Hi all,
a bit confused about the power spike detection. I did a sprint today and it read it as a power spike and smoothed it (power spike above 30%), so my 5s power was changed to 900 rather than 1250. What is the point of this? I changed the % to 999 so that my 5s power is accurate for that ride.
Thanks
The help explains this quite well:
Power spikes are detected by comparing your power output to what you should be capable of based on the power duration curve for your FTP. […] Also consider raising your FTP if many spurious spikes are being detected.
It’s basically to filter out possibly erroneous or improbable power meter behaviour.
Power spike detection hasn’t worked well for me as a road cyclist, and I changed it to 999%. I’ve had power meters for 8 years - Stages single sided, Stages dual sided, Quarq/SRAM Force and Red, and Garmin pedal meters. Maybe one or two spikes a year with Stages, but since switching to Quarq/SRAM in 2021 there haven’t been any spikes.
@15edwardz I’ve read other forums where gravel/MTB riders see more spikes than road riders.
When I started Intervals.icu it seems power spikes were common, especially with PMs running low on batteries. I don’t think my Favero Assioma’s have ever spiked so maybe things have got better.
@David with all power meters (Stages gen2, gen3, Stages stationary bike, SRAM Force, and multiple SRAM Red) I have very very quick ramp from say 200W to 1000W within one or two seconds, and therefore get a lot of false positives with the power spike detection. Thats why I “disabled” it by setting to 999%.
It still happens frequently (almost never with Assiomas, but it’s possible with other manufacturers, well-known or not) for a wide variety of reasons. Last one was an MTB Sram AXS that got some small bolt loose and battery was moving slightly, enough to give some random peaks.
I’ve seen even some smart trainers sending a few seconds at 2000W due to some bug. As we say: It’s rare, but it happens a lot 