Advice on going Joule
After the Epic Aspen IMAZ Training Camp and all the talk about power, TSS, IF, and WTF, I'm thinking of going Joule. I'm currently running a SRM V. I have training wheels and a set of really nice EDGE carbon race wheels. I see my choices as: get a PT/Joule/wheelcover combo, or get my rear EDGE rim built with a PT in it. I have a hard time getting my head around training on race wheels. Getting a seperate PT/carbon wheel is getting a little expensive and I'd probably go Quarq then. Thoughts/advice?
On one hand, I can ride in a zone on the SRM and get IF and TSS from WKO later, or get it real time on the joule. Is having all the info a Joule can give worth making the switch? I'd still race the Front EDGE and from what I've read, the front wheel really makes a lot more difference in speed compared to the rear.
Thanks for the input!
Comments
I have a quarq on my tri bike and a powettab on my road bike.
This week end I will put the pt on eBay and get a quarq for the road bike
I have found that to be a better solution since it allows you to keep power while riding different wheels.
Buy quarq or wait for new garmin power meter!
Another option for a head unit is a Garmin device. They will be getting the WKO power metrics shortly. And they are working with the Training Peaks folks to ensure what you see on your device is exactly what you see when you download to WKO. The devices you will be able to use are the Edge 500, 800 and the Forerunner 310xt and 910xt.
My point is that unless you really need to see real-time metrics right now, you would be best to hold off on a new bike computer. Prices will be going down. New features added. Would having all that data at your fingertips be helpful, of course. I can't wait for Garmin to release a firmware update for my Edge 500. But if I didn't have one, and with the OS coming up, I don't think I would really need to see those metrics. To me it is more helpful for outdoor riding. The OS workouts are precisely planned and I just watch the numbers so I know where I am on the intervals.
Kurt - my bottom line for you: stick with what you have if the SRM and its head unti are still functional.
Your SRM V is not ANT+ compatible, as I understand it, so you would have to spend $$$ to get a whole new set up in order to have the marginal/questionable advantage of real-time IF and normalized power.
I almost never look at the TSS on a ride or in a race. I do look primarily at the current watts I am riding, and secondarily at the real-time IF (which is bascially the same as NP, just a % of FTP, instead of a raw number) of the interval in which I am riding. I have only had my PT + Joule for 9 months (plus about a week last Sept). So I did 5-6 years of training and racing with power with a cheesy iBike power meter, and had pretty good results nonetheless, just watching my current watts.
Learning how to ride steadily at a specific effort level is the key to IM training and racing success. No set-up will give us real time VI, which is the metric which related to steadiness - the Joule or any other new head unit won't help with that. Smoothing the watts display (if possible on the SRM) to a rolling 5-10 second average is what helps there.
Finally, remember our own Coach Rich used your set up for years as he trained, raced, and developed (with Patrick) the principles which we use in EN.
Do you have that much money that you can afford two different Quarqs?
I have two bikes (TT and road) that I switch my Quarq between all the time.
Isn't it cheaper just to buy a 8mm allen/hex wrench and learn how to switch between the bikes? Just my $.02.
I am probably going to order a quarq soon. Waiting to sell the computrainer. That has been the easy decision. The difficult one is the computer. What unit is best seems to be determined by who is responding! I don't have a garmin watch, so the idea of getting a 910xt is compelling for running purposes as well. But will it tell me TSS or FTP real time? Are those things as a newbie I need? I have never trained with power, but the idea of seeing real time rather than after the ride seems like a positive. I admit I am not much of a techno junkie. I would probably keep track of the numbers, but doubt I would track it beyond noting my power, tss and ftp. Is the Joule the right buy or the garmin? I have an Mac at home. I have heard it is an issue with downloading on some of the devices. I would appreciate any advice, I start the OS in November!
Thanks to everyone in advance!
Mike
@Mike, for someone like yourself, I would think the either the Garmin 310xt or 910xt would be perfect. You would have one device for everything. Both will show real time IF, TSS, NP, etc. Plus with the 910xt it will track your swims indoors. The 310 will probably receive a cheaper price with the 910 coming out in about a month. My opinion is if the 910 delivers as advertised, it is the ultimate gadget for a triathlete.
The 910 will not be available for the start of the Nov OS. Also, the Garmin devices do not show real-time power metrics yet. They will soon. Having said that, I do not think that means buy a Joule. I don't think you need real-time IF and NP in the OS. Well if you are on a trainer I mean. You are holding a pretty steady power and for finite intervals so I don't think those are necessary for the OS. Cool to have but not necessary. I got to the point last OS of getting off the bike and saying what my IF was for the intervals and was really close, like .001-.002 off.
If you do decide to go with a Joule, please keep in mind that Cycleops is releasing new versions of the Joule to compete with Garmin in November. They will have a non-GPS version for around $170 and a GPS version maybe $50 more. Basically over half off the current Joules floating around now.
I am probably going to go with the Joule as well. I gave the garmin watch some thought but realized that with the numbers on the watch being so small it would be tough to see them when racing. Mounting it would not be an option either during races.
Thanks again,
Mike
Comment on Garmin 310 XT "Quick release": I know of at least two racers who lost their 310 XT during the swim - sank to the bottom of the lake after getting jostled/knocked off by another swimmer.
what is the least cost effective way to get NP & TSS?
trying to outfit the GF...
Well whenever the new Joule without GPS comes out that should be your cheapest option. Or if you want GPS I'd go with the Edge 500 from Garmin. Metrics coming this month. So they say.
And nothing for the 310. Shitty move on their part!
Bill - I'll go 14 hours with you but 16 hours is just nutty!
Jim: as you well know, I've taken to riding brevets. 400k+ takes me over 16 hours, not to mention the really long stuff(1000-1200k). If you'll go 14 hours, how about a leisurly 300K?