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Strava power estimates

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Old 08-11-11 | 02:08 PM
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Strava power estimates

Anyone know how accurate these are? They're pretty interesting to look at.
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Old 08-11-11 | 03:09 PM
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They're "estimates" not acounting for wind.
Enough said.
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Old 08-11-11 | 03:44 PM
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They should be reasonable on the hill segments. The steeper the better.
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Old 08-11-11 | 03:59 PM
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Way low. Without knowing the wind the estimates are useless.
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Old 08-11-11 | 06:30 PM
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If they were accurate, you'd be watching me win mountain stages in the tour. Across the board, the estimates are 50-100w high

The lightning bolts are when I'm actually using a PM
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Old 08-11-11 | 07:41 PM
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I think the answer is it depends on the ride. I just did a couple quick comparisons of two vastly different rides.

22 miles time trial race (C-130, Dover DE) - completely flat
Strava power estimate: 231W
Wired Powertap: 233W (not in the Strava file)

34.5 mile group ride (9 guys working mostly together), rolling terrain, 20.5 mph ave.
Strava power estimate: 201W
Wired Powertap: 161W (not in the Strava file)

Looks like Strava over estimates when there is any drafting involved. I've found it to be 10-15% high on most of my solo rides... 20% or higher if I'm riding with a group.
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Old 08-11-11 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by brian416
If they were accurate, you'd be watching me win mountain stages in the tour. Across the board, the estimates are 50-100w high
Do you have your weight and bike weight set accurately?
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Old 08-11-11 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by brian416
If they were accurate, you'd be watching me win mountain stages in the tour. Across the board, the estimates are 50-100w high

The lightning bolts are when I'm actually using a PM
= smoking gun.
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Old 08-12-11 | 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by gregf83
Do you have your weight and bike weight set accurately?
Yep
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