Cheap and reliable

Anyone going to mention the Ibike???? 😄 Depending how serious you need your power meter for. For racing and training to race, power tap pro or the SL. Complete package around $1300. Don't start with the Ibike thing. It hasn't been proven and I have read only 1 person has used it. And please, for the Ibike marketing, an extra 220g on the wheel won't cost you the race. Don't go tell people a 50g Ibike computer unit will make you a mountain goat over others using the heavier powertap. 🙂

dm69 said:

What are the more "budget" powermeters going around? I wouldn't mind a powermeter on my training bike (who wouldn't) but I don't want to fork out $5000 for a top of the line SRM. I figure that if I am thinking of investing $3-$4000 on a new bike then I should atleast entertain the idea of buying a powermeter instead?

keep in mind mind weight is not an issue but relaibility and pricing is!

im sorry i have no idea what your talking about! Dumb things down for me coz i have no idea about powermeter thingy's just yet :p . I am using it for training not for racing but am only looking to spend the bare minimum but still maintain reliability (accurate readings)so I am not worried about gaining a few grams.

PowerTap SL

dm69 said:

What are the more "budget" powermeters going around? I wouldn't mind a powermeter on my training bike (who wouldn't) but I don't want to fork out $5000 for a top of the line SRM. I figure that if I am thinking of investing $3-$4000 on a new bike then I should atleast entertain the idea of buying a powermeter instead?

keep in mind mind weight is not an issue but relaibility and pricing is!

dm69 said:

What are the more "budget" powermeters going around? I wouldn't mind a powermeter on my training bike (who wouldn't) but I don't want to fork out $5000 for a top of the line SRM. I figure that if I am thinking of investing $3-$4000 on a new bike then I should atleast entertain the idea of buying a powermeter instead?
keep in mind mind weight is not an issue but relaibility and pricing is!

You can get a SRM pro for something like $2700 depending upon exchange rates or an Ergomo Pros with an extra bb for a second bike or a PowerTap SL racing wheel and a training wheel/harness for second bike or something like one Polar watch and seven Polar Power Modules ( with an awful lot of setup time for those Polars... )

dm69 said:

im sorry i have no idea what your talking about! Dumb things down for me coz i have no idea about powermeter thingy's just yet :p . I am using it for training not for racing but am only looking to spend the bare minimum but still maintain reliability (accurate readings)so I am not worried about gaining a few grams.

Power Tap is likely the least expensive and most useful route. I don't know much about the new Ergomo (not used one, just the old one). SRM is great but obviously pricey. PT is as accurate (or maybe more accurate) than the SRM.

Lastly, use the power meter in races too. the data is invaluable.

ric

You can still win with just a heart rate monitor. Power training is obviously more accurate, but I think that nothing beats an intelligent training program even with 'just' a heart rate monitor.

K50 said:

You can still win with just a heart rate monitor. Power training is obviously more accurate, but I think that nothing beats an intelligent training program even with 'just' a heart rate monitor.

I think more to the OP's question, a heart rate monitor would be a poor choice, and far superior would be *just* a bike computer with some sort of elapsed time/distance function, in terms of repeating intervals on some sort of hill/mountain and gauging progress over time. Even cheaper would be just to use a watch, and use signficant geographic features or other references for distance progress over time. This is simply not possible in the same way with just heart rate data. If you want to argue about the merits of power training versus heart rate training, I suggest you start a different thread - your whole "intelligent training program" goes for any expense of money or time.

Woofer said:

I think more to the OP's question, a heart rate monitor would be a poor choice, and far superior would be *just* a bike computer with some sort of elapsed time/distance function, in terms of repeating intervals on some sort of hill/mountain and gauging progress over time. Even cheaper would be just to use a watch, and use signficant geographic features or other references for distance progress over time. This is simply not possible in the same way with just heart rate data. If you want to argue about the merits of power training versus heart rate training, I suggest you start a different thread - your whole "intelligent training program" goes for any expense of money or time.

Actually to counter that, my fitness has increased hugely this season. How did I do it? I stopped using my bike computer all together. I have no idea how much I have ridden this season, how fast I am going up my usual interval hills, anything. I use my heart rate, my RPE/instincts/feeling and time as my guides. When I did use my computer last week just for fun on my old bike, I found that my average speed, max speed vs RPE were far different from last year. I had no problem climbing large hills at 19km/h, accelerating to 50+km/h (and this is done on an XC bike). I also 'personal bested' this year on a training ride about a month ago, on my new bike which is full suspension, heavier and has much heavier wheels...Anyhow, I feel that my computer was ineffective for training purposes because it changes every ride into a race; how fast can I go? how fast is my average speed? But with my HRM, it's all about staying in the zones which is much more effective because it is regardless of terrain, wind, the bike I'm riding. My power output is the same no matter what if I'm staying in the right zones, even though I could be going 20km/h or 30km/h at the same power output depending on the terrain and wind etc. That's why I like my HRM. Power meters are far more accurate obviously because it's directly measuring my power output, where as the HRM is only a guideline to the general range. But given the cost of a power meter, I think that unless you're determined to win and get every edge, a HRM is still a great way to go. If I were a pro rider, I'd get a power meter but as a more recreational racer my HRM is good enough. In the last month alone, my VO2 max has increased 4.4%. That's a huge gain!! (That was done in a lab test though with an SRM power meter, along with several other sessions).

