Power Meter Use-A Practical Question

over time it gets easier to maintain a more steady reading. when doing VO2max intervals for example, if I wanted to average 420watts, I would aim to keep the reading in the 430s. this helps.
also remember that 300watts is easier to maintain on an uphill than it is on a downhill. don't ask for the specific reason, I can't remember. Ric might be able to tell you. was it something like inertia load?

also, try to aim for a range, not a partical number. say 280-330watts would be good if you wanted to average 300.

it will become easier to keep a steady reading with experience.

gholl said:

As anyone who uses a PM knows the Watt readings are very unstable unless the rider is on a very long grade or very long flat, etc.
In the light of this fact, and in order to maintain one's output within a certain training zone, do you make frequent use of an averaging function on your monitor? What else to do?
I'd appreciate some help here.
Thanks.

The zones you're using for most workout are pretty wide. For example, if your threshold power is 300w, you might be doing VO2 intervals at 318-362w's. Barring any serious declines, it's fairly easy to keep your power in/around that range.

claytid said:

The zones you're using for most workout are pretty wide. For example, if your threshold power is 300w, you might be doing VO2 intervals at 318-362w's. Barring any serious declines, it's fairly easy to keep your power in/around that range.

My problem is that my coach is got me working with fairly narrow zones. i.e Tempo of 160-190 (I'm over 60 years old), and neither he nor I am familiar with the workings of my SRM V.
I've just got to figure out how to use the smoothing feature I guess.

gholl said:

My problem is that my coach is got me working with fairly narrow zones. i.e Tempo of 160-190 (I'm over 60 years old), and neither he nor I am familiar with the workings of my SRM V.
I've just got to figure out how to use the smoothing feature I guess.

I do most of my intervals up hill. I'm not very good at maintaining a constant power output otherwise. The other alternative is using a trainer. Try contacting whoever sold you the SRM for help or your coach should be finding this information out for you.

Even with the 30W range I think you'll find that things will get easier as far staying in the range goes. At least it did for me. My pedal stroke smoothed out and my power jsut became more consistent. ALso if your cadence is low then variability will be higher. Not sure if this is part of the problem but worth a look.

gholl said:

As anyone who uses a PM knows the Watt readings are very unstable unless the rider is on a very long grade or very long flat, etc.
In the light of this fact, and in order to maintain one's output within a certain training zone, do you make frequent use of an averaging function on your monitor? What else to do?
I'd appreciate some help here.
Thanks.

I think it just takes time. I've been training with power for two years now. I don't use any significant averaging or anything. I have my PT to average on 1 second intervals (I think, its at the fastest setting) It took me a few months to get the feel of things. At first I had a hard time staying within narrow power ranges (say 20 or 30 watts). Now its pretty easy. You will eventually have a really good feel for what your doing and how to modulate your effort. I also think that's helped me be alot more efficient in my racing.

PowerPunk said:

I think it just takes time. I've been training with power for two years now. I don't use any significant averaging or anything. I have my PT to average on 1 second intervals (I think, its at the fastest setting) It took me a few months to get the feel of things. At first I had a hard time staying within narrow power ranges (say 20 or 30 watts). Now its pretty easy. You will eventually have a really good feel for what your doing and how to modulate your effort. I also think that's helped me be alot more efficient in my racing.

Thanks a lot PP-I'm going to take your advice. It's tough right now but I'll keep on trying. Do you use cadence or anything else as a cue to keep your Wattage constant?

gholl said:

Thanks a lot PP-I'm going to take your advice. It's tough right now but I'll keep on trying. Do you use cadence or anything else as a cue to keep your Wattage constant?

I usually do try to keep in a specified cadence range, but only because that's what my coach wants me to do.