Peripedal - ANT+ Training Software

bobones

Thought I'd bring this software to your attention as I haven't seen it mentioned here before. It's currently in beta so is free to use or you can pre-order for a very reasonable one off payment. It's similar to Trainer Road, but not yet as feature rich. It has really nice, clean interface though. Definitely worth having a look if you have or are considering an ANT+ USB stick. It has quite a few trainer profiles now for virtual power and it will re-transmit power readings to a Garmin. There are quite a few workouts built in including Sufferfests, and has an easy to use workout creator. The latest version has some basic training plans too. You can view video with locally stored files or through Netflix. The software has nothing to do with me: I am just a very satisfied user spreading the word! Check it out at http://www.peripedal.com

Alex_Simmons/RST

Looks nice, although this caught my eye:

Calorie Calculation – PeriPedal uses your age, weight, gender and heart rate to calculate the calories burned during your workout.

Efficiency Calculation - Cycling efficiency tells you how efficiently you are producing power on your bike. Because PeriPedal calculates your calories burned and power using different information your overall efficiency can be calculated.

Hmmm, think they might want to rethink that one

wheeledwidewebb

Nice. I like the training sessions that are included.

GiantMike

Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

Calorie Calculation – PeriPedal uses your age, weight, gender and heart rate to calculate the calories burned during your workout.

Efficiency Calculation - Cycling efficiency tells you how efficiently you are producing power on your bike. Because PeriPedal calculates your calories burned and power using different information your overall efficiency can be calculated.

Hmmm, think they might want to rethink that one

That's the point where I hit the back button. Let's take inaccurate data (kCals) and compare it to inaccurate data (derived power) to give you a meaningless figure (efficiency). By pumping your tyres up harder your body gets more efficient.

bobones

To be fair, I think the efficiency calculation has been dropped: at least I don't see in the latest versions. Mike, you can use the software with a real power meter so no need to dismiss the entire program because of your bigotry against derived power.

GiantMike

bobones wrote:

To be fair, I think the efficiency calculation has been dropped: at least I don't see in the latest versions. Mike, you can use the software with a real power meter so no need to dismiss the entire program because of your bigotry against derived power.

Eh, I don't have a bigotry against derived power, it's just that in the wrong hands it's sh!t and probably worse than useless.

What's wrong with my assertion that virtual power is inaccurate? TR works because the rider's actual power doesn't matter, it's the relative power that matters. How does that work for an efficiency calculation?

I wasn't dismissing the whole program, I was just laughing uncontrollably at the ridiculous efficiency calculation statement. If I wanted a stripped-down budget version of Trainer Road I'd probably give it a try. Keep spreading the word, satisfied customer.

bobones

Sorry, I picked you up wrongly. I thought you were dismissing derived power altogether. Yes, I agree: the efficiency calculation sounds totally silly and useless. I'll email the software author, Adam, and suggest he removes it from his site. He seems to be very amenable to suggestions for improving his software so anyone with any ideas should contact him. I supplied him with power curves for my trainer and he added them in the next release a few days later.

Just an aside on the accuracy/precision of derived power: at our club turbo session on Wednesday, one of the guys has the same turbo as me (Tacx Satori - mag trainer - linear, not temp sensitive) and uses it at resistance level 3 with a Powertap . When he uploaded his ride to Strava I checked one of the intervals to see how his actual power compared to the derived power calculated from his speed using the curve data I have. Much to my surprise, it was spot on - to the watt! Over a 3.5 minute interval - Speed 28.9mph, actual power 274w, derived power 274w! I know this is a total fluke, but it proved to me that the curve data was in the ballpark for accuracy. I have no idea what his tyre pressure was or how tightly he clamped his wheel, and I know that absolute accuracy is not important, I just ensure for my own routines that I pump my tyres to 100psi and the clamping pressure never varies because of the lever mechanism the Satori uses. Anyway, I tend to use level 5 as the speeds are a bit more realistic and it gives a good range of power over all the gears.

Here's the proof! The level 3 "curve" is given by p(w) = 10.99 * v(mph) - 43.33 so 28.9 mph equates to 274.3w

dbb

you know that your business is on track when the copy cats start appearing.