PowerMatch is a feature from TrainerRoad that allows you to use a power meter to control the resistance on your smart trainer.
How PowerMatch Works
PowerMatch allows riders to display and record power readings from their power meter and still benefit from the automatic resistance control of their smart trainer. It lets riders get consistent power readings from their power meter both indoors and outdoors without having to give up the benefits of their smart trainer.
Put simply, PowerMatch will use the power readings from your power meter to control your smart trainer. TrainerRoad will measure the power offset between your power meter and smart trainer; it will then adjust the resistance of your smart trainer based on that offset in power and the current interval target.
PowerMatch will work with any smart trainer that works in ERG mode with TrainerRoad.
"What is the "power offset" you're talking about?"
The reality of the power-device world is that different devices will often display discrepancies in their readings. For example, an output of 200 watts on a power meter may equate to an output of 220 watts on a smart trainer. These two devices would have an offset of 20 watts at that level of output.
PowerMatch effectively neutralizes this offset.
Using PowerMatch with Mobile
TrainerRoad's default PowerMatch setting is to use the power from the power meter to control the smart trainer's resistance. Simply pair the power meter and smart trainer, make sure PowerMatch is set to "New", and TrainerRoad will take care of the rest!
Additionally, the offset between the power meter and smart trainer will be measured, and the trainer adjusted (if necessary), constantly.
Note that the power meter will display as your power source in your Online Career.
Using PowerMatch with Desktop
TrainerRoad's default PowerMatch setting is to use the power from the power meter to control the smart trainer's resistance. Simply pair the power meter and smart trainer, and TrainerRoad will take care of the rest!
Additionally, the offset between the power meter and smart trainer will be measured, and the trainer adjusted (if necessary), constantly.
Note that the power meter will display as your power source in your Online Career.
If you wish to disable PowerMatch or apply a consistent offset, you may do so under the Device Settings menu, by clicking on the paired smart trainer.
Sensitivity Setting
Sensitivity is an advanced setting for our newest version of PowerMatch. It is set at 0.5 by default, which proved to be a better experience for most athletes. However, you may find that a different setting works better for your power meter / trainer combination and or personal preferences.
A higher value should translate to quicker update to the trainer / power meter offset. While this may sound desirable, updating too fast can make for jumpy resistance levels. A lower sensitivity will likely result in smoother power, but the resistance adjustments from changes in power offset may take longer.
How to Disable PowerMatch
If you wish to disable PowerMatch, you may do so within the pairing screen of your smart trainer.
Disabling PowerMatch will prompt TrainerRoad to display and record power readings from your power meter if both a power meter and smart trainer are paired at the same time. ERG mode is still available; however, the smart trainer will use its own power data to calculate resistance instead of the data from your power meter. If there is a discrepancy in power readings between the smart trainer and power meter, disabling PowerMatch can make it look like you are constantly above or below the power target.
Apply Consistent Offset Between Trainer/Power Meter
If you know the power offset between your trainer and power meter and do not wish for TrainerRoad to continuously measure and adjust this, you can input this offset to be applied to the entire workout. You can do this within the pairing screen of your smart trainer.
Note: The offset calibrates your trainer to your power meter. In other words, the manual offset adjusts your trainer to be at the same output as your power meter.
For example, if your trainer reads 200 watts and your power meter reads 210 watts, you will apply a -10 watt offset.
Legacy PowerMatch Setting
The Legacy PowerMatch setting uses our older version of PowerMatch. We've found the new version (enabled by default) improves trainer responsiveness and provides a better experience.
If you preferred the earlier version, select Legacy under PowerMatch settings.
Using PowerMatch with Legacy AIR App
TrainerRoad's default PowerMatch setting is to use the power from the power meter to control the smart trainer's resistance. Simply pair the power meter and smart trainer, and TrainerRoad will take care of the rest!
Note that the power meter will display as your power source in your Online Career.
Additionally, the offset between the power meter and smart trainer will be measured and adjusted (if necessary) every ten seconds as per the default settings.
If you wish to disable PowerMatch or apply a consistent offset, you may do so under your Profile tab.
Disabling PowerMatch will prompt TrainerRoad to display & record power readings from the power meter if both a power meter and smart trainer are paired at the same time. According to our device paring hierarchy, the power meter will take precedence over the trainer.
If you don't want to use PowerMatch, and you'd like power readings from only your smart trainer, unpair your power meter.
If you know the power offset between your trainer and power meter and do not wish for TrainerRoad to continuously measure and adjust this, you can input this offset to be applied to the entire workout.
Why Does My Power Appear Less Smooth with PowerMatch Applied?
Those well-versed in smart trainer usage will be very familiar with the smooth nature of graphed power in ERG mode. This power appears so smooth primarily because of natural smoothing that the sizable flywheels of many smart trainers applies.
Many strain-gauge power meters measure power directly from the pedal, crank arm, or crank. This method of measuring power is more sensitive than what most smart trainers use, and thus, even riders with the smoothest pedal strokes will notice "jumpier" power readings. This is nothing to worry about so long as the fluctuations are not drastic.
Power Graphed with only Smart Trainer
Power Graphed with PowerMatch (Smart Trainer + Power Meter)
Despite these graphs appearing slightly different, both users got the same training benefit from these intervals. The top profile simply doesn't represent the actual fluctuations in power as clearly as the bottom.