DCRR (Dynamic Coefficient of Rolling Resistance) - PowerPod Lite V3 - Gravel / Mixed surface riding questions - New user
Posted: Wed May 26, 2021 11:44 am
Good day!
I've poked though a lot of posts and there are lots of "confirm my calibration" posts, and some mention of offroad / gravel / MTB riding, etc. I've not found this specific question though on how DCRR functions (and if it specifically is on ALL current firmware versions of the PowerPod, specifically the PowerPod Lite v3).
My goal is to use my newly purchased PowerPod to consistently (honestly not all that concerned about "accuracy", more about consistency) measure output so that I can pace properly over long climbs, and mixed surface rides. In reading through how PP deals with mixed surface, it looks/sounds like DCRR was put in place to more quickly compensate for road/trail surface changes. My questions are around how I should expect this to manifest in real world conditions and what I should expect in regard to limitations, etc.
So, as mentioned above, I'm not all that concerned if the PP says I'm pushing out 200w or 220w or 180w .... as long as its consistently off in a predictable way so that I can use the data to pace myself better (I suck at doing it via heart rate). I want to maximize how consistent that error is. I'm not interested in needing to validate frequently (or even monthly) a calibration just to gain another 2-4% accuracy. I'm a plug and go kinda guy and I accept the fact that my devices may be a little off due to that (as long as they are consistently off). 90% of my rides are mixed surface that include asphalt, smooth to rough gravel and single track mtb trails (all on the same ride).
Direct questions:
1) Does DCRR function on the PP Lite v3 (and at what firmware version). If not, what upgrade cost is there to obtain this.
2) Is DCRR really the answer to consistently measuring power output over varied terrain on the same ride or am I barking up the wrong tree and should be looking at more manual adjustments via isaac or something (I'm hoping this (lots of manual adjustments in isaac) isn't the case, cause I really don't want to fool with it). I tend to do events that are remote, meaning I don't have a feel for the course conditions other than a GPX file that the organizers push out. So I can't exactly put in new settings for each ride anyway that would be meaningful in any way.
3) I assume I should be calibrating on standard (mostly smooth) asphalt following the "card" instructions that are packed with the power meter. My goal to be to use this same stretch of road to perform any new calibrations should the unit need it after updates / etc). My goal again is consistency. Is this a false assumption?
4) How quickly should I expect the DCRR function to respond to changes in terrain? Noting that what I'd read said that it was measuring 800 times per second but I'd assume there is some computational lag involved. If transitioning from asphalt to gravel (or the opposite) should I expect the reported power to my Garmin head unit to be accurately compensated for within a few seconds, a few minutes, 15 minutes, etc?
This is my planned operational process. Is this within the "it'll work well in terms of providing consistent measurements" category?
1) Secure the PP Lite v2 via "out front" garmin/gopro mount and fixated in such a way that it will not be moved on a regular basis.
2) Wake up my ANT+ speed (on front wheel) and ANT+ cadence sensor (on pedal arm) sensors. Turn on Garmin 520. Turn on Heart Rate monitor.
3) Pair PP to Garmin and follow basic calibration process outlined on the setup card in the box riding on smoothish asphalt in a wind protected (treed) area with almost no traffic (low speed ride up a slope until it reaches 100w(%) in the seated position not changing gears.
Process for regular rides:
1) wake up cadence and speed sensors
2) click the PP button once
3) turn on Garmin and confirm connection with sensors and heart rate strap.
4) go ride and not think twice about calibrating again on a regular basis and trust the numbers I'm seeing to be consistent ("right or wrong" doesn't matter too much to me, just that they be precise (ie, consistently write or wrong in the same direction over varied terrain)).
Sorry for the long post ... but these are the things I think about and rather than bug the email support folk (who have been great by the way), I figured I'd stick this out there to see who else follows this general line of thought, and, to see if the developers feel this is the intended use case for this power meter and that my expectation are in line with reason.
Thanks!!!
I've poked though a lot of posts and there are lots of "confirm my calibration" posts, and some mention of offroad / gravel / MTB riding, etc. I've not found this specific question though on how DCRR functions (and if it specifically is on ALL current firmware versions of the PowerPod, specifically the PowerPod Lite v3).
My goal is to use my newly purchased PowerPod to consistently (honestly not all that concerned about "accuracy", more about consistency) measure output so that I can pace properly over long climbs, and mixed surface rides. In reading through how PP deals with mixed surface, it looks/sounds like DCRR was put in place to more quickly compensate for road/trail surface changes. My questions are around how I should expect this to manifest in real world conditions and what I should expect in regard to limitations, etc.
So, as mentioned above, I'm not all that concerned if the PP says I'm pushing out 200w or 220w or 180w .... as long as its consistently off in a predictable way so that I can use the data to pace myself better (I suck at doing it via heart rate). I want to maximize how consistent that error is. I'm not interested in needing to validate frequently (or even monthly) a calibration just to gain another 2-4% accuracy. I'm a plug and go kinda guy and I accept the fact that my devices may be a little off due to that (as long as they are consistently off). 90% of my rides are mixed surface that include asphalt, smooth to rough gravel and single track mtb trails (all on the same ride).
Direct questions:
1) Does DCRR function on the PP Lite v3 (and at what firmware version). If not, what upgrade cost is there to obtain this.
2) Is DCRR really the answer to consistently measuring power output over varied terrain on the same ride or am I barking up the wrong tree and should be looking at more manual adjustments via isaac or something (I'm hoping this (lots of manual adjustments in isaac) isn't the case, cause I really don't want to fool with it). I tend to do events that are remote, meaning I don't have a feel for the course conditions other than a GPX file that the organizers push out. So I can't exactly put in new settings for each ride anyway that would be meaningful in any way.
3) I assume I should be calibrating on standard (mostly smooth) asphalt following the "card" instructions that are packed with the power meter. My goal to be to use this same stretch of road to perform any new calibrations should the unit need it after updates / etc). My goal again is consistency. Is this a false assumption?
4) How quickly should I expect the DCRR function to respond to changes in terrain? Noting that what I'd read said that it was measuring 800 times per second but I'd assume there is some computational lag involved. If transitioning from asphalt to gravel (or the opposite) should I expect the reported power to my Garmin head unit to be accurately compensated for within a few seconds, a few minutes, 15 minutes, etc?
This is my planned operational process. Is this within the "it'll work well in terms of providing consistent measurements" category?
1) Secure the PP Lite v2 via "out front" garmin/gopro mount and fixated in such a way that it will not be moved on a regular basis.
2) Wake up my ANT+ speed (on front wheel) and ANT+ cadence sensor (on pedal arm) sensors. Turn on Garmin 520. Turn on Heart Rate monitor.
3) Pair PP to Garmin and follow basic calibration process outlined on the setup card in the box riding on smoothish asphalt in a wind protected (treed) area with almost no traffic (low speed ride up a slope until it reaches 100w(%) in the seated position not changing gears.
Process for regular rides:
1) wake up cadence and speed sensors
2) click the PP button once
3) turn on Garmin and confirm connection with sensors and heart rate strap.
4) go ride and not think twice about calibrating again on a regular basis and trust the numbers I'm seeing to be consistent ("right or wrong" doesn't matter too much to me, just that they be precise (ie, consistently write or wrong in the same direction over varied terrain)).
Sorry for the long post ... but these are the things I think about and rather than bug the email support folk (who have been great by the way), I figured I'd stick this out there to see who else follows this general line of thought, and, to see if the developers feel this is the intended use case for this power meter and that my expectation are in line with reason.
Thanks!!!