Bought a Powermeter, now what
Discussion
Got myself a stages powermeter and fitted to the bike...and as a novice, who wants to get fitter, I thought it would be a good idea.
I know a bit about zone training etc from when I was fitter, but I know nothing about the best apps/training apps, strava type stuff to use the bike with now.
Got an old Kinetic trainer, could I use it with that?
Ideas how to get the best out of it, thanks in advance.
I know a bit about zone training etc from when I was fitter, but I know nothing about the best apps/training apps, strava type stuff to use the bike with now.
Got an old Kinetic trainer, could I use it with that?
Ideas how to get the best out of it, thanks in advance.
To start off, just continue riding your bike as normal and start collecting data. As long as you do a variety of riding, with some efforts here and there of different lengths, you will start to build up a picture of your power profile i.e. how many watts you can sustain for various different durations. Assuming you have a Garmin or wahoo head unit you will get a fair bit of info from their software. Otherwise if you pay for Strava you'll get a bit of analysis there (probably enough for most people)
You need a head unit although can probably use a phone if desperate
Power meters serve two broad purposes:
1. Guide your training. Multiple options available free and paid for plus old fashioned books
2. Work as a fuel gauge. eg I can pump out Z watts all day long but only Y watts for 20 mins max
Wish I’d got one years ago
Cheers
Power meters serve two broad purposes:
1. Guide your training. Multiple options available free and paid for plus old fashioned books
2. Work as a fuel gauge. eg I can pump out Z watts all day long but only Y watts for 20 mins max
Wish I’d got one years ago
Cheers
I think powermeter is best used with a Garmin head unit.
I have av 3 sec power and av power of the ride plus time, distance etc.
Then you can work out your av power over a number of routes.
Do an FTP test from 20 min to 1 hour on a flat route at the fastest power you can maintain.
I always think 200w is a good starting point. Try on flat route and elevated route over varied distance.
You learn to trust the power figures rather than feeling you're going too slowly (so don't burn out) or up your effort if power is low.
Work out you're average.
See how long you can hold 200w.
See how long you can hold 300w.
Use the lap counter to time segments and work out the power needed to better your PBs.
They're a great way to help understand your own cycling ability and use the numbers in real time.
I have av 3 sec power and av power of the ride plus time, distance etc.
Then you can work out your av power over a number of routes.
Do an FTP test from 20 min to 1 hour on a flat route at the fastest power you can maintain.
I always think 200w is a good starting point. Try on flat route and elevated route over varied distance.
You learn to trust the power figures rather than feeling you're going too slowly (so don't burn out) or up your effort if power is low.
Work out you're average.
See how long you can hold 200w.
See how long you can hold 300w.
Use the lap counter to time segments and work out the power needed to better your PBs.
They're a great way to help understand your own cycling ability and use the numbers in real time.
g7jhp said:
I think powermeter is best used with a Garmin head unit.
I have av 3 sec power and av power of the ride plus time, distance etc.
Then you can work out your av power over a number of routes.
Do an FTP test from 20 min to 1 hour on a flat route at the fastest power you can maintain.
I always think 200w is a good starting point. Try on flat route and elevated route over varied distance.
You learn to trust the power figures rather than feeling you're going too slowly (so don't burn out) or up your effort if power is low.
Work out you're average.
See how long you can hold 200w.
See how long you can hold 300w.
Use the lap counter to time segments and work out the power needed to better your PBs.
They're a great way to help understand your own cycling ability and use the numbers in real time.
All very good apart from the advice about using a garmin head unit.I have av 3 sec power and av power of the ride plus time, distance etc.
Then you can work out your av power over a number of routes.
Do an FTP test from 20 min to 1 hour on a flat route at the fastest power you can maintain.
I always think 200w is a good starting point. Try on flat route and elevated route over varied distance.
You learn to trust the power figures rather than feeling you're going too slowly (so don't burn out) or up your effort if power is low.
Work out you're average.
