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FTP calculation

I would like to know how the Edge 520 calculate the FTP.

On my first ride with it, here's the numbers for a 58 minutes ride:

Average power: 321w
Average power max 20min: 320w (how can it be lower than total average power, since it's the best 20 minutes ?)

Normalized power: 332w

FTP: 346w

Again, how can the FTP be way higher than max 20 minutes since FTP is roughly the same as a 60 minutes all out effort ?
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    I would like to know how the Edge 520 calculate the FTP.

    On my first ride with it, here's the numbers for a 58 minutes ride:

    Average power: 321w
    Average power max 20min: 320w (how can it be lower than total average power, since it's the best 20 minutes ?)

    Normalized power: 332w

    FTP: 346w

    Again, how can the FTP be way higher than max 20 minutes since FTP is roughly the same as a 60 minutes all out effort ?


    I suspect that the algorithm inside the 520 is not quite right.... example a turbo training session gave an IF of well over 1 on the 520 but Golden Cheetah gave a more realistic 0.95.. it woul dbe nice of the Garmin folk on here would acknowledge a possible issue.
  • Could you post the FIT activity file?
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    Again, how can the FTP be way higher than max 20 minutes since FTP is roughly the same as a 60 minutes all out effort ?


    It looks like Garmin uses term 'FTP' as '20 minute FTP'. Not '1 hour FTP'.

    At least that's what I'm getting as my FTP when I do FTP test.
  • No. They are using a 20 minute test to get at an FTP value, but they are not redefining what FTP is. E.g. they are taking 95% of the value for your best 20 minute average power and calling that your FTP value.
  • was that the 520 FTP test or just a 58 minute ride?
  • was that the 520 FTP test or just a 58 minute ride?


    It was on my first 58 minutes ride. If I remember correctly, right after the ride I saw "New record" or something like so on the 520, and the "new" ftp value.

    On garmin connect, my FTP on some rides is 346w and for a reason I don't know it is 200w for some other rides.
  • It was on my first 58 minutes ride. If I remember correctly, right after the ride I saw "New record" or something like so on the 520, and the "new" ftp value.

    On garmin connect, my FTP on some rides is 346w and for a reason I don't know it is 200w for some other rides.


    Now I remember my 520 doing something similar. I hadn't expected that. I changed the setting to manually input my FTP. The calculated value was wrong, but not nearly as bad as yours.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    Now I remember my 520 doing something similar. I hadn't expected that. I changed the setting to manually input my FTP. The calculated value was wrong, but not nearly as bad as yours.

    Can you advise me how you actually input your FTP manually?
  • Can you advise me how you actually input your FTP manually?


    I don't have my 520 with me, but it is in the manual. So far I found Menu > My Stats > Training Zone > Power Zone on Page 13 of the manual.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    I would like to know how the Edge 520 calculate the FTP.

    On my first ride with it, here's the numbers for a 58 minutes ride:

    Average power: 321w
    Average power max 20min: 320w (how can it be lower than total average power, since it's the best 20 minutes ?)


    Because the 20 minutes need to be consecutive.

    eg. https://github.com/GoldenCheetah/GoldenCheetah/wiki/FAQ-METRICS#why-does-my-cp-chart-show-higher-watts-for-a-longer-duration