Power meter - am I wasting my money?

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Comments

  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    We've been training and racing with power meters since well before most pros used them. Primarily at that time because it brought objectivity into the equation when assessing whether and how well certain training works. IOW it has this nice way of busting myths, and validating what is good practice.

    Since those days however, there have been many developments in how one can use the data to improve performance over and above what one might have attained without one, or more quickly than one might have otherwise done.

    Silly studies that make people do the same intervals with and without a power meter and measure the performance outcome are, well, just silly and prove nothing other than in those people intervals result in a certain type of performance outcome (measured by a power meter ironically).

    Do you need a power meter to become a better cyclist? No.
    Should everyone have one? Probably not.

    Can a power meter help enhance your performance more than otherwise might happen? Yes, provided you know how to use it wisely.

    Simply using one to guide level of effort while riding is the least demanding application of a power meter. If that's the sole purpose to which you intend to use it for, then that's fine, but there's much more to it than that, and you can do quite fine without one.

    If guiding intensity of effort is all that you think a power meter is used/good for, then you are making judgements on it's effectiveness as a performance tool based on very limited knowledge/understanding.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • Stalin
    Stalin Posts: 208
    edited April 2014
    Deleted
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Stalin wrote:
    Please post some studies which prove training with power alone without heart rate, is superior to training with power and heart rate.

    Aren't HR monitors a thing of the past? For me, I know when my heart rate is at max without having to be told by a monitor. I also know when it's at rest and somewhere in between.
    I can also pretty much tell whether I'm putting out max power or something less.

    Personally I think all this HR, power monitoring, Strava, and Garmin stuff is for people who don't know how to live life without a small screen in front of them. The little screen becomes their whole world and nothing is more important than whatever that little screen tells them. Not you, not me, not family, no one. Why, knowing exactly what your HR and power readings are every second, this has become a main focal point in peoples lives is a sad story.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Good post Dennis
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • BrandonA
    BrandonA Posts: 553
    dennisn wrote:
    Stalin wrote:
    Please post some studies which prove training with power alone without heart rate, is superior to training with power and heart rate.

    Aren't HR monitors a thing of the past? For me, I know when my heart rate is at max without having to be told by a monitor. I also know when it's at rest and somewhere in between.
    I can also pretty much tell whether I'm putting out max power or something less.

    Personally I think all this HR, power monitoring, Strava, and Garmin stuff is for people who don't know how to live life without a small screen in front of them. The little screen becomes their whole world and nothing is more important than whatever that little screen tells them. Not you, not me, not family, no one. Why, knowing exactly what your HR and power readings are every second, this has become a main focal point in peoples lives is a sad story.

    What sort of cycling do you actually do and what sort of equipment do you actually use?

    You seem to be against anything that is deemed to be a useful tool what large numbers of cyclists use in order to enhance their performance. Part of cycling for a large number of people is enjoying technology be this upgrades to bikes, clothes/helmets, gps, power meters or whatever else people want to invest in.

    I don't personally have a power meter on my road bike although I do train indoors with one (Wahoo Kickr). Anyone with a small amount of intelligence can see that they are a good tool for assisting with training which will enable you to generate more power and also to use your power more effectively when out riding (pacing) in order to achieve a better performance.

    I agree that heart rate is less important than a power meter but they are not worthless.

    If your only riding is slow club rides when you are not pushing yourself beyond tempo base then I would question how much people would benefit from power meters or heart rate monitors as ultimately you're not pushing yourself so your max potential is irrelevant. Lots of people like to push themselves to the limit and aim for improvements, if you're this type of percent then the things you're against are all good tools for achieving this.
  • Stalin
    Stalin Posts: 208
    edited April 2014
    dennisn wrote:
    Stalin wrote:
    Please post some studies which prove training with power alone without heart rate, is superior to training with power and heart rate.

    Aren't HR monitors a thing of the past? For me, I know when my heart rate is at max without having to be told by a monitor. I also know when it's at rest and somewhere in between.
    I can also pretty much tell whether I'm putting out max power or something less.

