Heart Rate vs Power | Which Is Best?

[@gcntech]

Do you ride to HR ❤ or power 💪?

[@mediumrick7667]

Dumped both and find I enjoy my rides much more. I'm not glued to numbers on a screen. I know lots of people really enjoy having the data and feedback, which is fine, I guess I'm just not one of them. Edit: I do track my miles with my phone though. But that stays stashed away in a pocket.

[@davidadamus177]

Been riding HR for the last 7 years or so, love it, but I wonder if I should get one-sided power too. Guess this video will tell me lol

[@Macca8884.5]

Dumped the H R.. years ago and have a power meter to use as a guide...

[@marianneoelund2940]

My Garmin is consistently annoying, in that it requires BOTH before it will give realistic training effect and load data. Still, I don't often bother to wear the chest strap, while I almost always have power data. It saves me from getting carried away when starting into climbs. HR responds too slowly, to serve the same purpose. I use HR monitoring about once a week when indoor training, to check my HR at a specific reference power level. That lets me know my current health state, and whether or not it would be a good day to attempt any new PB's.

[@miket2646]

I use HR for pacing longer chill rides and have loved my Power Meter for learning how to feel out harder efforts. Really nice to see that number and know what 80% of max really feels like when trying to gobble up short, punchy hills without going overboard.

[@lsantilli]

When Ollie was nerding out explaining power meter calibration I loved it. I’m not sure if I should be offended by the GCN blinking scene change or think it’s funny. Never stop being you Ollie, science FTW! ❤

[@petermarshall8750]

Yep I wanted to hear that - this is the tech channel after all!

[@blankseventydrei]

same here, I was sad they faded away I want those nerdy details.

[@Ed.R]

I was impressed with that. I have left comments about it in the past explaining it and the difference. Wonder if it helped GCN learn about it.

[@christocan4710]

Well, not quite right. I was disappointed since he always said „caliberation“ instead of „calibration“. Maybe they did it on purpose. Otherwise it's embarassing when it contradicts the way they portrait him.

[@matthewnormand2041]

I actually wanted to hear what Ollie had to say.

[@K777John]

I rode that climb-very slowly-last spring and was just happy that I managed to get up it……I was 74 at the time. I recognised the cafe Olly was sat at-we had lunch there after the climb-beautiful area-Eat/Sleep/Cycle/Repeat……

[@gcntech]

Sounds like you had more fun on the climb though! How often do you ride in Girona?

[@K777John]

That was my second ever visit and the first time I rode-will be back though.

[@BrotherMichigan]

Paused the video at 8:01 when my five year old walked in the room, then he looked at Ollie and said, "I like that guy. He's stylish!"

[@gcntech]

Wow, at least someone likes his style 🤣

[@dblissmn]

@@gcntech you're all just jealous of his hair!

[@donball370]

Recently completed my first ever structured training. 4 wks, 6 days per week. Used Optical HR; found it good enough to stay in zones. Now 2wks on and can feel difference in riding. Stronger, quicker and more control. Keep up the good work Lads

[@gcntech]

Awesome! Keep up the hard work, structured training can be a game changer 🙌

[@kurre_kallkvist]

Being a tech nerd, I have both but use mainly HR in my regular training. HR gives me a bit of insight into my current stress levels which is more useful to me on my commute than hitting the right power output...

[@DWMtukwila]

I like the idea of using less power to go faster (measured by HR). My engine may be small but I get a lot out of it

[@ScottyCycles]

Both, they measure different things. Power measures what you body is doing and HR measures you bodies response to the effort.

