Just realized this option existed when I updated my version of TR earlier this week. Any recommendations for which option to use? I am doing the TT plan with Virtual Power and currently have power smoothing turned off which means my power number is constantly moving. Not sure if this is better with the sprint efforts involved or if power smoothing would provide a higher level of sanity to my rides.
Just realized this option existed when I updated my version of TR earlier this week. Any recommendations for which option to use? I am doing the TT plan with Virtual Power and currently have power smoothing turned off which means my power number is constantly moving. Not sure if this is better with the sprint efforts involved or if power smoothing would provide a higher level of sanity to my rides.
You could do it at the max setting (7 seconds). Just one click should keep it, if you re-open the app and it doesn’t stay then that’s a bug and we’ll jump on top of that to fix it! If it is a bug, e-mail us at support@trainerroad.com and we’ll get it fixed.
We don’t have any larger smoothing than 7 seconds. We’re rebuilding the app right now in iOS and we’re going to make it configurable…so you could have 60 second smoothing if you wanted (not recommended 
).
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Thanks Nate. Just was curious which smoothing option people were using - None, 3 sec, 5 sec or 7 sec (think those are my options). I am sure they all have their advantages and disadvantages, but figured there might be a consensus. You know, Slowtwitch is notorious for having consensus agreements on all things triathlon/endurance. If nothing else, I will just play around with it and see how it goes.
Will the smoothing only affect the actual power display during the workout or will it change how the data is actually recorded?
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Does smoothing only affect the on-screen power display, or does it also even out the power transitions when doing an erg workout?
–Gene
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I use 5 second smoothing. It works pretty well and allows me to hit power levels without a crazy amount of concentration. Without power smoothing my power would be all over the place, ± 8 watts or so unless I was concentrating really really hard to making my pedaling smooth. I think a lot of that is subject to the trainer you’re using and it’s power curve. I’m using a KK rock’n’roll.
The only trick with 5 second smoothing is that you have to anticipate upcoming intervals and start increasing power a little early. Also, I just don’t worry too much about the 5 second spikes that some of the TR workouts have. I just push hard for ~5 seconds and hold something close to the target.
Thanks Nate. Just was curious which smoothing option people were using - None, 3 sec, 5 sec or 7 sec (think those are my options). I am sure they all have their advantages and disadvantages, but figured there might be a consensus. You know, Slowtwitch is notorious for having consensus agreements on all things triathlon/endurance. If nothing else, I will just play around with it and see how it goes.
Will the smoothing only affect the actual power display during the workout or will it change how the data is actually recorded?
It depends on what device you have paired. Something crank based usually needs a higher smooth number, like 5 or 7. With my power tap or kickr I have it at 0. With virtual power you can usually put it at 0-3.
Anything is really good. I like a lower smooth because I feel it makes me have to really concentrate on keeping a steady power output.
Does smoothing only affect the on-screen power display, or does it also even out the power transitions when doing an erg workout?
–Gene
Yah, just the onscreen numbers. We’re still recording the raw data.
It doesn’t change anything for an ERG workout.