Newest Power Meter?

vykkio

Has anybody heard of Keo Power? It will be coming out spring of 2011.

http://www.polar.fi/en/about_polar/news/Polar_and_LOOK_launch_together_power_pedals

I have been waiting for over a year for the MetriGear Vector to come out, but it looks like Look/Polar is beating them to the punch(or has bought them out.) I like the idea of a power meter in the pedals...compatible with all bikes, easy to switch between bikes. Plus you can use your race wheels! However, I want to start training with power ASAP. I do have a computrainer. How accurate are the power readings of the CT? Has anyone tested the CT along with their current power meter and were the readings comparable? Thanks!

Tom Glynn

Vicki,

First, Welcome!

As to power meters, there is always going to be a difference in power output between systems. I've got at CT and a Powertap. When I run them together, it is not uncommon to get watt differences of 10-20 between the systems. For me it doesn't really matter. I use my PT inside and out, so I rely on these numbers. CT also requires daily calibration, which I don't always to because I'm lazy.

I like the idea of power in the pedals, but for now it's vapor ware. The PT has been around forever, works well and Saris customer support is first class.

tom

tgarson

Edit: My manners, welcome and always a favorite topic of mine (expensive gadgets):

The Keo power meter was discussed pretty heavily on the Google wattage forum as well as ST and the general consensus so far has not been too optimistic about it. The fact that it is not ANT+ and only works with a select number of Polar head units is considered a major draw back. The estimated price given at Eurobike was 1500 - 1800 Euro which puts it in the $2000 - $2500 range. And unfortunately, there is no solid release date nor where any working prototypes shown at Eurobike. I personally don't view the Look/Polar device as a compelling alternative to any of the current devices on the market but I hope it proves me wrong, I'm always in favor of more competition.



When the Vector was first announced it sounded almost too good to be true, and to this point that has been very much the case. In the year since it was promised the date has slipped and slipped again, recently their website and twitter feed have gone silent for a number of months. As much as I would like to own the Vector, I would strongly consider going with one of the existing devices rather than wait to see if and when it does ever come out... which in fact I did over about a year ago when I purchased my Quarq and have been extremely happy with it.



As for the CT, I own a CT and the aforementioned Quarq and the CT is accurate however it's accuracy is highly dependent on proper calibration. I have to do a full 15-20 minute warm up and perform a few roll-down calibrations before the numbers on the CT fall in line with the Quarq.

iamtriing

When buying a power meter, I think it is best to stick with Powertap or SRM. Yes, they are expensive. But, they have been around a long time and, most likely, will continue to be around. They are well support by the companies and work with a lot of 3rd party software. There have been power meter companies that have come and gone. There are power meters currently available at lower prices which offer questionable solutions. A wired Powertap is a reasonably priced, excellent solution.

mgraffeo

No ANT+ is a kill for me, turns it into the BetaMax of power meters...

The CT should be fine for the OS training if you want to wait and see. Crank-based meters like the quarq are good, and there's another German player coming into that market, probably some time next year. I have the power tap and love it, but understand why someone might prefer to keep their own set of wheels.

Paul Hough

Everytime I've thought about buying a powermeter, someone has posted about how it crapped out on them the morning of the race, or how the reliability sucked, etc, etc. And I'm talking about posts to our own EN forum. Dozens and dozens of times. I know I would be that one with a problem and I don't have time to deal with it. If the pedals ever go to the market...and work...two things will happen. First, I will buy one. Second, the price of PowerTap, SRM, etc will drop significantly. Can't wait!

vykkio

Thanks everybody! I am most interested in the quarq but am not the best bike mechanic...I guess once it's on, it should be worry free! I've also looked at the iBike..is it really even a power meter? The info and graphs on their website look convincing but I don't see how it could be accurate.

mgraffeo

Vicki, yes the ibike is a real powermeter and it has worked quite well for many people. I only have experience with an early generation version, so my experience isn't really applicable, but it's based on sound principles, and works well if you do the right set up. One thing to caution you on is that the cheapest version (sport, I think) doesn't support downloading the data after a workout, which really limits the benefit, as a big chunk of the value of training with power is the data analysis you and/or the coaches and WSM's hearer can do.

mancona

Welcome Vicki!

The general concensus around here is to stick with a Quarq, SRM, or Powertap. All are proven and have a good track record. I love new gadets but for a power meter it pays to have something that is consist and trouble free. Many will argue that the SRM and PowerTap are better as they have been around longer and you can get the complete system from them. My experience with Quarq has been outstanding. Installation is very easy, it just works all the time and doesn't need any user intervention other then 4 back pedals to zero it. Battery changes are also easier then a PT and significantly easier than an SRM.

As you can tell I personally prefer the Quarq for a number of reasons, but the powertap is typically a more cost effective solution.

I have not used a iBike, so I can't comment on how well it works but I would not be willing to trust a calculation that estimates power based on other factors. Pedal based systems are very attractive, but until someone has one that has been out in the market for at least a few months and is proven to be accurate and realiable, I'm not holding my breath waiting for one.

DocHoffart

X2 on the Quarq. I have bit a Powertap and the Quarq and prefer the later due to wheel options.

I move the Quarq between 3 bikes depending on which one I choose to ride that day and it takes about 4 mins if I'm moving slow. Great product, easier to change batteries than SRM and cheaper too.

Vince

Neill Morgan

Vicki, I spent more time than I like to think about researching which pm to buy, and waiting and hoping for the metrigear. After hanging out on the EN facebook page, made the decision to get the Powertap. My local bike shop (good friends who take very good care of their customers) built a package for me with a Vector wheel, bladed spokes, a gatorskin tire, and a Pro+ for 1K, including tax. I'll probably add a snap-on disk at some point. While having the ability to put any wheel I want on the back would be nice, I'm very happy with my current set-up. It's a good value for what I am willing to spend. I race (sprint & olympic) with a 404 on the front and figure the air is so disturbed by the time it gets to the back wheel that the additional $$ for a sub-9 and an SRM or Quark don't make sense for me as a low intermediate age-grouper. The big issue for me has been to spend my limited budget on things that will improve my fitness first, then think about things that will make my fitness move me faster (the 404, slightly used, for instance). Whatever you decide, I think you'll be happy making the move to a PM. It's been the best thing for my fitness improvement (along with the EN OS program) since I bought my first HRM 20 yrs ago.