Maximize Your Power Meter, How to Analyze Power Data

[@saulfmoran]

Finally got a power meter after 6+ years of cycling. I’m just now trying to catch up on what appears to be common knowledge amongst cyclists. There doesn’t seem to be too much videos explaining the basics, so this is helpful.

[@kellytoth5866]

This is easily the best KZbin explanation of how to use power data to train with. Well done.

[@cameronking1872]

I began riding in Oct. of 2018. While I wanted to get a power meter right from the get go, I had this feeling like I needed to earn that luxury first. (If that makes sense.) from Oct. 2018-March 2019, I took that time to just get out on the bike and form a love for the hobby. I didn’t have structure it was more so just for health of mind rather than health of body. Started at a whopping 240lbs (6’1” 24yo in 2018) and though this is just a guesstimate, I’d say my FTP was around 150 watts or so. Once I discovered how amazing riding a bike could be I then got off my old Steel frame touring bike and swapped to a 2011 Cannondale SS evo (bottom tier group set) in Mar. 2019. It was then that I discovered I had a knack for road cycling and it was something I wanted to train hard with but still held off on getting a power meter ‘til I really earned that pleasure. From Mar. 2019-Dec. 2019 I really learned an understanding of my body and how to read my internal ‘hurt-rate monitor.’ The improvements I saw during that time were insane. Dropped more than 40lbs, Gained an unreal amount of power but more importantly, Formed an unconditional love for cycling and a genuine respect for the sport and people who make it possible for us to ride. I focused on a lot of bike handling, Adventures that gave me a total sense of freedom, started riding in groups and learning about the culture with its vast history. I’ll cut to the chase haha. The year of 2020 is when I really found my way as a cyclist and honed into the true potential I had as a competitor. Did my first Cat5 crit and landed 2nd but then COVID hit and I didn’t get to race again. I didn’t stop riding and training though. I upped my volume to 12-15hr weeks, Did a lot of base miles and now here we are, It’s the beginning of 2021 and I felt like I had gained enough knowledge, Love, Passion and respect for the sport to earn the luxury of a power meter! Just got one a week ago and I had an understanding of what the numbers meant and their value to training but with this break down on the info and science behind it, I am fully ready to tackle 2021 head on and up the ante. I write this long message as a thank you, To you, For putting out all of this vital info for cyclists like I, And many alike. I’ve watched damn near all of your videos and the insight you provide has been a staple to my fitness gains and overall well being. I’ve now just turned 26yo, I’m at 185lbs with just about a 3:kg ratio at an FTP of 251W with a peak power of 1600W. Can’t thank you enough for all the content you produce, Dylan. 🙌🏼

[@niklashbg]

Great video! For those interested in the mathematics behind NP, it's the average power but taking into account the fact that the relationship between power and exertion is non-linear. This is also the reason behind the shape of a typical critical power curve.

[@pirminborer625]

Thanks for all the advice! I started cycling 2 months ago, with a ftp of 200. Raised it to 240 in 6 weeks by ftp workouts, almost always riding in tempo zone. Since 2 weeks I went for polarized training due to your videos and am now at 282W. I made more progress in 2 weeks than 6 weeks before. I'm really enjoying the journey to reach maximum fitness. What a joy being able to climb all those beautiful mountains in Switzerland.

[@seanchisham4679]

along with this video could you maybe do one on ramp rates, CTL/ATL/TSB, and how to build volume this winter coming out of winter break? also could talk about the PMC and how it ebbs and flows with peaks and valleys throughout the year and in the on-season

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Sean Chisham definitely planning to do a video on that. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@gte534j]

And make sure to record power meter zeros, turn off auto pause, and also turn off smart recording. Those issues will mess up normalized power calculations.

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Good point

[@Stoffendous]

I dont know what power meter zeros and smart recording are? Regarding auto pause I think you mean in the cycling computer?

[@cameronking1872]

@@Stoffendous 0’s I imagine are time spent either coasting downhill or coasting in general where you’re not pedaling and putting out 0 power. That’s my guess.

