Power curve
Your power curve is a graph of your highest average cycling power for every duration — from a sprint of a few seconds to holding an hour. At a glance it shows where you’re strong and where there’s room to grow.
What is a power curve?
For every duration — for example 5 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 20 minutes or an hour — the curve shows the best average power you’ve ever produced. From left to right the line falls: short, you can put out enormous watts; long, far fewer. The shape of that fall characterises you as a cyclist.
A curve that peaks high on the left but drops fast belongs to a sprinter or explosive rider; a flatter curve that stays high for a long time, to an endurance or time-trial specialist. That way you see at once where your strengths and weaknesses lie — and so where training pays off most.
What do you use the power curve for?
The curve isn’t only a mirror, but also calculation material. From your best efforts over different durations, your Critical Power and your anaerobic reserve (W′) can be estimated, and with them your zones and load anchors — without a separate test, provided you go genuinely deep now and then.
Do bear in mind that the curve shows your best values, not your daily form. An old peak from months ago stays in place until you beat it; for a current picture, your recent efforts count most.
How Trimetra personalises this
Trimetra builds your power curve from your own rides and uses it to keep estimates for FTP, Critical Power and your anaerobic reserve (W′) current — the foundation under your power zones and load scores. If your level demonstrably shifts, a suggestion follows to update your anchors; you decide.
Frequently asked questions
What does the shape of your power curve say?
A curve that peaks high on the left but drops quickly belongs to a sprinter or explosive rider; a flatter curve that stays high for long belongs to an endurance or time-trial specialist. At a glance you see where you are strong and where training pays off most.
Can you derive your FTP from your power curve?
Yes. From your best efforts over different durations your FTP, Critical Power and anaerobic reservoir (W′) can be estimated — without a separate test. The condition is that you occasionally go really deep, otherwise the curve underestimates your level.
Why doesn’t your curve show your current form?
The curve shows your best values ever: a peak from months ago stays until you beat it. For a current picture of your form, it is mainly your recent efforts that count.
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