Powertap wheel dilemma

sagalout
sagalout Posts: 338
edited October 2010 in Training, fitness and health
So, after a bottle of red wine last night, I decided to purchase a Powertape elite + hub only. I didnt really give it much thought and ordered the 20 spoke Shimano, as thats how many spokes my current back wheel has (DA 7850 CL).

My dilemma, after sobering up and thinking about it a bit more, is that I have my good wheels, then I have a pair of crap wheels that I was going to put on over winter, then I also have a TT bike that should be arriving soon. I'm not sure what to do with this hub! Do I just give it to the LBS to build my an all-round wheel that I can interchange with both bikes (they are both 10sp shimano), or do I put it on my nice shiney new Wh7850's.

What do you other guys that have powertaps and multiple bikes do? Is the powertap mostly useful for training rather than racing (eg I might buy a more aero back wheel for the TT bike at some stage, which obviously wouldn't have this hub on it) and so just build a decent strong training wheel with it?

/confused

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    It's useful for training and racing!

    Training to ensure correct load and racing to analyse afterwards and adjust training accordingly.

    I have a SL+ on a 32 spoke Mavic Open Pro, no probs racing or training on it and it's a great winter wheel too. For time trials I have some disc covers that I got from www.wheelbuilder.com

    I've just got some Zipp stickers for the covers and they look quite pimp (I have a Zipp front) :wink:

    That said, a PT 7850 would be awesome!
  • chrisw12
    chrisw12 Posts: 1,246
    Same for me, 32 hole elite+ on open pros and stick a wheel cover on for races.

    If you're going to get one then you'll want to train and race with it.

    If you get really into it and start using the performance manager stuff, you'll probably end up binning all other rear wheels.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    chrisw12 wrote:
    Same for me, 32 hole elite+ on open pros and stick a wheel cover on for races.

    If you're going to get one then you'll want to train and race with it.

    If you get really into it and start using the performance manager stuff, you'll probably end up binning all other rear wheels.

    I recently sold my Zipp 808 rear for that very reason!
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    My Powertap wheels are massively heavy and un-aero. So, great for training, but useless for racing.

    Will probably switch to a crank-based power system next year so I can use it on all my bikes and not have to give up using the good, light wheels for racing (and the disc cover thingys don't work on my TT bike).

    Power isn't AS important when racing - but it would be great to have some feedback from races - especially from TTs.



    If you're happy riding your good wheels all year round - build the hub into that. Otherwise - build a new set and use for training only.
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    I dont use mine for TT's, I stick the disc on. An elite+ on an open pro is h..e..a..v..y..!
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    You have too much money.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    I'v e got 3 powertap wheels - two with original deep section rims (a Mavic 24 spoke and a Prototype Carbon wrap 28 spoke). and have never had a poblem.

    The third had an open pro 32 but it collapsed due to excessive use by a number of people racing on it for research purposes. I had it rebuilt with a DT Swiss 1.2 and no probs since. This was on the recommendation of Harry Rowland.
  • genki
    genki Posts: 305
    PT + 7850 CL is what I've got, but with an SL+ hub not the Elite. It's 160g heavier than the normal 7850m rear and I can live with that.

    I'll use it for training and racing, but if I know it's going to be a wet or muddy ride I'll swap the wheel out for a winter-training one. You don't need to use the PT every ride, and once winter starts I'll be using it on the rollers anyway.
  • sagalout
    sagalout Posts: 338
    Thanks for the replies :)

    I think I may purchased the wrong version - starting to think I should have bought the 32 spoke wheel system with the Mavic Rims.

    Genki - do you have any issue with the 20 spoke version? The current 7850cl has hubs where the spokes cross which adds strength apparently, whereas I'm guessing the PT hub will just be a normal laced type
  • genki
    genki Posts: 305
    sagalout wrote:

    Genki - do you have any issue with the 20 spoke version? The current 7850cl has hubs where the spokes cross which adds strength apparently, whereas I'm guessing the PT hub will just be a normal laced type

    Same lacing on both wheel - i.e. crossed on both sides. I read somewhere that a PT wheel should always be cross-laced on the non-drive side because of the way the strain guages are built (though don't quote me on it).