    Personally I think all this HR, power monitoring, Strava, and Garmin stuff is for people who don't know how to live life without a small screen in front of them. The little screen becomes their whole world and nothing is more important than whatever that little screen tells them. Not you, not me, not family, no one. Why, knowing exactly what your HR and power readings are every second, this has become a main focal point in peoples lives is a sad story.


    Dennis, you know, no one agrees with you more than me. You should read Zen and the Art of Running by Larry Shapiro and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami.

    When you know yourself, then at best power is redundant, at worst it is misleading.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    BrandonA wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    Stalin wrote:
    Please post some studies which prove training with power alone without heart rate, is superior to training with power and heart rate.

    Aren't HR monitors a thing of the past? For me, I know when my heart rate is at max without having to be told by a monitor. I also know when it's at rest and somewhere in between.
    I can also pretty much tell whether I'm putting out max power or something less.

    Personally I think all this HR, power monitoring, Strava, and Garmin stuff is for people who don't know how to live life without a small screen in front of them. The little screen becomes their whole world and nothing is more important than whatever that little screen tells them. Not you, not me, not family, no one. Why, knowing exactly what your HR and power readings are every second, this has become a main focal point in peoples lives is a sad story.

    What sort of cycling do you actually do and what sort of equipment do you actually use?

    You seem to be against anything that is deemed to be a useful tool what large numbers of cyclists use in order to enhance their performance. Part of cycling for a large number of people is enjoying technology be this upgrades to bikes, clothes/helmets, gps, power meters or whatever else people want to invest in.

    I don't personally have a power meter on my road bike although I do train indoors with one (Wahoo Kickr). Anyone with a small amount of intelligence can see that they are a good tool for assisting with training which will enable you to generate more power and also to use your power more effectively when out riding (pacing) in order to achieve a better performance.

    I agree that heart rate is less important than a power meter but they are not worthless.

    If your only riding is slow club rides when you are not pushing yourself beyond tempo base then I would question how much people would benefit from power meters or heart rate monitors as ultimately you're not pushing yourself so your max potential is irrelevant. Lots of people like to push themselves to the limit and aim for improvements, if you're this type of percent then the things you're against are all good tools for achieving this.

    What sort of cycling do I do? The type where you ride around and enjoy whatever comes your way. I do not ride around staring at some idiotic bunch of numbers and graphs flashing on a small screen. I have somehow remained un-addicted to my cell phone or any little screen, unlike many people who literally live for the beep or chime of their computer or phone. Pavlovs dog's if you will. Cycling's video games(if you will) are not for me. I genuinely
    feel sorry for people who can't relate to the real world and live in some fantasy one where they are the king of their realm(their cell phone, computer) but only a bit player in the real world.
    I'm not against much of anything to be honest. If it's useful, to me, I'll use it. I just don't see the use in cycling's video games. What's the difference between some cyclist all wrapped up in his various computers / phones and a ten year old boy who can't spare a moment away from his handheld whatever? To me there is none.
    Ah, but I rant on. Sorry. I'l sign off with a question or two. What will this meter tell me? I already know that I pushed myself to my limit at last weeks race. I know my finish position. I know how I did last week. I'll be able to tell how I will do this week, after the race. This meter won't help me stay with the pack. It won't help me sprint to keep up at the corners. It won't make me a better bike handler. It won't teach me the in and outs of racing in a pack. It won't teach me a thing about my competitors and what their strengths and weaknesses are. It won't help me avoid the bad patches of road. It won't prevent a crash. I could go on and on, but I think you get my drift. There are much more important things in life and bike racing / riding than farking around with a video screen.
  • charlie_potatoes
    charlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    dennisn wrote:
    What sort of cycling do I do? The type where you ride around and enjoy whatever comes your way. I do not ride around staring at some idiotic bunch of numbers and graphs flashing on a small screen. I have somehow remained un-addicted to my cell phone or any little screen, unlike many people who literally live for the beep or chime of their computer or phone. Pavlovs dog's if you will. Cycling's video games(if you will) are not for me. I genuinely
    feel sorry for people who can't relate to the real world and live in some fantasy one where they are the king of their realm(their cell phone, computer) but only a bit player in the real world.
    I'm not against much of anything to be honest. If it's useful, to me, I'll use it. I just don't see the use in cycling's video games. What's the difference between some cyclist all wrapped up in his various computers / phones and a ten year old boy who can't spare a moment away from his handheld whatever? To me there is none.
    Ah, but I rant on. Sorry. I'l sign off with a question or two. What will this meter tell me? I already know that I pushed myself to my limit at last weeks race. I know my finish position. I know how I did last week. I'll be able to tell how I will do this week, after the race. This meter won't help me stay with the pack. It won't help me sprint to keep up at the corners. It won't make me a better bike handler. It won't teach me the in and outs of racing in a pack. It won't teach me a thing about my competitors and what their strengths and weaknesses are. It won't help me avoid the bad patches of road. It won't prevent a crash. I could go on and on, but I think you get my drift. There are much more important things in life and bike racing / riding than farking around with a video screen.

