor. But something like that, below the trainer with a 'normal' trainer mat on top I would say is perfect. Especially if you're using a riser for the front wheel, as that would protect the carpet from the front wheel too, although as that's a much smaller area it would be easier to find something to protect - like a flat tea tray or such.

Yeah. I quite like the one I have for my desk chair. Much easier to manoeuvre on carpet.

I've no idea where to acquire one so large for trainer purposes though. Most of the desk chair protectors are fairly small.

A large piece of thin plywood underneath a mat might work well?

Not a half bad idea. Transport could be tough as it would be wider than my car. Perhaps I could even join two pieces and lino on top for a more wipeable surface.

Even when you wipe down the matt and spray the surface nasty stuff will grow underneath, the GF will get unhappy about the smell after 5 weeks then force you from the conservatory into the garage which is cold and wet. Which in then forces you build a posh shed inside your garage, which then forces you to buy a epic TV which just happens to be better than the one you have in the house, which then forces you to go to IKEA as you might as well store all your bike stuff in their now..... and before you know it the money you saved up for nice holidays is gone.......Be warned.

Ahaha. To be honest if I had a cold and wet conservatory that would probably be first choice for turbo training. Rather somewhere a bit cold. I have a garage in a block but there's no electricity which reminds me of someone asking about running a generator to solve that issue. Maybe it was @AndyCr15?

 

[wonko]

Finding it quite hard to read and judge what you're after...

Hi Roady, sorry for the late reply and if I wasn't too clear with my objectives You're right that it's primarily for cardio, but I'm quite keen on the metrics and want to have a go with Zwift which I suspect I might get properly hooked on. Anyway, the decision has been made and I now have a Stages SB20 in the dining room, and apart from your prophesy of a teething problem (believed to be a belt tension issue that should be sorted soon) I'm impressed and pleased with it so far. It will take a bit of time to get the fit right, and I can tell I'm using muscles differently to the second-hand exercise bike I've been hammering to date, so I've been taking it a bit easy so far. I'm also quite pleased and surprised that the power output shown on the old exercise bike wasn't way out - I was expecting it to significantly over estimate and that I'd feel a bit humbled seeing the real numbers from calibrated power meters. I only did about 30 minutes this morning and averaged 310W, so pretty happy with that, and I'm going to have to experience the joy (?) of a proper FTP ramp test sooner or later.

What are people's turbo trainer mat solutions for carpet?

I'm currently using a barrier mat / runner upside down (i.e. rubbery side up, fluffy side down) which you can get for not too much in a variety of sizes. Mine is fairly thin but pretty tough and easy to mop up the mess afterwards.

 

[AndyCr15]

I have a garage in a block but there's no electricity which reminds me of someone asking about running a generator to solve that issue. Maybe it was @AndyCr15?

Yeah, I considered it at one point. I have a trainer that powers itself though, I never went any further with the generator idea.