    I've had no problems with mine, and it feels just like the standard DA wheel. But I've only used it for about 500 miles so far.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    genki wrote:
    sagalout wrote:

    Genki - do you have any issue with the 20 spoke version? The current 7850cl has hubs where the spokes cross which adds strength apparently, whereas I'm guessing the PT hub will just be a normal laced type

    Same lacing on both wheel - i.e. crossed on both sides. I read somewhere that a PT wheel should always be cross-laced on the non-drive side because of the way the strain guages are built (though don't quote me on it).

    I've had no problems with mine, and it feels just like the standard DA wheel. But I've only used it for about 500 miles so far.

    They have recently said you can lace them normally. (They used to say they had to be 3x on non-drive side)
  • sward29
    sward29 Posts: 205
    I've got a 32h Powertap SL built onto a DT 1.1 rim by Harry Rowland. I use it all the time but the only problem is that it flexes like mad and rubs on the brake blocks, especially on climbs. I'm sending it to Derek at Wheelsmith to be built onto a Cadence Aero rim this week as he reckons that it will prove to be a stiffer combo.
  • pinkbikini
    pinkbikini Posts: 876
    I'd see if you can change your order to a 32-hole hub, get it built onto an OpenPro or similar and use it primarily as a training wheel. It will still be good enough to race with if you wish, but I've always used the PT for training over racing - useful for racing but not as essential as for training IMO. I don't do TTs but I'd imagine a PT is more useful for these than for racing in some respects, so the drawback is that you're unlikely to want to TT with an OpenPro on the back. I'd go for the training option as that's where you'll be spending the bulk of the time on the bike.
    Father Jack wrote:
    You have too much money.

    Depends entirely on what bottle of red it was that facilitated the decision...
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    I have a Powertap Pro+ 28h laced to an IRD Cadence Aero rim. I use it for training, racing & TT's.
    28 hole wheelbuild was done at the recommendation of Derek at wheelsmith's...
    No flex, not too heavy, very good wheelset.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    Everyone I know with one uses it for training and racing. I don't have one but I think you'll be losing some valuable data if you don't RR with it and an ideal pacing tool if you don't TT on it.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • sagalout
    sagalout Posts: 338
    Yeah, I decided to send it back and order the 32h wheel system instead. I think it will just offer me more flexibility over the 2 bikes.

    I'll look into the disc covers too - never knew about those! My TT bike arrived yesterday too so it's been like Xmas this week haha
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    I went for a 28 hole PT. I think 28 or 24 would be fine for your needs. 32 hole seems a bit OTT.
    More problems but still living....
  • sagalout
    sagalout Posts: 338
    The new one turned up yesterday :) it said on the Wiggle site that it would be built on a Mavic open pro, but it's actually on a DT Swiss 465. Seems to be a similar spec anyway. Now I have to decide if it's worth keeping the DA WH7850CL's that I bought a couple of months ago.

    NapD - thanks for the wheelbuilders link - ordered some covers last night and service seems great :)

    Got it all setup and casette transferred last night, so will be using for the first time tonight.. What would be a good first turbo session to use as a benchmark test?
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    sagalout wrote:
    What would be a good first turbo session to use as a benchmark test?
    1 hour full gas if you want to find your FTP but maybe just get used to riding with a PM first before going for that.

    Also bear in mind that your FTP on the turbo may be different to what you can manage on the road.
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    sagalout wrote:
    ordered some covers last night and service seems great :)

    Got it all setup and casette transferred last night, so will be using for the first time tonight.. What would be a good first turbo session to use as a benchmark test?


    I don't think the aero covers are going to make you go faster on the turbo. 8)

    One hour full gas can be hard to maintain (boredom, etc). Possibly try the 2x20 protocol to get an rough idea of your FTP. If you want the specific protocol - just ask!

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