[@stuartdryer1352]

The weakness of a power meter is that it considers that the only physiologically meaningful stress is what you are putting into the pedals. This is a serious issue where I live, Houston Texas, where summer temperatures are typically around 35 C. Under those conditions, the heart needs to pump a significantly greater amount of blood into the skin in order to thermoregulate when you are exercising and consequently , the ratio of your heart rate to your power increases quite dramatically. That extra cardiac output is certainly part of the training stress that makes you stronger, but also from which you have to recover. Under those kinds of conditions , if you try to pace a ride based just on power, you could get yourself into serious trouble. And over time you need to account for it. However, fitness tracking software like Training Peaks doesn't fully account for it in calculating training stress or fitness.. Heart rate has the advantage in that it is really integrating the sum total of all of the physiological stresses at a point in time. Basically, your heart rate is higher because it needs to be. With that said, power meters are pretty useful, but both are better. Just dont buy avtwo side crank based PM if you use Shimano cranks.

[@DWMtukwila]

I think HR is number one but power meters allow for more bragging rights I think

[@stuartdryer1352]

@DWMtukwila For sure, if it's an either/or situation, use HR. Both are better than just one, but in either case you need to enter the right parameters to get your zones right. Also, at extremes of heat or altitude, know that your HR/power ratio is going to increase at pretty much any perceived effort, and under those conditions HR is more "true".

[@DWMtukwila]

I think the zones are incredibly variable. My max heart rate at 67 is 175. According to the parameters I am often over my max hr. So the zones come are not accurate. I will change the age to match my HR. That will put the zones in the approximate range (I think it is always approximate)@@stuartdryer1352

[@matthewnormand2041]

I notice when I visit home along the Gulf Coast in the summer from the West Coast and I go for a ride. My heart rate is considerably higher for a given effort than I'd normally see. It's clear the body is working hard to keep itself cool. Not acclimated to the heat and humidity.

[@D2traveller]

Agreed - when I lived in northern Australia with temperatures at times in high 30s to low 40s C, I always regulated my running to heart rate to avoid overtraining

[@richards.4116]

Age 70, I use a heart ❤️ rate monitor. I'm more worried about exceeding my max. I ride based on cadence and HR. 12,000 miles the last three years. FTP and Watts are not important to me 😊

[@marianneoelund2940]

Isn't "exceeding your max" actually establishing a new max?

[@Tex735]

Dude... Alex is a bit of a beast! 342 watt average at 155 bpm! I guess I can dream... LOL!!!

[@MrWobling]

Agreed. I'd be pushing 185 BPM and well into the red 😅

[@richardharris8538]

I can't even hit 155, (but I'm old enough to be Alex's grandpa).

[@Mclovinthedank]

Heart Rate and smart trainer. You can really nail your intervals. Then I do zone 2 rides outside and keep the heart rate under control.

[@gcntech]

Great point! The turbo is great for smashing out those intervals 🙌

[@paulgrimshaw8334]

I have been training regularly with a chest strap HR monitor for four years. A good one is very accurate and responsive. The tendency for heart rate to start lower per unit of force is normal. It’s also safer and better for you because it doesn’t snap load your cardiovascular system. But each device has its role. If you’re training your CV system, go with the HR monitor. If your focus is muscular, get the power meter.

[@Nivacromcolumbus]

Love the HR monitor. Used it for years training and racing to 1st cat, and Alex used his at a higher leveller. Good stuff

[@KarlosEPM]

Excellent video! Informative, entretaining, high quality production, alternating and complementary takes of presenters, and you guys out riding. Would give two thumbs up if I could. Cheers!

[@Fedelia86]

I'm hoping for optical lactate meters. This will be the ideal tracking device for me. You would always get your zones right. I use HR. 1. Cheaper 2. I train for general fitness, not biking performace. I don't need to hit certain Watt numbers, but need to make sure I stay at the right level of excertion. Power does not align with your relativ daily capabilities as HR does - it's on the other hand better if you train for specific scenarios.