[@kuman1212]

All that being said. Your favorite quote. Almost every movie contain it at least once.

[@zaahierstanley955]

Hi D. What's your view on left side power meters ? What do you use if I may ask ? Maybe you could make a vid on the various types of power meters

[@daisydela]

Another great video! Found your channel. I’ve watched a bunch of them now. Nicely presented and organized.

[@abhateja29]

Excellent video as usual. Loving your channel!

[@EdBraunbeck]

A friend shared your channel and I'm enjoying your videos and humor. What information do you monitor during a mountain bike race? I've trained for the Iceman race this Saturday and my goal is to complete in under an hour. Average speed and NP seem like logical starting points. Thanks EDventure

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

NP and heart rate is usually what I have on my screen. Iceman is short enough that it's hard to pace with your cycling computer. Good luck!

[@EdBraunbeck]

@@DylanJohnsonCycling Thank you. Great work on the channel.

[@mauriciorosales1259]

Good overall review, even though I religiously study Allen,Coggin, et al. i still learned something!

[@jhsidoc]

Hy Dylan, great video and thanks for all your excellent videos you do. Curious about the FTP you enter into Training Peaks. If I do the 2x8min FTP test, do I enter the actual average FTP or do I use the 0.90 multiplier and enter that number? I think that in Chris’s book, the zones are based on the average from the 2x8 FTP test and not the 0.9 x average, is that right?

[@apnoon1]

In a similar vein, does one enter Indoor, Outdoor or a blended FTP for those that train indoors and outdoors over the seasons? I've observed that I produce more power on outdoor rides than the trainer, hence currently have this entered into Training Peaks. I set my FTP lower on the trainer, but surely this messes up my zones and I'm not training at the right intensity?

[@onehourmusicbc]

I guess garmin connect would also work since the data shown are there if I don't wanna spend an extra?

[@vintage4000]

The best channel

[@zeniaraudsepp2601]

Great video! Really informative.

[@apnoon1]

Since Outdoor power generally exceeds Indoor power, does it not follow that Outdoor FTP > Indoor FTP, and thus which value do we enter into Training Peaks? Would be great if it handled both! I entered my Outdoor # into TP and knocked 10% off on the trainer, but surely that screws up the zones and thus metrics for trainer rides? A recent Zwift session showed TSS=112 at the end, but TP calculated TSS=90 for the same ride.

[@salsalawyer]

Question: o have 20 miles long event coming up. I want to do it within an hour. Are there any formula or other methods to calculate a goal for how much power I should train for to meet that time goal?

[@zaramodo09]

bikecalculator.com

[@kelvinyonger8885]

Using gearing or actual speed, try a route similar to or the same as the event route on a training ride, and see what you can do.

[@irgccg]

What do you think of single vs dual power meters? Overkill or more is better?

[@ianschwing1273]

Well I guess I gotta get a power meter now 🙃. As a 16 year old on a budget should I go for power meter on road or mtb??

[@trbeyond]

Ian Schwing I defer to Dylan but I’d say get on your road bike. It helps with pacing and on the mtb the terrain does a lot of the pacing for you.

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Stages are going to be your cheapest option but they can also be inaccurate(that being said a stages is far better than no power meter at all). I personally use a quarq and highly recommend one but they are pricier.

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

@@trbeyond I was going to say the same thing. I love having power on my mtb for race analysis but if I had to chose I'd go with having it on the road bike. Most of the intervals you do should be done on the road anyway so that they are consistent.

[@JasonLiske]

What power meter were you using?

[@DylanJohnsonCycling]

Quarq

[@RossTheNinja]

Intervals. Icu is free and as good as training peaks

[@swamysammy]

What about HR? Power depends on HR structuring workouts around power does not take into the effect that HR has on power. Inherently every other number is based off of, how well you are able to breath, right?

[@khaki.shorts]

No, power is absolute. Heart rate is useful for pacing an effort or judging fatigue, but if you have a power meter it isn’t very important.

[@zachhutelin8988]

SHOW ME THE POWER

[@mbastos1000]

aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh what happened to you face?