Using the Kurt Kinetics "power meter"...

This winter I've started using the KKRM, their power equation, and my rear-wheel spedometer as a pseudo-power meter.

My KKRM is about 1.5 yrs old, and the fluid resistance unit wore out about 8 months ago (they replaced it for free, no questions asked, after I sent an email with my serial number and address).  One of the things I noticed is that the spedometer/"power" reading I get using the new fluid resistance unit is much different than I got from the old resistance unit.  Maybe that's because I had a deffective unit before?  Dunno.

Anyway, I'm just going with their mph-to-power formula, estimating my FTP using it, and setting up my training zones.  Based on my RPE (which is what really matters, imo), the zones are approximately correct.  Furthermore, the RPE required to hit a given speed/power is repeatable from day-to-day.  I'd be willing to be that the improvements seen training this way will be similar to those obtained using an accurate power meter on the trainer.

The biggest thing this has taught me is that training with power is a lot of fun, superior to HR training, and I'm going to want a real power meter once I get outside!

Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like I could use the KK power meter to train on and be pretty close with my CycleOps power meter.  I was considering doing this so I could have power on both my bikes without having to change wheels. (One on the trainer and one for outside riding).

If they worked on making it easier to switch from average to instant watts etc... it would really be helpful <---In case KK is reading this thread

This is great to know - and a great encouragement!

I am 140lb and was amazed to find on my first time testing my 20min average power output with a new Kurt Kinetic Road Machine and Power Computer, I only managed to push an average of 212 watts. I was amazed at how low it was. As this figure was inconsistent with my experience of riding regularly in groups. At first I felt down about it, but now I feel encouraged again.

yeah.. I'd quit riding the Powertap and Quarq and post more on Slowtwitch

OK, this is really cool.  I wasn't thinking I could get a power setup until next year (budget wise).  So, if I'm reading you guys right I can spend $70 (wired version) and strap this thing on my Kinetic trainer and do some meaningful power training?

Obviously it's not as good as the real thing, but I'm thinking this is better than no power.

no worries chris this is just for demonstration...but yes i would probably be asking how i can go from cat5 to cat1 rider....

I don't think you're going to have to worry about Cat'ing up pretty fast. There's probably plenty of guys cussing you behind your back for "sandbagging" already!

Or you just use a CPU with a rear wheel speedo pickup and can use the MPH to Watts conversion in a spreadsheet. This is how I do it as the older KK power meter was a POS and just used my CPU.  You do the 20 min & 3 (or 5) min tests and get the average mph for each.  Next you need to cross reference the avg mph's for the average wattage's, input the values into the spreadsheet and the Critical Power is calculated.  Also the training wattage percentages are crossed to mph for the respective workouts. 

More info related to Jorge's awesome cycling program can be found here (BT thread) and here (Jorge's website). The full spreadsheet for determining the watts from mph calc and also the Critical Power can be found here (Jorge's website) (look for the text "download this" in the paragraph under the red text sentence). 

Thanks Don, I'll check this out.  I have really been wanting to train with power & my bike does have a rear speedo. I'm putting on the geek hat.

A key detail that hasn't been mentioned yet in this thread is that the speed-to-watts conversion formula that KK uses presupposes that you have set the rear wheel tension for a coast-down time of ~13.8 seconds from 20 mph. The KK power meter is just a speedometer with the KK formula built in. It can't calibrate your unit for you. Cheaper than buying the KK power meter is to use your regular bike computer for speed, and to plug the KK formula into a spreadsheet. 

As others have said, it's the consistency that matters most, not the raw wattage numbers.

X2  I just made out a note card with power at different speeds and use that for the training.  After the workout you can compare power at different laps to see the average power.  Very easy and it is free.