I just got the Garmin Vectors and I’ve done about four rides on them. Taken it back to my mechanic twice so he could recalibrate and check the angles. Did a power test. Coach thinks there’s something wrong with my power meter and I do too. My numbers are too low. I’ve averaging a power of 94 watts over 80 miles and I’m going 18 miles an hour…also was only hitting about 53 watts on the trainer last night and I am pushing hard. Too hard. I get that I can still use this data but knowing/feelings it’s wrong is really bothering me. Any tips? What can I do to figure this out?
Should I try another bike shop? I’m not tech or bike savvy at all :x
I’ve become some sort of a vector pro during the last year or so. Questions, do you have the new vectors(2)? Are they updated? Is your edge updated to latest as well? Did you change batteries (two together)?
If your problems are with the old vectors, there may be 20 different reasons. Best thing to do is to get the Vector 2. Let me know and I’ll try to help.
I’ve become some sort of a vector pro during the last year or so. Questions, do you have the new vectors(2)? Are they updated? Is your edge updated to latest as well? Did you change batteries (two together)?
If your problems are with the old vectors, there may be 20 different reasons. Best thing to do is to get the Vector 2. Let me know and I’ll try to help.
Great questions. I’d also suggest checking the L/R balance…is one side recording or two? My buddies arrived with only one side working initially. He had to RMA for another pedal pod.
Another thing to try is to change the number of washers that you’re using.
I bought a Vector in October, I initially installed one washer per side and was reading ~150W at threshold effort. I put a second washer in each side and that fixed the problem.
I have the vector S. Really not sure if it’s the 1 or 2. And I don’t have the edge. It’s just paired with my 920xt. The mechanic at my shop set it all up and has checked to make sure it’s all in place once already.
What do you think? And be sure to break it down…I have no idea what I’m doing. Thank you
All good possibilities…
Something is definitely wrong. I think I"ll take it somewhere else to get it looked at. I really don’t have the time to learn right now but I really wish I had done all of this myself…then you know how to fix it. No clue. The owner just keeps telling me to do one of his FTP tests in order to find my correct power. He definitely thinks I’m stupid, judging by his sexist comments and inability to hear me out. Le sigh.
OK. here’s the thing, you’re using only one side because you said Vector S. My guess is that you’re not using the new one (Grey Pedal Pods, not black pedal pods).
I’m sorry to say this but you need to swallow your finances and get a Garmin Edge (used perhaps) and upgrade to purchase the upgrade pedal pods, the black ones. This will solve many issues.
The grey pedal pods, old vector, have a number of issues that Garmin won’t admit to. If they are not torqued well, which is extremely difficult to do, you will get lower power reporting. If you try to torque them well, you may break your pods. The more washers you put, the more difficult it is to torque and not break them.
Go on YouTube and search for Vector 2 videos, you’ll see what I am saying about the new ones being so much better.
IF you don’t want to do any kind of purchase, you can still fix your issue. Make sure they are torqued and installed correctly. Make sure they are updated, even your watch as well. Make sure you have good batteries.
Why am I only using one side? How do you know that?
I’m really appreciating your help!
And I WOULD only…this is brand new. On a brand new bike. So upgrading is not really an option for me right now unfortunately.
What it does is measure your left power and then multiplies it by two to give you your total power under the assumption that your right and left power produce exactly the same amount of power.
For example, if your left foot is producing 50 Watts, then your watch will read 100 Watts.
I feel that I have the same problem. I shouldn’t blame the pedals right yet, but something isn’t right.
First thing: I dident skrew them on hard enough. That helped a little.
I had the Vector S, so maybe my right leg is much stronger?
Got the second pedal, nope. My left power distribution so far is 51% left 49% right. so if anything I’m stronger on my left leg.
So thats one way to throw away money, but i’ll take that hit for being cheap and buying the S version.
I have my pedals on a Monark Test bike.
That bike uses weight as resistance and basic calculation is Weight X rpm = watt ( 2kg X 50rpm= 100w).
Monark measures at the big wheel, so to be accurate you have to add 6-8% if you want to compare to crank/pedalbased power meters.
At around 100-150w there is a 5-6% diff where the pedals are showing higher values and everything is great.
Its when i reach around my ftp 230-240 the values of my Monark is the same or even higher than my vector2.
I will try this week to use the right momentum for the pedals, but I read on the Garmin forum that nobody had an problem tighening them to hard. So i used the Almost shit myself momentum. I bought a pair of crawfots to tighen them but they were to wide.
Before I go bananas on Garmin, i will recheck my monark (but it’s so basic, rope and weight. Almost nothing to go wrong here) och test the pedals on my tt bike with quark.
I dont have any washers on (removed them), ad latest uppdate. Calibrated, recalibrated tested over and over.
I don’t use the cleats that came with the pedals, but my old Look Keo. Dont think that should be any Issue?
Have a set of Vector 2’s currently on my road bike with a Quarq also. I capture the Quarq data on a Garmin 800 and the Vector on a 810
All firmware is up to date.
Initially was seeing very low readings compared to the Quarq. Like 10-20 watts low average power over intervals and total ride.
Initial install was using a torque wrench and to Garmin’s torque specs (25-30 ft-lbs).
My solution was to somewhat throw their spec out the window and torque to around 40. Also, using no washers for the install.
Since doing that, numbers are pretty spot on with the Vector compared to the Quarq. If anything, at this point the Vector is reading 1-4 watts high on avg.
Part of the issue here is my old bike shop did all this for me when they shipped me my new bike since my old one was totaled while I was traveling to my new destination. They’re in GA and I’m in TX, lol.
So, I get that the S is one sided but does that really explain why my power is reading so low?
My other problem is i have ZERO experience with power. SO I have no baseline
What do you weigh in kg? If you’re really small (45-50kg) or older, 94W over a 4-5 hour ride might not actually be wrong. That’s a long ride, and if you took breaks with the headunit recording zeros, it isn’t that unlikely.
