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Bike Chain and New Power Meter

dscribnerdscribner
in Group Discussion-Ironman Florida 2010

Hello All,

I am anxiously waiting on the install of my powermeter.  I got the powertap and Garmin 500.  I am reading "Training and Racing with a Power Meter by Allen and Coggan.  Any suggestions as to how to use this tool for optimum performance in our IM training would be helpful to me as a novice.

The local bike shop told me I needed a new chain.  What a difference.  I think I am riding 1-2 mph faster and a lot smoother.  How do you tell the chain needs to be changed?  Basic bike repair - any resource suggestions?

Thanks everyone.

Happy training.  It is hot here.

Comments

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Get yourself a simple chain measuring tool (about $10). When the gage falls in on the one side, it's close to the end. When it falls in on the other side, you are overdue!
  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al
    x2 what Paul said. If you let your chain go too far past the replace date you end up causing wear on your cassette and/or big rings.

    Chains are much cheaper to replace.
  • manconamancona
    I pretty much just buy a new chain each season. I could probably get longer out of them but it seems like a good investment once a year to me. As Al said this helps prevent wear on the cassette and rings, plus after a while even good degreaser and lube wont get an old chain to work as well as a new one.

    FWIW, I also re-cable my bikes once a year...but I am also anal about them shifting perfectly.

    For your first question, there is a ton of information on training & racing with power in the house. Spend a week or two just riding with it to see what the numbers are and look at the files afterwards. Then buy the EN podcast series on power meters, do an FTP test and get ready to work harder, but get stronger.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    All new cables and new chain at the beginning of each season, whether it seems ready or not. This is all done at my annual "tune up" at the bike shop. No questions asked, just do it.

    SO much info in da haus about Power. Follow the Ancona directions and hit the wiki and table of contents to find all you need.
  • KitbooKitboo
    x3 on the chain measuring tool.

    As for where to start to learn about power...Get the EN Power Webinar. Period.
    I've read that Coggans book about 3 times---the Power Webinar is much clearer and concise and most importantly, applicable to a triathlete.
  • dscribnerdscribner
    Got It!
    thanks all.

    Happy Training
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Posted By Kitima Boonvisudhi on 06 Jul 2010 11:34 AM

    x3 on the chain measuring tool.



    As for where to start to learn about power...Get the EN Power Webinar. Period.

    I've read that Coggans book about 3 times---the Power Webinar is much clearer and concise and most importantly, applicable to a triathlete.

    DItto

  • jwpicciottojwpicciotto
    One comment on the simple chain measuring tool. It's called a ruler. How to check your chain by Sheldon:

    "The standard way to measure chain wear is with a ruler or steel tape measure. This can be done without removing the chain from the bicycle. The normal technique is to measure a one-foot length, placing an inch mark of the ruler exactly in the middle of one rivet, then looking at the corresponding rivet 12 complete links away. On a new, unworn chain, this rivet will also line up exactly with an inch mark. With a worn chain, the rivet will be past the inch mark.
    This gives a direct measurement of the wear to the chain, and an indirect measurement of the wear to the sprockets:

    If the rivet is less than 1/16" past the mark, all is well.

    If the rivet is 1/16" past the mark, you should replace the chain, but the sprockets are probably undamaged.

    If the rivet is 1/8" past the mark, you have left it too long, and the sprockets (at least the favorite ones) will be too badly worn. If you replace a chain at the 1/8" point, without replacing the sprockets, it may run OK and not skip, but the worn sprockets will cause the new chain to wear much faster than it should, until it catches up with the wear state of the sprockets.

    If the rivet is past the 1/8" mark, a new chain will almost certainly skip on the worn sprockets, especially the smaller ones."

    It is also good practice to have an overhaul on your bike once a year if you ride a significant amount. You want them to replace the chain, cables, lube every thing, check the bottom bracket, headset etc.
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