Put a Quarq spider on my Specialized crank (road bike) and have a couple of questions, specifically as it relates to L/R balance (not that I really care that much).
My ride (2nd ride on it) yesterday came out L:55% ; R:45%. Previous ride was somewhat similar. I’m seriously doubting these numbers, simply because I know my right leg is stronger than my left leg. I know this through my experiences riding PowerCranks (left side fatigues MUCH faster than my right side) and I had a lateral release done on my knee back in '95. There is no way my left leg is stronger than my right…just isn’t possible.
So, how does the Quarq determine L vs R leg? Is it possible I put the spider on the crank 180* from where it is supposed to be?
Also, on my first ride, the Quarq wattage was about 10w higher than both the PT numbers and the Computrainer. I’m assuming this is primarily due to a crank PM vs. one “further down” the drivetrain…anyone have any insights here?
Put a Quarq spider on my Specialized crank (road bike) and have a couple of questions, specifically as it relates to L/R balance (not that I really care that much).
My ride (2nd ride on it) yesterday came out L:55% ; R:45%. Previous ride was somewhat similar. I’m seriously doubting these numbers, simply because I know my right leg is stronger than my left leg. I know this through my experiences riding PowerCranks (left side fatigues MUCH faster than my right side) and I had a lateral release done on my knee back in '95. There is no way my left leg is stronger than my right…just isn’t possible.
So, how does the Quarq determine L vs R leg? Is it possible I put the spider on the crank 180* from where it is supposed to be?
Also, on my first ride, the Quarq wattage was about 10w higher than both the PT numbers and the Computrainer. I’m assuming this is primarily due to a crank PM vs. one “further down” the drivetrain…anyone have any insights here?
thanks!
Perhaps you just unweight much better w/ your right leg? The Quarq would count that as power generated by your left leg.
Is it possible I put the spider on the crank 180* from where it is supposed to be?
Doubtful. You should have noticed this when installing rings because your crank arm would have covered a bolt hole, much like the hidden bolt SRAM setups.
Probably this, if you are pulling up with your right leg then the Quarq will count it as the left leg. Quarq and similar meters like power2max don’t measure true left right balance, they measure left half of pedal stroke and right half of pedal stroke. To get true left right balance you would need either a pedal system or dual pod system like Pioneer.
I’m going to question your assumption that your left leg is stronger. I’d get some Vector pedals or something and verify (if you care).
And maybe you should care now. Because if it really is an unweighting-of-right-leg issue, that 5% sounds like the training unicorn: absolutely free power. And 5% is a lot.
I’m going to question your assumption that your left leg is stronger. I’d get some Vector pedals or something and verify (if you care).
And maybe you should care now. Because if it really is an unweighting-of-right-leg issue, that 5% sounds like the training unicorn: absolutely free power. And 5% is a lot.
That’s quite an assertion. You sound like you’ve been drinking the FD Koolaid;)
Thanks quite an assertion. You sound like you’ve been drinking the FD Koolaid;)
OK, I deserved that. That was kind of embarrassing now that I read it. I realize it’s not that simple. Legs are heavy and the power to lift them has to come from somewhere. But, say 15W of left leg down-stroke power @ FTP to lift the right leg sounds like the wrong way to lift the right leg. Just because FD was largely off-base doesn’t mean that you want your off-power leg to be a giant wad of dead meat.
When I get an overall imbalance in L/R from my quarq, it is usually from the periods where I am coasting or waiting at stoplights at which time it is 100% one leg, 0% on the other. Rides with long and steep descents therefore get the worst overall balance. When you go into the data, does the balance look different from the 45/55 when you are actually pedaling?
I wouldn’t worry about it. For the most part L/R balance is a rubbish metric as asymmetry is normal (5% isn’t much when you take margin of error into a account).
I’m going to question your assumption that your left leg is stronger. I’d get some Vector pedals or something and verify (if you care).
.
Well, the assumption is that my right leg is stronger, not my left…but I honestly know this to be correct. It all stems from my lateral release…part of my quad was actually detached during the surgery. The muscle fires, but it doesn’t pull on anything down by the knee. I have a permanent 10-15% strength deficit on my left side. This was likely compounded during my rehab, where I was probably heavily favoring my right side on the bike (was a pure cyclist then).
