Just started training with Power? Post your questions/comments here!
#3576
Making a kilometer blurry
Yes, Allen and Coggan is still the starting point. You might see if it's at the library if you can't buy it locally.
#3577
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#3578
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#3580
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did my FTP test last night but I botched it by forgetting to claibrate my pm before hand
can someone tell me if in training peaks if I should enter my TT number as the actual average or the TT number - 5%
my average watts were 270 so do I enter 270 in tp or enter 257 (270-5% and rounded)
I'm going to redo my tests soon since I botched it and my pacing was really bad and not consistent at all
I think I can do better in my 5 min test and my FTP if I pace it better instead of my wattage spiking hard at the beginning of my 5 min test and then half blowing up and then trying to hold on.
can someone tell me if in training peaks if I should enter my TT number as the actual average or the TT number - 5%
my average watts were 270 so do I enter 270 in tp or enter 257 (270-5% and rounded)
I'm going to redo my tests soon since I botched it and my pacing was really bad and not consistent at all
I think I can do better in my 5 min test and my FTP if I pace it better instead of my wattage spiking hard at the beginning of my 5 min test and then half blowing up and then trying to hold on.
#3581
These Guys Eat Oreos
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did my FTP test last night but I botched it by forgetting to claibrate my pm before hand
can someone tell me if in training peaks if I should enter my TT number as the actual average or the TT number - 5%
my average watts were 270 so do I enter 270 in tp or enter 257 (270-5% and rounded)
I'm going to redo my tests soon since I botched it and my pacing was really bad and not consistent at all
I think I can do better in my 5 min test and my FTP if I pace it better instead of my wattage spiking hard at the beginning of my 5 min test and then half blowing up and then trying to hold on.
can someone tell me if in training peaks if I should enter my TT number as the actual average or the TT number - 5%
my average watts were 270 so do I enter 270 in tp or enter 257 (270-5% and rounded)
I'm going to redo my tests soon since I botched it and my pacing was really bad and not consistent at all
I think I can do better in my 5 min test and my FTP if I pace it better instead of my wattage spiking hard at the beginning of my 5 min test and then half blowing up and then trying to hold on.
Don't worry about botching the tests at first. Just go ahead and do a few weeks with your FTP as what you got estimated from the test. You will see over the course of the weeks after doing some workouts if it is a little low or high. You will get a better feel for the power range you can sustain for the test, and you will pace yourself better when you do your next test.
Just to make sure, you did a 20min test right, the 5min test was a different test right?
#3582
grilled cheesus
testing really is hard. i have to be mentally ready to do a FTP test on the trainer. i too round it to the closet 5. as for calibrating a PM i think you mean zero'ing it, even though a garmin using the term calibrating it really isnt doing that. i dont think it makes that much of a difference, unless you are seeing odd numbers that is. later.
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#3583
Roadie
My powertap is really stable and the zero offset hardly moves.
My Srm isn't as stable, but it autozeros with my Garmin, so its accurate even if I forget to zero it.
#3584
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I have a Quarq 975 and a garmin edge 705
I did do separate 5 minute and 20minute tests.
I'll keep the numbers for now and see how they feel, if they do not feel right I will re-test.
I did do separate 5 minute and 20minute tests.
I'll keep the numbers for now and see how they feel, if they do not feel right I will re-test.
#3585
grilled cheesus
^^^^ the calibrating is just a zero'ing and not something that should make a difference in the data. unless something is wrong with the unit. some riders dont even do the pre ride "calibrate." enjoy. later.
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#3586
negligent.
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I don't think that is true...Quarq recommends zeroing before every ride. And I would suggest, zeroing mid-ride too if there are any big temperature swings.
#3587
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#3588
I need speed
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If you've been zeroing the unit each ride using the Garmin 'calibrate' function (which Quarq calls a manual zero), chances are your Quarq was very close even if you didn't zero it at the start of your test ride. From my discussions with a Quarq tech, and my subsequent experience, it has more to do with the crank bolts than the temp. I have a SRAM RED S975, and my typical calibration number was well outside the recommended range, even after break-in, and after loosening and re-torqueing the bolts a couple of times, then letting the numbers settle. It would also drift very significantly during a ride. Quarg replaced the SRAM bolts with FSA bolts, and changed my base zero offset to put the calibration back in the normal range, even though that really doesn't matter. The drift is now negligible, even with extreme temperatures, and I've stopped logging the beginning and ending calibration numbers. The zero correction from the Garmin calibrate, or from peddling backwards, is added to the factory set base offset to get the b value of the basic y = mx + b slope formula.
