iSport - power fluctuations
Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 11:21 am
I've just had my iSport for about 2 weeks now and have redone the cal rides a number of times, just to make sure I am getting it right.
I made sure I did the following:
1. set the altimeter
2. let the iSport acclimatize to the temperature for 15 minutes
3. set the wind offset
4. checked the tilt
5. did the cal ride with literally no wind (less than 5km anyway)
What i am finding is that the power fluctuates quite a bit, probably 20-30 watts most of the time. Which is not so bad in that I can usually notice where the middle point is which ends up being the average anyway. But, I've noticed that as soon as I start up a hill the power reading increases to much higher than what it should be (at least by perceived effort anyway) and then gradually settles down. However, I live in a farily rolling to hilly area and many of the hills are short and steep 200-300 meters/7-12%. I am wondering what I can do to try and smooth this out? Also, any suggestions on best practices for coast downs? My functional power threshold is about 260watts. So, I am wondering if I should be doing the coast downs? I have tried a couple of them already but find that after I've done them them power fluctuates even more wildly and the power readings are much higher than they should be (good for the ego, but not reality). I think I must be performing the coast down wrong.
I made sure I did the following:
1. set the altimeter
2. let the iSport acclimatize to the temperature for 15 minutes
3. set the wind offset
4. checked the tilt
5. did the cal ride with literally no wind (less than 5km anyway)
What i am finding is that the power fluctuates quite a bit, probably 20-30 watts most of the time. Which is not so bad in that I can usually notice where the middle point is which ends up being the average anyway. But, I've noticed that as soon as I start up a hill the power reading increases to much higher than what it should be (at least by perceived effort anyway) and then gradually settles down. However, I live in a farily rolling to hilly area and many of the hills are short and steep 200-300 meters/7-12%. I am wondering what I can do to try and smooth this out? Also, any suggestions on best practices for coast downs? My functional power threshold is about 260watts. So, I am wondering if I should be doing the coast downs? I have tried a couple of them already but find that after I've done them them power fluctuates even more wildly and the power readings are much higher than they should be (good for the ego, but not reality). I think I must be performing the coast down wrong.