World's Least Expensive PM

Submitted by Unit on Wed, 02/14/2007 - 9:29am
Unit's picture

Here it is.

Basically, it is just a speedo that is calibrated to the same power vs. speed curve of the Kurt Kinetic trainer. I need (*want* actually) this power curve so I can figure out where I am vs. a couple years ago. I no longer have a PM, and I have no plans to get another. They are great, but I figure I would just feel guilty owning one and not using it to its potential.

One of these speedometers on the other hand could be the ticket. Sub 50 bucks and have a reasonable estimate of power? That sounds OK to me. Sure it only works on a trainer, but so do I these days...In fact I rarely do any sort of structured workout OFF the trainer when the snow is off the ground.

I figure when the bike is in the woods, its play time!

Mark EWERS's picture

That's expensive

Mark EWERS wrote 4 years 51 weeks ago

That's expensive compared to free.
According to the Kurt Kinetic web site their Road Machine load generators adhere to the following power equation:

P = 5.244820 * S + 0.01968 * S^3

P = power in watts
S = speed in miles per hour

Save your $50 and just figure out your power output in a spreadsheet.

You could even turn it around and create wattage workouts for yourself by prescribing gear, cadence and duration.

http://www.kurtkinetic.com/powercurve.php

Unit's picture

that is the idea

Unit wrote 4 years 51 weeks ago

I really was not going to buy one...I just want the curve so that I can guesstimate my form proximity to back in the day...(2 years ago)

Unit's picture

crunched the numbers

Unit wrote 4 years 51 weeks ago

Now I know why my legs were hurting last night. I am probalby not too far off the mark...if these numbers are close.

bobber's picture

VAM

bobber wrote 4 years 51 weeks ago

Dr. Michael Ferrari's VAM is an interesting idea of measuring performance apart from a PM.