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!

  • Great idea, but causes my F3 to reboot when I try and use it!
  • Great idea, but causes my F3 to reboot when I try and use it!


    I made some updates and built using latest SDK 1.6, maybe this will help with your device crash. I also added ability to calculate as w/kg (configurable option).
  • Just tried installing the new version, and it no longer crashes. Won't be in a position to actually try using it until Thursday probably, but so far so good!

    Thanks for the update!

    EDIT:

    I did notice that when you go into Garmin Connect Mobile to configure it, there are 2 settings both called Default Ride Position. It looks like the second one is actually the trainer type, going off the options it has.
  • No, no go - when I tried to start the bike app, the watch crashed again. It also crashed if I attempted to configure the app to remove the field. I had to remove it using GCM.

    Happy to provide more details or test it if you want?
  • After sync the app on the 520 and making fine tune in parameters. What next to get it working an seeing the values on the edge? I've been searching and nothing appears to get it running or available for my next ride


    Just found how to on dc rainmaker blog explaining the garmin iq apps quite simple but need to be explained more on the garmin site
  • Hello,

    Thank you for the great App! It is excelent.
    But ;) : Is it posible to make 2 profiles ?
    I ride with two bikes One Road and the other MTB
    That was very great if i can make two configs for the Bike.
    One for MTB and one for the Roadbike.

    Sincerely
    Wox

    PS.:Sorry for my bad english
  • View in garmin connect?

    Hi I'm sure this has been answered but how do I see my data from a ride in garmin connect?
  • Hello

    Good Job for your data field

    If i understand correctly, whit the last version (1.7) i can see en Gamin connect a draw whit the estimated power ? like the draw for the cadence or the speed

    I made a test but in my case i have nothing more
  • Hello

    Good Job for your data field

    If i understand correctly, whit the last version (1.7) i can see en Gamin connect a draw whit the estimated power ? like the draw for the cadence or the speed

    I made a test but in my case i have nothing more


    Hi Cyril,

    Sorry about this. I am having issues in that my changes does not seem to take effect in production. I am trying to address with Garmin support. I will update you when I have a solution as I see the same behaviour.

    Regards
    Shane
  • Hi Cyril,

    Sorry about this. I am having issues in that my changes does not seem to take effect in production. I am trying to address with Garmin support. I will update you when I have a solution as I see the same behaviour.

    Regards
    Shane


    Thank you Shane for your reply

    Another problem since your last update, the bike session are not synchronized whit strava, a the start i dont understand for what but after trying to send the orginal fit file manualy, strava indicate the file is corrupted (i sold the problem by sending the gpx from Garmin Connect)

    I hope you find the solution whit the garmin support

    Sorry for my poor english