Power Meter Head Unit - Zero Averaging

[Splash]

Hello.

What is best recommended for capturing power and cadence in regards to zero averaging:

Option 1 - Include Zero readings
Option 2 - Exclude Zero readings

Below is a link explaining the difference / outcomes between both options

https://support.garmin.com/en-AU/?fa...iH6PwvWWSGx8q5


Splash

[BdaGhisallo]

Option 1. You want to include the zeros since they form an important part of any effort.

[mcfarton]

One of the most notable differences between an A rider and a B rider is, the A rider never stops pedaling


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[Splash]

Thanks for replies.

Per link below, this mob recommend including zero's for power and excluding zero's for cadence.

"......We recommend including 0s for power and exclude 0s for cadence. Here’s why. If you include 0s with power, then every time you coast (are not turning the pedals), the power meter will send a 0 (for 0 watts) to the head unit. The 0s while you coast will get averaged into your power data for the ride. The more you coast, the more 0s get sent to your head unit and the lower your average power. This is how it should be. It would be a bit meaninglessness only to average the power from when you were pedaling.

However the opposite is true for cadence. When we look back at a ride and focus on our average cadence figure, we want to know what our average cadence was while we were pedaling. Were you spinning at 80 RPM, 90 RPM, etc? If you average 0s into your cadence data, the number won’t tell you anything......"

https://powermetercity.com/2016/10/0...ps-and-tricks/

I agree with the power portion, but what are your thoughts on the reference made to cadence (to exclude the zero's)??



Splash

[glepore]

Yes. Leave the zeros out. You only care about cadence when the pedals are turning.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by Splash

Thanks for replies.

Per link below, this mob recommend including zero's for power and excluding zero's for cadence.

"......We recommend including 0s for power and exclude 0s for cadence. Here’s why. If you include 0s with power, then every time you coast (are not turning the pedals), the power meter will send a 0 (for 0 watts) to the head unit. The 0s while you coast will get averaged into your power data for the ride. The more you coast, the more 0s get sent to your head unit and the lower your average power. This is how it should be. It would be a bit meaninglessness only to average the power from when you were pedaling.

However the opposite is true for cadence. When we look back at a ride and focus on our average cadence figure, we want to know what our average cadence was while we were pedaling. Were you spinning at 80 RPM, 90 RPM, etc? If you average 0s into your cadence data, the number won’t tell you anything......"

https://powermetercity.com/2016/10/0...ps-and-tricks/

I agree with the power portion, but what are your thoughts on the reference made to cadence (to exclude the zero's)??



Splash

This makes perfect sense.
In for power, out for cadence.
Think of it this way, there are times when you are pedaling and only putting out 40 watts, maybe even 25. Slightly downhill sections. You include those, probably wouldn't consider taking them out because you are putting SOME watts. If you include those times when you are contributing almost nothing to moving the bicycle, why not include those times when you contribute nothing at all? The bike is still moving, you are still riding. You average should reflect your entire ride.
If you take them out, you are really looking at NORMALIZED power. https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/nor...0steady%20pace.

[kgreene10]

The answer is to exclude the zeros on your birthday and include them the rest of the year.