Anyone using a power meter for training?
Discussion
I don't, but a bunch of people on YACF do, so you may wish to look there. IIRC, they almost entirely use powertap hubs, rather than the other systems you can use with the 705.
PS YACF is mostly populated by audaxers and commuters, so lacks the aggressive alpha male BS you can get on other bike forums.
PS YACF is mostly populated by audaxers and commuters, so lacks the aggressive alpha male BS you can get on other bike forums.
Edited by DrMekon on Wednesday 4th August 19:39
If you do get one please report back.
I plan on getting one closer to the end of the year, (probably the SRAM powermetre chainset) but would be very interested to see if they are useful in the longterm, I'd be afraid that it would be cool for a few weeks and then the novelty would wear off.
I suppose it all depends on what your goals are.
I plan on getting one closer to the end of the year, (probably the SRAM powermetre chainset) but would be very interested to see if they are useful in the longterm, I'd be afraid that it would be cool for a few weeks and then the novelty would wear off.
I suppose it all depends on what your goals are.
Edited by NitroNick on Thursday 5th August 07:53
Powertaps are seen as the standard but unless you're really getting in to serious training it'd be more a gimmick... you can get yourself to seriously competitive levels without one very easily.
If you just want more numbers however then it's useful.
P.S I've considered one but can't justify that sort of price when there's deep section carbon rims waiting on the list to be bought
If you just want more numbers however then it's useful.
P.S I've considered one but can't justify that sort of price when there's deep section carbon rims waiting on the list to be bought
How do you train?
If you approach training with a goal in mind, and a programme to reach that goal then you may be able to get some benefit from using a power meter.
Most weekend warriors - and I very much include myself in this - train socially. I.e., we go riding with a mate or two and spend very little of the ride time doing focussed training. There's a bit of willy waving over the climbs, but mostly the squad rides together.
If that's the kind of riding you do, then adding a power meter will give you some more stats to your ride, but will not do much more than that. If that's what you want, and the budget stretches to it, then go for it. But it won't make you any faster. The deep dish carbon wheels that somebody else mentioned...now they just might make you faster (and are much easier for other cyclists to see and be impressed by).
James
If you approach training with a goal in mind, and a programme to reach that goal then you may be able to get some benefit from using a power meter.
Most weekend warriors - and I very much include myself in this - train socially. I.e., we go riding with a mate or two and spend very little of the ride time doing focussed training. There's a bit of willy waving over the climbs, but mostly the squad rides together.
If that's the kind of riding you do, then adding a power meter will give you some more stats to your ride, but will not do much more than that. If that's what you want, and the budget stretches to it, then go for it. But it won't make you any faster. The deep dish carbon wheels that somebody else mentioned...now they just might make you faster (and are much easier for other cyclists to see and be impressed by).
James
Yes.
Used properly, it is a fantastic training tool - gives you a real measure of performance in the way no other device can.
If you are using it along with a focussed training plan, then it can be a really useful bit of kit - really highlights your weaknesses and allows you to target them and work at them. The focussed training part is what they are really good at - 300W is always 300W, 20mph or 140bpm could mean anything depending on the road, how you are feeling, the weather conditions and a huge number of other variables.
If you have no interest in training properly (I'm thinking compete rather than complete here), then I would question the usefulness of a power meter - treating it as a fancy bike computer really is a waste of money. If you have £1000+ to burn then by all means buy one, looking at the power numbers is cool if nothing else, but you really won't be using the unit to its full potential.
Powertaps are the most commonly used power meters, mainly due to their relative cheapness - the only real drawback is if you have two or more sets of wheels, then the cost rises quickly, or you train with power but don't race with it.
SRMs are more expensive, but allow you to have any wheel on the back (training, deep section, disc etc.) without needing a specific hub.
Advise you to have a look at http://www.flammerouge.je/content/0_home/home.htm if you want to know more - loads of fantastic stuff on there.
Used properly, it is a fantastic training tool - gives you a real measure of performance in the way no other device can.
If you are using it along with a focussed training plan, then it can be a really useful bit of kit - really highlights your weaknesses and allows you to target them and work at them. The focussed training part is what they are really good at - 300W is always 300W, 20mph or 140bpm could mean anything depending on the road, how you are feeling, the weather conditions and a huge number of other variables.
If you have no interest in training properly (I'm thinking compete rather than complete here), then I would question the usefulness of a power meter - treating it as a fancy bike computer really is a waste of money. If you have £1000+ to burn then by all means buy one, looking at the power numbers is cool if nothing else, but you really won't be using the unit to its full potential.
Powertaps are the most commonly used power meters, mainly due to their relative cheapness - the only real drawback is if you have two or more sets of wheels, then the cost rises quickly, or you train with power but don't race with it.
SRMs are more expensive, but allow you to have any wheel on the back (training, deep section, disc etc.) without needing a specific hub.
Advise you to have a look at http://www.flammerouge.je/content/0_home/home.htm if you want to know more - loads of fantastic stuff on there.
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