Computrainer vs. Power Meter
Hi All,
I am new to EN and am very much enjoying it so far. But wow! Lots o' info! So I thought why not go to all of you with this question....
I have been in the market looking at computrainers. I know now that Patrick and Rich are really into power meters/taps and watts. Most of my triathlete friends have computrainers and most of my cyclist buddies have power taps.
My bike fitter thinks the computrainer is a better bet for me as he doesn't think I will be using the power meter much once I am outside in the spring(live in Chicago). He says that using power is good for me being inside on a trainer but might not be as useful on the road.
I have always gone by my heart rate. That's how I train and race. I know my heart rate and what it is supposed to be at in a race, going, say, 20mph, so I know when to pick it up and when to hold back.
But, I'm willing to look at power as well. Thanks for any input.
Anna
Comments
I have a Computrainer.
My advice is -- don't get one.
A powermeter (which you are going to want anyway for riding outdoors and in races), a decent fluid trainer, TrainerRoad are all you need. I don't use any of the Computrainer courses, as I'm trying to nail power and cadence for specific EN workouts. Throwing in hills, wind, etc makes it harder for me to nail the targets, and since my heart and legs don't care, I don't either. I'll get all that soon enough when I start riding outside in the springtime. I just ride the same flat course I have programmed, for every workout. I use the data screen on my laptop for my power/HR/cadence and timing, but otherwise I'm looking up at my TV watching something like UEFA Champions League soccer or NHL replays.
A CT is expensive, and technologically it will remind you of a Nintendo. An old Nintendo. The RealCourseVideo feature is nice, but you can get that elsewhere if I'm not mistaken. The CT made sense for me at one point, but not anymore. If I were starting out again, I wouldn't make the purchase.
One man's opinion, worth what you paid for it.....
A new CT will set you back a bundle. Used ones are still pretty expensive. A new or used PT with a sturdy decent wheel is much cheaper. For indoors you are going to need a reasonable trainer - lots of discussion on other posts - but Kirk Kenetic or Cyclops are two good brands. Will also need a bike computer to pick up the power data - your heart rate monitor watch may work if you have a good Garmin.
Anyway, I strongly recommend PT over CT.
Tom
I have a CT and wish I never bought it. The software is so archaic its not even funny and Trainerroad has made CT obsolete. Sure the CT finally works awesome now that TR fixed it! Yep TR fixed the CT issues.... But now CT is just not necessary... The other trainer's we have in the house are Lemond (absolutely awesome but loud) and cycleops. The trainerroad guys are excited about the new KICKR trainer coming out .... So when the time comes to spend money on a good trainer make sure you look around and not just at CT.
PM first , with inexpensive trainer, and TR!
4x on power meter for all the reasons mentioned.
"My bike fitter thinks the computrainer is a better bet for me as he doesn't think I will be using the power meter much once I am outside in the spring(live in Chicago). He says that using power is good for me being inside on a trainer but might not be as useful on the road."
Could not disagree more.
EDIT: Though in potential defense to the bike fitter, perhaps he was approaching it from the view of a typical road cyclist on a ride with a bunch of friends - where the objective is not to ride solo to do work specifically to accumulate TSS, but more to be social about the activity, and ride more free-style (charge up a hill, surges, etc).
I got a CT a yr ago and it simply takes a lot of work given how ancient the interface is. Some people swear by them, but I went back to my rollers and Jess went back to the CycleOps Fluid 2 and we sold the CT and have never looked back. I love TrainerRoad as an indoor interface and you will also absolutely use a Powermeter while training outdoors in the spring and summer. It is almost like cheating to have one during an Ironman it is such an advantage I.M.O.
Power meter x 17!
For my fellow EN team members who are using a CT for OS training be sure to get Racermate One and use the power training software and the flat threshold testing course to do all the interval workouts. Files saved can be directly uploaded to WKO+.
You've definitely got your answer here Anna. I just wanted to say that I'm actually in shock and disbelief that your bike fitter said you wouldn't use your power meter on the road??? Did he/she really say that?
Your fitter knows not of what he speaks. (i.e. he is dead wrong.)
It's true that roadies might race with it less than time trialers and triathletes, but everybody trains with them. Just ignorant. (You can always choose to ride with no data collection if you want to!)
Thank you, thank you for your responses. Much appreciated! I am now looking for a power meter. I have the Garmin 310XT and will look into the EN discount. Man, this stuff gets expensive!
Your opinions and insights have been invaluable.
The roadies race with them too. If you're chasing a break at 400 watts and blow up after 2 min (but might have survived if you could have held that wattage for 3), it will tell you exactly what you need to work on. Will you be looking at it? No. Will it help at your next race? Sure.
I have a KK and a PT, which I use with trainer road. Would I like a computrainer? At this point, no. There are other models (cycleops powerbeam, etc) that do everything that the CT does. Check out DC rainmaker's reviews on these-they are pretty thorough. If the Kickr lives up to half its hype, the computrainer is toast.
EDIT- Look for wired powertaps on ebay if cost is a concern. They can be found for 300 bucks. That, plus a trainer, and you're all set inside or out. The quality of the data is no different. Or you can use the Kinetic Inride (200 bucks) on top of the road machine (300 or so) but that leaves you w/out power outside.