Worth getting a power meter?
06-10-18, 06:07 PM
#26
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I bought a power meter, I don’t really use it to train to make me faster but I do use it as a pacing tool on my longer rides(200k+Kms) to track calorie burned more acually
to maintain weight and to see how much power I can drop in a all out sprint, sometimes I just like to look at the numbers and see what I’m putting out or how fatigued I am on the ride. There’s many uses for it beside training,
to maintain weight and to see how much power I can drop in a all out sprint, sometimes I just like to look at the numbers and see what I’m putting out or how fatigued I am on the ride. There’s many uses for it beside training,
06-11-18, 05:28 AM
#27
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I bought a power meter this winter, skeptical of whether it would make a difference to me, but now I live for power readings and no longer rely on speed as an indicator. You know those places where you can really crank it up? A PM will probably tell you that you aren't putting out much power. Those places that you slog through? You are probably way over your threshold. It turns your cycling effort on its head, and it makes you a better rider because of it. That headwind you hate is probably your best training tool! I'm just an average and older rider that doesn't NEED it, but it really changed my riding habits, and I'm a lot stronger now.
06-11-18, 06:10 AM
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Coming from a running background its weird to me how objective the power meter measurements are. Running is always more of a feel based sport / efforts.
I have been interested in getting a power meter but they always seem so expensive. I have a Trek 1.2 (shimano sora components, look keo classic pedals) and I am wondering what power meter would be decent and not cost as much as a new bike at this level. It seems more realistic for me to just not get one but I am curious if such options exist
I have been interested in getting a power meter but they always seem so expensive. I have a Trek 1.2 (shimano sora components, look keo classic pedals) and I am wondering what power meter would be decent and not cost as much as a new bike at this level. It seems more realistic for me to just not get one but I am curious if such options exist
06-11-18, 08:39 AM
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I bought a power meter this winter, skeptical of whether it would make a difference to me, but now I live for power readings and no longer rely on speed as an indicator. You know those places where you can really crank it up? A PM will probably tell you that you aren't putting out much power. Those places that you slog through? You are probably way over your threshold. It turns your cycling effort on its head, and it makes you a better rider because of it. That headwind you hate is probably your best training tool! I'm just an average and older rider that doesn't NEED it, but it really changed my riding habits, and I'm a lot stronger now.
06-11-18, 01:04 PM
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I will do an interval workout this evening after work. PM is very useful!
Tomorrow evening, another interval workout. Same as above.
Wednesday evening, recovery ride. Same as above.
Thursday evening, 3 hour big climbing ride. I probably won't look at my numbers much during the ride, but I will analyze data after the ride.
Friday, another recovery ride. PM is very useful!
Saturday, fast group ride. Again, I won't look at numbers much during the ride but I will analyze data after the ride. Having a good grasp of RPE is important to me as well as PM data to chew on.
Sunday, rest day to focus on other important things.
Over time, this approach gives me a lot of power information to look at and work from going forward. Much more meaningful that what I would have with HR only.
Is a PM worth it? Very much so to me!
If you want a good read, I recommend this: The Power Meter Handbook by Joe Friel . The other book previously mentioned is really good, but very advanced for someone just considering whether to get a PM.
BTW, there are a lot of people out there with power meters that really don't use them. They will tell you they do, but they don't! They would do well to read and apply the book I linked to also.
Tomorrow evening, another interval workout. Same as above.
Wednesday evening, recovery ride. Same as above.
Thursday evening, 3 hour big climbing ride. I probably won't look at my numbers much during the ride, but I will analyze data after the ride.
Friday, another recovery ride. PM is very useful!
Saturday, fast group ride. Again, I won't look at numbers much during the ride but I will analyze data after the ride. Having a good grasp of RPE is important to me as well as PM data to chew on.
Sunday, rest day to focus on other important things.
Over time, this approach gives me a lot of power information to look at and work from going forward. Much more meaningful that what I would have with HR only.
Is a PM worth it? Very much so to me!
If you want a good read, I recommend this: The Power Meter Handbook by Joe Friel . The other book previously mentioned is really good, but very advanced for someone just considering whether to get a PM.
BTW, there are a lot of people out there with power meters that really don't use them. They will tell you they do, but they don't! They would do well to read and apply the book I linked to also.
06-11-18, 01:25 PM
#31
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IMHO, get a smart trainer first, power meter second.
A power meter is only as good as your ability to interpret the data. For most, it's nothing more than a pacing tool, because the "user manual" is Andrew Coggan's 300+ page book.