See how long you can hold 200w.
See how long you can hold 300w.
Use the lap counter to time segments and work out the power needed to better your PBs.
They're a great way to help understand your own cycling ability and use the numbers in real time.
A wahoo is a much better choice
smn159 said:
Why do you have 6 bike computers? 
i dont like selling things, i started with garmin, but then got fed up when the 1000 broke and had to pay £200 to get it replaced with the 1030. then my sister started dating someone at wahoo, who spon our club, so i get wahoo stuff now.
z4RRSchris said:
wahoo 10 times better than garmin, i have a 500, 810, a 1030, 2 bolts and a roam. ive done the testing.
pm is great for chatting complete s
t at the cafe, and structured training,
Might be fairer to compare to the 530/830 though, they are all older devices (even though the 1030 sits in the same lineup). DC Rainmaker compared the 530/830 to the Roam when it came out and rated the Garmins overall better. The Garmin UI is slightly infuriating though, it all seems to be more complicated than it could be.pm is great for chatting complete s
t at the cafe, and structured training, Gareth79 said:
z4RRSchris said:
wahoo 10 times better than garmin, i have a 500, 810, a 1030, 2 bolts and a roam. ive done the testing.
pm is great for chatting complete st at the cafe, and structured training,
Might be fairer to compare to the 530/830 though, they are all older devices (even though the 1030 sits in the same lineup). DC Rainmaker compared the 530/830 to the Roam when it came out and rated the Garmins overall better. The Garmin UI is slightly infuriating though, it all seems to be more complicated than it could be.pm is great for chatting complete s
t at the cafe, and structured training, The Bolt is a great device but the latest Garmins have moved the game on IMO and overall I'm happy with the change
okgo said:
Conversely I cannot stand riding without one.
I find this a really strange statement. Do you never just throw your leg over for the enjoyment of just going for a ride. I'm sure there are many pro riders who do just that without needing to know their power metrics for the ride.Edited by moonigan on Friday 14th August 22:33
Edited by moonigan on Saturday 15th August 08:35
No offence meant to the OP but I am baffled sometimes by how readily people spend money on something cycling related which may not be needed.
Don’t get me wrong, a power meter offers a key measure to help with training. But I would have thought it is many steps along the get fitter route. It allows you to train smarter for sure but until you feel your fitness plateau after just applying the principles of riding longer, harder and more often, it’s a solution looking for a problem. IMHO. Many others will disagree I’m sure.
Don’t get me wrong, a power meter offers a key measure to help with training. But I would have thought it is many steps along the get fitter route. It allows you to train smarter for sure but until you feel your fitness plateau after just applying the principles of riding longer, harder and more often, it’s a solution looking for a problem. IMHO. Many others will disagree I’m sure.
I find the power meter is indispensable if I’m on a big effort ( distance / time / effort / mix of all ). It’s nice to see what power your at, and know when you’re going to use your fuel up, and be able to gauge effort accurately. Having power and Cadence readings in front of me, means I know how efficiently I’m working, and what effect that’s going to have, regarding fuelling. Doing it by feel is not a great idea, because endorphins / dopamine are great at masking the true story. Rewind to 2014, I’m putting in a decent effort, I feel fine. I keep going, weirdly I still feel great. Suddenly Im not feeling so great, then I’m feeling like crap, no matter how much Im shovelling down my neck. Then I wobble to a halt, get off the bike, have a vasovagal syncope reaction, and end up in an ambiwlans. Not a mistake I’ve repeated since I started using Power meters.
Edited by BrundanBianchi on Saturday 15th August 14:13
Edited by BrundanBianchi on Saturday 15th August 14:14
moonigan said:
I'm sure there are many pro riders who do just that without needing to know their power metrics for the ride.
I'm just reading How to Support a Champion: The art of applying science to the elite athlete by Steve Ingham, and I'm willing to bet that if any Pro riders at all ride without power metrics and a host of other stuff they are very much the exceptionGassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff