AeroPod, PowerPod and Newton

Has Velocomp/iBikeSports published a layman's handbook on how to REALLY analyze our performance using iBike2 Software? The 'manual' that comes with the iBike2 software does not tell 'us' how to use the analysis or explain adequately what all the numbers really mean and how they affect accurate measurement. It's easy to understand Min-Avg-Max power, speed, wind and slope....but all the other numbers are difficult to understand in the scheme of things.
My biggest frustration is getting accurate on-bike readings. I believe that my Profile(s) are probably inaccurate....even after repeated CD's & 4-mile O&B Cal rides. But it would be very helpful to have a layman's explanation of all the iBike 'coefficients (Cm, Cda, Crr) in one place, instead of having to search the forum for the various explanations to people who seem to be physics majors. If I could understand how varying these numbers affects power read-outs I may be able to understand where my Profile numbers should be... It's very frustrating to have iBike2 change these during analysis....So far, after a full season of using my iBike, I do not have true on-bike readings (they are way too high).

I'm willing to start from scratch if I could get this thing to be accurate..

HELP!!!!

Why are you sure your numbers are to high?

What are the numbers you are getting?

I have had almost no problems with mine.

well, to answer your first question
cm - is your chain's drivetrain loss. 1.02 if a pretty good estimate, unless you have a really old chain. . then you might want to do 1.05 or so. The 1.02 means you are 98% effecient.
crr - your rolling resistance. This is a constant force on you that slows you down. This can be friction in your bearings and how efficient the tires you have are. Clinchers tend to have a lower rolling resistance than tubulars, and rough roads will give you a higher rolling resistance than really smooth roads. A wooden velodrome is the least resistant surface. Typical clinchers on typical asphalt should be around .006 for crr.

cda - this is also known as your frontal area and is the biggest force slowing you down when you are riding. If you are in a time trial position, you will have a much lower cda and will be faster given the same wattage. Most people tend to keep the same riding position around 95% of the time, so this is why we do the coastdowns in our normal riding position.

As for your errors, I hope I can help you diagnose those. If you want to send me a couple ride files at Boyd (at) totalcyclist dot com, I can take a look at them and hopefully help you get your ibike running accurate like it's capable of. When you have a properly calibrated iBike and a good training plan, you will be amazed at the improvements that can be made on the bike.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Cujo, I know my on-bike numbers are high because after 8 weeks of training on a computrainer, my avg power was around 165W. On-bike the avg is around 200W. The iBike2 corrections usually adjust it to around 165ish...

And Coachboyd, I appreciate your offer to help...I will get the files together to send to you....what particular files do you want? I assume some ride files and my Profile??

yep, that will work. If you have a file where the numbers look good before and after, and one where they don't look so good. I can get your profile from the files.

That is not that far off. I was expecting you to say something crazy different. That I might of been able to help with. This is deffinitly a Boyd problem. Do remeber that trainer world and the real world are different places.(even compu trainer) The numbers should be a little different. Also if you are training properly the numbers should improve over time. I can attest that if it is off Boyd will figure it out. He was tweaking everyones Ibike all seaon. He really understands how these things actually work.