Team Zwatt launches powermeter data for discounts FTP study

Powermeter biz Team Zwatt has launched a year-long study where participants will do a monthly 20-minute FTP (file transfer protocol) test.

The company will use that data to study and develop new software algorithms for new useful training metrics and ultimately, better power meters.

In return for the hard work, participants will get their crank-based power meter at a “highly discounted price”.

Explaining the data drive, founder Rolf Østergaard said: “We have a number of different ideas for things we will be looking for in the data we collect. This includes some of the more advanced things like peak torque angle and development of that. The pedal smoothness number also and how that can be more useful in training.”

The data coming out of a power meter is standardized by BLE and ANT interest groups, which Zwatt says is the way it should be.

“That is why all powermeters come out with the same basic data. Some cycling computers add more smartness,” says Østergaard.

There are, however, often data anomalies, something which one study last year said calls into question the accuracy of the products from many leading labels.

With the development of new algorithms in mind, the powermeter study was inspired by a talk that Rolf had with an exercise physiologist who was helping a top-level cycling coach some years back. He wanted to dive into scientific findings of the human physiology field to see if they can make it into something useful for everybody with a power meter.

“I’ve been working with improving the algorithms in the power meter industry for years, but this work is a continuous process,” says Østergaard. “The algorithms we want to develop for this study are more aimed at helping out serious athletes than actually developing our own power meters. We want to provide riders with more useful training insights.”

Østergaard’s study is to be capped at 100 participants, a tally he expects to gather in just a handful of days given the powermeter discount on offer. Sign up is now live on the Team Zwatt website.

Team Zwatt has started its expansion in the European market. The power meters are now available online and in a handful of locations including United Kingdom, Germany and The Netherlands.

The brand is owned and operated by SENSITIVUS gauge, specialising in sensor technology including power meter technology for bike component manufacturers.