    So, just for clarity, are you for or against power meters? :D
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    dennisn wrote:
    I have somehow remained un-addicted to my cell phone or any little screen

    The irony of nearly 10,000 posts isn't lost on me :wink:
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    meanredspider wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    I have somehow remained un-addicted to my cell phone or any little screen

    The irony of nearly 10,000 posts isn't lost on me :wink:

    quote of the year...
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    meanredspider wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    I have somehow remained un-addicted to my cell phone or any little screen

    The irony of nearly 10,000 posts isn't lost on me :wink:

    I knew that was coming. :oops:

    And yet here WE are.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    dennisn wrote:
    And yet here WE are.

    I work in Amsterdam during the week (family are in Scotland) so I could be doing far worse things than posting on here :wink: What's your excuse? :wink:
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    meanredspider wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    And yet here WE are.

    I work in Amsterdam during the week (family are in Scotland) so I could be doing far worse things than posting on here :wink: What's your excuse? :wink:

    Well, I'm retired for one. Am getting older and you know how we oldsters get? Crotchety, mean, opinionated, intolerant. And to top it off we have too much time on our hands. Add in a nagging wife of 33 years and I've got to ask why you don't KNOW what my problem is? :wink:

    I've got to say that your work / family schedule sure sounds rough. That's what I call really working out of town. Best of luck to you in keeping it all together.
  • markwb79
    markwb79 Posts: 937
    dennisn wrote:
    BrandonA wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    Stalin wrote:
    Please post some studies which prove training with power alone without heart rate, is superior to training with power and heart rate.

    Aren't HR monitors a thing of the past? For me, I know when my heart rate is at max without having to be told by a monitor. I also know when it's at rest and somewhere in between.
    I can also pretty much tell whether I'm putting out max power or something less.

    Personally I think all this HR, power monitoring, Strava, and Garmin stuff is for people who don't know how to live life without a small screen in front of them. The little screen becomes their whole world and nothing is more important than whatever that little screen tells them. Not you, not me, not family, no one. Why, knowing exactly what your HR and power readings are every second, this has become a main focal point in peoples lives is a sad story.

    What sort of cycling do you actually do and what sort of equipment do you actually use?

    You seem to be against anything that is deemed to be a useful tool what large numbers of cyclists use in order to enhance their performance. Part of cycling for a large number of people is enjoying technology be this upgrades to bikes, clothes/helmets, gps, power meters or whatever else people want to invest in.

    I don't personally have a power meter on my road bike although I do train indoors with one (Wahoo Kickr). Anyone with a small amount of intelligence can see that they are a good tool for assisting with training which will enable you to generate more power and also to use your power more effectively when out riding (pacing) in order to achieve a better performance.

    I agree that heart rate is less important than a power meter but they are not worthless.

    If your only riding is slow club rides when you are not pushing yourself beyond tempo base then I would question how much people would benefit from power meters or heart rate monitors as ultimately you're not pushing yourself so your max potential is irrelevant. Lots of people like to push themselves to the limit and aim for improvements, if you're this type of percent then the things you're against are all good tools for achieving this.

