Powermeter - when you stop pedalling?

A light bike doesn't replace good fitness.

Moderator: Moderator Team

Post Reply
User avatar
Kermithimself
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:48 pm
Location: Denmark

by Kermithimself

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?
------------
If you dream of being famous - think of what birds do to statues.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kermithimself/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCPaXwpeXT_LpuEF0REjqw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gotlegscycling/

yongkun
Posts: 397
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:19 pm

by yongkun

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)

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



User avatar
Rick
Posts: 2034
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:30 pm

by Rick

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.

amaferanga
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:52 am
Location: Sheffield, United Kingdom

by amaferanga

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).

Krull

by Krull

amaferanga wrote: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).


:thumbup: great software!

User avatar
Kermithimself
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:48 pm
Location: Denmark

by Kermithimself

It was just me that had to change the setting on the Garmin. Works as planned now :thumbup:
------------
If you dream of being famous - think of what birds do to statues.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kermithimself/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCPaXwpeXT_LpuEF0REjqw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gotlegscycling/

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply