preferred-google-button
log in
register

Power meter options?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • May 4, 2014 at 7:37 pm #21336
    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.

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 9 replies - 16 through 24 (of 24 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • May 6, 2014 at 3:32 pm #790685
    0
    Eebijeebi

    I’ve looked at power2max and
    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.

    May 6, 2014 at 12:58 pm #790683
    0
    ilovemytinbred

    I had issues with the elite+
    I had issues with the elite+ in the rain, but at the moment the G3 performs well. I would agree the bearings are not the best, but I get them changed once a year when I get it serviced.
    Out of the three brands of powermeter I have used the powertap gives the least questionable numbers, although none of them have been bad. The service turnaround times are the main problem with powertap from my experience.
    The quarq would edge it for me, mainly because you get UK based support and the ability to change the slope. The only thing I do not like is having to stick a magnet on the frame which can be a pain depending on your bike.
    My power2max reads 10 watts higher than the others, which is a real pain even if it is a consistant 10 watts.

    May 6, 2014 at 10:58 am #790681
    0
    mrmo

    Nick T wrote:Has anyone

    Nick T wrote:
    Has anyone broken a pedal in a crash?

    Not broken one, but I have taken a large chunk off misjudging a kerb and corner.

    May 6, 2014 at 10:26 am #790679
    0
    Nick T

    Has anyone broken a pedal in
    Has anyone broken a pedal in a crash?

    May 6, 2014 at 10:21 am #790677
    0
    Jimmy Ray Will

    I’d put a flag up for
    I’d put a flag up for Power2Max. I can’t afford a power meter full stop right now, but given a choice it would definitely be a crank based system.

    A number of my team mates made the leap from Powertap to Power2max last season, and none of them have leaped back.

    Powertap is a great system, however in addition to the limitations listed above, it is not the most robust in our moist climate (to quote one powertap employee “I can’t believe you guys ride in the rain so much over here), and the bearings are susceptible to any machining errors… I’m sure that is the same for any cartridge bearing hub, but for some reason (once explained to me but since forgotten), the Powertap is particularly bad.

    Personally, I am not a fan of pedal systems either… they are so susceptible to crash damage (although I know Garmin can replace all parts of the pedal for you in this instance), that I don’t think they are worth the risk.

    May 6, 2014 at 9:39 am #790675
    0
    andyp

    ‘For me the downsides were
    ‘For me the downsides were too large to ignore. If you use a turbo and like to swap wheels to use a dedicated trainer tyre, not a great solution. Same if you later decide you want a fancy set of wheels and a training set’

    As a PT user, those thoughts went through my head too before I took the plunge.

    And in the end, the benefits of the Powertap far outweighs the occasional tyre change, and in terms of ‘race wheels’ – well, you can have whatever you want on the front, and I have found WAY more benefit from having a power readout than I would from losing a couple of hundred grams from the rear. Not really ‘downsides’ in my book.

    May 6, 2014 at 6:39 am #790673
    0
    Eebijeebi

    Have had a chat with someone
    Have had a chat with someone about building me some wheels around the power tap hub. I think I can live with the downside of only one wheel option (without buying two) for now. Get the impression that anything will be outdated on a year or two anyway.
    Thanks for the input.

    May 6, 2014 at 1:54 am #790671
    0
    giobox

    If you’re not prepared to
    If you’re not prepared to spend Garmin money or change your crankset, then really the PowerTap is the only option for you (unless you’re prepared for the more esoteric options like the iBike Newton). I’ve used a PowerTap in the past and it does exactly what it says.

    For me the downsides were too large to ignore. If you use a turbo and like to swap wheels to use a dedicated trainer tyre, not a great solution. Same if you later decide you want a fancy set of wheels and a training set.

    If it was me I would seriously changing crankset for a more practical solution. Have you considered getting the Power2max rotor 3d (non plus version) model? This will probably fit your Bianchi, and can be had for broadly similar money to the PowerTap.

    May 5, 2014 at 8:28 am #790669
    0
    ilovemytinbred

    Powertaps are good and
    Powertaps are good and relatively affordable. The only disadvantage is that most people will want different wheels for racing and training so will want more than one power tap.
    Another alternative is Quarq Riken, the price has recently come down a touch to around £1000, or power2max which is slightly cheaper again. These have the advantage that you can swap wheels as you want.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 9 replies - 16 through 24 (of 24 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.