I'm using a Power2Max powermeter currently with a Garmin Edge 500 computer. I've mostly been using Ascent as my training software, but when I import my data it doesn't show the same power as my Garmin does. I've tracked it down to the fact that the Garmin doesn't record when I'm not pedalling, whereas Ascent does. This can give quite different power numbers. For instance, if I ride for a total of 4 seconds, and averages 240 watts for the first 2 seconds but coast for the next 2 - the Garmin will tell my that my wattage is 240 watts, where as Ascent will tell me that it's 120 watts.

So, what's the "real" solution here? Ascent or Garmin?

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I like Spanish bikes and cars. Riding an Orbea Orca and a Seat Ibiza.

I am not really sure what you meant. But i think it have something to do with
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2009/07/ ... zed-power/

The current out of the box default on the Garmin is to exclude zeros

Go to Menu->Settings->Bike Settings->Data Rec.

and see what it has for Power (Zero Avg) or (Non-Zero Avg)

Garmin has an option box to exclude zeroes in averaging. That is so stops are not counted in "average speed" etc. You can turn it off.

On your Garmin you can choose to include or exclude zeros in the power average. The 'real' power average is the one that includes zeros in the average. Normalized power is useful for giving the 'cost' of highly variable efforts such as racing where you may spend quite a bit of time free-wheeling, but then ride hard. The true average (including zeros) doesn't necessarily reflect how difficult the effort is. Normalized power does.

I'm not familiar with Ascent, but you might want to have a look at Golden Cheetah for free, but brilliant analysis software. The official release is good, but the development builds are way better (even if there is still the odd bug or two).

great software!

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sorry vor mai bed englisch!

It was just me that had to change the setting on the Garmin. Works as planned now

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I like Spanish bikes and cars. Riding an Orbea Orca and a Seat Ibiza.