[@DWMtukwila]

Ah, but if your speed has gone up for the same heart rate and course/conditions, you can decide if you have improved biking performance especially if you can see the specific change like a better aero position. I train for fitness and riding better/faster and of course fun.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

We're probably not close to those actually being accurate. Even the optical heart rate sensors are pretty terrible for anything outside of sleep. I know mine is over 15bpm off at all times on the bike and upwards of 50bpm off during hard intervals, and it can be even worse in the cold

[@hectorrusinqueolaya9286]

Lactate meters will definitely be a game changer for the average amataeur athletes. I think, level of exertion is more accurately estimated by power meters or the "talk test" than HR, at least if you are still far away from your HRmax. 1. HR response to effort changes is lagged. 2. HR drift (cardiovascular drift) during a training session is due to dehydration or/and the body response to an increased heat output, that not necessarily affect your "metabolic gear". If you are still calmly nose-breathing after a 50 min run, you are still in the same Zone 1 independent on whether your HR increased from 135 to 145 bpm.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Well done! Listen to this great advice.... pinpoint accuracy is not mandatory, consistency is. I'm ok if my meter is off by high single digit percent. As long as it does so consistently, I can still meaningfully track my training.

[@gcntech]

Great point! Do you train with power over heart rate?

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

@@gcntech Indeed. Actually I have not trained with HR at all... but considering adding it.

[@SRK5227]

I think this whole topic deserves a lot more attention. The biking scene is really changing fast. Just a year ago, power meters were not common as original equipment on road bikes. Go to Canyon's site, and about half the road bikes have power meters as standard equipment nowadays. Moreover, if you're a Zwift user (everyone should be a Zwift user in the winter-- it's really incredible) then you have to have a heart rate monitor to race. So that's standard now, too. As a result, power and pulse are becoming really standard metrics for training. There's lots more to say on this, incorporating it with training zones. And that brings up Strava, which shows your time in various training zones. Lots to discuss there, too.

[@D2traveller]

On a climb with a known steady gradient (or reps of the same short climb) I often train to a target speed - that’s an effective proxy for power without the expense of a power meter

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

@8:05 ... I would have enjoyed hearing Ollie's explanation 🤣

[@SRK5227]

Finally, GCN Tech should launch a series. 'Training with Ollie.' I can remember not long ago that Ollie was the recurring butt of jokes about being dropped. And yet at the Zwift in-house championships recently, he trashed Simon and Alex, not too mention a clearly not that fit Connor. Beating Simon Richardson, though, that's no mean feat. So, how did Ollie, who clearly is not built on natural talent, do it? How did brains beat brawn? Inquiring minds want to know.

[@peterharrington8709]

They did a video on this about six months back. Basically.... diet and less hard core training than you'd think?! I'd say a big chunk of Yorkshire grit too though? Ollie is the MAN!

[@robertrjm8115]

It is the combination of HR and Power meter which gives the best information. I use golden Cheeta to plot HR versus power and the slope of the plot gives me a clear indication of my fitness. I don't really care about the actual power level I can generate but compare ride with ride as the season goes along. I can see that at the end of winter the slope of the curve is steep, meaning my heart has to work hard top generate the power and then towards end of summer, this drops markedly and I can generate the same power but at a much lower HR. By the way, I am 70 years of age and had a CABG (8 years ago) and the HR monitor is my primary safety device, set to give me an alarm if my HR goes above 155.

[@bengt_axle]

I use power indoors and HR outdoors, because that's what I've got. The advantage of HR on a climb is that it tells you how much cardiac reserve you've got left before blowing up. So if you know your max is 170, and you are at 165, you'd better back of unless the top is near. It also shows you the cardiac drift (and lag), which may be more important than keeping a constant power. This matters more than power to me, as I'm a recreational rider looking to just get to the top comfortably. All of my hard training is done indoors on the same smart bike that returns power and HR. I think a power meter could be helpful on a hilly course, but I consider them too expensive. If it were a $300 option, (dual sided) maybe I'd go for it.

[@Kamil_D.]

I got Powermeter for my MTB, spider style, so it measures both legs for 350 Euro. The Brand is called Sigeyi

[@mommamooney]

This was really interesting. I find them both useful for different reasons. To me, power measures strength whilst heart rate measures overall fitness.

[@job9902]

The more advanced optical HRMs like on the high end Garmin watches track extremely well with the chest strap. My old watch used to under read the chest strap like Alex's (and would throw the odd glitch) but the Fenix reads almost identically +/- 2 bpm. I think the biggest issue with using heart rate alone is the lag , but the combined data allows analysis of relative general health and overtraining etc as well.

