Strava estimated power vs. indoor power??
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What has helped me is the first data field on my computer is instant power (largest display), the next is workout average power followed by speed and time. I zoom into only those fields when I'm riding. Distance, HR, Cadence, etc are further down and can be seen if I zoomed out. Having workout average power displayed lets me know if I'm on target or slacking...depending on what I want to do that day.
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This is what I do. I only have 3 data fields on my intervals screen: 3 sec power; lap avg. power; and lap time. I try to make the two power numbers = power target.
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When I first started using power, instant would jump all over the place. I took that as a sign that I was not being as efficient as I could be. I can now keep instant power fairly steady...not like 3 second average steady, but enough to know at a glance if I am in the range I need to be in. I like the instant feedback.
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burnthesheep It was a serious question. I don't feel that riding a trainer indoors and riding a bicycle outdoors are the same thing. Several times I've actually met young people claiming they have no time to ride outside and all they do is ride a trainer indoors for many hours. When going outdoors for a few times they wonder why they can't perform like they did on the trainer.
Don't get me wrong, trainers are very useful, but for conversational purposes it'd help to know which is being talked about.
Don't get me wrong, trainers are very useful, but for conversational purposes it'd help to know which is being talked about.
Now, the response to mine comes across as a bit of a strawman. Of course I would say that someone who only ever rides a trainer will have all sorts of problems converting to outdoors.
However, indoor trainers have their place. Like snowy winters, days with thunderstorms, etc....Obree rode a pretty rudimentary stationary a good bit and he could crush an outdoors TT. Hour record holder. So I don't buy that load one bit.
I'm not interested in debating that topic further and I'm not sure why it was even brought up as that it isn't related to the OP's question. The performance difference isn't small enough to chalk it up to not putting out the beans outside when you can inside or being too afraid to hold the power on the road you're riding on. 300 for an hour is a long cry from 240 for 8min from the segment posted earlier.
#55
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The question came across as rhetorical. We already knew the person does ride outdoors. We also knew the number difference was pretty large.
Now, the response to mine comes across as a bit of a strawman. Of course I would say that someone who only ever rides a trainer will have all sorts of problems converting to outdoors.
However, indoor trainers have their place. Like snowy winters, days with thunderstorms, etc....Obree rode a pretty rudimentary stationary a good bit and he could crush an outdoors TT. Hour record holder. So I don't buy that load one bit.
I'm not interested in debating that topic further and I'm not sure why it was even brought up as that it isn't related to the OP's question. The performance difference isn't small enough to chalk it up to not putting out the beans outside when you can inside or being too afraid to hold the power on the road you're riding on. 300 for an hour is a long cry from 240 for 8min from the segment posted earlier.
Now, the response to mine comes across as a bit of a strawman. Of course I would say that someone who only ever rides a trainer will have all sorts of problems converting to outdoors.
However, indoor trainers have their place. Like snowy winters, days with thunderstorms, etc....Obree rode a pretty rudimentary stationary a good bit and he could crush an outdoors TT. Hour record holder. So I don't buy that load one bit.
I'm not interested in debating that topic further and I'm not sure why it was even brought up as that it isn't related to the OP's question. The performance difference isn't small enough to chalk it up to not putting out the beans outside when you can inside or being too afraid to hold the power on the road you're riding on. 300 for an hour is a long cry from 240 for 8min from the segment posted earlier.
My 4iiii power meter is on the way, so we will find out soon enough. The last few days I've been using my Kickr. I recalibrated (pumped the tire to 100psi, and tightened the knob per Wahoo's instructions). Ran two workouts, and on ERG 200-250 felt like a tempo. About what it feels like to go about 20-24 on a flat road with my road bike.
Once I have my PM I'll know what's really up, and then I'll repost. It's 5 days away. Can't wait.
#56
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SOLVED - I found the missing watts in Strava's estimate. I had no equipment in Strava. I added a generic bike and just called it "bikey" and made it 24 lbs, which is about what my steel cross bike weighs. As soon as I added it, Strava added a significant amount to my wattage estimate for the total ride. That same segment is now calculated to have been about 320 watts effort. Before it was calculating my effort as a rider/bike system weighing a total of 175 lbs, which is at least 25 lbs too light. Especially when I'm carrying two 32 oz bottles. So there we go...
