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Holy crap! I just gained 40 watts on my ftp with a 6 mo layoff?

Hoping some of you power geeks might be able to figure this one out for me?

So my last ftp before IMFL last year netted me a result of 235. I have literally done NOTHING in the way of training since then, and did a sprint tri at white lake yesterday. Both my Garmin 910 xt, and my joule is showing that I road 14 miles at 19 mph for 46 mins with watts averaging 278 . I'm smart enough to know, or at least I think I am, that is not correct? So what is going on? How could both devices be that far off? What should I be checking to make sure they are calibrated properly?

Thanks in advance from one confused  triguy.

Comments

  • Here is a quick web page on checking your calibration. http://www.cyclingpowermodels.com/PowerMeterCalibration.aspx

    I would also check the manual for your specific meter type. Some drift is normal but not that much.
  •  Factors to consider: power source needs calibration; road bike vs tri bike; indoors vs outdoors; NP vs AP with lots of surges? 

  • Here is the info from wko


    45:09
    Work: 755 kJ
    TSS: 112.7 (intensity factor 1.23)
    Norm Power: 283
    VI: 1.01
    Pw:HR: -3.49%
    Pa:HR: -1.49%
    Distance: 14.307 mi
    Elevation Gain: 51 ft
    Elevation Loss: 70 ft
    Grade: -0.0 % (-16 ft)
    Min Max Avg
    Power: 33 610 279 watts
    Heart Rate: 148 167 160 bpm
    Cadence: 47 246 89 rpm
    Speed: 4.5 22.9 19.0 mph
    Pace 2:37 13:25 3:10 min/mi
    Hub Torque: 4 36 10 lb-in
    Altitude: 67 95 79 ft
    Crank Torque: 0 558 274 lb-in
    Temperature: 73.4 75.2 75.2 Fahrenheit

    Weird thing is that I have NEVER had to calibrate my power tap sl+, and its been dead on. Could the fact that it has been sitting for 6 mo's with little to no use be causing this? I'll check the links above. Thanks!
  • I would say calibrate the PM. It would not be the devices that are off.
    Looking at the data I find it hard to believe you had a NP of 283 and an average speed of 19mph on what appears to be a dead flat course. Doesn't appear to be windy with a VI of 1.01. Not sure how big you are but I'm 6'2" 195 and when I am at 280w I'm averaging 23-25 mph on flat roads.
  • Scott, Tucker is all over it. Gotta be the hub. Since it transmits to the Joule and Garmin, they are just recording what its telling them. Bad news is no way you gained that much power. For example, I averaged 20.1mph on AW of 154, NP 160. Otherwise, I'm going to take a year off. That would bring me in at around 4.0w/KG and that would be Sweet!
  • Yeah my thoughts exactly :-)

    I'll do a zero offset and figure out how to check the calibration on it

    Thanks all!
  • Or maybe you really needed a lot of rest!
  • Could also be some resistance in the drivetrain slowing you down and/or affecting the torque readings...
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