[@johnhickie1107]

Use of meters depends on what you want to get out of the information. Heart rate gives me an idea of how hard I'm working physiologically. With an L5 nerve root compression that starts to hurt at higher cadences, speeds or grinding on steep grades, I'm never going to get to my physiologically possible power output anymore, so a power meter for me is absolutely useless. For instance, climbing Mt. Ventoux this summer I could monitor my heart rate and cadence. The combination of cadence and heart rate gave me an idea of how hard I was working and whether I could push a little harder or pull back a bit before the nerve pain in my leg started acting up. Worked great! So, use the monitors that are right for you. For me, the heart rate monitor - even if it's a bit inaccurate as outlined by you guys - allowed me to temper my effort. I got to the top feeling fantastic by the way.

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

Don't get gp lama started on the accuracy of Alex's power meter 😂

[@Hunttherider]

At least we know what his left leg is doing. Right leg power anywhere from here to infinity, according to GPL.

[@ChrisCapoccia]

people in the know have known for years that shimano power meters haven't been anywhere near accurate for several product generations

[@robinseibel7540]

The awesome thing is Shimano's steadfast refusal to acknowledge how bad their power meters are and their unwillingness to do anything to fix the issues.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

​@@robinseibel7540 better to avoid all Shimano cranks too

[@MichaelWilliams-iv6dj]

The only advantage of the Shimano power meter is that it inflates your ego with its wildly inaccurate results. Just think, for $1000, and no additional effort on my part, I could get my FTP up to 300. I feel sorry for anyone who trains different bikes. Threshold intervals on a Shimano PM would be nearly impossible if you determined your FTP on a bike with a PM that actually works, which is basically any other PM.

[@CanonFirefly]

Would be good to see a video exploring the differences in training outcomes between HR and power training. Is there an advantage to either?

[@perrybrigner5610]

Thank you all for this interesting video. GCN kicks ass!

[@gregmorrison7320]

Been training and racing successfully with HR since the early 90's, my brain is my power meter.

[@jurgenleofoley4270]

The biggest thing missing in the mix is temperature. Temperature both core and just the normal temperature effects the power and the heart rate the most. Just knowing the room temp and basing it off your heart rate or power will give you the most accurate understanding of what you can push. Without temperature people are aways lost and always miss calculated there zones or power.

[@peterharrington8709]

Good point. I'd guess Alex wasn't keen to repeat his recent Majorca experience though! Looks like he's properly regulated here.

[@treyquattro]

that 5.5% variation between cranks and pedals is around the variation that Shane Milller (GP Lama) measured for Shimano power meter cranks. Typically, the Assioma pedals are held to be the gold standard of power meter measurement, if I've understood Shane's work correctly

[@xtrailz]

Power on the smart trainer, HR everywhere else

[@suhdud4646]

Regarding the differences in power - I think aslong as you train and race with the same measuring device that its neither here nor there but if you train with a one device on your training bike and another on your race day bike, that could be problimatic. Regarding the HR differences, thats massive. For me, the difference between 170-180bpm isnt too noticable but 180-190 is pain train zone.

[@davidzof]

If you use the typical 3 zone model used by endurance athletes then zone 1 (easy) is less than 80% of HRmax and Zone 3 is over 87% of HRmax (hard). So for a HRmax of 185bpm, 148bpm and less should be ok for chit chatting on the bike. The band really is that narrow. For general training a HR monitor and using a simple three zone model is all you need.

[@scottlaliberte4027]

An important thing to tell young riders is that HR is very important as they are still growing and developing and that is a good metric to understand.

