I have finally got a powermeter on my big bike (SB150). My LBS found me a near new XX Quarq off a pro-riders bike and arranged a swap for me with the guy who now owns the bike. They then got it working like a dream with my Shimano Cassette. I am not sure how this magic works, but it does, and it’s running seamlessly. I don’t think I have ever had such smooth shifting!
Anyway, I did a ride today and, for the first time in 4 weeks, actually felt really great physically. I’ve been fighting a virus so it was nice to just go out and feel fab and want to ride and ride
When I got back I had a look at the data and, for the HR, the power didn’t look that great. My Garmin condition score was shocking. Now I appreciate HR doesn’t really mean much, and the Garmin condition stuff is rubbish at the best of times (it was pretty humid today, etc) but, it got me thinking…
How do I know that each of my power meters are in the right ballpark? With my XC bike and gravel bike, the power outputs do seem to be similar for the same RPE/HR.
Obviously today may just be a blip on the big bike. I felt amazing, but I have been tapering/recovering after an aborted A race so fitness probably not what it was 6 weeks ago, and that’s fine. But equally, my easy rides on the gravel bike have been good and power has been where I would expect it.
What is the best way to tell if a power meter is reading accurately? Is there a particularly good process for it? I was thinking maybe just doing a 20 minute flat out effort on it and see if it puts me somewhere near to where I would expect to be for that effort but, obviously, that’s dependent on a lot of factors. Maybe 3 of those over a number of weeks…?
Or is it better just to try and hold a steady effort for, say an hour?
Or just not worry about it - it’s not like I will be riding the big bike that often, maybe once a week, so even if it is reading low, then it won’t have much effect on AiFTP?
I am so confused!