    What sort of cycling do I do? The type where you ride around and enjoy whatever comes your way. I do not ride around staring at some idiotic bunch of numbers and graphs flashing on a small screen. I have somehow remained un-addicted to my cell phone or any little screen, unlike many people who literally live for the beep or chime of their computer or phone. Pavlovs dog's if you will. Cycling's video games(if you will) are not for me. I genuinely
    feel sorry for people who can't relate to the real world and live in some fantasy one where they are the king of their realm(their cell phone, computer) but only a bit player in the real world.
    I'm not against much of anything to be honest. If it's useful, to me, I'll use it. I just don't see the use in cycling's video games. What's the difference between some cyclist all wrapped up in his various computers / phones and a ten year old boy who can't spare a moment away from his handheld whatever? To me there is none.
    Ah, but I rant on. Sorry. I'l sign off with a question or two. What will this meter tell me? I already know that I pushed myself to my limit at last weeks race. I know my finish position. I know how I did last week. I'll be able to tell how I will do this week, after the race. This meter won't help me stay with the pack. It won't help me sprint to keep up at the corners. It won't make me a better bike handler. It won't teach me the in and outs of racing in a pack. It won't teach me a thing about my competitors and what their strengths and weaknesses are. It won't help me avoid the bad patches of road. It won't prevent a crash. I could go on and on, but I think you get my drift. There are much more important things in life and bike racing / riding than farking around with a video screen.

    And I feel sorry for those who can't relate to the modern world.
    Scott Addict 2011
    Giant TCR 2012
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Markwb79 wrote:

    And I feel sorry for those who can't relate to the modern world.

    If your modern world is full of people who live for the little beeps, tweets, and other noises from little boxes then you can keep it and them. Sounds way too boring for my tastes. You may feel sorry for those who "..can't relate...", and that may be me, but I can't help but wonder how sad and pathetic a life someone has if all they live for is a little 4" screen and thinking they're experiencing life's realities.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    dennisn wrote:
    Markwb79 wrote:

    And I feel sorry for those who can't relate to the modern world.

    If your modern world is full of people who live for the little beeps, tweets, and other noises from little boxes then you can keep it and them. Sounds way too boring for my tastes. You may feel sorry for those who "..can't relate...", and that may be me, but I can't help but wonder how sad and pathetic a life someone has if all they live for is a little 4" screen and thinking they're experiencing life's realities.

    Might be better if you posted your nostalgic ramblings on another forum, and left those who are interested in reading about - or contributing to - a thread on performance improvement to get on with their own 'sad and pathetic' lives on here - because you seem to have nothing of any real value to contribute to the discussion.
  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    My view is that in general the fitter and faster you are, the more fun you can have on a bike. Many use a power meter to help them have more fun.

    Equating those who use a power meter to aid their training and performance development with those whose lives are lived in an on-line virtual reality is a pretty big stretch.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Imposter wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    Markwb79 wrote:

    And I feel sorry for those who can't relate to the modern world.

    If your modern world is full of people who live for the little beeps, tweets, and other noises from little boxes then you can keep it and them. Sounds way too boring for my tastes. You may feel sorry for those who "..can't relate...", and that may be me, but I can't help but wonder how sad and pathetic a life someone has if all they live for is a little 4" screen and thinking they're experiencing life's realities.

    Might be better if you posted your nostalgic ramblings on another forum, and left those who are interested in reading about - or contributing to - a thread on performance improvement to get on with their own 'sad and pathetic' lives on here - because you seem to have nothing of any real value to contribute to the discussion.

    I believe I am adding to the discussion. OP asks if he's wasting his money. I'm telling him, in my opinion, that he is. I really don't believe that some little screen is going to keep you from getting dropped all the time. All it will tell you is why you got dropped. Not strong enough, but you knew that already.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
    Equating those who use a power meter to aid their training and performance development with those whose lives are lived in an on-line virtual reality is a pretty big stretch.

