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!

  • 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


    Thanks again for feedback and sorry about this. I actually realised this yesterday also. I will remove some of the new changes made to try and troubleshoot. Give me a few days to address this SDK issue.

    Thanks
  • 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


    It looks like I fixed an issue, data is now uploading to Garmin and is saved as a custom field. There is still issues with Strava, as the file are uploading but with no values. Will continue to test.

    Cheers
  • It looks like I fixed an issue, data is now uploading to Garmin and is saved as a custom field. There is still issues with Strava, as the file are uploading but with no values. Will continue to test.

    Cheers



    I made the update on my edge 1000 and FR920 of the version of vPower The synchro whith strava is running well but in garmin connect no new data

    I need to do something to have the power data displayed on GC ?
  • Today i do une reel bike trainning (100Km) at the final

    -I confirm : no new data in garmin connect
    -The synchro whit strava running but in the strava activity no data 0Km 0h00m00s no gps points, i transfert manually the GPX file and alla it's OK
  • Similar issues here, upload to strava is now OK but the activity occurs in the middle of the atlantic ocean. In garmin connect shows beautifully including vpwer data. Manual export of tcx and upload to strava works fine. Thank you for your work, the app rocks!
  • power curves for elite crono mag

    resistance level one y = -0.0002x3 + 0.068x2 + 1.814x
    R² = 0.9999
  • training mode.

    Hi,
    Thanks for app.
    i must select trainer mode every time I do indoor training ?
    And de-select when go outdoor ?

    Without cadence in indoor the app could calculate power ?

    Regards
  • Hello,

    is it possible to makes 2 configurations. One for MTB and one for Roadbike. And then 2 data fields. So I do not always have to change it, when i change the bike?

    The other one is: Can you calculate the W'bal in your App? Like the same Wbal as in GoldenCheetah? That will be great :)

    Sincerly
  • Is it possible that I make changes in data fields, but they don't have effects? I click "done" , but then is always 10 kg!
  • 256

    Is it possible that I make changes in data fields, but they don't have effects? I click "done" , but then is always 10 kg!


    Hello,

    i have the same probleme. But i have found a solution: I don't make the change by the App GarminConnenct, i make the change by the Garmin Express on PC. So it works.

    Sincerely