V02 Max for Cycling

I believe you also need to use a power meter.

That's just sad... I'm sure they could get some algorithim going to get the average / approximate Vo2 max for cycling. I mean, those power meters are really costly.

The method Garmin uses for determining your VO2max has a 95 % overlap with lab testing. It requires an HRM and a PM. They've said as much in writing, it's not like they pulled the wool over anyone's eyes.

On an outdoor bike without a power meter, there's no way to guess with any reasonable accuracy. Pace is a reliable indicator of power for runners on flat ground, but bikes are too affected by things like wind, changes in the quality of road surface, your position on the bike, slight changes in grade, etc.

There are other methods for estimating your VO2max that do not require as much data, and do not produce as accurate results. Google for details.

It is possible to get a very rough estimate of power from HR and its rate of change. ThePowerTap PowerCal (see also here) uses this method. If you want a cheap rough idea of your VO2max this will help you. I find it underestimates compared to other methods but it can give a rough idea of fitness for the bikes you have without direct force power meters.

That's just sad... I'm sure they could get some algorithim going to get the average / approximate Vo2 max for cycling. I mean, those power meters are really costly.

Wind speed in particular makes estimating VO2Max from speed/gradient alone virtually meaningless. You could take a look at Strava for algorithm based power numbers.

Some new entrants (eg. Assioma, Watteam) into the power meter market in the last couple of months have shaken things up a bit. Single-sided power is now available for between 1/3 and 1/2 the price of a 5X, and dual-sided power for between 1/2 and 3/4 the price of a 5X, and these new entrants are also drawing lower prices in response from existing players. This may or may not be within your budget, but the PM market IS changing.

I have a power meter, and have been training with power on all my rides 2 indoor (CompuTrainer, TrainerRoad and Zwift) and outdoors consistently for 6 weeks, and Connect is not displaying any data for Vo2 Max (cycling) for most recent, last 7 days, last 4 weeks and last 6 months. While I do see the display on my Fenix 3, it hasn't changed since January, although it should have fallen (as my run VO2 Max did) while I was not exercising for the last 6 months.

And you see power showing on your fenix 5x? If so, it should work, as long as it is done under the bike program. It only takes about 5-6 rides and it will start computing, then updating on each subsequent ride.

And you see power showing on your fenix 5x? If so, it should work, as long as it is done under the bike program. It only takes about 5-6 rides and it will start computing, then updating on each subsequent ride.

As I've found by digging around the fora, seems for some, VO2Max (cycling) hasn't been updating in GC since December 17. Yes, I have all the power numbers recording fine, and uploading in my Activities, but no data showing in my VO2Max (Cycling) metrics and reports. The number on the watch hasn't changed since January 2018, but my run VO2MAx has fallen (which I'd expect after 6 months off training).

I found a solution - I deleted the VO2Max numbers in my user settings for Cycling in Garmin Connect - removed the numbers so that it just showed dashes. I have ridden since, and a realistic VO2 Max number is now showing on my watch and in GC.