How do I get my Powertap to work?
How do I work my Powertap? WARNING: This post is part DESPERATE plea and part rant. I need to know EXACTLY what buttons to push, because it is apparently NOT intuitive. Everyone seems to say "just perform the test and take the information and upload it to the software," but no one explains how to do this.
I have now spent $1400 on a Powertap and $59 on the Powertap Webinar that tells me nothing about how to make my Powertap work so that I can perform a Functional Threshold Power Test (as in how do I start the "timer" or whatever so that it starts tracking my watts) and figure out what watts I should be using for workouts or on race day. None of the posts answer this question, no one at the bike shop knew how to do it, nothing in the CycleOps literature or DVD covers this, doesn't this seem like fairly basic information?? I am sure that I am missing something simple I just need to know what that is.
Also, I cannot get my software to recognize my device. I have watched ALL of the CycleOps DVDs (no help there) and gone to their website and downloaded the most recent software Power Agent version 7.5. It still doesn't work.
Please HELP!! Ironman Wisconsin is only 4 weeks away!!
I don't need to know that the FTP is 20' with 2' break in between on a flat course, or any more reasons for why I should train with Power I am sold!! I have th damn thing!! I just can't get any information from it and I am worried that I just blew $1400 and way too many hours trying to figure this thing out that I could have spent training.
Comments
I'm happy to work with you to get it going.
First, I'm assuming that you have the power tap wheel on the bike and the yellow computer on the handle bars. When you start pedaling, push either of the two buttons on the computer. Do you see any numbers appear? I'm trying to figure out if the PT is the problem or are you having difficulty getting the data from the PT to your computer. Are you using the WKO software or the software that came with the PT?
Can you give me any specific details about what doesn't work?
Tom
first off i know your frustration as i did the same searches and thru trial and error I got the darn thing to work Please understand that this is coming from a total simpleton concerning Powertap and anything technical for that matter
...first yu have to make sure the yellow computer hears the powertap on the hub...push the left button untill you see dots on each of the 3 lines of the readout....spin the back wheel till it finds it(should be factory set up this way ) if not you have to push both buttons simultaiously untill the word FIND showes up on botom line of computer.. may take a few secs to 20 at most(have heart rate monitor in as well to find it as well.....figuring out wattws you should be using is done by yor FTP testing,,dont know if its too late for this watts information to help on your race......
1.to log your workout you have to open up the WKO software and upload from device(may have to unplug from usb port and plug back in to find the usp port as i had to( make sure the unit is turned on and it says HOSE while in the cradle
2.check the date in which it is trying to upload to(my default is 2005) change to date workout was done
3.choose athlete to download to( i had to add an athlete,,you may not )
4. click save
5. go to athlete where stored and look at information...
6. sctatch head
the usual disclaimers apply here...can someone with some more intellegence than me(anyone over 12 will do) correct me add to or elaborate further>>>
ps I have a question as well...saying that i am doing a FTP test how do i split the 42 min workout, how do i combine the two th get my FTP and how do i put the test into a zip file and send to Patrick...I told you i was a simpleton
James
Betsy we need more info in order to help. As far as getting your computer to recognize the PT, you need to make sure that it is securely in the cradle (it should almost snap into place), turned on (press any button), and says "HOST" in the display.
@Betsy: please don't stress… you don't need that 4 weeks out! We'll get you there. And yes, it's not too late to start with power … it can and will help you in the race. I went through this myself earlier in the year.
James mentions a critical piece which is to hold down both Mode and Select buttons on the LYC (little yellow computer) until you see "FIND". Then let go and spin the wheel to "pair" it with the hub. [For future reference, if you hold them down a bit longer you see "-clr-" (or Clear the data on the LYC and reset it).]
For more detail on how to customize the three rows of data available on the LYC see the Saris PowerTap manual. Briefly, you press the "mode" button to highlight which row you want (indicated by the little arrows pointing inward on either side) and then use the "select" button to scroll through the options available on that row. I have mine set up to show "WATTS" on first row, "MI" or mph on second row, and either cadence, distance, or HR on the third (bottom) row.
Then just pedal and the data should start recording. You can stop and check by scrolling through the rows and checking total distance, etc.
