About to purchase my FIRST POWER METER! Looking for any and all opinions/advice
After months of saving....going into EN maint mode for a while
....picking up a few extra jobs
....buying no extras and never going out lol .....THE TIME IS ALMOST HERE!!! To get my first power meter!!
I have been researching and looking into options. Even thought I saved for quite a while, I need to stick to a budget and want to by the most cost effect option.
Background: I am fairly new to cycling. Have done indoor cycling classes for a few years but did my first official outside ride a rode bike in May 2013 (before that, I hadn't been on a real bike since I was a kid!). I have a Trek Speed Concept, stock (no race wheels or anything special on it), and I use my Garmin 910XT.
I was thinking of heading in the direction of a Power Tap hub but recently a local tri friend told me about her HUGE success with her Quarq crank.
I am just looking for information, opinions, and any advice you have to give!!
THANK YOU!!!!
Comments
It is really bulletproof and for racing I just strap on a wheel cover to get disk-like aero-ness for under $100.
The only thing I do to it is replace the batteries when my Joule 2.0 Head Unit tells me 'Low Batt". Also it auto-zeros every time you free-wheel so it is very low maintance.
BTW, what every you decide to get, talk to Coach Rich as he gets really good deals with Wheelbuilder.
I've been a VERY satisfied PowerTap user for 6 years now. The thing seems to be bullet proof, never giving me any headaches. And as Peter says, it's literally get on the bike and go. At Wheelbuilder via Coach Rich, you can get a perfectly good wheel + PowerTap for something like $840. That's hands down the best value (quality for $$) in power meters, IMO.
There are lots of reasons to consider other PMs, like Quarq, and I would't argue with any of them. But it sounds like your budget is a big part of your decision and PT these days the the value leader in that department, in addition to being a product which has a long track record of high performance, low maintenance, and good customer service.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CycleOps-PowerTap-G3-alloy-Wheelset-Shimano-10-speed-/251902763650?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa6932282
I just took the plunge and tried the 4iii per the DCrainmaker post about power meters....
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/09/buyers-guide2014-edition.html
They had a little delay with shipping due to revamping the mounting process but for the price point seemed worth a shot
Depending upon which wheel you get the powertap built into you can always buy a disc cover and make that everyday training wheel a "race" wheel if you care to do so. I personally use the same wheel for racing and training.
It is a bit of money to invest but it makes training so much more fun.
Worth checking out: http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/..._4986.html
I use them for training and racing.
Looks like that wheelset is no longer available...it's a 35/50 combo for $2200
There have only been a few exceptions in the past 5 years that I have not ridden the PT/wheel. Totally bomb-proof. Nothing to set or adjust..... it just works.
Yes. Zipp 404 was what I went with, along with a wheel cover for racing. But the DT Swiss or Hed Belgium are also perfectly fine wheels; I have the Belgium for my road/cross/touring/commuting bike (one bike to rule them all.) Wheel are not fragile components, and usually the more $$, the better the life expectancy.
Thanks.
What size wheels are on your bike? 650c or 700c?
I really like the easy set up of the power tap. Easy to move wheel from one bike to another, and maintenance (changing battery) is actually quite easy. The PT gives you your power, cadence, distance and speed without any other sensors or inputs.
1000% what John W pointed out....look on Ebay, and that is a nice deal for that wheel set....Just double check the wheel size with your bike.
If you go into "Advanced search" on eBay that is not the first time that seller has listed that item (that wheel set) and he has been slowly lowering the price.
With JW's help I went through Ebay and got a PT a couple years ago and it is holding up great.
If you see any others on Ebay and want suggestions, just post here and we can help.
Kyle,
if you are looking to have/use on multiple bikes.....instead of getting a second Powertap for your HED wheels, what is the bottom bracket on the two bikes? If it is the same you might be able to get a Power2Max crankset and easily switch it from one bike to another. I like the power2max, cause it is easy to set up.
But take a look at the bottom bracket on the two bikes and with 2 allen wrenches you can easily swap from one bike to another if the BB is the same on both. Just a suggestion.
Any opinions on Power taps new pedals? They are $$$$. I have a set of high end custom wheels that I use that aren't PT compatible. I like what I hear from all of you concerning PT customer service too. Thank you.
You don't want to experience the pain of being an early adopter and have to deal with bugs and inconsistency.
Been banging on a Power Tap hub unit for 6 years now with literally no issues. When the old unit finally wears out, Saris replaces it with a new unit at half the list price. Hard to beat the value given what you pay.
I have it placed in a race wheel with which I both race and train.
SS
Re: disc cover. It's (almost) always faster to race with a wheel cover. @$100, it's some of the cheaper "free" speed you can buy. (Free meaning you don't have to work to increase your FTP/w/kg) . I use one on my supposedly aero Zipp rear wheel, except in races where not allowed.
This is a great thread!
I've spoken with Wheelbuilder about the new Powertap pedals and chainring. They are expected to be on the market in about May...which could mean later. Regardless, I'd like the market to bang on them for a while before jumping on them. In your case, the Quarq is a good option. I'm a Quarq dealer also.
Hi Everyone, -I've been looking and trying to educate myself on power meters for the last several weeks and feel I, too, am just about ready to buy. Of course, the budget is stretched. I would like to find a good buy through EBAY and appreciate the advice from those of you who have experience with power meters. I am new to it. My bike is NOT fancy. A regular road bike (Specialized Ruby Elite). -But it is all I've got, so I LOVE it!
PLEASE post any good deals you see online. I will check often. Thank you!
AWESOME FEEDBACK!!! Thank you for sharing your experiences! PT was the direction I was heading to begin with, and this just firmed up my decision. I just need to figure out the details....like what wheel type of wheel to put it on. Also will look into the ebay avenue, but buying things on ebay makes me a bit nervous!