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Posted

@ Look695 - I would hope it can realise your HR reaction time when fatigued is slower.

That is basically my question. How do the power levels compare to fresh and fatiqued legs
Posted

That is basically my question. How do the power levels compare to fresh and fatiqued legs

It can't measure the difference between fresh and fatigued legs because it can't measure power/torque. You and I need a power meter, like the PowerTap or SRM or the-like.

Posted

Here is my opinion (again). It does not work for interval training, HR is a reaction and will always be. You need the real deal, as do most of the people who comment on this thread. Let me use an analogy: I go to the gym and do leg presses. I have a plan on what I want to achieve, and it is based on the weight. I know I pressed 100kg last month and I need to increase the weight with 5%, ie now I should press 105kg. If I do not increase the weight then I will still be pressing 100kg in 12 months' time. I cannot go by feel, because one day I am more rested than the other, have more or less stress, maybe dehydrated a little; there are just too many variables I cannot control, so I need to control one thing, and that is the weight. I do not get hung up on multiplying sets and reps with weight to calculate the total work I have done, as it does not give me an accurate view of progress. What I need is the mental awareness of pressing 105kg iso 100kg, which gives confidence and affects neuro-muscular change. And this is my point (eventually), that you need to know exactly what you are doing at that specific point in time, otherwise you will not know whether you are doing enough to stimulate progress. You have gone through the effort of warming up, and you need to make those intervals count. Trying to figure out afterwards whether you have done enough does not make sense to me.

I just have one more question which has been asked but not answered. Got me thinking again this morning when I was doing intervals. How are the power readings affected when your legs are fatiqued and your HR is higher than normal on a specific stretch of road with your speed being the same. eg your HR is 70% at 30km/h when rested. When fatiqued, your HR might be 75% at 30km/h. Would the PowerCal show a higher power level for the higher HR? This would also apply when doing hill repeats/intervals. How would your power levels compare from the start and the finish of your training session where you need to work harder (higher HR) to maintain the same speed towards the end, but your ave speed stays constant for the intervals

 

 

 

 

If you have a look at the graph I posted you will see my HR started to rise as I got fatigued yet the increase in power was very minimal. This is where HR variability comes in combined with the algorithm CycleOps have come up with does limit this HR drift however as the PowerCal is a Power Calculator and basis its readings off Power it is impossible to be 100% accurate in its readings.

 

 

I have noticed that as I fatigue my HR rises correct however the HR then also becomes very erratic as does the Power output as there is fatigue in the muscles and I no longer have a smooth pedal stroke this will also affect my power readings being recorded on my PowerTap a power measurer. The PowerCal being a power calculator based of HR will be affected correct however due to the erratic nature of my HR when featured it may cancel out.

 

 

With all this said the data range CycleOps have taken, i.e. the thousands and thousands of files, and used in order to come up with this algorithm may have included some intervals like you are mentioning and the use of the PowerCal will give you results however it needs to be understood the PowerCal needs to cater for a large range of what if scenarios so although it will provide a readings it may not be as accurate as a longer ride.

 

 

I,e. a Ferrari is full efficient driving around town at 40kph yet it does the job, take it out on the track and it comes into its own for the propose it is designed for.

Posted

It can't measure the difference between fresh and fatigued legs because it can't measure power/torque. You and I need a power meter, like the PowerTap or SRM or the-like.

He he, how did you know that. Problem is that i don't have the moola for a real PM, but would like to train with power
Posted

hi everyone, as most of you know by now the PowerCals have arrived in SA, there were only 20 bought in, just enough for pre orders.

 

everyone who has requested a pre order has been informed however if you feel you have not been informed or did not get any e mails for us a Bicycle Power please get in contact with us ASAP (011-023-2777) and we will try assist.

 

we have already please our recond order for a much larger order this will be sent to SA very shortly!!!!!

 

we are pushing hard to get these PowerCals out to everyone before the weekend in the hope to get reports on Monday morning.

 

we hope to help everyone!!!

 

P.S. i am working on some great ideas to be posted on our web page, www.bicyclepower.co.za to help you draw up training plans and zones etc etc

Posted

It be great to do a comparison with both devices used at one time and with a few riders of varying fitness levels. This would give a clear picture and better understanding.

Posted

It be great to do a comparison with both devices used at one time and with a few riders of varying fitness levels. This would give a clear picture and better understanding.

 

that is exactly what we at Bicycle Power have been doing however we welcome all feedback.....

Posted

Hi

 

Any response to any of my questions. I will take your continued silence as either one of two:

 

1. Don't know and therefore you may be right and product is less accurate than HR training products.

2. Avoiding answering your questions because you are right and this product is less accurate than HR training products.

3. The funds made by Power Balance Bracelets were used to develop this product.

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