Likely never would have known it had I not ridden PowerCranks (left side would reach complete muscle faialure in about 10-15 secs) or gotten into tris (all my injuries have been on my left side because of this imbalance).
I wouldn’t worry about it. For the most part L/R balance is a rubbish metric as asymmetry is normal (5% isn’t much when you take margin of error into a account).
yeah, I’m not really concerned about it…I just thought it was interesting since the numbers were in complete contradiction to what I feel pretty comfortably is the reality. Didn’t know if the orientation of the spider was how the Quarq determined which side was left or right…if so, then having it 180* would explain the difference (i.e. it is actually my right leg that is stronger).
I wouldn’t worry about it. For the most part L/R balance is a rubbish metric as asymmetry is normal (5% isn’t much when you take margin of error into a account).
Until the asymmetry isn’t normal. And you don’t know it’s not normal without a metric.
I found it very useful in improving total power output in the neuromuscular range of power (>1000W). Basically I found that I was about 50/50 until about 3*FTP, and things started to go haywire. Then verified an underlying issue…e.g. I could do one-legged squats all day with my left leg but would instantly collapse into a puddle if trying just one with my right leg. Fixed that through some physical therapy - now I’m pretty balanced, and my standing start in track is much better, etc.
So one person’s “rubbish” is another person’s useful metric, sometimes.
How many triathletes need 1000w at any time? Besides, normal for one isn’t the same for another and there are far more useful metrics that should be examined before looking at something so low level.
How many triathletes need 1000w at any time? Besides, normal for one isn’t the same for another and there are far more useful metrics that should be examined before looking at something so low level.
Yeah, I agree it’s an edge case. (Though this forum isn’t just for triathletes).
But on the other hand the data is so easily available for a lot of power meters, that there’s minimal cost to providing it. I agree it shouldn’t be stressed over, and it’s easy to be distracted by it, but, on the other hand, if you glance at it and see 70/30. (Like I did), that’s a useful tip that something is going on. It’s even a useful tip that a PM is malfunctioning, as I’ve seen with one person’s Vector PM.
Where are you reviewing the L/R balance metric? I haven’t been paying attention lately, but this used to be reversed in TrainingPeaks software. I have a similarly consistent imbalance with right showing stronger than left in the range you mention.
I have used 3 generations of Quarqs on my CT and don’t see that much power variation as long as the Quarq is zeroed and the CT is calibrated at operating temps. I use PerfPro and it is very apparent when one of the units isn’t calibrated properly. I guess I should qualify, that I don’t 10 watts variation at the loads I ride. Lol. %power delta between the devices might be more applicable for comparisons.
Where are you reviewing the L/R balance metric? I haven’t been paying attention lately, but this used to be reversed in TrainingPeaks software. I have a similarly consistent imbalance with right showing stronger than left in the range you mention.
I have used 3 generations of Quarqs on my CT and don’t see that much power variation as long as the Quarq is zeroed and the CT is calibrated at operating temps. I use PerfPro and it is very apparent when one of the units isn’t calibrated properly. I guess I should qualify, that I don’t 10 watts variation at the loads I ride. Lol. %power delta between the devices might be more applicable for comparisons.
When I get an overall imbalance in L/R from my quarq, it is usually from the periods where I am coasting or waiting at stoplights at which time it is 100% one leg, 0% on the other. Rides with long and steep descents therefore get the worst overall balance. When you go into the data, does the balance look different from the 45/55 when you are actually pedaling?
When I get an overall imbalance in L/R from my quarq, it is usually from the periods where I am coasting or waiting at stoplights at which time it is 100% one leg, 0% on the other. Rides with long and steep descents therefore get the worst overall balance. When you go into the data, does the balance look different from the 45/55 when you are actually pedaling?
When I get an overall imbalance in L/R from my quarq, it is usually from the periods where I am coasting or waiting at stoplights at which time it is 100% one leg, 0% on the other. Rides with long and steep descents therefore get the worst overall balance. When you go into the data, does the balance look different from the 45/55 when you are actually pedaling?
Legs are heavy and the power to lift them has to come from somewhere.
The weight of one leg descending pretty much covers the weight of the ascending leg. Unless the cranks are uncoupled or you are one legged, there is very little energy required to lift the legs while pedalling.
