Weird PowerBar Display Behavior

[ldmitruk]

Hi,

I've noticed that my PowerBar display is constantly showing 2000 when I'm riding in trainer mode even though I'm well below putting out anywhere close to that number(only in my dreams ) , say around 300 watts or so. In addition sometimes it will flash rapidly between numbers when I'm at lower speeds/power levels. The display of the actual watts or data collected is not affected by this behavior. Anyone else noticed this kind of behavior?

Cheers!

[pjboyle]

I used to notice the same thing. On mine it was a normal behavior below 100 watts but once you crossed the 100 watt threshold it exhibited the behavior you describe. It was only in trainer mode...in all other modes the power bar acted normally. If you stopped pedalling and let teh watts fall to zero, it would 'reset' and act normlaly up to 100 watts again. As you said, data collection is normal; so this is largely just a distraction while the bar is flashing back and forth. I no longer use th eiBike on the trainer so I have not been able to see if subsequent firmware releases have addressed this bug.

PJBoyle

[Velocomp]

Are either of you using a direct force power meter?

[pjboyle]

No I do not have a DFPM. I am now using a Computrainer for indoor training so not using the iAero indoors at this time.
PJBoyle

[Russ]

I have observed similar power bar readings (hi up, did not pay attention to if it was 2000

Well, I just pulled up the last few of my files on the KKRM trainer and highlighted the whole ride of several. For each (on the bottom statistics line below the plot), I had a significant positive slope. I had not tried leveling the thing on the trainer and I do have the front wheel jacked a little on one of those cyclops front wheel supports. So with 2+-3.8+% grades my guess is maybe the power bar is being computed separately from the trainer curve?

Anyway, the trainer mode came in handy Saturday on the road. The cable tie for my cadence magnet had fallen off and then the magnet went (found it after careful search).

I started riding again sans cadence and after a couple of kilometers, stopped to think about the zero power display (forced to zero due to zero cadence). I switched to trainer mode (kkrm is in the ballpark at cruising speed) and peddled home.

While I did cut the ride short, I thought I would see if I could salvage as much power data as I could for wko history.

So I cut and pasted a portion from the same 2K from on a prior loop (Rain was coming so I was looping a neighborhood nearby) in place of the zero power 2k, then I pasted on the trainer mode section.

I was amazed, with the slope and wind data having been captured while in trainer mode, I just recalc'd (wind/power tools) the whole thing and got a reasonable set of ride data for wko !

Only thing I really lost (besides some accuracy from trainer mode) was the cadence for the whole ride ???

I thought, now that was really cool !!!

Russ

[82zman]

Hey Russ I also have a KKRM (Pro Model) and I was wondering what your perception is of the indoor vs outdoor watts. After training with the KKRM and using the power curve (speed to watts conversion) I quickly discovered the benefits of training with power and that's why today I ordered an iBike Pro Wireless. Its getting warmer and outdoor rides are becoming a reality.

One more thing, why would the power bar is be computed separately from the trainer curve? Isn't the trainer mode just applying the power curve speed to watts conversion?

[gregh3285]

I've noticed this problem as well. My iBike (firmware version 3.05) when I'm pedaling up to speed (in trainer mode),will flip (not always just once in a while) from the lowest power bar graph range (100 W full scale range?) and immediately jump to the 2000 W or 4000 W range. There is will sit. I've been able to get it to reset the bar graph to a proper range (but I just haven't paid attention to how). To John's question, I am NOT using a DFPM.

[ldmitruk]

Are either of you using a direct force power meter?

I'm only using the Ibike.

[Russ]

82zman,
Well my perception is that the indoor trainer (my second model) is more perceived effort and a harder workout, for whatever reasons, for a given wattage than out on the road. I have seen (I think it was) about 15-20% offset discussed on this forum and I think I would agree. Some people talked about tweeking the trainer mode setup to match perceived effort and maybe get more credit in wko+ for the trainer work in other threads.

As to why the power bar is acting up, I was making the observation from my data, but I do not actually know if that is why it is happening. I thought it was an interesting possible correlation.

[racerfern]

I'm going to take a stab at this. The power bar is perfect without the trainer mode active. It seems however, with the trainer mode certain checks were bypassed. In the process of not having to care about wind, tilt, etc on trainer rides, the power bar didn't get valid data to analyze and display. Most of the usual calculations for power were replaced by the trainer routines. Of course the recorded data is fine, it's just the power bar that's goofy.

I've been fortunate to test the latest beta FW in trainer mode and the power bar display is spot on accurate just like non-trainer sessions. So keep an eye out for its release.

[ldmitruk]

I've been fortunate to test the latest beta FW in trainer mode and the power bar display is spot on accurate just like non-trainer sessions. So keep an eye out for its release.

It's a good thing as I don't think I'd ever get the W2000 full, unless I used a 56x10