spelger

i will be taking an FTP test in about two weeks time. i'm doing this in zwift. wondering what the terrain should be. anyone have some insight into the kind of terrain? hilly, giant hill, flat?

i am thinking flat so i can maintain a good rhythm during the course but not sure.

and please don't knock me for using zwift, it is what i have.

thanks,
scott

Seattle Forrest

Flat.

atwl77

If you're using Zwift's own FTP test, I don't think terrain matters, or at least it doesn't with the ramp test. Can't confirm this with their other FTP testing methods but I can't imagine them factoring in terrain.

ZHVelo

Flat, pretty sure. But don't these apps have their own (ramp) tests in which case it is irrelevant?

JerryZ

The route doesn't matter for FTP tests. I'm going to try the ramp test this week for the first time.

OBoile

I can confirm, if you're using a structured workout in Zwift (which includes their FTP tests) that the terrain doesn't matter. Erg mode turns off for the actual 20 minute part, but the resistance is still constant.

Another option is to simply set the trainer difficulty to 0 and your resistance will be constant on every ride, workout or not.

spelger

Unless zwift assumes a 0% grade i believe the route does matter. the ramp test i think i have seen before and that is in erg mode i believe. in erg mode the route does not matter because you are after a target power and the trainer adapts.

when i ride trainings i don't care about the route because they are all in erg mode. i go slow "uphill" only because zwift is adjusting my speed to make it more real taking into account the current target power.

if one were to do an FTP test in real life on a real road the terrain/weather surely comes into play.

i'll do it on a flat route like out in the desert, tempus forget what it is called.

-scott

Iride01 

It's all about how hard you can go for the time given. So you want to make sure you don't overestimate how much you can put out for a given route and time, nor do you want to underestimate how much you should put into it.

It really doesn't matter if it's a hill or curves or what as long as you are putting out your max effort the entire time. A straight and level course just make it easier for you to guess how hard you can go without burning out prior to the end.

OBoile

If you are doing a workout, the grade is does not affect resistance. I've done the Zwift FTP test:
https://www.strava.com/activities/2973381560
During the 20 minutes, erg mode is off but the resistance does not change based on the terrain.