Step 2 is getting the data off the LYC and into WKO+. [Note that I use a Mac with Windows XP running on Parallels b/c WKO+ doesn't yet have a Mac-compatible version.] The key here is that you need both WKO+ and Training Peaks Device Agent.
Launch WKO+ and then set up yourself as a new Athlete as James mentions. Then under "File" select "Training Device Download…" and that will launch Device Agent. Once it's opened, use the dropdowns to select your username (…might have to login to Training Peaks to get this.. I can't remember); choose the device ("CycleOps Power Tap" for the LYC), and port (USB). Then plug in the cradle and mount the LYC until it clicks into place. Push "mode" and let go: you should then see "HOSE" as James says. Select "Download from Device" at the upper right and wait until you're presented with a list of your workouts. Select the one(s) you want and hit "Save" in lower righthand side.
Then go back to WKO+ and confirm that you want to import those data. Then select yourself as Athlete on left column and find the workout under Calendar. Open that file and play, play, play… But first (re)listen to the Webinars. They help immensely!
I hope this detail helps and isn't too annoying. Good luck and let us know if you continue to have problems.
@James: regarding the FTP test. Once the data is in WKO+ and you've got the workout file opened, hit the "Graph" tab. Then find the beginning of your first 20' interval and click there. Then highlight from that point for the next 42' (including the 2' rest!). You should then see "Selection" in the column on the right. Once you have the 42' you want, go up to "Edit" and select "Create Range" (or Ctrl-R). You can then rename the selection "FTP test" or whatever. When you click the Eye icon in the column to the left, you'll see that range highlighted in the graph and the data below. That's where you find your NP for that 42' range - which is your FTP in da Haus.
In order to share, you have a couple of choices. You can either upload to Training Peaks web site or what I do and just save a copy of the workout and email it. To do that just go under "File" and select "Export Copy As…". Save it to your desktop and email it to whomever you like.
Sorry for the excessive detail but I hope you both find it helpful. I'll be on the bike for a few hours but will check back later. Good luck!
Thank you all for your responses! I am carefully reading and re-reading them to try out everything that you have suggested. I have made a little progress on figuring out how to perform my Functional Threshold Power Test, but I know its not the way that I can upload the information, but right now it will have to be good enough so I can start following the workouts.
It seems that I was initially having a problem "clearing" the device so that my previous' ride average wouldn't effect my FTP Test, I have that figured out. (Hold down the buttons until they clear or "clr" the screen) I am still having trouble doing the "Intervals" so that I can do: Interval 1 - WU Interval 2 - 20' full effort (first part of the power test) Interval 3 - 2' easy Interval 4 - 20' full effort (second part of the power test). Is this how people are doing their tests? Or should I just write down the average watts after the 20' session, clear it and then do the next 20' session?
An additional question...Does everyone use Training Peaks software? I don't have this and that might be part of the problem. I have heard that some people use it and some just use Power Agent that comes with the Power Tap. It appears to be $130 is this something that I have to buy?
I am still working on it! I am sure I will get it figured out, but it's been a dificult learning curve. For everyone else who has been having the same frustrations I will post what I find out so that it might help out someone else in the future. Thanks again!!
For your intervals, it's possible to figure it all out in WKO without using your PT computer and hitting the interval buttons. Don't delete data after each interval.
U think what you are doing is not going into the interval mode. When you want to start recording intervals, hold the left button down for a couple of seconds. To add another interval session, hold both buttons down for a split second and release. If you are in interval mode, the clock and all data will go back to zero. To see the entire ride data, hold down the left button for a couple of seconds again. This task allows you to toggle in and out of interval mode.
Need more / better guidance, ask away!
Tom
Betsy, if you are still having difficulty getting your PowerTap to pair up with the hub and provide you data, I highly suggest that you get on the phone with CycleOps on Monday with your bike in front of you. I always put my bike on my trainer before calling them so I am ready to follow their help.
They are a terrific company with excellent customer services and will carefully walk you through each step. I do this every time I have an issue with my PowerTap and they save me the frustration of reading through the manual or other stuff. And they end us saving me time as well.
Of course they will probably be no help with WKO+ but if you can get your PowerTap working correctly, you have at least half the battle won.