Powertap arrived but

CarbonCopy
CarbonCopy Posts: 492
edited December 2010 in Training, fitness and health
The powertap CPU doesn`t want to learn its heart rate strap code? i`m going to try a new battery before ringing the company i bought it from.anyone got any thoughts on this?

Comments

  • chrisw12
    chrisw12 Posts: 1,246
    Yes, battery if the thing has been lying around a shop for a while.

    Totally pointless suggestion (since you've paid for it) which always causes an argument, you'll find that if you're using a power meter then the hr side is pretty irrelevant, so you could just not bother with it.
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    chrisw12 wrote:
    you'll find that if you're using a power meter then the hr side is pretty irrelevant, so you could just not bother with it.

    Agreed but tbh I still like to see what the old ticker is up to!


    Check the batt is in the right way round, sometimes they dont to preserve them.
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    New battery is in,job done thanks to all who replied.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    chrisw12 wrote:
    ...the hr side is pretty irrelevant, so you could just not bother with it.


    If you know what to look for, the HR side of it is VERY relevant. I used to not bother with the HR strap until the old coach told me he wanted to see the HR data alongside the power data.

    If you are having power problems, HR can help indicate where the problem is coming from and can also help show you things like overtraining.

    But while you're actually riding - HR is less important.
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    Well i`m glad this thread brought up some valuble info.I`ve always trained using the heart rate method in the past.Powertap is going to open up a new world.The thing is i`m not that good with tech so its going to be hard to get the best out of it.can anyone point me to some sites or threads to educate me on powertap issues and terms such as ftp etc etc.
  • JackPozzi
    JackPozzi Posts: 1,191
    This is well worth a read

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Training-Racing-Power-Meter-Hunter/dp/1934030554/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1292174264&sr=8-4

    Actually while I was looking that up I've noticed that's the 2nd edition, does anyone know if there's much in it that isn't in the 1st edition?
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    Loads of useful stuff on Alex's blog:
    http://alex-cycle.blogspot.com/2008/05/ ... -sins.html

    Also download the free guide "Racing Cyclist's Guide to Training by Power" by Charles Howe - some great background and training tips in there:
    http://velodynamics2.webs.com/rcgtp1.pdf
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    I've just received Coggans book and its a pretty easy read for a technical subject, and I dont even have a power meter yet! It seems to have got me hooked....
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    Pokerface wrote:
    chrisw12 wrote:
    ...the hr side is pretty irrelevant, so you could just not bother with it.


    If you know what to look for, the HR side of it is VERY relevant. I used to not bother with the HR strap until the old coach told me he wanted to see the HR data alongside the power data.

    If you are having power problems, HR can help indicate where the problem is coming from and can also help show you things like overtraining.
    How so?

    What are we looking for?

    Note that overtraining is an exceptionally hard thing to achieve.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    chrisw12 wrote:
    ...the hr side is pretty irrelevant, so you could just not bother with it.


    If you know what to look for, the HR side of it is VERY relevant. I used to not bother with the HR strap until the old coach told me he wanted to see the HR data alongside the power data.

    If you are having power problems, HR can help indicate where the problem is coming from and can also help show you things like overtraining.
    How so?

    What are we looking for?

    Note that overtraining is an exceptionally hard thing to achieve.

    If you struggle to get your heart rate up during efforts, it is an indicator of overtraining.
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    Well got on turbo trainer today using powertap..i`m well miffed as the heart rate strap isn`t working ? it should show heart rate in bottom right corner is this correct?
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    CarbonCopy wrote:
    Well got on turbo trainer today using powertap..i`m well miffed as the heart rate strap isn`t working ? it should show heart rate in bottom right corner is this correct?


    Bottom of what? Little Yellow Computer? Not necessarily. You have to set it to show HR
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    Yes the little yellow CPU heart rate doesn`t seem to be picking up.
    I can`t upload my rides to cycleops power agent damn i`m really not having much luck.
    And to top it off cyclepowermeters have not been anwering phone.HELP.
    ANY techies near manchester who want to show me how to work this thing? i will travel
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    Pokerface wrote:
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    chrisw12 wrote:
    ...the hr side is pretty irrelevant, so you could just not bother with it.


    If you know what to look for, the HR side of it is VERY relevant. I used to not bother with the HR strap until the old coach told me he wanted to see the HR data alongside the power data.

