When you start using a power meter and select the power fields from the "Ride Data" menu on your Bryton bike computer, you will find that although they all measure power, there are multiple versions such as "Average, Maximum, 3-Second, Normalized Power, and Training Stress Score." This is not a repetition; rather, Bryton uses different algorithms and time scales to help you answer different questions:
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How hard am I pedaling right now? (Real-time control)
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How did this specific segment go? (Segment comparison)
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How high was the overall load placed on my body? (Workout review)
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Is the output between my left and right legs consistent? (Pedaling observation)
Below is an item-by-item explanation of the meaning and timing of use for each metric in the power menu. You do not need to understand all of them at once, but after reading, you will know exactly when each metric should come into play.
Power
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Definition: Displays your real-time power output in Watts (W). It can be understood as "the immediate level of exertion while pedaling at this exact moment."
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Application Scenario: Real-time pacing during a ride: confirming whether you are pedaling too hard or too easily during climbs, drafting, or accelerating. A common situation for beginners is that the value fluctuates very rapidly (especially on undulating roads or when the pedaling rhythm is unstable); therefore, it is highly recommended to observe it alongside 3-second/10-second/30-second power for stabler judgments.
Average Power
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Definition: The average power from the start of the ride up to the current moment.
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Application Scenario: Used for reviewing the "overall output level" of the entire ride: for example, whether today was a recovery ride, a tempo ride, or a higher intensity group ride. Note: If the route includes a massive amount of stopping for red lights, coasting, or descents, the average power will be dragged down, making it unsuitable as the sole indicator for determining "load."
Maximum Power
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Definition: The highest power value that occurred during the current ride.
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Application Scenario: Observing whether the explosive output during sprints, standing starts, or instantaneous accelerations was successfully delivered. Beginners easily misunderstand that "the higher the maximum power, the better," but it only represents how hard you pedaled at a specific split second; it does not indicate whether the overall ride went well, nor does it mean your endurance has improved.
Lap Average Power
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Definition: The average power of the current lap (Lap). It is typically calculated from the moment you hit the Lap button.
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Application Scenario: Best suited for "segmented riding": such as every climbing sector, every interval set, or every fixed section of road. Recommended usage for beginners: treat a Lap as a "segmented mission," check the lap average power at the end of each segment, and you can quickly know "whether this segment was pushed too hard or too conservatively," which carries more training significance than looking solely at real-time power.
Lap Maximum Power
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Definition: The highest power value that occurred within the current lap (Lap).
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Application Scenario: Used to confirm whether a certain segment featured an explosive peak: such as the final 10 seconds of a climb, the final kick of an interval, or accelerating to stay with the peloton. If you are conducting interval training, lap maximum power can help you review "whether an excessive surge occurred during this set," preventing you from going too hard early on and blowing up completely later.
3-Second Power
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Definition: The average power of the past 3 seconds.
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Application Scenario: When rapid reactions are needed: standing starts, shifting gears, short accelerations, or lifting power on punchy rollers. Because the time window is short, the value will still fluctuate somewhat; it is suitable for "confirming right now whether I have lifted my power," but unsuitable for judging steady output over a whole segment.
10-Second Power
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Definition: The average power of the past 10 seconds.
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Application Scenario: The "most commonly used sweet spot" under dynamic riding conditions: more stable than 3-second power, yet more agile than 30-second power. Suitable for viewing during short intervals, undulating terrain, or drafting in a peloton, as it reduces data noise and allows you to control your pacing better.
30-Second Power
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Definition: The average power of the past 30 seconds.
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Application Scenario: Most practical for steady output scenarios: tempo riding, long climb cruising, or whenever you want to lock in a power output steadily. Most recommended for beginners: if you only want to select a single power field that is "easy to interpret mid-ride," 30-second power is usually the most intuitive and the least likely to be influenced by instantaneous pedaling fluctuations.
Normalized Power
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Definition: Normalized Power (NP) is an equivalent power value used to estimate the "actual physiological load placed on the body by the entire ride." It factors in power fluctuations; therefore, on routes with extensive acceleration and deceleration, it will typically be higher than average power.
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Application Scenario: When routing through highly undulating terrain or frequent accelerations and decelerations (group rides, rolling hills, urban stops), using NP to judge load is much closer to actual fatigue than average power. If you feel that your "average power wasn't high, yet you are thoroughly exhausted," NP can often explain the reason: because repetitive surges increase physiological stress.
Training Stress Score
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Definition: Training Stress Score (TSS) is a training load indicator calculated by combining "riding duration" with "relative intensity (typically tied to FTP)," used to describe the overall stress placed on the body by this single ride.