[@DWMtukwila]

A good heart rate unit only will cost about $40 if you buy a Chinese brand. The computer and the strap. I have been using heart rate monitors since they came out. As long as they use a chest strap they all seem equally accurate. These also come with apps so tracking is easy. I think you completely miss one point in HR training. It is excellent for improving efficiency. If my heart rate goes up then I am putting in more cardio output (effort) , If my speed improves and my heart rate stays the same, I am getting a better ratio speed to effort. It could be the way I breath, my saddle height or most anything. The heart rate and breathing do not immediately respond, as you mentioned, but even in shorter rides, flat or level, you can readily compare any changes you have made. Keeping at a specific chosen training heart rate is also desirable

[@christopheroliver148]

Did you have a pacer 2000H. That's the first HRM I used, and the wire from the strap to the device was rather annoying. Currently I'm using a Polar FT4 mainly to calibrate my perceived exertion.

[@csabakarai4497]

Using both. When used only power, I tended to overtrain. When went out with HR I realized I spend much of my time around 170BPM. With the HR monitor I can maintain Zone2. Also power output varies greatly with fatigue level.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Alex nicely bridges between Ollie's technical videos and Hanks wild-fun videos... a bit of both!

[@JollyGiant0]

Ollie’s has used to much wax on his hair and it’s turned is solid and the ‘flop’ just doesn’t move. Cuthbert was just happy on his bike, singing away to himself.

[@robbijay]

I’m just jealous that Alex’s HR is 150 @ 320 watts! 😢

[@DWMtukwila]

I had a Jr. Cyclist I coached who was quite talented. He became a Cat 1 racer with a lot of success in up hill time trials. His heart rate maxed just over 150

[@peterharrington8709]

@@DWMtukwila That's a crazy low maximum. Most juniors would max at 200+, yeah? Maybe he has an unusually large heart? Maybe he was SO good he didn't need to go harder?? Maybe he was using a very inaccurate HRM???

[@DWMtukwila]

@@peterharrington8709 in those days Polar was the name to have and it is a chest strap which has always been pretty accurate. Even my cheap Chinese bike computer and strap were just about as accurate when I had an ECG in their office. Watches on the other hand are usually good now, but sometimes not

[@GCNalex]

hahaha, i have a low max HR anyway, but thanks!

[@mymotiecom]

That dozing off edit when Ollie was explaining scientific jibberish was accurate as I was actually dozing off and thought it was me!! Blew my mind and inspired this comment.

[@gcntech]

Watches video and then comments! We must be doing something right 🙌

[@mymotiecom]

@@gcntech yup, keep at it.

[@peterchang7646]

I've had HR monitors since a Polar back in the early 90's. took about 20 yrs off of cycling, but been cycling pretty steadily for the past 5 yrs. Waiting to get my 1st IRL power meter. Fassioma MX2 for my gravel bike. I want to use it to track calories burned so I know how many apple fritters/pastrys I can eat when stopped for a break. I just got a used Kickr v1 bike at the beginning of the winter, and started zwifting during the off season.

[@boudoir00]

I have a Morpheus for hr - it gives me my zones for the day based on a morning hrv reading. Very useful if you want to stay in your true Z2

[@songofyesterday]

I use both, stats on Strava feel gratifying to check after rides. This vid, the songs are 🔥. Is that 00:56 from Alex’s playlist? His recent pro gravel race also had good songs.

[@melibaut]

I actually was interested in Ollie's explanation. Loved Alex singing away 😂

[@foxy1706]

benefits of dual or single sided be great, not sure everyone needs dual sided if you wanted to venture into powermeters over HR

[@uaproman]

Optical HR are very inacurate on the intencive load, they are more for casual HR monitoring, not training. For training only strap HR monitor.

[@FoobsTon]

That's old hat.. The latest Garmins correspond perfectly with my chest strap. Tech improves.

[@korsveien]

Same with my Wahoo Fit. Have had a lot of issues with different chest straps losing contact and dropping out. That’s why I switched to optical one. The German scientist guy who do everything very thorough also found out that the difference from his professional HR gear and an Apple Watch was minimal and within the margin of error. Tech is improving. And also Tadej Pogacar does most his training based on HR.

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

HR for pacing zone 2 steady state and below, power for zones and intervals.

