Cheapest training power meter?

dw300

What's currently the cheapest, reliably accurate, power measuring device you can fit on your bike?

danowat

A powertap from the states, my SL+ was £500 inc Joule 2 headunit

amaferanga

Used PowerTap would be the cheapest, but just be aware that if anything goes seriously wrong outside of the warranty then you're looking at >£300 to fix it.

Also, what do you want to use it for? Just training or training and racing? Having something that's suitable for both is a good idea since race data is pretty useful.

danowat

amaferanga wrote:

Also, what do you want to use it for? Just training or training and racing? Having something that's suitable for both is a good idea since race data is pretty useful.

This ^

I bought my PT, and used it in a few races with a disc cover, but it's quite a lump (36H open pro rim), so it wasn't long before I bought a Quarq for my race bike as well.........

P_Tucker

If you can find a knackered wired powertap, Paligap will upgrade it to a wireless version for £400 or so. This upgrade basically means keeping the outer shell and replacing everything else - bearings, electronics etc so its effectively a brand new hub with a warranty

dw300

Thanks for the replies chaps.

I don't race at the minute, so it'd only be for training. I'm just trying to monitor my improvement accurately enough to decide if I'll ever get fast enough to give racing a try, being that I've joined the party rather late.

Is Paligap a forum member?

I may well revisit this thread towards the end of the year for some more info, thanks again.

moonshine

http://powertap.paligapltd.co.uk/

Eyorerox

You could try and use virtual power on your wind trainer, that would give you some idea of what you want.
http://www.trainerroad.com/

amaferanga

Eyorerox wrote:

You could try and use virtual power on your wind trainer, that would give you some idea of what you want.
http://www.trainerroad.com/

He said he wants accurate though, not a power guesstimate.

kamil1891

I've bought a set of new 2012 powertap pro wheels from wiggle (being platinum customer) for £670. You need to wait for some promotional codes though to get it that cheap.

Alex_Simmons/RST

Also, keep an eye out for items from cyclepowermeters.com, sometimes they run out old rental stock.

John.T

dw300 wrote:

I don't race at the minute, so it'd only be for training. I'm just trying to monitor my improvement accurately enough to decide if I'll ever get fast enough to give racing a try, being that I've joined the party rather late.

Best and cheapest way to do this is to just enter a few. An evening club 10 will cost maybe £2.00

dw300

John.T wrote:

dw300 wrote:

I don't race at the minute, so it'd only be for training. I'm just trying to monitor my improvement accurately enough to decide if I'll ever get fast enough to give racing a try, being that I've joined the party rather late.

Best and cheapest way to do this is to just enter a few. An evening club 10 will cost maybe £2.00

Buying a power meter is potentially much less humiliating though!

Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

Also, keep an eye out for items from cyclepowermeters.com, sometimes they run out old rental stock.

Cool cheers!

Team4Luke

dw300 wrote:

What's currently the cheapest, reliably accurate, power measuring device you can fit on your bike?

a speedo

deanflyer

amaferanga wrote:

Eyorerox wrote:

You could try and use virtual power on your wind trainer, that would give you some idea of what you want.
http://www.trainerroad.com/

He said he wants accurate though, not a power guesstimate.

Trainerroad is pretty damn accurate, im using it on a Lemond Revolution so no drift associated with tire/roller based trainers. See here for a comparison against a PowerTap:

http://blog.trainerroad.com/kurt-kineti ... tualpower/