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Application Scenario: Managing training and recovery: a higher TSS typically represents the need for more comprehensive recovery. Note for beginners: The reference value of TSS is highly dependent on whether your FTP is set reasonably; setting FTP too low will cause TSS to be artificially inflated, while setting it too high will cause TSS to be on the lower side.
Intensity Factor
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Definition: Intensity Factor (IF) is the ratio of NP to FTP, used to describe the relative intensity level of "this ride relative to your capabilities."
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Application Scenario: Rapidly judging what type of intensity you rode today: recovery, tempo, or near your limits. Recommended for beginners: looking at IF is more meaningful than "looking at wattage," because 250W feels completely different to different people, but IF has already factored in personal capability differences.
Power-to-Weight Ratio
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Definition: Typically expressed as W/kg, it is the power value divided by body weight, commonly used to evaluate climbing performance.
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Application Scenario: One of the most critical references for climbing: at the same 250W, the climbing sensation for a 60kg rider versus an 80kg rider will be completely different. Reminder for beginners: The power-to-weight ratio is a "climbing-specific" indicator and is unsuitable for evaluating how well you performed in all scenarios (flat cruising, descents, technical sections).
Lap NP
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Definition: Lap NP (Lap Normalized Power) is the normalized power calculated specifically for the "current lap," used to reflect the actual load of that specific segment.
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Application Scenario: Exceptionally useful during segmented climbs or interval training: if power fluctuations across the same segment are massive, Lap NP reflects to what extent you actually taxed your body much better than lap average power. Intuitive understanding for beginners: lap average power is like an "arithmetic mean," whereas Lap NP is closer to "the intensity your body actually felt."
Previous Average Power
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Definition: Previous Average Power (Prev Avg Power) is the average power of the previous lap (the previous Lap segment).
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Application Scenario: Used for rapid cross-comparison against "the intensity of the previous segment" during continuous intervals or multi-stage climbs. If you notice your previous average power declining segment by segment, it may represent accumulated fatigue or over-pacing, indicating a need to adjust your rhythm.
Previous Maximum Power
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Definition: Previous Maximum Power (Prev Max Power) is the maximum power that occurred within the previous lap.
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Application Scenario: Reviewing whether a massive surge occurred during the previous segment: for example, going too hard at the start of an interval easily causes a drop in speed during the latter half. For beginners, this data is particularly suited for "preventing yourself from inadvertently sprinting too hard."
Current Left Power
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Definition: Displays the real-time power output of the left leg.
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Application Scenario: Requires pairing with a power meter that supports independent left/right measurement to display. It is suitable for observing whether there is a noticeable discrepancy between the left and right legs, and is typically interpreted alongside power balance percentages or right leg power, rather than looking at one side in isolation.
Current Right Power
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Definition: Displays the real-time power output of the right leg.
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Application Scenario: Likewise requires a power meter with independent left/right measurement. It is recommended to observe it in synchronization with left leg power and power balance percentages to avoid misjudgments from looking at a single side.
Previous Lap NP
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Definition: Previous Lap NP (Prev Lap NP) refers to "the representative power value reflecting the actual load placed on the body during the previous lap (the previous Lap segment), after factoring in power fluctuations." Among these concepts, NP (Normalized Power) is an indicator used to reflect "the intensity actually endured by the body when there are accelerations, decelerations, and surges in power," making it closer to real fatigue perceptions than simple average power. Previous Lap NP applies this exact concept to the "previous lap," allowing riders to immediately review the actual level of physical consumption of the preceding segment.
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Application Scenario: Exceptionally useful as a "load cross-reference" during multi-stage climbs or intervals: you can quickly know the actual load the previous segment placed on your body, and use this to decide whether to maintain, elevate, or ride conservatively in the next segment. If the previous lap's NP was noticeably high and you still stubbornly push the same intensity in the next segment, it easily leads to blowing up in the latter half.
How Should Beginners Choose Fields? (Top Recommendations)
If you are just starting out with power-based training, it is not recommended to clutter your display grid with all the data at once. You can construct a habit using a "three-layered logic":
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Controlling Intensity Mid-Ride: 10-Second Power or 30-Second Power
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Segment Comparisons to Track Performance: Lap Average Power, Lap NP
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Reviewing Load Post-Ride: Normalized Power, Training Stress Score, Intensity Factor
Using your power data correctly is far more important than chasing higher raw wattages. When you can use data to make better pacing and recovery decisions, your progress becomes much more controllable and sustainable.