Power meter

[Kracker59]

Is it possible to add power meter to ergbike?

[Cyclist2]

Why bother? The monitor shows power directly.

[Carl Watts]

Why bother? The monitor shows power directly.

Concept 2 doesn't put into print any power accuracy for the BikeErg. I just read the specs and there is nothing. I probably wouldn't be using one of these on Zwift.

https://www.concept2.com/ergs/bikeerg

[drluvguru]

If the monitor already shows power, no need for a power meter. Plus, Concept2 doesn't really give any power accuracy details for the BikeErg, so it might not be the best for things like Zwift.

[agross29]

You can add a power meter to the bike erg, but it wont connect to the PM5, you’d need to connect it directly to Zwift. The bike erg measures power at the fly wheel which depending which article you read means it underestimates power by 15-20% when compared to pedal power meters. Some on the forum say 15-20 watts. Here is a cycling week article discussing it


https://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/b ... erg-review

[Carl Watts]

^^^^

Probably the best solution but you then have to spend quite a bit for decent pedals to use it with Zwift.

Still doesn't make it a smart trainer but I guess its better than your road bike on a cheap trainer. Zwift needs a decent source for actual power measurement to make it realistic

[agross29]

For a cheaper alternative you can run the painsled app, but that adds about 30% so ur over estimating at that point and you cant do events or have RPM. I actually stopped using Zwift since the PM5 can only connect to 1 device at a time and I prefer it connected to the erg data app than Zwift. Plus Zwift just wasnt worth the $20 a month after a while. It took a lot to set it up each time and the lag time of 1-2 seconds was annoying made it a pain to stay with groups, pacers etc. especially if you just want to ride with a group and stay at a steady power output. I’ll jump off my soapbox now.

[Carl Watts]

Zwift rocks, I'm on it at least 4 times a week with a 150km a week target goal.

You just need a halfway decent PC and internet and a bike that puts out a Power Source, Cadence and most people want Resistance so the smart trainer interacts with Zwift and forces you to change gears for the inclines and declines.

Had it for well over a year now and still not completed all the routes.

Painsled and RowBiker is no good, the power correction curve between the Erg and the Bike is non-linear, you simply cannot throw a fixed percentage at it, its needs a correction curve that ties in with your heartrate.

[milansanremo]

Zwift rocks, I'm on it at least 4 times a week with a 150km a week target goal.

You just need a halfway decent PC and internet and a bike that puts out a Power Source, Cadence and most people want Resistance so the smart trainer interacts with Zwift and forces you to change gears for the inclines and declines.

Had it for well over a year now and still not completed all the routes.

Painsled and RowBiker is no good, the power correction curve between the Erg and the Bike is non-linear, you simply cannot throw a fixed percentage at it, its needs a correction curve that ties in with your heartrate.

Zwift is nothing but a plethora of cheating ( that is if you care about a level playing field) if competing.
Concept 2 ergdata (rowing) on the other hand is a textbook example of how to eliminate the cheaters and have a level playing field.i am exceptionally impressed with the way this whole system was designed.

If Zwift were somehow able to eliminate the numerous flaws in their system..they would attract many more paying subscribers.

[Carl Watts]

Zwift rocks, I'm on it at least 4 times a week with a 150km a week target goal.

You just need a halfway decent PC and internet and a bike that puts out a Power Source, Cadence and most people want Resistance so the smart trainer interacts with Zwift and forces you to change gears for the inclines and declines.

Had it for well over a year now and still not completed all the routes.

Painsled and RowBiker is no good, the power correction curve between the Erg and the Bike is non-linear, you simply cannot throw a fixed percentage at it, its needs a correction curve that ties in with your heartrate.

Zwift is nothing but a plethora of cheating ( that is if you care about a level playing field) if competing.
Concept 2 ergdata (rowing) on the other hand is a textbook example of how to eliminate the cheaters and have a level playing field.i am exceptionally impressed with the way this whole system was designed.

If Zwift were somehow able to eliminate the numerous flaws in their system..they would attract many more paying subscribers.

Yes and no, I got round the Concept 2 verification system but I really only did it to prove how hard it was at the time. Its pretty much impossible for the average Joe.

Zwift is totally different, there are literally millions of subscribers and Zwift allows dumb hardware anyway. I have a Wattbike Atom X and it could be verified even better than the Concept 2, however both Zwift and WattBike are not interested in making the hardware and software changes I suggested.

Unless you are racing you don't really care anyway, I have changed over the years and now just compete against myself in Zwift knowing that the power output from the bike is +/-1% accuracy and is repeatable so I race myself in the hundreds of sprint segments. They released the "Halo Rider" which is you on your PB, its easy to race yourself.

[milansanremo]

Zwift rocks, I'm on it at least 4 times a week with a 150km a week target goal.

You just need a halfway decent PC and internet and a bike that puts out a Power Source, Cadence and most people want Resistance so the smart trainer interacts with Zwift and forces you to change gears for the inclines and declines.

Had it for well over a year now and still not completed all the routes.

Painsled and RowBiker is no good, the power correction curve between the Erg and the Bike is non-linear, you simply cannot throw a fixed percentage at it, its needs a correction curve that ties in with your heartrate.

Zwift is nothing but a plethora of cheating ( that is if you care about a level playing field) if competing.
Concept 2 ergdata (rowing) on the other hand is a textbook example of how to eliminate the cheaters and have a level playing field.i am exceptionally impressed with the way this whole system was designed.

If Zwift were somehow able to eliminate the numerous flaws in their system..they would attract many more paying subscribers.

Yes and no, I got round the Concept 2 verification system but I really only did it to prove how hard it was at the time. Its pretty much impossible for the average Joe.

Zwift is totally different, there are literally millions of subscribers and Zwift allows dumb hardware anyway. I have a Wattbike Atom X and it could be verified even better than the Concept 2, however both Zwift and WattBike are not interested in making the hardware and software changes I suggested.

Unless you are racing you don't really care anyway, I have changed over the years and now just compete against myself in Zwift knowing that the power output from the bike is +/-1% accuracy and is repeatable so I race myself in the hundreds of sprint segments. They released the "Halo Rider" which is you on your PB, its easy to race yourself.

Well, thanks for bursting my bubble...lol
At least you added that " the average Joe can't do it"...maybe you can get them to add "double verification"...haha
This is one of the most impressive qualities of the C2 system for me.