Recs for Power options?
Team,
trained with power for an extended period, and due to an unfortunate 'misplaced' bike, have to buy new powermeter.
My experience has only been with powertap on wheel, and put cpvers for the races; but I changed my location, so am living in western PA, and have some hills around here.....
Should I go back to power on a single wheel, or go quarq vs pedal. would love to hear the input from da haus.
Thanks; and a merry christmass y'all
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Comments
Probably best to stick with power tap or quart depending on your preference of wheels vs cranks and if you want power on more than one bike.
I like quarq. I finally have one that works, my third one they gave me. The SRAM label seems to have fixed their quality problems.
So just to sum things up: I'm understanding that with having 3 bikes, I am better off with the quarq?
Thanks peep
and really, with the options on quarq available, should I go compact or regular;
and what crankset?!?!?!
Is it compatible with Campy components?
and that is EXACTLY why I love prix fixe menus..... ;-)
Thanks
My $.02 worth is the following:
Go with a compact crank for sure. The smaller rings will give you more flexibility on all courses. You run a shorter chain which gives better/smoother shifting.
I think the best bang for the buck is the Cinqo S975 crank. The new SRAM Red crank has some nice features but they come at a pretty strong price point for what you get.
I can't speak to Campy compatibility.
Good luck!
I was looking to buy a new bike, preferably eye-talian; so, what other issues do I need to look into?
learning curve - here I come!!!!
Here's my $0.02.
Preface with the fact that the coaches will probably disagree with me, but you have multiple issues like different and multiple bikes, different types of components, wheel issues, etc.
I am a former Quarq user and was extremely satisfied with the product and the customer service. I just ordered a new Trek bike with the new 2013 dura ace Di2 group. Unfortunately, there was not a compatible quarq power meter for the dura ace crankset. I had decided to go with Powertap but had the issue of having it on my training wheels, and needing to rent a PT equipped race wheel (renting race wheels way more cost effective and flexible than owning). I wasn't really confident that every PT would give the same measurements which would have been confusing on race day. But I had no other choice. Then I found out about this:
http://www.stagescycling.com/stagespower-models#
This is a brand new product, coming out next year. Because it's a brand new product, there is an inherent assumption that it will be full of bugs that will take a long time to sort out. But this was my best choice under the circumstances. I will be an early adopter, but I'm fine with that. I trust that this product has been extensively tested under real world conditions with direct measurement comparisons between other power meters on the same rides measured simultatneously. It is also much more flexible than a PT or a Quarq. It's manufactured in the USA by a company with a long history in the power measurement business. It is also one of the most inexpensive PM's on the market. They come out in January and I have already pre-ordered mine.
Once I have it, I am going to start a thread to talk about my experience with it and any issues that arise.
My 2cents is a lot comes down to how much you can spend. A Powertap is cheaper, but has it's limitations. Crank based systems are nice, but word of caution, to switch amongst all of you're 3 bikes, you'll need to have one that is compatible with all of them and you will need to have the same bottom bracket on each bike. If you already have an all Ultegra bike, just make sure whatever new bike you get has SRAM or Shimano components. If you went with a power based crankset with a GXP bottom bracket, it should work with just about any bike. It's pretty easy to add a GXP bb to most bikes.
I have an SRM (SRAM S975 and it works great with my 10 speed D/A Di2 and wi my old D/A 7800 stuff on my other bike). The Quarq is also great (maybe better than the SRM in many ways). The Stages Powermeter does look pretty cool, but I for one will never buy a first generation PM. FYI, Dusty just posted a 25% off code in the discount forum that supposedly works for Quarq http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/3476/afpg/3/afpg/3/Default.aspx
The final 2 things to consider compact/standard and what crank length. I switched to a Compact and have been very happy with it. Gives me much more flexibility when climbing and with an 11 tooth cog I don't notice myself spinning out any more than with my old standard. I also have a shorter crank and am happy with that as well. I'm 6'-1" and use a 170mm crank. Several threads in da Haus discussing moving to shorter cranks as well.
@ Matt - will start new thread once I have it next month
@ Hasan - John is right that bottom bracket compatibility would need to be assured if you are moving same crankset between bikes. I didn't think about that.
@ All - It is always discouraged in the haus to jump on first generation products, but be that as it may, a lot of us do. Anyone remember the Joule? That was a product from a well established company with no history of manufacturing a bike computer. True first generation. While this may be the first power meter for conventional bikes, this company has been making power meters for years and seem to know what they are doing. Not exactly first generation as far as I'm concerned. To me it would be like if Cateye came out with a computer that could record and display power metrics. They've never done that before, but arguably they know their way around bike computers. Again, my $0.02, which is pretty much what it's worth.
So, I'm definitely leaning towards the quarq.
The big problem is, the more I read, and learn about quarq, I come up with more questions......
1. I still have a specizlied transition expert. I am not 100% sure which BB it is, and the specs on the website archive say with crank (ultegra?!?!)
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/archive/2011/transition/transexpert#specs
Which crank should I order?!?!
2. I am looking to buy a new road bike. will wanting to switch cranks mean I am limited on my bike purchase options. example, looking at buying an italian bike (Wilier vs Pinarello) ; and thinking of SRAM groupset?
Alright, let's hear from the braniacs in the house!!!
You could buy stages ultegra arm for 800.
or change the bottom brackets to sram gxp and get the quarq. Easy to do.
my specialized has an OSBB, or the specializecd version of the BB30. can I change it to a threaded italian?!?!
You can not put an italian BB in a specialized, the left cup or left part of the BB has normal thread direction in a Specialized (Lefty Loosy) whereas an Italian BB has 'lefty tighty' thread.
Bb30 is pressfit right? So can use pressfit gxp right? No threads involved. Correct?
I'm hanging by a thread here... Who would have the final word on this?!?
I'm hanging by a thread here... Who would have the final word on this?!?
will keep you posted
Hasan