A smart trainer allows you to use an app like TrainerRoad to hit the ground running. After going through a full training cycle, the numbers will be much more meaningful when you see them out on the road, and Coggan's book will be much easier to read.
As for how these products compare to other bike upgrades, there is no comparison. I would sooner ditch my carbon bikes and revert to my 2008 Cannondale CAAD9 than give up my power meter and smart trainer.
A power meter is only as good as your ability to interpret the data. For most, it's nothing more than a pacing tool, because the "user manual" is Andrew Coggan's 300+ page book.
A smart trainer allows you to use an app like TrainerRoad to hit the ground running. After going through a full training cycle, the numbers will be much more meaningful when you see them out on the road, and Coggan's book will be much easier to read.
As for how these products compare to other bike upgrades, there is no comparison. I would sooner ditch my carbon bikes and revert to my 2008 Cannondale CAAD9 than give up my power meter and smart trainer.
Last edited by colombo357; 06-11-18 at 01:32 PM.
06-11-18, 05:27 PM
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You should make Cycling your primary focus instead of running, and then you should get yourself a power meter 
.
.
06-11-18, 05:30 PM
#33
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Training without a power meter is like going to a gym that has no weight listed on any of the free-weights or universal equipment, or running on a treadmill without the speed showing. You can still do a great workout based on feel, but knowing what the weight or speed is significantly helps with the incremental increases in your training plan.
06-12-18, 08:49 AM
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Coming from a running background its weird to me how objective the power meter measurements are. Running is always more of a feel based sport / efforts.
I have been interested in getting a power meter but they always seem so expensive. I have a Trek 1.2 (shimano sora components, look keo classic pedals) and I am wondering what power meter would be decent and not cost as much as a new bike at this level. It seems more realistic for me to just not get one but I am curious if such options exist
I have been interested in getting a power meter but they always seem so expensive. I have a Trek 1.2 (shimano sora components, look keo classic pedals) and I am wondering what power meter would be decent and not cost as much as a new bike at this level. It seems more realistic for me to just not get one but I am curious if such options exist
I totally get what you mean. With running, pace stays pretty consistent and you learn what certain paces feel like, effort-wise.
For cycling, I'd say a power meter is only worth it if you're going to be seriously getting into cycling. When I was in college (and just after college), cycling was mostly a way to cross-train. Something to do during the off season or on a "off" day that got me outside for an hour or more that I more or less enjoyed. While looking at my GPS speed was fun, I wasn't really in it for the any competitive means. If cycling for you is just this, I don't think it is necessary.
Two years back, I moved to Colorado from Illinois. In IL, I could go 25+ miles and maybe have 100-150' of elevation change. Here in CO, I could easily hit 1000'+ on an average ride, or if I go into the mountains, you're looking 2000-3000+ feet in total climbs. Speed became irrelevant then. Where I used to be able to go between 18-20 and call it a good workout, now, 30MPH could be easy and 12MPH could be hard. That's where power comes in for me. Helps me to keep my ride efforts consistent.
06-12-18, 08:54 AM
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06-12-18, 12:01 PM
#37
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You can get a power meter for cycling AND running...
Also, I own a Smart Trainer as well as a PowerTap G3, I LOVE training with power, it is honestly far better than HR or average speed. Is it worth it? Hard to say, considering I only training cycling, specifically so I can be stronger in races, to me, it's absolutely worth it.
If you goal is to cycle better, then it is the #1 training tool you can buy, but if you don't use the numbers, setup training plans with it, and train for swimming/running simultaneously, it will honestly be a waste.
Also, I own a Smart Trainer as well as a PowerTap G3, I LOVE training with power, it is honestly far better than HR or average speed. Is it worth it? Hard to say, considering I only training cycling, specifically so I can be stronger in races, to me, it's absolutely worth it.
If you goal is to cycle better, then it is the #1 training tool you can buy, but if you don't use the numbers, setup training plans with it, and train for swimming/running simultaneously, it will honestly be a waste.
06-13-18, 08:39 AM
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I think the power pod is too costly for what it does. Too close to a crank arm that is strain gauge data vs. power pod. I think spending the extra $100 is worth it. Now if the Pod deal was 199-225$ range then I can see why it would be a great tool for the average rider who wants a PM to play with. I like the concept. I know DC rainmaker gave it good reviews but the data wasn't super consistent even with itself if you read about it online. I really like the concept though.
