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Joule User thread

Got my Joule and tried to get it set up....seems more complex than I expected.

I did not have an ANT+ speed sensor set up on my bike and installed one from my Garmin 705. The Joule doesn't see it. It does pair with my quark and reads watts and cadence from the Cinqo but won't start and run the timer or distance as I'm guessing those are triggered by the speed sensor?  I emailed saris to see if their speed sensor is: 1) ANT+ 2) necessary for function of the Joule.

There doesn't seem to be a Start/stop button sequence...Am I missing something obvious?

Anyone get it working yet?

Also, the power zones are different than WKO. I entered my FTP into PowerAgent and got my powerzones but they are higher than I would guess. Example: FTP is set @ 290 and PowerAgent calculates my "Threshold" power zone as 303 watts.   Does anyone see a reason NOT to use Poweragent's zones and create a different standard for EN use?

Vince

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Comments

  • I spoke with Saris today. Those of you that have the Joule with a PT have zero issues.

    I have a Quark and the Joule doesn't initiate unless you have a separate speed sensor (it will read watts and cadence but will not start the timer, distance, mph, etc.).
    The Garmin GSC-10 speed/cadence sensor currently does not work with the Joule (even though it is ANT+) BUT supposedly will in the May firmware update by Saris for the Joule. Until then, those of you with the Quark/Joule combo will need to get a Saris speed sensor.

    The Saris speed sensor is 2.4 coded but (I was told) was grandfathered in to work with the Joule even thought it is not ANT+ supported.

    The Garmin looks like the better sensor in that it decodes both cadence and speed in a single sensor but the Joule does read the Cingo/Quark cadence therefore really the Saris speed sensor should suffice.

    Vince
  • Anyone having trouble inputting their DOB on the Joule? Ours worked fine. Then I went to change DOB and it is not showing up on the screen. I can select the DOB option, but then nothing happens.
  • So I got my Joule today and just love all the data and options it has.  I was able to pair mine with the quarq and an old ant+ speed sensor from an Ibike sensor and it worked.  I haven't played enough yet but will see what data comes out after my ride tomorrow.

    Only question I have is will this not pair up with the old wko+ version when trying to transfer the data?  I have just kept the old version so far and not updated but didn't know if they have even got it working with the new version yet.

  • @Michele, no problems entering DOB. Seems to be OK

    @Trent, I haven't tested it yet, but I would think both versions of WKO should work. PowerAgent creates a csv file when it exports. I'll let you know what I find out.

    Just playing with screen setup.

    I'm showing
    watts NP
    MPH CAD
    Ride Time FT Gain
    ----------------------
    IF TSS

    anyone else have a better / different set up?

    tom
  • Posted By Trent Prough on 06 Apr 2010 06:11 PM

    So I got my Joule today and just love all the data and options it has.  I was able to pair mine with the quarq and an old ant+ speed sensor from an Ibike sensor and it worked.  I haven't played enough yet but will see what data comes out after my ride tomorrow.

    Only question I have is will this not pair up with the old wko+ version when trying to transfer the data?  I have just kept the old version so far and not updated but didn't know if they have even got it working with the new version yet.



    Trent,

     

    just found this on the Google Wattage Forum:

    "












     
     
     


    roadwarrior  




    View profile  




     More options Apr 3, 1:30 pm





    I was able to download to Power Agent and then export to WKO 2.2 as a 

    pwx file and everything came over including altitude. 
    "
     
    tom






  • Tom: Thank you for looking that up about the WKO+ download.

    I just got mine 2 days ago. It's so cool! Alot smaller (which is a good thing) than I thought it would be.
    My screen is set up just like Tom's.

    Michele: No trouble for me with DOB input.

    Vince: Thank you for the info on the Saris speed sensor. I have the Quarq/Joule combo too. I was thinking I'd be all zen (more like CHEAP) and forego getting the sensor...riding strictly on watts alone, but I like knowing the ride time and distance. So guess I'll fork up the $50 for that sensor.
  • Tom...  Thanks and I too got it to go into WKO 2.2 like you said

    My set up is like yours too,  kinda funny we all so far set up the same.

    So far for me this is very cool and a lot more info to disect after a ride.  Love knowing my w/kg as I ride too.

  • Posted By Trent Prough on 08 Apr 2010 02:02 PM

    ...... Love knowing my w/kg as I ride too.



    Can't wait for hot days and long rides.  May come home halfway through and weigh myself so I can adjust up my w/Kg 

  • Joule worked very well. I did have a power spike of >2200 watt, whereas my Garmin called it 700+ watts. My guess it was about 700 as we did hit rollers in the TT position and came out a couple times to crank up them.

    No issues. It does take a bit more in the way of steps as you have to download the data in PowerAgent then export the data file but it really ain't no thang!

    Nice to see TSS again during a ride.

    Vince
  • I just got my Joule, picked up a new speed sensor (not the Saris one), and did a couple rides this weekend. I'm having lots of problems. I'm hoping someone might be able to help.

    First of all, I have the speed sensor on the chainstay where my Garmin one was. I swear I have that thing within a millimeter of the magnet but it keeps cutting out mid ride which means the stupid timer stops. I pull over and check the spacing and it's fine. You can imagine the issues this creates. Interestingly enough, the Quarq/Joule connection is doing the same thing. Right in mid ride, the watts/cadence reading will go blank. Sometimes I will spin backwards trying to zero it and sometimes it comes back but sometimes not. It just flashes "finding" and seems to quit trying. Then all of a sudden it will just come back. Thankfully it didn't happen during my very first FTP test, but I still lost 15 minutes of data out of a 2 hour ride between the two issues.

