PM substitutes
Here, in a nutshell is the problem (and maybe this is better addressed to the gear forum)--I have an Trek SC. The rear brake on the older models is a ridiculous pain to adjust. What that means is that my power tap wheel and the stock wheels do not readily exchange; I can't ride the PT on that bike b/c the brakes rub. The bontrager stock rim is a lot narrower than the dt swiss that the ptap is laced to. Due to the fact that you have to adjust that f'ing brake every time[FN1], I don't think I'd be able to exchange rims freely. Which is completely bsurd, but it's the way that they built it.[FN2]
So the way that I've been splitting the rides is intervals on road bike (with power); APB rides with HR, which is fine as I view them as ("work hard, have fun, suicide by hill sprint optional"). For purposes of race day, I am considering just doing it by HR. The options have come down (and now this really is a gear question) to the powercal HR strap, which might be passable for long rides like those in a tri; or just using something like the wahoo ticker which also works with my phone. Both of my garmin straps just crapped out. It may be that the wider rim will work and I'd have crappy braking, but I like having both good braking and smooth rolling on a bicycle.[FN3]
Having the bike adjusted is possible, but it's expensive. Any interim solutions (skinner brake pads?) appreciated.
[FN-Dear manufacturers: if the choice is between an external brake that I can adjust vs this nonsense, for the love of f--k use the external brake. I would gladly trade it and would be fine with (gasp) external cabling. That .5 watts at 30 miles an hour is not what's keeping me off the podium. (See avatar for confirmation.).]
[FN2--If you think I'm kidding, see http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Speed_Concept_brake_tips_4313.html. It's a freaking nightmare. If Rich kicks me in the junk for not using power, guess who I'm coming for after I stop barfing. Hint: trek engineering -- wear a cup.]
[FN3-I'm funny that way.]
Comments
Why not leave the PT wheel in there all the time and just get the brakes adjusted once so they fit? Not sure I understand the compelling reason to ride the bike without the PT.
OK, not wanting to be overly snarky... but here's another perhaps-less-than-ideal solution:
Get the PT laced up to a rim that will fit your brake? Obviously, this means buying a rim of the right width and the right number of holes, but that shouldn't be too big of a challenge. I imagine that if you're not fussy about the rim, the whole thing including the rebuild would be around $200. That would suck, but it would suck less than having to ride without your PT. A standard rim should be somewhere in the $50-75 region IIRC, and spokes are a buck or two per. I have had my LBS put a PT hub into an old Zipp 404 and into a new Mavic OP, both with great success.
Training with power...and then racing with HR is a non-starter. Seriously. At the end of the day, this is a simple problem that can be fixed with money, as shipping, labor to break down, new rim, labor to build up, shipping back to you. If you're riding a Trek SC, you probably also have enough Spare Junk in your garage to Craiglist-ify the dough?
Compared to the money, time and effort you've already laid out or plan to for a successful IM (not least of which is the monthly EN fee, so listen to your coach!), getting a PT wheel built which fits your bike is small change. Do it.
When it comes to PM and bike purchases, I consider the cost divided by the amount of time I'm going to spend using the thing = true cost is about zero. I have no idea what I spent on my PT back in 2010, but I do know that I've gotten hundreds and hundreds of quality training hours out of it.
Unfortunately, on this bike, no. Trek uses a proprietary brake that's completely shielded--you have to take a plastic shield off before you can see the levers. Completely proprietary.