Last edited by showlow; 08-13-20 at 05:35 PM.
#57
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IME Strava estimated power works very well on long (1000'+) climbs with steady gradient in near windless-conditions. I've seen it be within 2 watts of what my hub PM was saying. Your Strava inputs have to be accurate w/r to your clothed weight and bike's that day weight. Any deviations from these conditions result in BS.
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#58
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IME Strava estimated power works very well on long (1000'+) climbs with steady gradient in near windless-conditions. I've seen it be within 2 watts of what my hub PM was saying. Your Strava inputs have to be accurate w/r to your clothed weight and bike's that day weight. Any deviations from these conditions result in BS.
#59
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IME Strava estimated power works very well on long (1000'+) climbs with steady gradient in near windless-conditions. I've seen it be within 2 watts of what my hub PM was saying. Your Strava inputs have to be accurate w/r to your clothed weight and bike's that day weight. Any deviations from these conditions result in BS.
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That's happened on several different rides with long steady climbs. After I had my PM, I came back and rode them at the same watts and speed as Strava had for me before and with about the same level of exhaustion - that is, I rode them as Strava's predicted watts and got the same result. It's only math, not magic. I don't see any reason why the same math doesn't work every day.
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The Strava-verse would be significantly better if they just got rid of estimated power. It does absolutely nothing but cause confusion and problems. Zero useful info from it.
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Because no one rides in a static-state vacuum.
And just like you said, it has to be a long, steady climb, but even then you can ride at a constant output or by doing a series of accelerations and deceleration equating to the same average power and Strava would have no clue. What's the point of that?
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Because no one rides in a static-state vacuum.
And just like you said, it has to be a long, steady climb, but even then you can ride at a constant output or by doing a series of accelerations and deceleration equating to the same average power and Strava would have no clue. What's the point of that?
And just like you said, it has to be a long, steady climb, but even then you can ride at a constant output or by doing a series of accelerations and deceleration equating to the same average power and Strava would have no clue. What's the point of that?
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#64
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First ride w/ a power meter. Was riding on an overfull stomach of risotto so my efforts were bad. Got a side cramp. Finally got a cup on my favorite descent though.
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/32qSHQGy28
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/32qSHQGy28
Last edited by showlow; 08-17-20 at 09:14 PM.
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I really want to get a power meter.
When I compare my Strava estimate to my Zwift numbers on a similar hill segment I get similar results, really close actually and about 10-11% off my ftp which I get from a trainer.
But if I go on a group ride with only a few short climbs and compare that to a similar ride in Zwift, my Strava numbers are quite a bit lower same as the OP. The trend is the same just lower numbers. So I'm going to conclude same as a previous poster that the Strava numbers are most accurate on a long steady climb. Fingers crossed at least.
When I compare my Strava estimate to my Zwift numbers on a similar hill segment I get similar results, really close actually and about 10-11% off my ftp which I get from a trainer.
But if I go on a group ride with only a few short climbs and compare that to a similar ride in Zwift, my Strava numbers are quite a bit lower same as the OP. The trend is the same just lower numbers. So I'm going to conclude same as a previous poster that the Strava numbers are most accurate on a long steady climb. Fingers crossed at least.
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First ride w/ a power meter. Was riding on an overfull stomach of risotto so my efforts were bad. Got a side cramp. Finally got a cup on my favorite descent though.
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/32qSHQGy28
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/32qSHQGy28
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But if I go on a group ride with only a few short climbs and compare that to a similar ride in Zwift, my Strava numbers are quite a bit lower same as the OP. The trend is the same just lower numbers. So I'm going to conclude same as a previous poster that the Strava numbers are most accurate on a long steady climb. Fingers crossed at least.
Or wind. Or position. Or road surface. Or rolling resistance. Etc.
Best to just ignore it.
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