    Finally, Power Agent really sucks. Every time I establish my profile, as soon as I close the program and reopen it, my profile isn't there anymore.

    Please help this power newbie!!!
  • Hello,

    What about HR strap compatibility?  My joule is on the way.  I reviewed the owners manual PDF and see that the one they offer is the kind with the thick rubber electrode strap across the chest.  I have a Polar HR strap that worked with the ergomo, it's coded, and has a cloth electrode with the battery part only like 2inches and sits over sternum. 

    I am wondering if my HR strap will work or if not, do any of you know of one that does and is of the style of the cloth electrode vs that thick strap.

    thanks!

    gh

  • Gilberto,

    I did not purchase a HR strap with the Joule but have a garmin one. I was able to sinc it with the Joule without issue. Not sure if the polar will do the same. I guess you can let us know.

    Vince
  • I'm not sure, but I would think it would work with a coded HR strap, just needs to find it. I've got a bunch of HR monitors around and I'll test it in the next day or so.

    tom
  • Polar HR strap won't work with the Joule because it's not ANT+ compatible. Garmin ANT+ straps work. iBike straps work and Saris/CycleOps straps work.

    EDIT TO ADD:

    I believe all three of the Garmin, iBike and Saris straps are the thick rubber ones.  At least, I KNOW the Garmin and iBike are.

  • QUESTIONS

    1. Anyone know where to get a second bike mount for the Joule?

    2. Anyone having issues with PowerAgent and the Joule? I installed PowerAgent from the CD that came with my Joule on both a Windows 7 laptop and a Windows XP desktop. PowerAgent recognizes the Joule, but will not let me configure it. Also, it does not list any Users in the User box. When I creae a "new" user, the user is not avialable in the User box. I've noticed there seem to be some Java errors that occur when I try to configure the Joule. Anyone had this issue? Know of any fixes? I have sent the issues to Saris, but no reply yet.
  • @Steve - I am having same problems.  See my post above. 

    No one has responded so I'm not sure what the issue is.  If you hear from Saris, let us know.

    Terry

  • Saris has additional mounts for $11 and change.

    Vince
  • Vince:

    Where did you find the extra mounts?  The only ones I see on Saris website are the 2.4 wireless mount for $9.99.  What am I missing?  Does this mount work with the Joule?

  • Steve,

    For the Joule mounts you have to call Saris. Make sure you tell them it's a Joule of course.

    Vince
  • Thanks for the input on the HR strap.  too bad they don't make a non-thick rubber one. 

  • In the Joule "Power Zone" setup, are you supposed to put in the upper limit of your zone?? On my first ride today, my IF seemed inappropriately low (based on what my NP was). 

  •  The power zone on the unit will not give you an accurate IF. I've been watching the thread on slowtwitch and Jordan Rapp mentioned they've added the field to enter your FTP in the Power Agent software which will give you the correct IF. 

    Haven't started playing with mine yet to confirm though....

     

  • Gina,

    did you have the Joule set up to not count your zero wattages? I don't recall where it is in the setup process but it doesn't ding you for your coasting. I usually ride with it counting my zeros on my Garmin but the Joule I set up the other way and I went from IF's of 0.83 to 0.97 on the same ride (rolling hills).

    V
  • Vince- I will have to figure out how to do that.

    When you set your power zones, did you put them in as calculated by WKO or Data tool?

  • I used my data entered into PowerAgent. I didn't know how we, EN, were going to set up the zones as they are minus 1 zone (or plus 1...can't remember) in the Joule vs Coggans zones. Therefore, I just went with poweragent until the coaches made a choice. PowerAgent is a bit high for number choice as my FTP is 290ish and for the equiv zone I think 308 is what I need to push to trip the zone switch on the Joule.

    Vince
  • Posted By Hayes Sanborn on 18 Apr 2010 11:50 AM

     The power zone on the unit will not give you an accurate IF. I've been watching the thread on slowtwitch and Jordan Rapp mentioned they've added the field to enter your FTP in the Power Agent software which will give you the correct IF. 

    Haven't started playing with mine yet to confirm though....

     



    Its the next power agent build that will include the ability to enter FTP directly into power agent and thus allow your Joule to accurately calculate If on the fly. There is another post that mentions that currently FTP is being calculated off a default 250watts no matter what. Haven't ridden yet to verify, I'm between 250-260 so I might not be able to detect this yet.   

  • Hayes,



    According to Saris they are supposed to have a firmware upgrade sometime in May which will include the ability for the Joule to see Garmin and other ANT+ sensors for speed and cadence...maybe this will all be part of the same package upgrade that you are speaking of.



    Vince

  • This is from the ST thread:

    "Setting my FTP at the top of the threshold zone gets me close for TSS points (within 5%), but not quite there."

    Guess I  will try this and see if this gets IF in some sort of appropriate range. On my ride yesterday, my NP  was right where I  would expect, but IF  was 56ish, which was WAY  low.

  • ' nother question. Does the Joule download directly to WKO+3.0? 

  • From ST: (dated 4/16)

    Since there have been some recent threads about the Joule, I will mention another issue that I talked with Saris about today. I am using the latest version of Poweragent and a brand new Joule with current firmware. After I download ride data, the calculations for TSS and IF are incorrect. I noticed that the threshold wattage (FTP) that it was using to calculate the TSS and IF was still at the default 250 watts...you know, instead of my real FTP of 400 watts ;-). I went through all of the settings in the Joule for the user specific power ranges and everything was correct, but Poweragent still continues to use the 250 watts default for the calculations. Today, I was told there is a firmware update coming out for the Joule next week to correct the problem.

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