Powertap usage and numbers

The Swedish Chef

Hi there, I recently picked up a used Powertap which I've now got talking to my Edge 500. I've not done any more configuration on it than simply using the re-calibrate function on the Edge and making sure the recording setting were every second.

Is there anything more I should do? I've seen people hanging weights of pedals to check the accuracy, is this step needed?

I've used it on two sessions and either I'm fitter than I think or I don't fully understand wattage yet.

amaferanga

Are you using zero averaging on the Edge? If not then zeros will be excluded and your power numbers will appear massively inflated on most normal road rides. This only affects what's displayed on the Edge though, not the data downloaded to Golden Cheetah or WKO+.

What makes you think the numbers are high? What sort of power and normalised power are you producing?

You could do a stomp test using the Edge 500. Instructions here. Only do it though if you can accurately determine the weight you're using and carry it out exactly as described otherwise you'll likely just get a confusing result. If you have the PowerTap head unit or access to one you can also check the zero offset value.

The Swedish Chef

Thanks for that. I'm not sure of the NP so I'm downloading WKO+ now.

Double checking the Garmin it seems it was not recording every second but using the smart mode, and not using the zero averaging.

I averaged 234 watts on this mornings 2.5 hour ride, which seems high for an "easy" 65km ride.

amaferanga

I wouldn't bother analysing any data that used smart recording. And if your 234 Watts excluded zeros then when you look at the power including zeros it'll probably be well below 200W so probably consistent with an easy spin.

Btw I'd recommend Golden Cheetah over WKO+ since it's free. The development build of V3.0 is probably best as it includes the NP, TSS, etc. metrics as well as the very similar xPower, Bikescore, etc.

Development builds here

GiantMike

Another vote for Golden Cheetah here too.

The Swedish Chef

Now downloading Golden Cheetah, thanks guys.

The Swedish Chef

OK so critical power, is this FTP or something else?

napoleond

FTP is in simple terms equivalent to CP60.

However, your cp60 may not have been established in a specific test. You should go balls out to establish FTP.

I do a 20 minute test and use 95% of that as my FTP, other people use different ways.

The Swedish Chef

Thanks, now playing away quite happily with Golden Cheetah