N=1 experiment with my joule display

Scott Alexander

As long as I've had my joule 2.0 computer, I've displayed six fields:
Watts (3 sec) / speed
Cadence / IF
Heart rate / ride time&miles&kj

I experimented today by taping over the speed and IF fields.

IF: it felt much easier not having that IF number staring me in the face. I kinda feel that having the overall ride IF, I was trying to "make up" effort sometimes to get to an IF that I feel like I should have. Besides, I'm having issues with a big difference between the IF on the joule and wko+, so it's been misleading at best.
The ride felt easier than usual and it was FUN!!

SPEED: I honestly did miss seeing it. But i believe having it displayed in front of me mentally prevents me from descending as fast as i know i can. I'm heading back into our local hill circuit next week, so I'll see if my theory is accurate.

I wish the joule could display 5 fields instead of 3, 4 or 6; I'd only drop the IF and keep speed.

Since today's experiment seemed to go well, I went and changed my joule display to four fields:
Watts (3 sec) / heart rate
Cadence / ride time&miles&kj

Anyone else have any similar "experiments" and/or results?

Steve West

During the OS and intervals my Joule 2 is setup with 3 fields:

Time
3s Watts - IF

For long rides and races I have 4:

Watts - IF
Cad - mph

For outside rides I have either a 310XT or the 500 that gives me 15 minute nutrition alerts and provides ride time. I keep 1 screen on my 500 with Watts and Lap NP for backup if my Joule craps out.

I like using IF as the goal - it seems easier especially if FTP is changing. .7, .75, .85 doesn't change. Cadence is key for me. My sweet spot is 88 - 92. Four tics higher or lower is usually a good place for me to shift.

MPH keeps me aero above 12. Informs me to apply more areo instead of more power above 20. And lets me know it's time to peddle again as speed drops below 34.

But as to your experiment of not seeing IF. No. I never tried it and don't want to. It is a key metric for me. I'd feel lost without it.

Al Truscott

Scott .. I can understand not wanting to look at a wonky number. Since my joule and wko pretty much agree, though I keep the same fields you had, substituting % grade for speed. Since you ride only on the flats, and I never do, our choices make sense. Times when I do display speed instead of HR, I play a game of seeing when % grade starts to exceed mph...usually happens between 8 & 9

To avoid chasing a number which never changes, I routinely start a new interval every 30 minutes max.

cgres123

Scott you can always dial down to a PT LYC thingy, which I have. It is small and does not drive you crazy with information overload. One of the best races I have ever had was when my GPS watch and PT went out on the same day as my race. it was actually knid of nice.