What is Power?

Simply stated Power is the amount of force (or work) produced over a certain duration of time. A power meter, like the PowerTap hub, takes the torque produced by your pedaling and multiplies it by your speed.

How accurate are PowerTap power meters?

The PowerTap is one of only two power meter companies, which has been scientifically researched and 3rd party validated by Allen Lim (co-founder of Skratch Labs) and other researchers at the University of Boulder – Colorado. They tested the reliability and dependability of the hub and found it to be +/- 1.5% accurate, time and time again. The PowerTap pedal and chainring power meters are validated by comparing with a PowerTap hub, and have been proven to show the same amount of accuracy and consistency, +/- 1.5%.

What is the advantage of training with a powermeter?

Most training systems only allow you to measure your body’s response to the work. The actual amount of work you perform remains a mystery – or at best an estimate. Why is this a problem? Doing too much work means injury and overtraining risk. Too little means you’re not getting the maximum benefits you want. When power is measured your training becomes that much more effective.

Having a constant measure of power helps you:

• Establish your baseline fitness
• Accurately measure even the smallest fitness gains
• Quantify intensity, duration and frequency - instead of guessing
• Prevent overtraining
• Accurately measure energy use for nutrition planning
• Pace properly for time trials or set yourself up for a successful run

What does ANT+ mean?

ANT+ is a 2.4 GHz wireless network, which is used to send standard information wirelessly from one device to another. ANT+ allows two different wireless devices to understand one another, even if the two devices are from two different manufacturers. Communication can be between power meters, speed and cadence sensors, and heart rate monitors. To learn more about ANT+, click HERE.

What is Bluetooth SMART (aka BLE)?

Bluetooth SMART, also known as Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth 4.0, or simply BLE is low power wireless technology. Bluetooth SMART allows devices to wirelessly connect with applications via your smart phone or tablet devices.

How are PowerTap power meters calibrated?

Every PowerTap powermeter is built and calibrated at our headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. However, if you ever need to calibrate your powermeter from home using your Joule GPS cycling computer we’ve got you covered. Click HERE to watch how to manually zero/calibrate your powermeter from your cycling computer.