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09-06.-2007, 03:49 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 69
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Power Calculation
I'm somewhat new to the whole cycling world so to speak. I have recently gotten back to riding over the past year or so and I am considering possibly racing. I'm a recent grad school graduate so I don't have a ton of money for a power meter or much anything more than the computer I have (buying my bike set me back a pretty penny--scott s-20--that I didn't even really have in the first place...haha)
My question is this. I have read all these things and hear everyone talk about watts and power output and I was wondering what mine is. Like I said, I'm thinking about racing so I was curious about my output. Are there any calculations that I could do to estimate my output or would I need a computer that motiors my output? It would not need to be exact right now, I am just looking for a ballpark estimate. Thanks in advance for all your help |
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09-06.-2007, 04:05 AM
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#2 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,494
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Re: Power Calculation
Quote:
-Dave |
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09-06.-2007, 09:42 PM
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#3 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 69
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Re: Power Calculation
Quote:
That sounds pretty cool...I will have to check it out and then collect all the variables that I need. Thanks I will definatly check it out! |
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11-06.-2007, 12:27 PM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, USA
Posts: 189
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Re: Power Calculation
the easiest thing to do is test on a steep hill with steady grade and long enough for the duration you want to test. keep a pretty steady speed and record distance, time, and total weight, and be sure you know the grade pretty precisely.
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11-06.-2007, 08:13 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,172
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Re: Power Calculation
Google Earth is a free program that gives elevations where ever you roll the cursor for calculating grade.
__________________
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. http://www.earnharts.com/html/reala...ecific.asp?id=3 |
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11-06.-2007, 09:08 PM
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#6 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: East Coast
Posts: 127
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Re: Power Calculation
Quote:
As others have replied, there are plenty of ways of determining power without a power meter. BUT, knowing your power, even with great accuracy is not a very reliable indication of how you'll do in racing. Sucess in racing depends on your ability to output watts, but it is even more dependent on how many watts you can output for what period and how often you can repeat various levels of exertion. Just knowing your FTP isn't going to tell you all that. Further, sucess in racing is also very much a function of your bike handling skills, your agressiveness, and most of all, how intelligently you expend your resources. If you cant' afford a power meter (you don't need one anyway), don't obsess about power. Just develop a smart training plan and try to stick to it. Once you start racing you'll know how you compare to other cyclists soon enough. |
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