Power meters
#1
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Power meters
I've been doing a fair amount of research on power meters the different types and price range is mindboggling. For those of you who utilize a power meter, what type did you go with? I appreciate your input!
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I started with a wired Powertap. Then I got a wired SRM about a decade later. Replaced that with a Powertap G3. Then tried a Power2max. Didn't like that (because of BB30) and sold it pretty quickly. Then got a Powertap C1. That's worked flawlessly for years. Bought another PT G3 on another wheel, and last year bought a Quarq Dfour.
I would buy a Quarq, Power2Max, or even a used SRM if a good price.
Favero Assioma pedals look awesome, but I absolutely abhor the cleat system it uses, so no go on that front. Others without that hangup seem to really like them, though.
So anything that measures both legs. I wouldn't bother with anything that only measures one leg.
I would buy a Quarq, Power2Max, or even a used SRM if a good price.
Favero Assioma pedals look awesome, but I absolutely abhor the cleat system it uses, so no go on that front. Others without that hangup seem to really like them, though.
So anything that measures both legs. I wouldn't bother with anything that only measures one leg.
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I’ve had Cycleops/Powertap in the past, but now use Assioma Duo pedals and love the convenience and ease of transferring them between bikes.
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It depends a lot on how many bikes, how much switching of wheels etc. I have bought >5 4 different kinds, but 6 Power Tap hub meters. They will register lower than a pedal power meter. If you like higher numbers use the pedal meters.
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Edit. I think I have five but only find the receipt for 4. Still the price is right.
Last edited by Doge; 02-13-21 at 07:21 PM.
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People are free to spend their money as they wish, but IMO if you get a power meter just for fun, that seems silly. It’s a powerful training tool if used for training, of course.
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That’s what I was getting at. I know lots of cyclists with PMs and most of them don’t really use them to train, but more for entertainment, ie “I hit 400w going up that hill! Wow!!”
People are free to spend their money as they wish, but IMO if you get a power meter just for fun, that seems silly. It’s a powerful training tool if used for training, of course.
People are free to spend their money as they wish, but IMO if you get a power meter just for fun, that seems silly. It’s a powerful training tool if used for training, of course.
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That’s what I was getting at. I know lots of cyclists with PMs and most of them don’t really use them to train, but more for entertainment, ie “I hit 400w going up that hill! Wow!!”
People are free to spend their money as they wish, but IMO if you get a power meter just for fun, that seems silly. It’s a powerful training tool if used for training, of course.
People are free to spend their money as they wish, but IMO if you get a power meter just for fun, that seems silly. It’s a powerful training tool if used for training, of course.
But they should not be used for racing and should not be used for increasing fitness unless they are somehow a modivator. A HRM is a better tool for that.
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At any rate, it seems ridiculous to think there's only one solution that fits everyone. Now that there are so many coaches doing podcasts, it's interesting to compare the ones who take a rigid, single approach to what athletes should do to the one who think the goal is to maximize performance. These are flexible in their approach, tailoring training to each individual.
Last edited by asgelle; 02-13-21 at 08:26 PM.
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I don't know about that. I'm using a power meter to monitor volume of training both post hoc and also during a session. I'm not sure a heart rate monitor could do that.
At any rate, it seems ridiculous to think there's only one solution that fits everyone. Now that there are so many coaches doing podcasts, it's interesting to compare the ones who take a rigid, single approach to what athletes should do to the one who think the goal is to maximize performance. These are flexible in their approach, tailoring training to each individual.
At any rate, it seems ridiculous to think there's only one solution that fits everyone. Now that there are so many coaches doing podcasts, it's interesting to compare the ones who take a rigid, single approach to what athletes should do to the one who think the goal is to maximize performance. These are flexible in their approach, tailoring training to each individual.
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HR only tells you the rate that blood is getting pumped to the muscles, and it's not the most effective way to train. The muscles are what do the work and drives your bike forward or up hill. Power is a direct measure of the work your muscles are doing. The amount of blood flow can't give you that kind of direct measurement.
HRM have been around since at least the late 70s (maybe earlier?) so we've all used them, but for racing or big events I was always so excited and hyped up at the start of a race the HR was always way way too high, so I stopped wearing it for events because it was useless. The power meter never lies and isn't 'wrong' due to race day excitement or a Krispy-Kreme doughnut.
HRM have been around since at least the late 70s (maybe earlier?) so we've all used them, but for racing or big events I was always so excited and hyped up at the start of a race the HR was always way way too high, so I stopped wearing it for events because it was useless. The power meter never lies and isn't 'wrong' due to race day excitement or a Krispy-Kreme doughnut.
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Can't buy Powertap, SRAM is not going to sell them anymore....
https://www.velonews.com/gear/tech-w...-power-meters/
https://www.velonews.com/gear/tech-w...-power-meters/
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Last edited by jaxgtr; 02-13-21 at 09:05 PM.
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Compared to "upstream" meters, a PowerTap will read lower more often than it reads higher, but not always. If power meters were a little more accurate, PowerTaps would always read lower.
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It's difficult to improve what you don't measure. Runners can use a watch to track progress but cyclists need something other than speed on the flats. You don't need to be a slave to the numbers while training but I don't know how else you determine if a particular block of training is effective. For cyclists who don't have a lot of experience properly pacing intensity of intervals a powermeter can be very helpful and better than RPE or HR.
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One advantage of SRM over other meters is you can adjust the slope. I have an SRM and a couple of Powertaps and adjust the SRM so that it matches the Powertap. Not a big deal but I like to have them as close as possible.