CycleOps PowerBeam Pro Query

PhunkyPhil

Hi, I was wondering if anybody has any experience of using a CycleOps PowerBeam Pro as I’m thinking of buying one but wanted to make sure it will do what I require.

I understand how the VirtualTraining software works in regards to uploading GPX files and then have the PC control the PowerBeam so that it simulates the course you uploaded and this is one area I am interested in. Not to fussed about the video routes you can follow.

The other area I am interested in is the Interval Training and setting it to run at a constant wattage. I have read that you can create a workout using the Power Agent software which can then be loaded onto the Joule which will then control the Powerbeam to modify the resistance based on your created workout.

The problem I have is that I am not sure if I need the Joule for the Interval training\constant wattage workouts or not or can the PC software control this aspect of the PowerBeam. The reason I am wondering is that if I don’t NEED the Joule I can buy the trainer without the Joule.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance
Philip

bahzob

I have a Powerbeam. I bought it for virtual training and in this regard it is very good.

However it does have the major drawback that you CANNOT program it to do your own specific workouts. For this you need to buy a Joule. I pointed this out as an issue to Cycleops but they don't seem to care.

This isn't a huge deal for me, since the VR is what I bought it for. I do intervals as I would in "real" life, that is pick a course that requires roughly target power/time and ride intervals on it.

This is a bit of a faff though and requires an extra 5 minutes or so at the start of each workout. Plus you need to
monitor progress which is not as nice as having the software do it for you.

Other products let you set up a library of standard workouts so you just get on, select and go. So on this basis, if your prime objective is interval training I would advise looking elsewhere.

This is a bit of a shame as otherwise the trainer is very well built, reliable and feels like it will last.

Regards power:
- Power measurement is consistent though around 5% higher compared to my Powertap.
- Power vs terrain: The power it guesstimates is needed for a real ride is lower than real life. e.g. 4w/kg gets you up Alpe D'Huez in under 50 minutes, rather than the 60 it would if you did the real thing. This means you can't do a ride outdoors then do the same indoors for same effort using the GPX file. It also means if you try to set up intervals using your own GPX data it will be a bit hit and miss.

PhunkyPhil

Thanks for your reply. Very interesting information.

I may well buy the trainer with out the Joule and see how I get on and if i need it I can purchase at a later date.

I also emailed CycleOps about the interval training being a disadvantage of the trainer but I guess they do give you the opting of getting the Joule to get the best of both worlds. I think they are hoping other companies will write software whcih will control the trainer in the same manner that the Kickr does.

bahzob

kk. One thing I forgot to mention. You have the options of riding in 2 modes.
- Race-Uninterrupted from start to finish, you use this if you are interested in setting times for the rides/appearing on the leader board.

- Training: you can select only part of the route and ride over again. I find this the easiest way to do intervals as it means you can easily repeat efforts with consistent load and set time goals based on distance, e.g. hill repeats up to the 3rd hairpin on Alpe D'Huez.

PhunkyPhil

It does sound good. Need to decide if I buy one now as my choice is either this or a proper power meter.

I think the advantage of this product is that I can do all my winter training using power and get the variety of riding different courses as I get a bit bored on a normal trainer and like the idea of the resistance changing to replicate different roads and hills.

Whereas I don't actually race so having a power meter may be a waste as I do a lot of riding with others where I know my output is lower than solo cycling.

bahzob

If that is the choice I think I would consider the power meter. That was what I got first.

With a power meter it is not too difficult to set put together sort of VR indoor setup. I spent several winters training this way watching DVDs (either specific training ones or tour archives), just switching gears to simulate the appropriate effort demands. The Powerbeam is nice but it's really a bit of an extravagance.

This way if you do find you want a power meter for outdoors you will have the option. Even in group rides it may be useful, especially if these involve any sort of competitive aspect, even if its just last one up the hill buys the beer.