Homebrew01

I briefly hit 1300 when I was 40 years old and in good shape. I wonder what it was when I was racing in my 20s

Sierra_rider

Sweet, a zombie wang-measuring contest! In the spirit of the thread, I consistently hit a peak power of around 1400 watts. I set a PR for 10 second power this year, at 1200 watts. I wouldn't call myself a "pure" sprinter, I do best at the 30 second to 5 minute efforts. Almost hit 800 for a minute this year. I have a decent FTP(350,) but I'm heavy AF, so the watts/kg isn't so impressive. The vast majority of my rides are in the mountains, so I'm a bit jealous of the spindly climber types.

Besides the W/kg and W/CDA, I'd say that the repeatability of hard efforts is important too. Although, as a metric, it's really hard to measure. My training partner has a better w/kg FTP than me and can drop me on a long, steady climb. However, if we do a route with a bunch of short, punchy climbs, I can level the playing field somewhat.

terrymorse 

When Usain Bolt set the 100m record, his peak 1 second power was estimated to be 2619.5 watts.

That might be the highest power produced by a human.

Or maybe not. When Hoogland set the new 1km record, his estimated peak power was “about 2700 watts”. More impressive is that he averaged 1000 watts for almost a minute.

chaadster

That’s similar to my situation. I can hit 1400w peak sprints without too much trouble— I was Zwifting in Makuri Islands and did 1408w peak just the day before yesterday, in fact— but because I weigh 245lbs, I pretty much *must* lay out 650w-700w at a few points on any given ride just to get anywhere at a decent speed, and to be peaking up closer to 1000w at points if I’m rollin’ with the club and gettin’ after it. That’s just to avoid going OTB, so 1400w doesn’t really let me do anything incredible. Now, as a diesel, if I could get my FTP up to your 350w level and with a 310w Tempo/Z3 I could burn all day, I’d like that!

Sierra_rider

Yep, the peak power is just kinda normal. I don't do any specific training for it, I'm always just working on improving my endurance. I did a bunch of work this year just to get my FTP where it is. Cycling/endurance sports aren't what I'm naturally good at...from a physiological perspective, I should be something like a power lifter.

terrymorse 

1408 watts on a trainer, yikes! I start to worry about my indoor setup breaking when I hit 400 watts (carbon bike on Zwift Hub).

What type of indoor setup do you use?

chaadster

Hmm, I never had thought to fear anything; I have my steel ‘12 Breezer Venturi on a ‘16 Wahoo Kickr (2nd gen). The Kickr is rated to over 2,000w, so I figured it was good to go…and it feels fine and solid when I’m cranking on it.

terrymorse 

You must be a smooth pedaler.

Jughed

I worry about sprinting on the road - I've broken chains and its not fun.

I don't worry at all on the trainer - Zwift hub with an aluminum frame.

Trakhak

As a 5'8" ex-racer flyweight, I like to target people up ahead and chase them down, but I don't try to catch and pass them---once I'm close enough to be satisfied that I've "still got it," I drop back. Catch and release.

But a few weeks ago I tried to catch a guy built like a linebacker who was on what from the back looked like a cheap hybrid bike. We were on a very slight downhill, but I couldn't make any headway against him. Okay, I thought: there's a good rise coming, of about 5 or 6 percent, that lasts for maybe 150 or 200 yards. I'm half his weight, on a light road bike. I'll reel him in. No problem.

That's where he dropped me for good. I can't imagine what wattage he was putting down. Sitting bolt upright on his hybrid. It was a rude awakening. Big, truly strong guys---respect.

PeteHski

e-bike possibly? I’ve been caught out by them a few times.

choddo

What happens at that output that causes the concern? Are you out of the saddle pulling on the bars?

terrymorse 

Sometimes I'm out of the saddle, sometimes not. Either way, I can see the handlebars shift to the side and bounce back on each pedal down stroke. It's disconcerting.

Maybe a rocker board would help.

choddo

Is it on a memory foam mat? Just a bit of flex in that probably. I’m sure mine moves a little because the front wheel isn’t 100% static but I can get 700-800W out of it while sat pretty stable at 130ish cadence. More than that involves some standing and movement - the trainer itself has tilted a bit and I have very thin seat stays but they seem fine.

terrymorse 

Just a thin exercise mat, on top of carpet.

I've seen people using these yoga half balls under the feet of a trainer, an inexpensive rocker panel:



I'm thinking about trying those.