#3589
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Any potential error in the measurement device will most likely be eclipsed by the estimation inherent in a 5/20 minute FTP test.
#3590
Draught
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What is the biggest calibration error anyone has seen? I almost never calibrate mine. Which way do they tend to drift? Lower numbers or (oh god I hope not) higher numbers?
#3591
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Mine was so off my sprint was recorded as 300W, when the best I've ever done was 1400W. It's at Saris right now getting repaired.
#3592
Making a kilometer blurry
My PT has been a good 20W low if I don't zero it. I need to try out a couple things, but I'm wondering if my trackstanding is messing up its autozero. I'm also wondering if it could be a warmup issue bringing the strain gauges from room temperature to ride temp (20 degrees higher).
#3593
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What head unit are most of you guys using? I've got a PT wheel coming soon and I'm deliberating between the Joule and the Garmin 500. To me it appears that the Joule can display more real-time data related to power whereas the garmin is more of an all round computer which displays power.
Thoughts? TIA
Thoughts? TIA
#3594
grilled cheesus
garmin 500. i see no need for real time TSS, NP, IF, ect... too many numbers give one too many excuses. 3 sec avg power is the gold standard. ymmv. later.
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#3595
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What head unit are most of you guys using? I've got a PT wheel coming soon and I'm deliberating between the Joule and the Garmin 500. To me it appears that the Joule can display more real-time data related to power whereas the garmin is more of an all round computer which displays power.
Thoughts? TIA
Thoughts? TIA
#3596
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hi guys - i don't have a power meter yet and don't have the funds for one at the moment. however, i'd like to get one in the future, and as i was thinking about it, i got curious...
if you can only buy one, what's the best way to set it up? put a powertap on a training wheel and then either have to race with that or ditch it for races? put it on a race wheel and have to train with the race wheel? get crank-based and not be able to switch it to your TT bike (or to your road bike)?
if this has already been answered somewhere, sorry. thanks!
if you can only buy one, what's the best way to set it up? put a powertap on a training wheel and then either have to race with that or ditch it for races? put it on a race wheel and have to train with the race wheel? get crank-based and not be able to switch it to your TT bike (or to your road bike)?
if this has already been answered somewhere, sorry. thanks!
#3597
fuggitivo solitario
hi guys - i don't have a power meter yet and don't have the funds for one at the moment. however, i'd like to get one in the future, and as i was thinking about it, i got curious...
if you can only buy one, what's the best way to set it up? put a powertap on a training wheel and then either have to race with that or ditch it for races? put it on a race wheel and have to train with the race wheel? get crank-based and not be able to switch it to your TT bike (or to your road bike)?
if this has already been answered somewhere, sorry. thanks!
if you can only buy one, what's the best way to set it up? put a powertap on a training wheel and then either have to race with that or ditch it for races? put it on a race wheel and have to train with the race wheel? get crank-based and not be able to switch it to your TT bike (or to your road bike)?
if this has already been answered somewhere, sorry. thanks!
switching crank is easy assuming you have the same BB on all your bikes
personally i race and train on the same wheels. You may know of a certain alumnus named Bennette who kicked ass and took names while racing on some heavy powertap clinchers
#3598
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ok - but are they "race wheels" (e.g. zipp 404s) or "training wheels" (e.g. ultegra/open pro)?
anyone else? just interested to know what people are doing about this.
#3599
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I train with a PT wheel and race mainly without it. I used it in early season races to keep an eye on fitness, but used the lighter, quicker wheels as the season rolled on (boo).
If I had the scratch I'd have a crank based power meter. I saw an FSA Amateur wired SRM on ST yesterday for $750. Prices are coming down.
If I had the scratch I'd have a crank based power meter. I saw an FSA Amateur wired SRM on ST yesterday for $750. Prices are coming down.
#3600
fuggitivo solitario
i guess. seems like it'd be a little bit of a hassle for a stage race or something but i probably wouldn't mind. it'd be nice to be able to switch wheels whenever. wish crank-based wasn't so expensive though.
ok - but are they "race wheels" (e.g. zipp 404s) or "training wheels" (e.g. ultegra/open pro)?
ok - but are they "race wheels" (e.g. zipp 404s) or "training wheels" (e.g. ultegra/open pro)?
switching out a crank is a 3 minute (max) job. 8mm allen key and you are done. C'mon, this ain't rocket science.