[@julianallen515]

A very good reminder that repeatability is the most important factor if you have multiple power meters and HRMs. I dislike chest strap HRMs as they always slide down my lats so I favour wrist mounted HRMs which use Photoplethysmography . Another good point worth raising is that, without the commitment to learn how to train with these tools or employing a coach, they are just expensive toys.

[@GeoffreyAnnison-mo6sd]

I use heart rate to moderate my effort when I'm on long climbs. It helps me to resist chasing faster riders, tells me if I'm in the right spot for sustained effort and improve overal enjoyment of the ride. This is particularly import for those 200+km rides understanding what your body is doing becomes part of the management of getting to the end..

[@stephanschmidt5472]

I really am a bit frustrated, that you turned down Ollie’s nerdiness. I genuinely think that a fair amount of your audience is more sophisticated and it wouldn’t hurt to elevate the level of your content every now and then.

[@adadinthelifeofacyclist]

What accuracy are those power meters rated to?

[@andybrown141]

Could you do a similar video comparing riding without a head unit or any tech and use perceived exertion vs using all the tech to see if it helps improve performance over a few weeks for example ?

[@kestralrider313]

Liked the video, as usual. It might be a bit of a 3rd rail topic, but I could have liked some mention of the documented accuracy issues with Shimano PMs or better yet, test on another PM like SRAM/quark. I don't think it's normal to see 5%+ variances from PMs that are supposed to be 1% accuracy; I'm assuming that your head units were set up for the same sampling interval. GPLama and DCRainmaker have both prepared numerous PM comparison videos including documenting the issues with Shimano PMs.

[@christopherengel3718]

I ride to both and look at both, with different priorities. Going for a longer workout I will ride to HR but still look at power: Knowing your power numbers gives you a ballpark of the power output needed to reach a certain HR zone. But as HR drift (due to dehydration, fatigue or heat) might kick in, I will need to adjust power output as I might miss my training goals otherwise. Shorter (more intense) efforts are where power really shines as measurement: As HR lags behind, I would miss my training goals when training according to HR in these.

[@DavidWhiteOfFleet]

Seems appropriate that power meters are calibrated by hurts(sic) over Newton metres.

[@Jon-Jon53]

When are we getting some info on the Elite drive wheels?

[@Ed.R]

I will always use a power meter now that I've worked out how to make them cheaply. Is the accuracy good enough is a good question. However, when you get into the truth of the accuracy of many power meters out there, it isn't that great. I suppose consistently is what really matters with training and I believe my homemade version is capable of that.

[@Hunttherider]

That’s defo one for the Hack/Bodge hall of fame?

[@matthewclatworthy3597]

Definitely second that, you need to put your device for ‘hack o’ the week’. ✅

[@Russkyairsoft]

So, Ollie's Strava ride to the top of Rocacorba, was actually Alex's ride with Ollie's headunit in the pocket 🤣🤣🤣

[@jaymason480]

I just got a pair of garmin dual power pedals. The one thing I've noticed in the pedals is the weight. One pedal weights as much as two spd shimano pedals. I still like the pedals, I'll just cut weight in other places, like my gut.

[@steveherring8494]

Hay Ollie do the brake fluids get dirty like the brake fluid in a car when it needs to be changed.

[@DavidWhiteOfFleet]

What's the claimed accuracy of those power meters? At 5% difference it might be time to look at the manufacturer's warranty

[@simonsepic]

Caliberation haha that got me everytime. Calibration I've heard if but never heard caliberation

[@Real28]

Why not both? I ride to HR for Z2 but for most other training, I ride to Power Zones since im training for my first metric century and i want to be able to maintain a certain power. Also just good to know your HR at all times when exercising.

[@yonski1042]

The cheapest and most accurate HR available today is huawei watch fit 2, it only costs around 120-140 dollars. But now days high end smartwatch like apple watch uses ecg to record heartrate which is very and more accurate than using photoblablabla.

[@Ghuarocc]

You should do calories burned with HR vs power? I went down the rabbit hole trying to figure this one out for proper nutrition and weight loss.

