Data Field: vPower - Bike Virtual Power

Welcome to
vPower
Version 1.9.3



The vPower data field app has been developed for those who are not fortunate enough to own an expensive power meter. Firstly, this is not 100% accurate. As you can imagine, there is a lot of variables at play to calculate power on the pedals accurately. This is my best attempt to take all these variables into consideration and developed the app with the following key features:

Configurable
- Now supports the following options to be set to improve calculation accuracy:
o Bike weight
o Tyre rolling resistance coefficient (default set for Michelin ProRace 3)
o Default ride position (Tops, Hoods, Drops or Triathlon)
o Trainer mode (default is off). Set this mode if you want to get training power for the supported trainer.
o Trainer - I only have a few at the moment, but will add as I get my hands on other trainer power curve formulas. If you have this, please send to me and I can add for you.
o Calculation - Display calculation as watt, or w/kg.

General
- Data is saved to FIT file and can be viewed in GC.
- Power is calculated if you are moving (cadence must also be over 40).
- Power consists of adding Vertical Power, Rolling Resistance, Drag & Air Resistance together to give total watts at a specific point in time (all explained below).

User Profile
- The rider weight is used from the User Profile.

Vertical Power
- The effort to elevate total mass (bike + body) up an incline.
- Incline is calculated based on the difference in altitude over a set period (based on the logging intervals).
- Gravity has been factored in at 9.81 kg m/s.

Rolling Resistance
- The force needed to counter rolling drag.
- Used normal road surface.

Drag
- The force needed to counter drag generated by the bike & wheels at specific speed.
- Used a set of Fulcrum R5 wheels to calculate drag.

Air Resistance
- The power needed to propel through the air at a specific speed.
- Rider calculated to be in the triathlon position (on tri bars).
- Air density calculated for sea level at 20 degrees Celsius.

----------------- Planned Updates------------------
- None at this stage, so please leave feedback.

----------------- Version History ------------------
1.0 - Initial release.

1.1 - Correct cadence value check; introduced value smoothing over last 3 results.

1.2 - Stability updates. Increased smoothing to 5 samples. Auto adjust size for different layouts.

1.2.2 - Stability updates. Crash should now be resolved.

1.3 - Updated for 1.1.3 SDK. Improved vertical power accuracy.

1.4 - Configurable options, Trainer support, Remove need for cadence.

1.5 – Calculation updates for improved accuracy.

1.6 - Option to calculate w/kg, updated firmware for better device support.

1.7 - Cadence over 40 for power to calculate. Save field to FIT file. Power max and avg in summary.

1.7.1 - Minor changes to fix FIT save & Strava upload issue (I hope)!

1.7.2 - Minor updates. Acceleration now part of formula.

1.8.0 - Support more devices. Averaging settings. Decimal fix for w/kg. Added a bunch of additional trainer support.

1.8.1 - Update issue with power spikes, and compiled for 2.4.2.

1.8.2 - Will now record power even when no cadence meter attached.

1.8.3 - Small fix to text for negative reading to avoid spike in FIT file (thanks Jan!).

1.9 - Re-look at all calculation to address power spikes.

1.9.1 - Improve power calculations (trying to base on actual power meter results). Added Feedback Omnium Over-Drive trainer support.

1.9.2 - Update for new Edge 830, 530, Forerunner 945 and MARQ.



Happy training!

  • vPower on edge devices

    Will you update vPower to make it work on edge 520/1000 when Connect IQ is released for these devices?
  • Will you update vPower to make it work on edge 520/1000 when Connect IQ is released for these devices?


    Hi, the data field is already compatible with all the devices, including the 520 & 1000. I have not tested them in physical devices, but they seem to work perfectly in the simulator.

    Cheers
    Shane
  • Hi, the data field is already compatible with all the devices, including the 520 & 1000. I have not tested them in physical devices, but they seem to work perfectly in the simulator.

    Cheers
    Shane


    Great, thanks. Just have to wait for Garmin to add CIQ to edge devices ...and for the spring! I train most of the time on the same roads - so consistency (from one ride to the next) in power info from vPower, more than precision, is what matters most in my case.
  • How do to save/load your configuration?

    Hi, I want to create some own graphical data field display that can support different zone color background. So I need to save/load zone range settings. I means, some kinds of permernent setting storage. Because I don't want to set each time (So much ranges....)

    How could you get the approach for settings? Or you need to set those configuration everytime?
  • vPower - Fenix 3. User instructions - How do you use it

    Hello, I have downloaded the Data Field, but don't know how to use it.
    Any instructions please? Thanks.
  • Hello, I have downloaded the Data Field, but don't know how to use it.
    Any instructions please? Thanks.


    Hi, it is pretty easy.

    1. Open Garmin Connect Mobile and open the settings page of the data field (under Device - Connect IQ Apps).
    2. Enter your bike weight and your tyres known rolling resistance coefficient. The default value in there is for a set of Michellins, so no need to change that really.
    3. Specify your default riding position and click save.

    The above is all if you are on the road. If you have a supported trainer, then tick the Trainer Mode and select your trainer. That will then work indoors.

    Hope that helps?

    Cheers
  • Hi, it is pretty easy.

    1. Open Garmin Connect Mobile and open the settings page of the data field (under Device - Connect IQ Apps).
    2. Enter your bike weight and your tyres known rolling resistance coefficient. The default value in there is for a set of Michellins, so no need to change that really.
    3. Specify your default riding position and click save.

    The above is all if you are on the road. If you have a supported trainer, then tick the Trainer Mode and select your trainer. That will then work indoors.

    Hope that helps?

    Cheers


    i cannot seem to find that in the mobile app - do you mean in watch itself? sorry my 920 is at home but will check when i get off from work today

    where can i find these as well? - 2. Enter your bike weight and your tyres known rolling resistance coefficient. The default value in there is for a set of Michellins, so no need to change that really.
    3. Specify your default riding position and click save.
  • On the Edge 520?

    Saw that yesterday Garmin updated the Edge models to support Connect IQ. I'd love to get this on my 520, but there's some error in downloading it from Garmin ("Sorry, the app wasn’t sent to your device because we’re having trouble communicating with our servers. Please try again later."). I can see the app at this URL, but can't find it through the main app store.

    Is there another link to vPower that I can use? Any other advice?

    Thanks!
  • Hi, the data field is already compatible with all the devices, including the 520 & 1000. I have not tested them in physical devices, but they seem to work perfectly in the simulator.

    Cheers
    Shane


    Hi, Garmin connect does not allow to download the app to my 520 because your app does not include this device among the compatible ones. Anyway to overcome this issue? is it possible to install it 'manually' or to modify the app so that the 520 will be included?

    Thanks
    Fabri
  • Please Add Trainer Support for Blackburn Tech Mag 6

    Hello,

    Could you please add trainer support for the Blackburn Tech Mag 6 trainer? I would really appreciate it. You should be able to find the power curve here: http://www.blackburndesign.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/970x970/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/b/bb_resistancechart_t_62be4a.jpg

    Thank you!