[Eebijeebi]

Greetings – new member, first post.
I’m back on two wheels after the best part of ten years and have discovered there’s a new gadget, i.e. the power meter. Having always been hooked on ‘scientific’ training I want one (no ‘just ride’ or ‘save your money’ comments needed thanks).
So, I have a mid 90s Bianchi with 9 speed Chorus and rather love it and don’t want a new bike as yet. As I see it my options are –
Stages – don’t do Campag.
Garmin – big money.
Power tap – not sure I understand the wheel options, but don’t plan on running more than one bike so could be the one.

Does anyone have experience of Vectors or Powertap that can throw more practical light?

Many thanks,
E.

Topic

[Nick T]

Brim Brothers have been

Brim Brothers have been working on a cleat based system since forever

[Jimnm]

Why can’t the cycling shoe

Why can’t the cycling shoe makers incorporate a power meter as part of the shoes. Anything is possible with technology advancements these days. Just a weird thought I had 😉

[Eebijeebi]

Update.
Thanks for all the
Update.
Thanks for all the input.
I went for the Powertap, mainly on cost and the quickest route – maybe not the most forward thinking one. Had it built into a wheel (and matching front) by Harry Rowland whose service was excellent. Linked in with the Garmin really easy – essentially so far is doing what it said on the tin.

[Eebijeebi]

I didn’t put that very well.
I didn’t put that very well. As long as I got the correct one I’d be changing the cranks, axle etc, i.e. everything inside of the chain rings? I’d ask the service mechanics to do it so wise to speak to them before shelling out.
Thanks to all.

[giobox]

Eebijeebi wrote:Listening, so

Eebijeebi wrote:

Listening, so taking another close look at the power2max. Am I right in thinking that as long as I’ve got a standard (working on that?) bottom bracket then it’s as simple as swapping out the spider and the non drive crank?

Chances are the Rotor3d crankset will slot in, might need an adapter though. Not sure what you mean by the spider and non drive crank? You will be replacing the whole crankset with this option, both sides of it. The spider will be preinstalled with the Power2Max meter on the crank when it arives.

[Eebijeebi]

Listening, so taking another
Listening, so taking another close look at the power2max. Am I right in thinking that as long as I’ve got a standard (working on that?) bottom bracket then it’s as simple as swapping out the spider and the non drive crank?

[alimaysports]

Eebijeebi wrote:I’m too

Eebijeebi wrote:

I’m too careful and mainstream to go for something based on witchcraft :)

Haha I thought the same, but it was +/- 7% I think on my Quarq so not too bad!

[alimaysports]

Haha I thought the same, but
Haha I thought the same, but it was +/- 7% I think on my Quarq so not too bad!

[dangoscomb]

Another +1 for power2max. I
Another +1 for power2max. I have one on my road and one on my TT bike and my coach sets all my training by them.

[fukawitribe]

Nick T wrote:Has anyone

Nick T wrote:

Has anyone broken a pedal in a crash?

Broke the foot plate on a Time iClic2, partly due to wearing through a lot of the bit that holds it onto the outside ‘frame’ of the pedal, but the main structure was intact and it worked OK.

[giobox]

Eebijeebi wrote:I’ve looked

Eebijeebi wrote:

I’ve looked at power2max and wouldn’t know where to begin with which (if any) would fit my old girl. Compatible bottom brackets etc? No UK retail or service support either, so for the quickest and simplest route the Poweertap is winning.

The rotor 3d (non-plus) version has a 24mm spindle so will fit pretty much anything. Your local bike shop will be able to advise and fit without issue.

[Flying Scot]

It will be Vector for me too,
It will be Vector for me too, once the there is a Mk2 version and the sting come out the price.

I can’t help thinking though, that at some point someone is going to come out with a 20 quid insole that does all this and is calibrated on a Wii balance board.

I’ve just publicly announced this, don’t steal it.

[Scrufftie]

I’ve just taken the plunge
I’ve just taken the plunge and bought Garmin Vector and I’m really pleased with it. I’m resolved to avoid bad crashes but it could happen. I usually find that my body cushions my equipment pretty well!

Vector is a bit pricey but it seems to be a quality product and works well. It’s very easy to set up and any cyclist could switch it between bikes quickly with pretty simple equipment most of have. I had mine up and running within half an hour.

I know it’s not universally popular (what is) but I like Garmin Connect and I already had an Edge 810.

I originally wanted a Stages meter but I got frustrated by the (lack) of availability. I went to the US over Easter so I contacted some bike stores over there in the hope of picking one up but the feedback I got was that they were just as hard to get over there as here.

Anyway, I decided that I wanted a meter for the season as I’m not getting any younger and I’m really pleased that I was forced down the Vector route. I like the separate readings for each leg and Garmin have introduced strike smoothness, as well. I didn’t want a hub or crank based system because, rightly or wrongly, I felt it would be too much hassle to switch between bikes/wheels. I can have Vector on my winter bike in 15mins, ready to go.

[Eebijeebi]

I’m too careful and
I’m too careful and mainstream to go for something based on witchcraft 🙂

[alimaysports]

Have you looked at the ibike
Have you looked at the ibike Newton Power Meter?

I had a look at one of them at Eurobike last year, tested it out versus my own Quarq and was highly impressed.

Because it uses opposing forces, the wind resistance is an extra data layer that I really enjoyed seeing and it acted like a wind tunnel effectively. Overall it was accurate and it’s at a nice price point.

[Author]

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