tetonrider

maybe the quarq will give reliable numbers on the track.

oespinoza83

I need to update my FTP. Does anyone actually just skip the formal test and just go off of MMPC 20' values?

tetonrider

how do you now you need to update it? i'm assuming you've had some efforts that exceed your threshold, or "threshold" efforts have become easy/easier.

use it as a cue to do a proper test. further, in case you haven't already done so, establish a consistent protocol -- same warm-up, same test, ideally same time of day/course/rest/etc. the more variables you control the better the comparisons over time will be. hell, if you can wear similar clothing and use the same bike/wheels/tires, that is not a bad thing -- just in case your power meter is off you may be able to use speed or distance as a check of the data (if your chosen route is on a climb/windless area or indoors (rollers/trainer)).

may not seem important now but has value over time.

revchuck 

He posted a 489 TSS/.96 IF 5:25 ride, and some of us raised our eyebrows.

jmikami

I use NP from races and rides that are as long as possible combined with RPE from those events (one hour plus is better for me, but must be a hard effort) to keep me on pace with FTP. To me it is just an estimate and I basically create a sliding scale through the season raising it up and dropping it back down after my peaks. I hate 20+ minute flatout efforts and do so few of them that it really doesn't make sense to do them all the time just to perfect my IF/TSS score. Some people swear by 20 minute TTs, but I can tell based on my average 10 minute power, combined with NP during hard rides what it should be. I also find that I can keep my IF near 1 for almost 3 hours, but I have a very hard time keeping my average power at the same level for 20 minutes, so who knows what it really is, but the point is to track your own fitness/form/fatigue/whatever not to be perfect as that is not possible.

NP is all about exaggerating your hard efforts and for riders like myself who like to go hard then go easy and can do that for hours, it creates a false sense of what I might be able to do for the same distance as an average in TT mode. MY rule is have fun and estimate your FTP as best you can, but don't stress over that kind of detail. I am more worried about my ability to repeat efforts and how my HR responds to those hard efforts than if my FTP might be off by 10+ watts.

oespinoza83

Yea, I have a testing protocol that I did earlier this season (during base) that I can do again. I just didn't know if people always use a formal testing when updating/checking their FTP or if they go based off other factors.

shovelhd

I use formal testing. Same course.

waterrockets 

I've been picking zones off of interval performance lately. Since I'm more likely to go too hard than too easy, this has gotten me pretty close. That said, I haven't formally threshold tested in about 2 years (when I got sick). Given my recent performance, I'm getting back on the bandwagon of monthly testing (5", 1', 5', and MAP).

Creatre

I prefer setting zones based on interval values, it tends to be a bit more realistic. You can see trends/patterns more easily if you do intervals routinely.

furiousferret

I use the same course, or did. Since it has 2 small descents that sap my power I may try to find something new.

Ygduf

cycling analytics just rolled out a nice feature that I liked. find efforts, minimum time of XXX watts

Hermes

I use Cycling Analytics as well. David is doing a excellent job improving the software and he is very responsive to comments and suggestions.

furiousferret

When I first joined he sent me an email asking for suggestions, I gave a few and he seemed genuinely interested in which was pretty cool.

waterrockets 

Yep, that's what I've been doing for the last two to three years. I figured I'd toss it up. At least the interval guess lines up with the test result. Verification for my interval method. I still need to do a real test for 5" and 1'. I did 5' last week, four rows above my FTP, so at least I know where to keep focusing my main efforts. I'll bet that 1' is pretty weak right now though.

Racer Ex 

I create charts in WKO that allow me to look at a variety of mean maximal wattages, both average and NP, for a variety of durations, from 1 second to 60 minutes, along with a standardized and periodized testing protocol.

For my athletes I check 7/28/season periods weekly to see trends and adjust as the test results or charts warrant.

gsteinb

rain man

bbbean 

Is there a good side by side comparison of power analysis aps?

aaronmcd

Powertap torque issues.

I did some file digging, and the oddly high power numbers from this week's Wednesday ride were due to Torque not being zeroed.

For months I have had no issues, then the Wednesday ride from last week shows coasting torque = 0 before the halfway break, and coasting torque = ~1.3 Nm after the break. I was getting way low, but proportional power numbers the next day so I changed the battery. Turned it on at Copperopolis Road Race and it seemed to be fine (looking back, the torque was off by 1.3 Nm for the first 1/4 or so then fixed itself). Noticed this week that I have to zero the torque every time I turn it on or it reads 1.3 to 1.5 Nm while coasting. Power will still go to zero, but only after about 5 seconds of coasting.

waterrockets 

Damn. I'm using the original little yellow computer (PowerTap). Interface is a ridiculous USB serial device. Golden Cheetah requires FTDI drivers for the interface in Windows 7, and every year or so one of the USB ports stops working with the driver. Finally, my last port no longer works, and I can't uninstall the driver (stupid CDM utility doesn't detect it). Has anyone else dealt with this? I reinstalled GC, and rebooted. I can't find FTDI in the registry.

#thecrapiputupwith

shovelhd

It's time, dude. It's time.

revchuck 

FTDI = "eff this damned interface?"

waterrockets 

It's kinda stupid though. All I need are the numbers, and this ancient system works fine -- feels stupid to buy some 4-digit solution for two bikes just because of an old serial interface. Maybe I should move back to TraningPeaks.

shovelhd

Not even close. You're looking at $350 plus shipping to upgrade your wheel to G3 and $300 for a Garmin 510. This gets you a brand new power meter and a brand new head unit. You can save $100 or more if you can score a used Garmin 500 or a wireless LYC, and your old LYC is still worth $50 to someone.

I know, I know, you're one of those guys who hates software companies that deprecate functions or end of life operating systems because they did everything you needed and nothing more.

echappist

the Joule is even cheaper. $80 or so, i think

Creakyknees

my SRM PC VI head unit won't hold a charge for more than a couple of days. What should I do?