Charlie.

I'd like to start doing power-based training plans, but I have an annoying BB30 FSA crank on my current bike. I'm likely to change bikes in 1-2 seasons, so I'm reluctant to invest in a BB30 crank meter or BB conversion. This leaves me drawn to the wide compatibility and sensor consolidation offered by a Powertap G3 hub; my current rear wheel has a Roval AF1 (DT Swiss 350 internals) hub. If this is a downgrade in hub quality it may leave me with pedals as the only option likely to carry over to this bike's successor. All things considered, I'd be likely to wait for a Vector 3 release if going the pedal meter route.

A few questions:
• Is the G3 hub comparable in build quality to my current rear hub, or are pedal meters likely to be the most desirable system in my situation?
• How do the Look cleats compare to standard SPD-SL? I currently use mtb pedals so am not experienced in the different road systems. I'm assuming any road shoe will generally accept a Look cleat for the Vectors?

gregf83 

It's obviously not going to be as light and the bearings are a bit more of a hassle to replace but Powertaps are reliable and they have good customer service. You can also buy a Powertap GS hub which include DT Swiss internals.

Dean V

Any chance of the new bike having disc brakes?

RShantz

My first PM was hub based & in hindsight, it wasn't the best decision for the obvious reason - wanting to change wheels or just wanting to use a different set for different conditions.


I have no experience with pedal based PM, but they would obviously be very simple to move from bike to bike. Or even if you rent a bike sometime.


Things change in life & I think the pedals give you many options for the future.

dim

I'm on the market for a powermeter and am seriously looking at the Garmin pedals ....

many powermeters work out the power on one crank then double it to give the result ...

in the past, I have stripped/damaged several l/h pedals / cranks and I think I have more power in my left leg than in my right

same would be for a hub powermeter

woodcraft

You can get a used crank/spider based PM for a pretty good price,

and when it's time for the new bike there will be new PM options.

Look & Shimano cleats, while not interchangeable, work & last about the same.



I watched this last night- over an hour, but pretty informative of the power meter field.

ClickClickBoom

look at Power 2 Max.

PM City

Just a side note...PowerTap has discontinued the GS hub. They had some issues with it and it wasn't performing like the G3 (I took a blood oath that I wouldn't say more than that ). It is still on their site...so they might have a few units remaining??

WhyFi

Me too. I did a brief bit of research while contemplating my next cycling toy and, unless I totally misinterpreted, a 386Evo crank should be able to fit in to most frames (BB30 just needed spacers, iirc, so very easy install for the OP).

GSJon

I have the Powertap P1's and they make it easy to switch between the different bikes that I have . Plus I have several sets of rims for two of my bikes - trainer, training & race wheels and having a hub based meter on them would get pretty expensive fast.

The P1s use a Wellego (sp?) cleat which is basically a Look cleat. I only have one pair of shoes so I only have one set of cleats on them and the Look cleats work just fine in the P1s.

Jon

asiantrick

Have you looked in to Stages and 4iii powermeter? I've been happy with both. I used to have quarq pm and had all kind of issues. The power is very accurate comparing to my buddy SRM, when he lend me his. Team Sky use Stages pm.

lyrictenor1

Gotta love the power of marketing!

DGlenday

I bought a GS hub and paid a lot to have a pair of wheels built around it.

What performance problems should I expect?!?

PM City

You shouldn't expect any. We have two and they both work perfectly. Some issues were early on. They got the GS pretty dialed in my opinion. However the G3 was their flagship so they moved to discontinue the GS.

DGlenday

That's a relief, thanks. I've liked it so far.

Psimet2001 

Long time dealer in all things power.

The location is the one thing that no one ever agrees on - that's why there are the units that we have today.

Your Roval hub is the least of your worries. Anyone with taste will stay away from any wheel that says Roval on it regardless of the hub internals.

Seriously though - not a big issue. The G3 has a proven track record of fine performance mechanically. It, like the G1 and G2 still like to chew up outboard bearings but that's life.

The GS has been discontinued. Doesn't work.

Pedals - I have sold a LOT of powertap P1 pedal systems and everyone who has gotten them has been over the moon happy with them. I wouldn't dream of selling a Vector setup. I have had many who go over both systems with a fine tooth comb and I can usually get the pricing near identical for them but the long laundry list of known issues with the Vector just makes it a bad choice for the same price. P1 systems aren't immune FWIW. I have had to process 1 RA that I know of.

Crank....IIRC there is a new generation of Quarqs that just or will soon be coming out. Always a mainstay. If accuracy above all else is your motivator then look into Verve/infocrank. Power2Max is really one of the best cost/performance systems out there. The pioneer units are fairly sweet as well.

Today we have options. Can't really go wrong with anything. Except maybe Stages. pretty unilaterally amongst everyone around me who has had one that they were "adequate" for racers who needed power on a budget but weren't worth the headaches long term. They have a dedicated following though so maybe they've nailed it in like the enthusiast market.

DGlenday

Can you elaborate?

Psimet2001 

Can not. Was only told there were many issues with them and they didn't sell well.

pacalolo

Well I have a G3 that's built into a basic PowerTap wheel. I bought it from a friend for $300. I think that was a good value. I do regret that I'm now "locked" into that one rear wheel for getting power. I don't even have a matching set so that irks me. But if it's your first venture into power the G3 is a good, simple, reliable way to go. And I think I can Craigslist it for what I paid for it (or close), so I don't regret it.

PM City

Agree. Not a lot of folks know about it. But from an accuracy/consistency standpoint, it's tough to beat (it's not magic, rather it's due to the way it is engineered and constructed, placing the load cells in a unique location). They have done loads of highly refined, scientific testing comparing the Verve to other units and the results are impressive. I wish they would make the data public.

DGlenday

Thanks

I guess it's a good thing that PowerTaps come with a 2 year warranty.

RChung

Hub power meter is more accurate and precise than currently available pedal-based PMs, if that matters to you. For many, it won't. Cheaper, too.

[Edited to add:] Depending on the pedal or hub you would be replacing, possibly lighter, too.

topflightpro

I know you said you don't want to deal with crank based, but a used is SRM is the way to go.

Munk69

I have Power Tap P1 Pedals. Love them.. Just put on and ride.

nycphotography

I have an SRM and two Quarqs. Not DZero, but the most recent before that.

I prefer both my newer Quarqs, and even my old original Cinqo, to the SRM.

Especially now that the Quarqs use 2032 batteries instead of the old 2450's, but even a 2450 was cheap and small. I bought a 6 pack, and always kept the "next one to be used" in my flat kit pack. Even then, I gave 4 of the 6 away as spares when I sold the Cinqo.

Not being able to quickly and easily change batteries is a total killjoy on the SRM.