Originally Posted by
spelger
i've seen this question come up from time to time and the same two answers generally are given:
- estimated power is not all that bad but...
- estimated power is crap because...
regardless of the answer my question is how do you know? i have my own doubts about their estimated power which, ironically, is mostly due to the reasons that both camps give. the only way i can see to get an honest answer is to upload a ride without power data and compare with the same ride containing power data. has anyone done that? it falls on someone with a power meter to do this. if i had one i'd give it a whirl just to see.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4502120904 -> Strava Power 195W avg
https://www.strava.com/activities/4401705368 -> Power meter 236W avg
Also if you look at the power over individual segments the numbers are even more off.
If you are not used power numbers the averages might seem not too far off, but it is a huge difference.
With an FTP of 250-ish W, for me to ride 1.5 hours in traffic with an avg of 236W is right at the limit, which it was.
A ride with 40W less sits one zone below, it is like going fast but without pushing it.