Question for Polar power users
59
Member
449 days
trimas posted 27 weeks ago.
I've been seeing PI ranging from 18-22%. Honestly, I haven't been paying much attention (or focus, rather) on PI. You definitely want higher numbers here, preferably over 30. I'm new to this product too and I've been playing around with it to see what my average wattage is. I have the "Training with Power" book and just completed the Functional Threshold Power (FTP) test that the book recommends. This book combined with the Polar power meter is pretty cool. I plan on implementing the power zones from this book as well.
39
Member
364 days
kxux posted 27 weeks ago.
I haven't been paying attention to this index, but I did look at my past files and it actually got better over time. I started with average below 20 and now average 35 and peak 45. I guess I need to read more about what it means.
82
Member
363 days
MarkyV posted 27 weeks ago.
Don't worry about it.
Think of it like cadence... it'll be what it will be. Watts are all what you want. All other information about what you are doing is wrapped up in that one metric.
It's kind of a "end all, be all" statistic.
MarkyV Racing and Coaching
Powertap Dealer: Ask me how you can get rolling with power
1
Member
317 days
Chicama posted 27 weeks ago.
Pedalling Index is very important. You waste power when you do not put power evenly through your pedal cycle, just like you would waste power if you kept on accelerating and breaking through a race. If you are not even, the power output would be greater to achieve the same distance in the same length of time. If you are smooth(er) on your pedal cycle, you will use less watts for the same distance and time. The Polar PI, however is just a number. I do not believe that the Polar Power Meter is all that accurate. With my Polar PM, I get to about 40% to close to 50% for PI. But when I am on the Computrainer, it says I am over 80% while on the aero bars. Nonetheless, for the price, Polar's power product does provide with a measure of power that is consistent within its other reporting numbers, even if the numbers are off from what more expensive products report.
210
Member
423 days
big 3 posted 27 weeks ago.
I'm ok with these things being just a number. That's why I was curious what other people's results were. As long as you have a reference or scale to measure against it's useful. I've learned I've got a lot of work to do!
I'm also fine with focusing on power, because PI is going to be part of that equation.
I guess I need to do some power homework. I'm going to write a separate post asking what people books they recommend. Trimas suggested "Training with Power". I'm curious what others are out there. I always seem to end up buying them all eventually. Ha Ha!
PS: Thanks to kxux for an old post with the pinout of the power meter connection! I had bought my unit from Ebay and I needed to rewire that connector.
I'm new to this product and not a great cyclist either. I bought this tool to try and increase my cycling ability "learning curve".
So I'm wondering about the Pedaling Index. I understand what it measures. I'm just curious what kinds of numbers other people "average". This way I have a goal number in mind.
Is this feature accurate enough to do drills where I focus on maximizing the PI number?
Any suggestions as to how you use your power meter would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.