[@musclelessfitness2045]

Great ! Power meters don't measure power the same way? Do we know which ones are the most accurate?

[@sallyviewville8944]

Most are within 1% or 2%

[@goingoutotheparty1]

Great sound btw

[@matthewnormand2041]

Seeing how this was filmed in Gerona, ¿Por qué no los dos? A watt is a watt no matter what but I still use heart rate mostly to indicate how my body is feeling and responding to my efforts and other factors (weather, fatigue, hydration, etc...) As for recording heart rate, chest strap seems to be for more responsive and consistent than my Whoop band or smart watch.

[@secretagent86]

Hey Ollie i wanted to learn about slope

[@jockdoc07]

Goodd video as always from you two. No one addresses what is likely a not uncommon problem which is the the effect of beta blocker meds on heart rate, be it blood pressure (likely most common) or other maldey. Of course many different meds and dose ranges but the effects should be qualitatively the same. My educated guess it makes HR in these situations unreliable. Thanks gentlemen, Terry (USA)

[@jonasvieth]

8:05 come on guys it’s a tech channel. Don’t cut away when it gets interesting. You underestimate the nerd level of your viewers 😉

[@mstrasser]

Use both, but Power is how i train. also, not surprisingly your crank powermeter is higher - it's a Shimano if i'm not mistaken which is HORRIBLY inaccurate. I also get the same HR variations between my whoop (on my wrist) and chest strap

[@GregMethven]

If you want to be really accurate then perhaps using lactate acid measurements is better but that is really involved to do it properly. For the vast majority of people does the variance really matter, especially if you are always using the same measure? It’s just a guide for most people 😊

[@wobyone]

Surprised by the extent of the differences. If you haven't already, can you conduct the same test on an indoor trainer (after a decent warm up) and remove more of the variables.

[@maytagman6591]

Ideally you should ride with both... and know how they correlate. Examples, if in a ride your heart rate isn't going up to where it normally would be for a given effort, it may be a sign you've been overtraining. Or if an hour into a ride in zone 2 your heart rate starts spiking you're probably dehydrated...

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

It's a well known issue that optical HR monitors aren't particularly accurate for cycling in particular...something to do with the movement of your wrist.

[@Bikey_McBeardface]

The only thing constant about stock Shimano PM's is they have being constantly crap since they ditched Pioneer. Its embarrassing really I picked up one of those Magene PES PM Cranks for the Gravel bike and it matches almost W for W my Kickr, and My Assiomas and it cost £260, it's a very good/nice crankset too (unless you aren't into that "ROTOR" look). Even my old long suffering Powetap 2's complete with mild bearing play stay within a couple of W of the trainer. What is it with Shimano and cranks?

[@ralvesco]

Both, that is the ideal

[@MarkSmithSa]

If you are 50+ then using the heart rate, measured with a chest strap, is critical to avoid atrial fibrillation. Yes there can be a lag, like in any control system, (as the brain needs to measure the change in demand of oxygen from the exchange in the arteries, veins and lungs) and then ramp up the rate of the heart, but I find that lag to be about 30 seconds at most when going from flat to a steep climb. By all means record power as a measure of improving strength but heart fitness is infinitely more important to your health and longevity of life.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

I think single-sided power meters can be quite good. My single-sided crank-arm 4iii matches reasonably well with my RallyXC dual-sided pedal meters.

[@marianneoelund2940]

They're fine if your legs are well matched for power output. In my case, the left leg is normally 5-8% weaker, so I would have under-reported power if I used a single-sided meter. And right now, my body's in an abnormal state (still recovering fitness after a hip fracture) and I need to watch the L/R balance to see how the left side is recovering.

[@peterharrington8709]

Without specifically saying so, I think you've demonstrated the superiority of the simple chest strap HRM. Seems to me Alex has gone up there 'pretty hard'... Zone 3 and that would, for him correlate with the 155 average heart rate? He produces some impressive power on that too. 142 BPM would have been Zone 2.... and it clearly wasn't that unless he stopped half way for a selfie 😁 Does it matter? Yes. If you want Zone 2 miles they need to be just that, but more importantly, at the top end you definitely don't want to be pushing way beyond your maximum heart rate and literally ending up flat out and needing CPR.

