Can I get customized, personalized workouts programmed into a LeMond Power Pilot power meter?
Thanks!
I have wireless power meters that work off of ANTS+. I use the Garmin 705 which has a feature to program intervals. The Garmin also has a feature to warn you when you are out of your range of power/hr/speed/etc. But you can have your cake and eat it too because I cant get it to tell me when Im out of my range when I have programmed intervals. I have to continously look at the screen to see my power readings, which is ok with me. I absolutely enjoy the interval programming though. Push the start button and go.
I’m probably in the 5% of cyclists in that 90% of my riding is indoors very early or very late due to travel constraints. So, using a Power Pilot seems like a way I would want to lean.
If I’m understanding your question correctly, this is the main premise behind TrainerRoad - power-based workouts. In the TrainerRoad case, the power is calculated based on some sort of ANT+ speed/cadence sensor, an ANT+ USB stick, and a computer, where your computer with the TR app becomes your head unit. The workouts are tailored to your FTP (which you can estimate or test) and created for you (there are a ton of them). So, at this point, I guess they’re not truly custom, but you might find something you like. There are also “free ride” workouts that allow you to do your own thing. I also only mention TR since I’m experienced with that - I think a Computrainer or Tacx takes it to another level, as they can control the resistance to simulate hills, etc.
I found that having a Sufferfest video with TrainerRoad providing power-based targets rather than relying on rate of perceived exertion has taken the workouts to a whole new level. I wasn’t digging as deep as I thought I was, as I watch my power output drop as I fatigue. It’s pretty amazing. Here’s a graph of one of my Sufferfest/TR workouts:
http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/11444
As you can see, I tapered off quite a bit on those last intervals, but when I had done this same video before I found TR, I was certain I was producing just as much power as I was the first few. Pretty cool to see the reality of it (no matter how bad it looks!), I think.
I hope I didn’t misunderstand your question and that was somewhat helpful.
Well I think it sort of answered it, but trust me it’s not you it’s me…I’m a power idiot. Here is what I should have said. The biggest problem with TR for me is that I can’t bring my bike where my computer is w/o a total PITA and don’t own a laptop.
I want to get a power meterI own a RevolutionCan the Power Pilot give me what a Quarq does in terms of read outs, programming?And to anyone else, feel free to give more than the paulo answers that would be ‘ok’, ‘good for you’ and ‘no’
I’m a big power dummy and want to make sure I get what will be best for me given my setup with the Rev. Thanks all!
I’m not sure if I’m understanding your question correctly. Anyway, I program my indoor workouts on my Garmin 500 using Garmin Connect.
Using Garmin Connect, you create a workout. You add pieces to the workout ( warmup, interval, recovery etc). When you do this, you set the goal of each section (speed, time, power range, etc). When you’re done, you save it and you can send it to the device.
See below for an example. You can program what takes the workout to the next section. Time based or when you click the lap button.
When performing a section of the workout, you get a readout of your power goal and it lets you know if you’re too high, low etc. My warmups are pretty standard so I just use the lap button for that. I use time for the actual interval.
The biggest problem with TR for me is that I can’t bring my bike where my computer is w/o a total PITA and don’t own a laptop.
That’s definitely a good point, and I can’t help much more on that. It gets me thinking: I now understand why TR (or anyone else) might want to provide an iPhone/Android app, which would go with this:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=103887
Now it’s portable. Combined with an appropriate app, maybe that might get you closer to where you want to be?
I really am bad at conveying my points in text…sorry…warned you I as a dummy! I will just widdle it down to this.
I’m looking at the Power Pilot.
What will that give me as far as the ability to program a workout into the actual unit where I can follow it on my own during a ride on my Revolution Trainer.
I ask b/c my LeMond dealer is more clueless than I am about the PP features and beyond ‘hey it’s a power meter weeeeeeee!’ was all I got.
Thanks man!
I used to train by setting programmes by power on tacx machines (they adjust resistance to your cadence so you ride at constant power). I now have a Lemond Revolution with Power Pilot. The noise is loud but steady (think concept II rowing machine or plane taking off) and Bose noise-cancelling headphones can tune it out very effectively.
I LOVE the Revolution. At the moment I’m mostly doing 2h easy rides with iPad perched on tribars reading ebooks etc. It is easy to ride at constantish power by choosing gear and cadence, but there is NO lap button on the PP so lap average not possible, you need to do it by eye. You can download the data from PP into .csv file which some software can process if you are lucky - PP will lose your data a lot of the time.
You can in effect use the Garmin functionality by streaming data from PP to garmin, but only if garmin is “fitness equipment” compatible and not a 310XT which will pretend to connect then laugh in your face when you start pedalling.
In summary, I love the revolution, but the PP was rushed to market before they had time to do things like test it and is frustrating if you are precious about exactly what you average in each interval. Oddly, it has taught me not to be, for which I am actually quite grateful even if I’m sure it was not their intent!
Ok thanks that is about what I can glean from the threads. PP is not on par with others. FWIW I love the heck out of my Rev, just so torn on which direction to enter the power game. Certainly not doing a Power Tap wheel b/c less than 10% of my riding is outside unfortunately. That’s how much I love the bike, 90% trainer and I still do it! It’s down to a crank pm which will cover all rides or go with PP which is indoors only, but a far from polished product from several accounts.
Honest advice, buy the PP. you’ll learn the important things about training with power, i.e. how to ride the first hour and what it feels like when you’re pacing it right. If you want to learn the finer details on the road then pick up a cheap used PowerTap later.
Learn to feel what a minute at 110% of FTP at <70rpm feels like on the lemond then avoid doing it on the first hill of the day for example!
excellent I have been asking the same thing for a few months and right now there is no program. trainingroad.com is close but nothing yet. I know trainingpeaks is trying to develop something. Once there is a program to write and download the workout/interval to the PP it would be great.
If you get a chance send lemond revolution a question and see what they know
chris
have sent 2 through ‘contact us’ portal in the last month, but no response.
they are quite busy and will defintely get back to you, i have had great customer service with them, or try facebook also
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Go with crank power and use Garmin.
The biggest problem with TR for me is that I can’t bring my bike where my computer is w/o a total PITA and don’t own a laptop.
That’s definitely a good point, and I can’t help much more on that. It gets me thinking: I now understand why TR (or anyone else) might want to provide an iPhone/Android app, which would go with this:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=103887
Now it’s portable. Combined with an appropriate app, maybe that might get you closer to where you want to be?
Oh yah, we’re making a mobile app :). I think it would help a lot of people.
I hear that the garmin ANT Dongle for iphone ONLY works with other garmin apps, not everything. So I would stick with the wahoo one.
Oh yah, we’re making a mobile app :). I think it would help a lot of people.
I hear that the garmin ANT Dongle for iphone ONLY works with other garmin apps, not everything. So I would stick with the wahoo one.
Crap, now you’re gonna give me a reason to get a smartphone… lol!
hehe, wait a little bit. We have a some work to do. I JUST quit my job like 15 minutes ago. Last day will be March 2nd.
As soon as I get to work 80+ hours a week on this stuff it will really start to fly out ;).
I have been holding off on an iPhone forever…now you are giving me a reason to push it over…throttle up!
Sounds good I look forward to it
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