Which would you buy: A 3k bike; or a 1.8k bike + SRM power meter?
07-24-11, 03:07 PM
#1
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Which would you buy: A 3.8k bike; or a 1.5k bike + SRM power meter?
For the money, which option would you go for?
Either:
1. Wilier Gran Turismo Chorus R1 2011 £3850
Total £3850
or
2. Wilier Izoard XP Veloce Road Bike R5 2011 £1500; with a
SRAM Power Meter Chainset £2385
Total £3885
Either:
1. Wilier Gran Turismo Chorus R1 2011 £3850
Total £3850
or
2. Wilier Izoard XP Veloce Road Bike R5 2011 £1500; with a
SRAM Power Meter Chainset £2385
Total £3885
07-24-11, 03:20 PM
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What will your training regimen be like/based on?
I was in a similar predicament earlier this season, and decided to max out my budget on a bike that I should be completely happy with for multiple seasons, and will buy a power meter at bonus time before next season. I am training with a team where most of the riders are in their first season of racing, and we have a coach who gives us workouts which measure effort based on HR. He recommended that I not worry about the power meter when getting the bike, and wait to shell out until before my second season of racing. YMMV...depending on how you are training and who you are training with, either option may make sense for you.
I was in a similar predicament earlier this season, and decided to max out my budget on a bike that I should be completely happy with for multiple seasons, and will buy a power meter at bonus time before next season. I am training with a team where most of the riders are in their first season of racing, and we have a coach who gives us workouts which measure effort based on HR. He recommended that I not worry about the power meter when getting the bike, and wait to shell out until before my second season of racing. YMMV...depending on how you are training and who you are training with, either option may make sense for you.
07-24-11, 03:26 PM
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Power meter. And for what it's worth, I'd go with a Quarq. Much cheaper than the SRM, and you can put the difference into wheels and other stuff.
07-24-11, 03:45 PM
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Bike. Get the power meter later.
07-24-11, 04:16 PM
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If you are serious about racing and will fully utilize the powermeter, get it. If you just enjoy riding and do the occasional race for fun, get the flash bike. Or you could get the cheaper bike and hold back on the power meter until you are sure you want it.
07-24-11, 04:20 PM
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Training data is very valuable if you are planning on racing. Get bike + power meter. Once you get good enough, you get bikes for free or at the very least a deep discount 
07-24-11, 04:25 PM
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07-24-11, 05:15 PM
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Read the power meter book by Coggan and Allen. If you get bored and put it down, don't get the power meter. You won't be getting your money's worth from it. Nothing wrong with that, not everyone is a data dweeb. Some people just like to ride.
07-24-11, 05:29 PM
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I agree with this. I found that I loose interest in any biking data over a short period of time, I don't go back to it and I'm not much of a planner anyway, so my choice would be for the expensive bike.
07-24-11, 08:54 PM
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If you are going to race with the 3k bike, think about what happens when/if you crash . . .that's my two cents
07-24-11, 10:00 PM
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Cheaper bike and get a coach who coaches race tactics and not just fitness. It will be more effective than a power meter.
If you don't already race you don't know how disposable frames are...
If you don't already race you don't know how disposable frames are...
07-25-11, 03:20 PM
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I just dont understand why anyone would spend 1000 dollars for a computer to tell them how slow they really are
07-25-11, 03:43 PM
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Some people just aren't into data crunching. Some of the guys I ride (good masters racers) with don't even have bike computers.
07-25-11, 04:51 PM
#23
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
An expensive bike to make you feel faster...
.. or a power meter to make you know you're slower.
How good are you with criticism?
.. or a power meter to make you know you're slower.
How good are you with criticism?
07-25-11, 08:56 PM
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07-25-11, 09:24 PM
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I on the other hand love data. Even if it isn't making me a huge amount better, i just enjoy tracking numbers and using them as best I can. So if i was you, I would get the less expensive bike + power meter.
.Chris