Power meters for a tandem
11-17-18, 03:00 PM
#26
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times
in
1,369 Posts
11-17-18, 03:27 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Ontario
Posts: 558
Bikes: HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GTE, 2015 Devinci Silverstone SL4, 2012 Cannondale Road Tandem 2, Circe Morpheus, 2021 Rose Backroad, 2017 Devinci Hatchet
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 181 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times
in
12 Posts
...which means that the unloaded team member outputs less power at that time and the other one outputs more. Power balance between riders is a very intricate process on a tandem and almost reminds me of all those power control loop designs I work with as an engineer. Power = rotational speed x torque.
11-17-18, 08:22 PM
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Assuming we're both putting positive force on the pedals, and that both cranks are synchronized, I don't see how we wouldn't be getting very good data with pedal-based power meters.
11-18-18, 07:11 PM
#29
Double Trouble
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Pedal power meters should be accurate because they will read the force applied to the pedals regardless of what the other team rider is putting out.
12-09-18, 12:36 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,475
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3375 Post(s)
Liked 371 Times
in
253 Posts
I'm (maybe) building up a PowerTap rear wheel. I only care really about total power, so not doing anything individual.
I purchased a PowerTap G3 Disc Hub and using the 142mm thru axle that has that proprietary 160mm disc. It is also straight pull which means I likely need round spokes for a 24hole or something too thin (IMO) bladed. There are enough issues I may just bail, but it is a project for a bit at least.
I purchased a PowerTap G3 Disc Hub and using the 142mm thru axle that has that proprietary 160mm disc. It is also straight pull which means I likely need round spokes for a 24hole or something too thin (IMO) bladed. There are enough issues I may just bail, but it is a project for a bit at least.
