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epix 2 and lactate threshold heart rate

1917106
over 3 years ago

Will the epix 2 auto detect LTHR changes for cycling activities, or only for running activities? My prior fenix 6x would never update LTHR from cycling activities when set to auto detection. 

I've been using an Edge 830 to record indoor rides for the past week, and it has detected small increases in LTHR three times, now 4 bpm over the initial value I had estimated and used on the 6x, which was in turn copied to Garmin Connect.  My Kickr Bike is connected as a smart trainer on the Edge 830, same as what I previously used for the 6x, with the same Polar H10 HRM.

The 6x guided LTHR test was only for running, same as what appears to be the case for the epix 2 per the online manual, but the manuals for both indicate that auto detection can be turned on to detect a change "during an activity", not specifying the type of activity.

I'm still waiting for my epix 2 to ship, so can't test it myself yet. I was hoping to just use the watch for indoor rides, as no point in duplicate recordings that double the training load in Garmin Connect.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I put my LTHR manually from the beginning, and it never changed since the beginning even "auto-detection" is switched ON. I have done more than  10 running activities already, but it stays stable. Same for max heart rate (auto-detection ON). Not sure what is the logic behind auto-detection. My current max heart rate is 181, and it was many times more than this number, however, the max heart rate didn't change yet. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Aleksandr

    Your max heart rate will not be determined by just using the max of whatever values you get. Imagine a faulty HR strap reading very high, your max HR would be changed all the time. Max HR is when your heartrate flattens out on a limit and just can't go any higher, and that is probably what is detected.

    My LTHR updated already twice even though putting in a manual value at the start. It just needs some high effort trainings with a good length from my experience 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to BobMiles

    Thank you for the reply. About max heart rate, then probably (not sure) the logic behind max heart rate is the average of the max readings during activities. will see if anything will change after a couple of months.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Aleksandr

    I've never had max heart rate update on either the Edge 830 or fenix 6x, likely because my activities haven't met the criteria to trigger an update, even though auto detection was enabled. Either device would regularly get updated FTP levels and occasional updated VO2 max levels as expected, just no LTHR updates on the fenix 6x.

    My LTHR went up another bpm from this morning's Zwift ride that was also recorded on the Edge 830.

    BobMiles - were either of your LTHR updates after cycling activities, or both after running activities? I'm hoping that the epix 2 will update LTHR after cycling activities like the Edge 830. If so, will likely change back to basing my HR zones on % LTHR rather than % max heart rate.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 1917106

    Hi,

    My LTHR updates were both from running as I only commute on the bike currently (weather sucks). But my FR945 did update on the road bike and also on indoor cycling activities, so there's no reason for me why the epix wouldn't. 

    Concerning max HR, it shouldn't be an average of the maxima, max HR is very distinct on a HR graph. I guess you just never hit max HR and that's why it won't update.

    I have no idea what my real max HR is because I know it takes a lot of effort to reach it and I don't want to end up puking on the run ;) I feel like what I have set is about right.. At least my HR zones feel correct. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to BobMiles

    Sometimes I’ll ride timed sprints on Zwift at max effort the entire sprint at the level of neuromuscular fatigue, then ease up for 10-25 seconds, but they’re only about 12 - 32 seconds. My max HR after one of the longer sprints only reaches 10-15 bpm above LTHR. Basing HR zones on %LTHR and power zones on %FTP that change with conditioning and training status seems best for me, although the difference in HR zones between using my current LTHR or estimated max HR isn’t a lot.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Aleksandr

    I am also waiting on my Epix. I currently use a Fenix 5 and from my experience I think the operation with the Epix is much like the Fenix 5. The tip in the Epix manual is like that in the Fenix 5 manual and it says: TIP: The device requires a few runs with a chest heart rate monitor to get an accurate maximum heart rate value and VO2 max. estimate. If you are having trouble getting a lactate threshold estimate, try manually lowering your maximum heart rate value. I tried that and the LTHR began updating again.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Just manually enter max HR and LT values that are notably lower than the ones you expect (for example set the max HR to 150bpm and LT to 135). Then enable the auto detect feature both for running and cycling. It will update accordingly when  you start doing your hard sessions (mine has already updated 3 times since bought). You can expect it to update more frequently during the first 3-4 weeks and then rarely as your fitness changes.