    If you are having power problems, HR can help indicate where the problem is coming from and can also help show you things like overtraining.
    How so?

    What are we looking for?

    Note that overtraining is an exceptionally hard thing to achieve.

    If you struggle to get your heart rate up during efforts, it is an indicator of overtraining.

    It may be due to fatigue or even some other cause such as non-training related illness, overheating etc. Its very difficult to glean very much from HR data alone as there will be much noise from a variety of causes.

    As an exercise physiologist I prefer to look at overtraining as a chronic condition and fatigue as an acute condition.
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    blackhands wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    chrisw12 wrote:
    ...the hr side is pretty irrelevant, so you could just not bother with it.


    If you know what to look for, the HR side of it is VERY relevant. I used to not bother with the HR strap until the old coach told me he wanted to see the HR data alongside the power data.

    If you are having power problems, HR can help indicate where the problem is coming from and can also help show you things like overtraining.
    How so?

    What are we looking for?

    Note that overtraining is an exceptionally hard thing to achieve.

    If you struggle to get your heart rate up during efforts, it is an indicator of overtraining.

    It may be due to fatigue or even some other cause such as non-training related illness, overheating etc. Its very difficult to glean very much from HR data alone as there will be much noise from a variety of causes.

    As an exercise physiologist I prefer to look at overtraining as a chronic condition and fatigue as an acute condition.
    Nevermind all that hellp me sort my powertap out :)
  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    Pokerface wrote:
    If you struggle to get your heart rate up during efforts, it is an indicator of overtraining.
    You might be a little tired/fatigued perhaps but being overtrained is a serious and chronic reduction in performance requiring many months, if not years to overcome.

    Your power meter will tell you if you are fatigued. If you can still bang out the watts, I wouldn't be overly concerned with what your HR is.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    CarbonCopy wrote:
    it should show heart rate in bottom right corner is this correct?
    Depends how the Powertap head unit is configured but normally you'd have:
    Top line - Power
    Middle line - Speed
    Bottom line - multi-function display - toggle between trip distance (D), elapsed time (T), cadence (C), energy expended (E), odometer (O) and heart rate (heart symbol) by pressing the SELECT button when the arrow indicators are on the bottom line of the display (move the arrows down from the top line by pressing MODE).

    Have you got the heart symbol showing on the bottom line of the display?
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    YOu have to pair the HR strap with the unit first I think. As for why it won't upload to your computer, it may be because you haven't installed all the software and drivers needed?
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    I have sorted the down load problem :roll: it wasnt quite clicked in cradle right i was scared of being to heavy handed with it. As for the heartstrap CPU can`t find it even with new battery.The company i bought the system from have been fantastic and have sent me a new one so it should be here soon. Thanks Bronzie Pokerface for the help :oops: Now i can read Data after rides on PC with software i`m smitten :D I can see big improvements coming up.Next step a cycle coach is on the horizon.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Yes - the cradle for downloading data is pretty poor. Sometimes I have to click it in and out several times before it picks up the unit.


    Did you go through the correct pairing procedure for the HR strap? I recall it being a problem the first time I did mine....
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    Yes i went through the sequence past, hub speed cadence etc until heartrate appeared then held botton until FIND flashes as instructions, but nothing.I went through this proceedure a few times then tryed a new battery in the strap, still no joy.The little heart flashes in bottom corner when i start my ride.it does the little search function thing then comes up with 0.
    When i look at my ride data on the powertap software there is no HRM data stored.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Did you pair the HR strap with the head unit?

    http://www.saris.com/pdfManuals/360.pdf

    Pages 31-32 explain how to do it. If you haven't paired it, it won't show up.
  • chrisw12
    chrisw12 Posts: 1,246
    Not being able to download the data, that's a big problem worth investing the time in but not having the hr working...is it worth fussing over?

    I'll concede that some people might see some use of hr when using a power meter but how much lost training time and stress is it causing you?
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    chrisw12 wrote:
    Not being able to download the data, that's a big problem worth investing the time in but not having the hr working...is it worth fussing over?

    I'll concede that some people might see some use of hr when using a power meter but how much lost training time and stress is it causing you?


    Thanks chris
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    Pokerface i followed this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD6ySxwh9YI
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    CarbonCopy wrote:
    Pokerface i followed this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD6ySxwh9YI

    Yup - that's how you do it! If it doesn't work then maybe the strap is no good. But as Chris says - don't let it ruin your training!

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