Power Meter
09-30-20, 12:02 PM
#3
Hear myself getting fat
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Definitely not.
But if you do get one it will change the way you ride and train. Whether that's good or bad is 100% on you.
But if you do get one it will change the way you ride and train. Whether that's good or bad is 100% on you.
09-30-20, 12:05 PM
#4
Happy banana slug
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09-30-20, 01:22 PM
#5
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No.
I will say, for the cost of a left only crank meter...............many cyclists spend that much on a pair of bibs and couple jerseys or a month's worth of cache' microbrew.
I will say, for the cost of a left only crank meter...............many cyclists spend that much on a pair of bibs and couple jerseys or a month's worth of cache' microbrew.
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09-30-20, 01:34 PM
#6
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To answer the OP's question: if you are racing, and you have more than just a casual interest, then yeah, a powermeter might be useful. It can help you to get faster, but only if you learn how to use it and train accordingly. But just sticking a powermeter on your bike won't do anything other than give you some perplexing numbers.
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09-30-20, 02:43 PM
#7
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I've never really entertained purchase of a PM due to the perceived high cost. What is the most cost-effective yet accurate solution out there?
09-30-20, 02:47 PM
#8
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A stopwatch and steady grade hill that takes you 20 to 60 minutes to climb.
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09-30-20, 05:59 PM
#9
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Only a bicycle is a must-buy. after that, "It Depends"
Are you a numbers & gadget geek ? Then maybe.
Are you a numbers & gadget geek ? Then maybe.
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09-30-20, 06:49 PM
#10
LR÷P=HR
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In early 2019 I started losing weight. During this process my Fitbit started to detect changes (for the better) in health, long before I could actually feel them.
For example "Resting Heart Rate" started to drop. I could see it in the data and found that hugely encouraging.
In December 2019 I returned to riding and quickly added a power meter. Being able to judge a ride on power output and not on weather/wind dependent time was great.
Once again I have found the power meter numbers to be very encouraging.
Necessary, no. Fun to watch and train with, hell yes.
Don't forget you'll likely add the cost of a bike computer if you don't already have one.
Barry
For example "Resting Heart Rate" started to drop. I could see it in the data and found that hugely encouraging.
In December 2019 I returned to riding and quickly added a power meter. Being able to judge a ride on power output and not on weather/wind dependent time was great.
Once again I have found the power meter numbers to be very encouraging.
Necessary, no. Fun to watch and train with, hell yes.
Don't forget you'll likely add the cost of a bike computer if you don't already have one.
Barry
10-01-20, 12:35 AM
#12
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Power meters are super cool, for both training and for pacing, and aren't all that expensive anymore.
It's not just the training, the pacing aspect is pretty neat, too. Let's say you're going out on a ten hour ride; at the outset you're going to be feeling pretty fresh. If you go hard, and especially if you ramp it up on climbs (which, when you have a power meter, you discover people very much tend to do - and then slack off on the flats) you're going to be cooked near the end of it. With a power meter you can quite easily maintain an even and sustainable pacing from the outset, somewhat harder on climbs but sticking well out of the red, and last for the whole day feeling good at the end.
If I was making the choice between, say, a bike with Ultegra or a bike with 105 but with a power meter, I'd pick the latter.
It's not just the training, the pacing aspect is pretty neat, too. Let's say you're going out on a ten hour ride; at the outset you're going to be feeling pretty fresh. If you go hard, and especially if you ramp it up on climbs (which, when you have a power meter, you discover people very much tend to do - and then slack off on the flats) you're going to be cooked near the end of it. With a power meter you can quite easily maintain an even and sustainable pacing from the outset, somewhat harder on climbs but sticking well out of the red, and last for the whole day feeling good at the end.
If I was making the choice between, say, a bike with Ultegra or a bike with 105 but with a power meter, I'd pick the latter.
10-01-20, 12:59 AM
#13
Junior Member
what is the goal?
my ride to enjoy bike has no gadgets on it. They are a distraction. road, view, people - that is why i mostly ride.
indoor trainer has a power meter on it. it helped me rectify left-right imbalance and smoothed my pedal strokes. It also keeps my morale up on those down days.
outdoor training bike has power meter. But, i connect/check it only when i set out with a power/hrm goal.
NEED? naaa.... useful? sure, can be.
my ride to enjoy bike has no gadgets on it. They are a distraction. road, view, people - that is why i mostly ride.
indoor trainer has a power meter on it. it helped me rectify left-right imbalance and smoothed my pedal strokes. It also keeps my morale up on those down days.
outdoor training bike has power meter. But, i connect/check it only when i set out with a power/hrm goal.
NEED? naaa.... useful? sure, can be.
10-01-20, 11:16 PM
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Wouldn't say it's a must buy unless you're trying to race and use your time wisely while training. Even then, the stopwatch idea that was iterated earlier is good enough (interval timing etc) if you're trying to improve for the sake of improving.
10-01-20, 11:25 PM
#16
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[QUOTE=Branko D;21722169It's not just the training, the pacing aspect is pretty neat, too. Let's say you're going out on a ten hour ride; at the outset you're going to be feeling pretty fresh. If you go hard, and especially if you ramp it up on climbs (which, when you have a power meter, you discover people very much tend to do - and then slack off on the flats) you're going to be cooked near the end of it. With a power meter you can quite easily maintain an even and sustainable pacing from the outset, somewhat harder on climbs but sticking well out of the red, and last for the whole day feeling good at the end.[/QUOTE]
This. Though, to be most effective using it this way, you still need to "train" with it a bit, and know your FTP. But, with that you can make ride plans that allow you to complete rides that are seemingly beyond reach. For instance, I rode a 300km out/back along a rive in Germany in the spring, 90% gravel, knowing that if I kept my power in a specific watt range, with no spikes, I'd be good to go...and 13 hours later (11 hours pedaling), I was fresh.
This. Though, to be most effective using it this way, you still need to "train" with it a bit, and know your FTP. But, with that you can make ride plans that allow you to complete rides that are seemingly beyond reach. For instance, I rode a 300km out/back along a rive in Germany in the spring, 90% gravel, knowing that if I kept my power in a specific watt range, with no spikes, I'd be good to go...and 13 hours later (11 hours pedaling), I was fresh.
10-02-20, 04:14 AM
#17
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Millions and millions of people ride their bicycles without a power meter, so there is your answer.
10-02-20, 07:36 AM
#18
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I'd like to get one on my main bike, but so far the cheapest option I've found is around $300. If I find something on-sale I'll probably buy it, but it's not a big priority for me.
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