Cheapest way to train reliably with power.

liversedge

Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

liversedge wrote:

The PT needed bomb-proof rims (mavic open pro) and weighed *a lot*.

The PT doesn't need bombproof rims, you can lace just about any rim you like to it, provided it doesn't use some kind of special spokes.

I looked into that very very carefully, but in the end I decided that being limited to a single wheelset AND having to give up on my existing bonty carbon wheels was not worth the sacrifice.

As crazy as it sounds having to change the tire on the wheel to jump on the turbo with the PT meant that I never did (just used another bike with no power meter permanently wired up) - and I have some doubts about the consistency between my CT turbo vs road power measurements with the PT so would like to do FTP and MAP tests with the same meter I use outside, if that makes sense?

Alex_Simmons/RST

liversedge wrote:

if that makes sense?

No criticism of your choice at all. Which was my earlier point - the choice of which is better varies depending on individual circumstances, rather than one product being superior/more reliable etc. They are both excellent products.

willbevan

+1 to rent a powertap

Would say get one over the winter, as you can switch it between bikes (geta second mount), if you like it, then decide if you want a powermeter and decide on crank/wheel after

bahzob

For reasons Liversedge mentions I would recommend anyone looking at a power meter consider an option that lets them have flexibility in wheel choice.

Speaking from experience, I started off with a PT and now have 3 (open pro for winter bike, zipp for competition and another (out of warranty) thats very finicky about cold/wet weather so use for turbo/summer training). Buying a TT bike for next season, if I want a disc wheel I will have to consider getting yet another. (Also have an Ergomo for fixed/MTB).

SRM would probably have worked out cheaper in long run. (and, hopefully soon wont be the only other kid on the block if Cinqo Quarq starts getting shipped to EU).

Plus be aware the PT head unit is very poor in terms of functions offered given its price. So whatever you get make it ANT+ so you have some other options.

fuzzynavel

I don't currently have any reason to change wheels as I don't have a turbo and I only have one bike so that is not too much of a concern at the moment.

Powertap is winning at the moment mostly due to cost. SRM is a lot more expensive

Bahzob.....you must be quite serious about riding to need that many power meters! If used properly do they actually help you improve compared to a time before you had power measurements?

blackhands

liversedge wrote:

Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

liversedge wrote:

The PT needed bomb-proof rims (mavic open pro) and weighed *a lot*.

The PT doesn't need bombproof rims, you can lace just about any rim you like to it, provided it doesn't use some kind of special spokes.

I looked into that very very carefully, but in the end I decided that being limited to a single wheelset AND having to give up on my existing bonty carbon wheels was not worth the sacrifice.

As crazy as it sounds having to change the tire on the wheel to jump on the turbo with the PT meant that I never did (just used another bike with no power meter permanently wired up) - and I have some doubts about the consistency between my CT turbo vs road power measurements with the PT so would like to do FTP and MAP tests with the same meter I use outside, if that makes sense?

I spoke to our local wheelbuilder (Harry Rowlands) before deciding which rim and he advised that I needed a deep section (such as DT 1.2) (- esp with a lower spoke count (24 or 28) - because the Powertap hub is quite narrow across the flanges. He advised against an Open Pro and we now use a deep section 28 spoked carbon wrapped rim. This is used for resesrch into raod racing fatigue at local tarining races.

bahzob

fuzzynavel wrote:

Bahzob.....you must be quite serious about riding to need that many power meters! If used properly do they actually help you improve compared to a time before you had power measurements?

Yes I find they work for me. I started riding relatively late on in life so didnt really have a lot of experience in terms of judging rides/training + did not feel I had time to learn from mistakes. Also I am of the scientific bent which certainly helps. Also they are useful for my favourite events (sportives) because they make it easier to replicate and train for a ride like the Etape here in the UK + pace them when riding for real.

However that said, based on experience, I would recommend anyone starting cycling seriously get some professional coaching advice as a priority over a power meter (or get both at the same time). In terms of immediate gains this will probably reap more rewards, + mean you make a whole lot more intelligent use of what the power meter is telling you.

So if I was to offer specific advice I would say rent a power meter and get in touch with a coach now. You can use the power meter to establish some training drills now that will probably last you well through the winter, pacing just on feel/HR. Coach should be able to advise if worth splashing out on power meter for keeps now or wait.

PS. When I started on this lark I thought I would only need one wheel as well. However at some point you need to start turning all the watts you generated into something tangiable in terms of cycling. If you can be sure you will be happy forever just looking at your wattage charts and PBs then fine. But if your dreams take you in the direction of getting gold in etapes, points in road racing or breaking TT records you will eventually start to think about improving your equipment and wheels come pretty high up on the list of going faster options.

fuzzynavel

Bahzob...

I am getting going relatively late too as I will be 30 in January. I know I will never be an elite racer but I would like to see how well I can do in some organised events against real people.
I have started riding regularly with a club for the winter to get some experience on the bike and increase my base fitness/endurance whilst meeting new people and learning about how to ride properly. In the spring I should have built up the necessary bike handling skills and speed to go out with the faster groups that the club has to offer....I will get dropped for the first few weeks as they will probably be well above my level but I will never get any better if I stay in a comfortable group. The club runs should also serve as a decent playground to gather power data to determine FTP's etc.

I was back in the gym again tonight as I forgot to recharge my lights after my last run and thought I would see if I have improved at all. Although inaccurate, I try to use the same bike every time I am at the gym to try and remove some variation and I seem to have improved a little. I can produce about 20-30% more sustained power (over 30 second bursts) than I used to be able to 8 weeks ago but my average power over the hour is about the same as I seem to take a lot out of myself doing these efforts and have to slow down until the lactic acid clears a little. I guess that repetition will teach my body how to cope with this in time.
I have also found a reasonable road not too far from home (about 8 miles away across town) where I will be able to do 10 mile TT efforts in a repeatable fashion as there are no real obstructions such as junctions or traffic lights. The road is undulating but nowhere near being called "hilly". There is also a nice straight that seems pretty flat and has no noticeable incline that could be used for 1 mile intervals at threshold power....I know this is crazy but it is something to work up to as I get fitter. I have some other routes that I use that I have PB's on and as long as I can keep beating the PB's every few weeks then I can be sure that I am progressing at a good pace.

I am also currently reading "Training and Racing with a Power Meter" by Allen/Coggan and it is giving me a lot of ideas for punishing training sessions that should help me improve nicely.

I understand that I may end up acquiring better bits over time depending on how far I want to take this.....I have loved the first few months of training myself and can see no reason why I will stop any time soon so I think the future will be getting quite expensive!

Alex_Simmons/RST

fuzzynavel wrote:

Bahzob...

I am getting going relatively late too as I will be 30 in January.

You poor old soul.

I have a client who didn't start training/racing with a power meter untill he was 64.

BeaconRuth

Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

fuzzynavel wrote:

Bahzob...

I am getting going relatively late too as I will be 30 in January.

You poor old soul.

Yes, my 2-up partner and I broke the hour in a 25 this year. He's 70. So you've only got 40 years of competitve cycling ahead of you.

Ruth

fuzzynavel

Good to know I still have a few years left then!

I think I will officially enter the Masters age group when I turn 30 ....

bahzob

You've still got your best years ahead of you. I was 47 before I started (and we have a guy in the club who turns up for every run, takes part in TTs and is 78).

Good luck

.

fuzzynavel

From reading the Allen/Coggan book I have come to the conclusion that a powertap pro+ built into a wheel would be the most cost effective vs accuracy option. I could also use it on a turbo if necessary. Now all I have to do is wait for some insurance money to come through from my crash a couple of months back.