    It's not a stretch to me. To me, people seem buy these things because cycling isn't any real fun to them without the video game atmosphere. What I don't understand is why they don't just stick to their little handheld games and their little world of their own creation, the little beeps and whistles that they can't seem to do without. Why throw a bike into the mix?
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    dennisn wrote:
    I believe I am adding to the discussion.

    Evidently you believe that. Unfortunately, it's just another point where you seem to have miscalculated how useful your posts actually are.
  • herzog
    herzog Posts: 197
    dennisn wrote:
    It's not a stretch to me. To me, people seem buy these things because cycling isn't any real fun to them without the video game atmosphere.

    I can only assume this opinion is formed from a survey of recent peer-reviewed literature...
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Herzog wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    It's not a stretch to me. To me, people seem buy these things because cycling isn't any real fun to them without the video game atmosphere.

    I can only assume this opinion is formed from a survey of recent peer-reviewed literature...

    Not at all.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    dennisn wrote:
    Could it be that you simply have gotten to be a stronger rider by riding and the power meter is only telling you this? Is it that you don't know if you're a stronger rider or not without a power meter? I pretty much know whether I'm riding stronger or not and can't see any reason to shell out big money to be told something I already know.
    2 things ...
    1 - "Big Money" ... is the cost of an entry level bike "Big Money" ... it's less than the wheelsets some ppl are riding - it may be "Big Money" to you - it's still a fair chunk to me - but to some it will be pocket change. It's all relative - if it's affordable then the question has to be why you wouldn't want one.

    2 - you say you "pretty much know whether I'm riding stronger or not" ... pretty much - not exactly though ... what could you do differently if you did know exactly ... marginal gains and all that ...

    In a bunch race I don't think there's any need for any instrumentation - you're either keeping up or not - perhaps if you go for a solo break you may want to know if you can sustain the effort to stay away and some numbers may assist you with that decision - I know that if I'm working close to max then I can't think straight and some clear cut numbers on the screen clarifies things pretty quickly.
    In a TT when you're after a constant pace/effort level then numbers in front of you may assist you in your performance - again, I find it fairly useful.
    In training this is where the numbers game can help the most - you can measure your progress (or lack of) - and working to power numbers will help normalise your training - it may not be advisable to do this constantly - it depends on your goals.
  • Tom Dean
    Tom Dean Posts: 1,723
    dennisn wrote:
    ...To me, people seem buy these things because cycling isn't any real fun to them without the video game atmosphere. What I don't understand is why they don't just stick to their little handheld games and their little world of their own creation, the little beeps and whistles that they can't seem to do without. Why throw a bike into the mix?
    As has been said, there is so much more to PM use than staring at the screen. Sometimes I do stare at the screen and I can assure you that when I (try to) do 2 minute intervals at 135%FTP, the 'atmosphere' is nothing like playing a video game. If only...

    Can we assume your understanding of videogames is about the same level as your understanding of considered, practical PM use?
  • fish156
    fish156 Posts: 496
    dennisn wrote:
    What sort of cycling do I do? The type where you ride around and enjoy whatever comes your way. I do not ride around staring at some idiotic bunch of numbers and graphs flashing on a small screen. I have somehow remained un-addicted to my cell phone or any little screen, unlike many people who literally live for the beep or chime of their computer or phone. Pavlovs dog's if you will. Cycling's video games(if you will) are not for me. I genuinely
    feel sorry for people who can't relate to the real world and live in some fantasy one where they are the king of their realm(their cell phone, computer) but only a bit player in the real world.
    You seem to be confusing a powermeter with other forms of interactive technology. A powermeter is merely that; a device for measuring power. Comparing it with video games? Would you do the same for a digital watch? After all, that's just an electronic device that presents a measurement of time.
    dennisn wrote:
    I'm not against much of anything to be honest. If it's useful, to me, I'll use it. I just don't see the use in cycling's video games. What's the difference between some cyclist all wrapped up in his various computers / phones and a ten year old boy who can't spare a moment away from his handheld whatever? To me there is none.
    Ah, but I rant on. Sorry. I'l sign off with a question or two. What will this meter tell me? I already know that I pushed myself to my limit at last weeks race. I know my finish position. I know how I did last week. I'll be able to tell how I will do this week, after the race. This meter won't help me stay with the pack. It won't help me sprint to keep up at the corners. It won't make me a better bike handler. It won't teach me the in and outs of racing in a pack. It won't teach me a thing about my competitors and what their strengths and weaknesses are. It won't help me avoid the bad patches of road. It won't prevent a crash. I could go on and on, but I think you get my drift. There are much more important things in life and bike racing / riding than farking around with a video screen.

