What is the $400 difference between PRO+ and SL+

Joe Matchette

 Besides 50ish grams, that is.

I am looking to get a PT powermeter.  The short version of the story is that a friend has an old one that he isn't and hasn't used.  So, he is going to return to the company and all I have to pay for is the difference (I guess they are giving him a 'recycle credit' or somesuch).  I can't figure out which PT hub I should get --- the SL+ or the PRO+.

I am hoping someone can help shed some light on the 400 shimolean difference between the two.  All I can see is 50 grams and a little bit of carbon.

I am planning on having it built into a 404 that I currently own (bought used, naturally), and then will purchase a wheelcover through Rich.  Other extraneous info: I own a 310XT, but keep it on my wrist.  I figure I will need the 'computer' to mount on my aerobars.  My bike is a VeloVie TT with Vision aerobars.

Thanks in advance,

Joe Matchette

2011 A-Race: IMKY, the rest are TBD....

Coach Rich

Joe, cosmetic + the very, very small weight savings. I ride a lot with Rich Sawiris, Wheelbuilder. He has managed to get a LOT of my training partners to swallow the SL koolaid while I ride a Pro+. Their wheels do look cooler than mine but they are $400 lighter. When selling PT's to EN members I always always recommend the Pro+ vs the SL+

HayesSanborn

Yes, carbon and lighter weight is the different. I think the Pro+ flexes more, not sure, I wouldn't be able to tell personally.

The only issue, see if Matt Ancona chims in, is the hole count of the power tap hub and the hole count of your Zipp wheel. There might be an issue there with compatibility.

Dave Tallo

I'm on the 'PM savings kick' today, so take what I have to say with a grain of salt. Using the comparison tool on cycleops, I can't see any difference outside of the hub material. My advice: spend the extra $400 on a cycling adventure / budget epic cycling weekend, or put in the 'SAU bike gear credit offset' fund.

(I probably would have said the same about the bottom of line wired version and the SL+ ... in my view, both give you power and let you talk in Endurance Nation language, and that's plenty.)

Coach Rich

Joe, make sure you have a very, very good wheelbuilder tear down and build up the 404. That's not an every LBS kinda job.

Shaughn Simmons

Posted By Dave Tallo on 17 Nov 2010 10:40 AM

I'm on the 'PM savings kick' today, so take what I have to say with a grain of salt. Using the comparison tool on cycleops, I can't see any difference outside of the hub material. My advice: spend the extra $400 on a cycling adventure / budget epic cycling weekend, or put in the 'SAU bike gear credit offset' fund.



(I probably would have said the same about the bottom of line wired version and the SL+ ... in my view, both give you power and let you talk in Endurance Nation language, and that's plenty.)

 

DITTO - I have an SL+ and would also recommend you spend the 400 elsewhere.....

Shaughn Simmons

Posted By Hayes Sanborn on 17 Nov 2010 10:36 AM

Yes, carbon and lighter weight is the different. I think the Pro+ flexes more, not sure, I wouldn't be able to tell personally.

The only issue, see if Matt Ancona chims in, is the hole count of the power tap hub and the hole count of your Zipp wheel. There might be an issue there with compatibility.

 

Hayes is right on this - I had to go to a 303 because the SL+ I purchased would not fit in the 404 spokes for the version I had...........

Joe Matchette

 

Joe, make sure you have a very, very good wheelbuilder tear down and build up the 404. That's not an every LBS kinda job.

 

@Rich:  My buddy is from the LBS.  He doesn't build wheels.  Instead, he uses QBP (?) to build up both his training and racing wheels.

All -- Any guidance I where I can find a definititve answer about the 404 compatability?  I counted the spokes last night and there are 12 per side.  Update -- they are the 2007 model, if that makes a difference.

Thanks,

Joe Matchette

Chris M.

Posted By Joe Matchette on 17 Nov 2010 11:44 AM

 

All -- Any guidance I where I can find a definititve answer about the 404 compatability?  I counted the spokes last night and there are 12 per side.  Update -- they are the 2007 model, if that makes a difference.

Thanks,

Joe Matchette

According to the Cycleops site, the Pro+ comes in 24 hole so you should be fine.  I have an SL+ but only because I got a great deal on a Hed wheel/SL+ combo from a local friend.  I would NOT have spent the extra money over the Pro+ if I had been buying new.

As far as the bike mount is concerned, the quick release kit for the 310XT is really handy and inexpensive.  I have a bike mount on both my bikes and it is literally a snap to take it from wrist to bike, and it is a nice secure fit.  The linked version below is the new one that allows you to use the original orange wristband instead of the black one that came with the old kits.  

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CP0MTO/ref=oss_product

charris

I agree with what the others have said - I'd go one step further and say you could even save a bit more by going with the Elite+ (it's a bit heavier because of a steel axle instead of alloy).

Check out here:

http://sites.google.com/site/garminpower/

 

And in particular #25 and #26 for pointers to differences between the Elite+/Pro+/SL+/SLC+

 

As far as the head unit goes, the 310XT is fine - just use the new Quick Release (see #18).  That way you get to chuckle for a few miles after T2 while you watch people frantically check their just-turned-on Garmins to see if they've acquired sat lock yet.  Assuming you didn't leave yours on your handlebars, that is.

 

Re: confirming, I'd just email or call Wheelbuilder.com - they'll take care of you - they're gold.

delesh

Yes, I noticed the same price/feature difference between the pro and sl and decided it is totally not worth the extra money and ended up getting the pro+. I actually used that money to upgrade to a nice carbon tri bike frame from my old road frame. I also use the 310xt as my only head unit and second Craig's endorsement of the quick release. You can swap the 310xt between your wrist and the bike in just a few seconds and the connection is very secure. The watch band I feel is a downgrade from the standard orange one and the watch sits a little higher with the quick release, but I don't feel these outweigh the upsides.

Joe Matchette

Yes, I noticed the same price/feature difference between the pro and sl and decided it is totally not worth the extra money and ended up getting the pro+. I actually used that money to upgrade to a nice carbon tri bike frame from my old road frame. I also use the 310xt as my only head unit and second Craig's endorsement of the quick release. You can swap the 310xt between your wrist and the bike in just a few seconds and the connection is very secure. The watch band I feel is a downgrade from the standard orange one and the watch sits a little higher with the quick release, but I don't feel these outweigh the upsides.

Thanks David. Any chance that you know of a site with pictures of the 310XT w/ quick release attached? Especially one that is being worn. The Amazon pictures just show the parts.

Joe

charris

Here are pictures of the new Quick Release which uses the original orange strap.  I agree with David - the original Quick Release strap was a downgrade - the new one is slick.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwi..._P2779413/

 

Matt Samojeden

I have the Pro on my training wheels and the SL+ on my race wheels – other that the small weight delta, I see no difference. Get the Joule – I love it. I would put the $400 toward a something else to help you go fast !! - a good bike fitting if you have not already!!.

tuckerm

Posted By Craig Harris on 23 Nov 2010 09:17 PM

Here are pictures of the new Quick Release which uses the original orange strap.  I agree with David - the original Quick Release strap was a downgrade - the new one is slick.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwi..._P2779413/

 

Ok so I don't have a 310xt, one day maybe, but shouldn't Trevor have posted that here first?  I'm just saying. 

delesh

Cool, Craig posted the pictures before I could get to it (thanks). Definitely get the new style quick release.