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06-14-18, 06:03 AM
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The smart trainer has had the most effect on performance for me, but the powermeter is a close second. Just realize a powermeter is only a sensor, so you have to have some idea what to do with the numbers and how to analyze the data.
Monday I went for a "training" ride and was able to keep my power in a specific range for a couple of long intervals. If I were riding by feel I would have probably been blowing myself up during the beginning by pushing too hard and then fading by the end of it. That's one instance where the PM is useful. Keeping track of TSS, CTL, and fatigue is also helpful.
Monday I went for a "training" ride and was able to keep my power in a specific range for a couple of long intervals. If I were riding by feel I would have probably been blowing myself up during the beginning by pushing too hard and then fading by the end of it. That's one instance where the PM is useful. Keeping track of TSS, CTL, and fatigue is also helpful.
06-14-18, 06:32 AM
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Going with anything that isn't strain-gauge based is a complete waste of money, in my opinion. I'll add the same assertion to anything that measures only one leg, but some people are okay with that compromise.
06-14-18, 07:15 AM
#41
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"Spend the extra $100 for a 4iii"
Is that left side only ?
Reason I ask is since I got the PP, I discovered how much my right leg produces vs my left. IF I had gone with a left side only power meter, it would be totally useless as it would be doubling the power (minimal that it is) to give me my "true power" which would be useless and invalid.
Is that left side only ?
Reason I ask is since I got the PP, I discovered how much my right leg produces vs my left. IF I had gone with a left side only power meter, it would be totally useless as it would be doubling the power (minimal that it is) to give me my "true power" which would be useless and invalid.
06-14-18, 11:30 AM
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You can have your power "measured" by an algorithm for free if you use Strava. I don't know why anybody would pay hundreds of dollars for the same thing.
06-14-18, 12:09 PM
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Right on.
I also believe he is cherry picking that data from DC's review. Didn't he get much better results after they tweaked the firmware? In the end, PP is about 2% accuracy. Lots of low IQ folks can't wrap their heads around the math and laws that make the PP a reality though. They are stuck on DFPM as the only way to arrive at the data. And, most importantly, none of them have tried it.
I also believe he is cherry picking that data from DC's review. Didn't he get much better results after they tweaked the firmware? In the end, PP is about 2% accuracy. Lots of low IQ folks can't wrap their heads around the math and laws that make the PP a reality though. They are stuck on DFPM as the only way to arrive at the data. And, most importantly, none of them have tried it.
How about rough roads versus smooth?
I can't quite get how it would account for rolling resistance changes.
Is powerpod the one that was talking about aero testing along with a strain-gauge power meter? I think that would actually be a pretty cool thing to work with. Could possibly dial in some aero refinements pretty quickly if it does it in real time.
06-14-18, 12:25 PM
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From what I understand, the problem is that it isn't consistent. Because it measures air flow, it has no way to tell how much wind resistance there is. Depending on the clothes one is wearing, the position on the bike etc, your power estimate can be way off. You could do two intervals with the exact same power, but have one read way higher because you had your hands in the drops rather than on the hoods.
06-14-18, 12:39 PM
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06-14-18, 12:48 PM
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How does it know when you leave the pavement, or move from the drops to the hoods?
06-14-18, 01:34 PM
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I have found deleting posts to be more fun than just locking a thread. When I delete posts, that means the "witty" posts that All Y'all put up aren't left here for eternity, for all to enjoy. I know that sucks, but it is what it is.
Behave like humans, please.
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06-14-18, 02:03 PM
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Interesting. Say I'm riding a pair of Conti Gator Skins with butyl tubes before switching to a pair of Vittorai Corsa Speed tubeless. Everything else the same. How does it account for that significantly different rolling resistance?
How about rough roads versus smooth?
I can't quite get how it would account for rolling resistance changes.
Is powerpod the one that was talking about aero testing along with a strain-gauge power meter? I think that would actually be a pretty cool thing to work with. Could possibly dial in some aero refinements pretty quickly if it does it in real time.
How about rough roads versus smooth?
I can't quite get how it would account for rolling resistance changes.
Is powerpod the one that was talking about aero testing along with a strain-gauge power meter? I think that would actually be a pretty cool thing to work with. Could possibly dial in some aero refinements pretty quickly if it does it in real time.
Agreed that for that purpose it would be great. Would love to hear @RChung thoughts on the reliability for that purpose.
Last edited by redlude97; 06-14-18 at 02:03 PM. Reason: mention tags seem to not be working, RChung