    Agreed it won't improve your handling skills, nor your ability to avoid bad patches of road. However, interpret the measured power and you could gain an insight into what some of your strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to bike racing. It could then help you train those weaknesses, to become a stronger rider.

    Meh, ride how you like (and it sounds like you do enjoy your riding), but best to do so having made a conscious choice with an open mind?

    P.S. Fortunately it's not compulsory to have a Strava account if you own a powermeter :D
  • nathancom
    nathancom Posts: 1,567
    Dennisn I agree with you, he should buy EPO instead.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    nathancom wrote:
    Dennisn I agree with you, he should buy EPO instead.

    Yours

    Americas Greatest Cyclist
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    dennisn wrote:
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
    Equating those who use a power meter to aid their training and performance development with those whose lives are lived in an on-line virtual reality is a pretty big stretch.

    It's not a stretch to me. To me, people seem buy these things because cycling isn't any real fun to them without the video game atmosphere. What I don't understand is why they don't just stick to their little handheld games and their little world of their own creation, the little beeps and whistles that they can't seem to do without. Why throw a bike into the mix?
    What does it matter how people enjoy life, how they have fun? If they are riding a bike and something inspires them to ride more and/or get fitter, that's great and is all that really matters.

    Everyone would agree that power meters are not necessary for everyone, but that does not imply that one should not consider using one, or learn about how they can assist.

    As for the argument about bike skills/race nouse etc, that's all a red herring. Of course they are important factors but you talk as if having a power meter suddenly means one can't or won't also work on such things. Ironically, the information used wisely can help you realise what your primary development priorities should be, including those related to skills, nouse, execution and so on.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • markwb79
    markwb79 Posts: 937
    fish156 wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    What sort of cycling do I do? The type where you ride around and enjoy whatever comes your way. I do not ride around staring at some idiotic bunch of numbers and graphs flashing on a small screen. I have somehow remained un-addicted to my cell phone or any little screen, unlike many people who literally live for the beep or chime of their computer or phone. Pavlovs dog's if you will. Cycling's video games(if you will) are not for me. I genuinely
    feel sorry for people who can't relate to the real world and live in some fantasy one where they are the king of their realm(their cell phone, computer) but only a bit player in the real world.
    You seem to be confusing a powermeter with other forms of interactive technology. A powermeter is merely that; a device for measuring power. Comparing it with video games? Would you do the same for a digital watch? After all, that's just an electronic device that presents a measurement of time.

    I think you have that wrong. Why would you have a digital watch when you can have a sun dial?
    Scott Addict 2011
    Giant TCR 2012
  • markwb79
    markwb79 Posts: 937
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:


    As for the argument about bike skills/race nouse etc, that's all a red herring. Of course they are important factors but you talk as if having a power meter suddenly means one can't or won't also work on such things. Ironically, the information used wisely can help you realise what your primary development priorities should be, including those related to skills, nouse, execution and so on.


    I am not one to disagree with a professional coach to often, maybe its the details.

    But I am more inclined to think that bike skills / race nous and things like confidence are very very important to get to the next level.

    I have two friends that have bonkers amounts of power (they weigh the same and have the same FTP). But one of them just has a gift for riding in a peloton and being in the right place at the right time.

    I am convinced one will make it to some sort of professional level on the road. The other will hopefully end up a pursuit type rider on the track. - Although he would prefer the road.
    Scott Addict 2011
    Giant TCR 2012

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