Cykelstrom is being used as a mountain bike power meter app in this ride demonstration.
Mountain Bike Power Meter App Accuracy For This Ride
The best accuracy for this ride is highlighted in bold.
| Sensors | Crank Power Meter (Watts avg.) | Cykelstrom (Watts avg.) | Difference (Watts) | Margin of Error (Watts) |
| External Speed and Cadence | 128.11 | 187.47 | 59.35 | +/- 7.04 |
| GPS Speed and External Cadence | 128.11 | 145.70 | 17.59 | +/- 5.64 |
| External Speed Only | 129.25 | 213.33 | 84.08 | +/- 11.55 |
| GPS Speed Only | 129.25 | 162.41 | 33.16 | +/- 6.27 |
Discussion Of The Mountain Bike Power Meter App’s Ride Results
Mountain biking presents more challenges in calculating power estimates of the rider on rough surfaces. Rapid changes in grade, roots, rocks, and direction, are challenges that do not exist when road biking. These challenges make estimating the cyclist’s power very difficult.
To address these challenges, I have introduced a new feature in the Cykelstrom Bicycle Power Meter App called “Mountain Bike Mode.” The new feature tunes the power estimate algorithm to more closely approximate the results of the single sided crank mountain bike power meter. Mountain bike mode is chosen under “Settings” in the Cykelstrom App. To learn how to change settings please visit Customizing Cykelstrom Through Settings.
Highlighted in bold, the table shows that when using the GPS with an external cadence sensor presents results which are closest to the crank power meter. To learn how to set up a cadence sensor in Cykelstrom please visit Adding Bluetooth Sensors to Cykelstrom.
Keep in mind that the forest canopy could be dense enough to block GPS reception, and in that case the addition of a speed sensor is suggested. For reasons which I am still investigating, I am finding that speed sensors when used in in rough terrain seem to overestimate the speed of the cyclist. I am experimenting with different technologies to try and determine why this is so. Accelerometer based speed sensors and magnet base speed sensor appear to agree with each other, but not agree with GPS speed. Calculating power estimates when using GPS speed agree more with the crank based power meter. So the saga continues and I will publish my thoughts as my ride testing continues.
Do you have any thoughts about this issue? If so please send an E-mail to: developer@cykestrom.com
Strava Activity
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| Elapsed Time | Moving Time | Distance | Average Speed | Max Speed | Elevation Gain | Calories Burned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
00:37:37
hours
|
00:37:37
hours
|
5.69
mi.
|
9.07
mph
|
17.05
mph
|
306.43
ft.
|
536
kcal
|
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The Cykelstrom Mountain Bike Power Meter App Is Only Available On Google Play
