Power meter on a MTB

Clagerblad
Clagerblad Posts: 11
edited January 2017 in MTB workshop & tech
Hello,

I have used a power meter for two seasons on my rodbike. A left only Stages. I'm thinking of getting a power meter to my my MTB.

Is there anyone out there having a power meter on a MTB? Does it work with a left only or is it more critical to measure total power? Any experiance on that?

Comments

  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    edited January 2017
    I don't normally post in the fat wheelers section but I read this a while ago about power meters.

    http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/do-power-meters-have-a-place-on-mountain-bikes-337948

    As it goes on to say, the accuracy of a meter on a rough trail is questionable. Also where in road cycling you tend to care more about what the legs are doing in MTB you use you whole body more. A meter on your leg power can't take this into consideration for your total effort. Another thing I always would consider is how much time do you have to stare at numbers on your stem? A flat road or constant climb can tell you a lot but a rough undulating track numbers are going to be so sporadic I can't see how you can make any sense out of them.

    To that end, can you afford 500 quid on a meter that could leave you non the wiser as to what you are producing?
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    edited January 2017
    Why?

    Bit pointless on trails, as you're not just sitting and pedalling along.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • Clagerblad
    Clagerblad Posts: 11
    To measure training stress score.
  • robertpb
    robertpb Posts: 1,866
    I'm with cooldad on this one, you would probably be better off with a HRM which TSS can be derived from as at least it would take in consideration the whole body not just the legs.
    Now where's that "Get Out of Crash Free Card"
  • Clagerblad
    Clagerblad Posts: 11
    Yeah perhaps. That's how I'm doing it right now. TSS from heart rate.
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    It'll depend on a few things, kind of riding, training goals etc. and crucially, if you have the money to spend. If you're an XC racer I think it'd probably work well. If you're an enduro racer it's to be less good to pointless compared to HRM depending on the terrain. For downhill it's probably pointless.

Categories