[@makantahi3731]

for same bike speed on same part of road, what needs less power: more or less pedal rpm

[@TwiinStar1224]

This is my first year of training and I bought a HR monitor chest strap. Power meters are expensive and are a lot more of a fuss to setup. At the end of the day I'm training for a charity ride (hoping to do 75km in 2.5 hours) and do weekend group rides. Unless someone is a professional, all the power meter data is a bit useless. The people who truly need power meters tend to get them for free.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

@9:13... this shouldn't surprise us. The watches' LED tech is inherently less accurate than the ECG in the chest strap. Plus, watches move around on your wrist which degrades accuracy.

[@seattlegrrlie]

I like heartrate because it does tell me when I'm fatigued or overheating or just not feeling 100%. Power is always power, but I'm a real human who gets stressed, sick, tired, or hormones

[@ulrichz4099]

If you can afford a PM, then you have the money to get a HR strap. So you should get both

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

the greatest worry is when your hrm shows 0 bpm

[@K777John]

My worry was when I saw 239 on mine twice in one ride at the end of the first lockdown-I was 72 at the time! I spoke to my GP about it-he diagnosed Superventricular Tachycardia and I ended up at the Royal Papworth Heart Hospital having a heart ablation-twice……..

[@marianneoelund2940]

@@K777John I had an ablation about 10 years ago, and have been fine since. Tachycardia, as is typical, was becoming more prevalent with age. I eventually ended up visiting the ER one evening when an episode had been continuing for over an hour, and that's what led me to see an electrophysiologist. But the only time I've seen huge numbers like that from an HR monitor, was from an old chest strap that was due to be replaced. Seems I only get about 2 years service from them, before readings start to become erratic.

[@mohammadtaufek5529]

What is the best & accurate power meter ?

[@Doniyorbek_Turgunov]

Time to invest in noiseless e-bike for cameraman...⚡️

[@DavidMartin-tk4fs]

3:35: "........how much red wine and steak you consumed last night,..."

[@MarwanRashad]

Says if you have an accurate power meter, and the editor shows a close up of the Dura Ace power meter 😂

[@manfrommontreal]

You choose both expect for Shimano Power Meters. Shimano Dura Ace cranks yes, Shimano Power Meters no.

[@SRK5227]

The discrepancy between heart rates on the two devices presented is truly disturbing. That should be tracked down, because really, there should be no difference. A reason it could occur is due to drop outs, when the Bluetooth is not quite working. The lower rate monitor would be the one with the drop out. I have had this with my $30 Amazon chest heart rate monitor once, when it was apparently only picking up half the beats for a while. In any event, the discrepancy between heart rate monitors should be looked at more closely. The variance should not be that big.

[@olbucky9413]

Power vs effort…given that the heart is the engine and you’re looking for performance gains look to the heart and effort (bpm)for indications of gain.❤😅

[@DaanHoogland]

Why was the interesting part faded out? Ollie was going to explain how power meters are calibrated. One of the main reasons I was watching this video.

[@padmanabhaprasannasimha5385]

Whoa we're not halfway there!! 😆 🤣

[@jlevesque41]

I think using an apple watch would have been much better than the Wahoo Rival which is known for its dramatic inaccuracy. Apple watch and Wahoo chest strap is 99.9% accurate.

[@treyquattro]

I feel sorry for Ollie, having his eloquent disquisition on power meters zzzz'd out! I wanted to hear what his was going to say regarding frequency and torque!

[@dangurtler7177]

Eight percent difference on HR is pretty significant.

[@gerrysecure5874]

Just be aware a Watt after 15min is not the same as a Watt after 3 hours of Zone 2 or at 15 Degrees vs 30 Degrees. Don't fall for perceived accuracy. Learn to combine power, heartrate and RPE into a meaningful picture of your load and your bodys response to that load.