dm69 said:

What are the more "budget" powermeters going around? I wouldn't mind a powermeter on my training bike (who wouldn't) but I don't want to fork out $5000 for a top of the line SRM. I figure that if I am thinking of investing $3-$4000 on a new bike then I should atleast entertain the idea of buying a powermeter instead?

keep in mind mind weight is not an issue but relaibility and pricing is!

Hi Dm69,

This link will take you to road bike review where they have most popular models, pricing (in USD) a brief description and user reviews. roadbikereview.comSearchResultscrx.aspxOpen ↗

I believe there is another sight where a rider has done extensive test comparision between Power Tap, SRM and Polar. This will tell you everything, maybe a bit too much ! Unfortunately i cannot find the site. However, other users on here might know what I'm talking about and be able to direct you to it.

I have just purchased a Polar Power unit and S725X watch all up cost was about $500 USD for both. I'm not an expert but the unit gives alot of information and has great software. There is of course Polar's disclaimer of inaccuracies of up to 10%. Oh and it's a b#tch to install.

Hope this helps.

Fraggle.

Well I read the reviews at road bike review and it seems I WILL NOT be investing in a powermeter any time soon! They are just too unreliable...is this consistent with what you other powermeter cyclists believe? I would love to ride with power for obvious reasons (more effective training) but it seems like there isn't a reliable option.

dm69 said:

I WILL NOT be investing in a powermeter any time soon! They are just too unreliable

What??? I don't know what you're reading, but it's dead wrong. Your best course of action is to buy a copy of Hunter Allen's and Andy Coggan's recent book, Training and Racing with a Powermeter. Not only does it have the most extensive and recent review of today's power meter products but it tells you why and how to train with power. There are lots of reasons to not get a power meter (e.g., cost), but reliability is not one of them.

dm69 said:

Well I read the reviews at road bike review and it seems I WILL NOT be investing in a powermeter any time soon! They are just too unreliable...is this consistent with what you other powermeter cyclists believe? I would love to ride with power for obvious reasons (more effective training) but it seems like there isn't a reliable option.

I read all nine, those were some extremely high quality, all encompassing, analytical reviews there - the obvious conclusion from that sampling is powermeters have not yet reached the stage where they are reliable enough to be of any value to a cyclist.

You should definitely spend your money on a new bike instead.

RapDaddyo said:

What??? I don't know what you're reading, but it's dead wrong. Your best course of action is to buy a copy of Hunter Allen's and Andy Coggan's recent book, Training and Racing with a Powermeter. Not only does it have the most extensive and recent review of today's power meter products but it tells you why and how to train with power. There are lots of reasons to not get a power meter (e.g., cost), but reliability is not one of them.

That book can't possibly contain a better review than nine anonymous people on the internets. Follow the link. The SRM and Ergomo reviews are priceless. 🙂

If the OP can't be bothered to do due diligence on investigating an expensive powermeter purchase, he probably will not want to spend the time to get the most out of a powermeter (or money on a coach to help him) and will end up like most of those reviewers on roadbikereview, unhappy.

Woofer said:

That book can't possibly contain a better review than nine anonymous people on the internets. Follow the link. The SRM and Ergomo reviews are priceless. 🙂

If the OP can't be bothered to do due diligence on investigating an expensive powermeter purchase, he probably will not want to spend the time to get the most out of a powermeter (or money on a coach to help him) and will end up like most of those reviewers on roadbikereview, unhappy.

True dat.

I don't mean to demean the OP, but if he wishes to buy a cheap powermeter, the time for that has not yet come.

If he wishes to buy something as low key and reliable as your ordinary bike computer, the time for that has not come yet, either, although some feel the SRM is closest to that.

There will always be a need to be familiar with troubleshooting and the idiosyncracies for any of the major powermeters (haven't tried the Ergomo, but questions posted by owners indicates the same), no matter what the initial cost, unless one hires someone else to do that.

The SRM manual recommends buying a second wiring harness at around $75 a pop just for the purpose of troubleshooting, and I would recommend a similar purchase for anyone considering buying a PowerTap for the same reason.

Woofer said:

That book can't possibly contain a better review than nine anonymous people on the internets. Follow the link. The SRM and Ergomo reviews are priceless. 🙂

If the OP can't be bothered to do due diligence on investigating an expensive powermeter purchase, he probably will not want to spend the time to get the most out of a powermeter (or money on a coach to help him) and will end up like most of those reviewers on roadbikereview, unhappy.

You guys are me first step into "investigating" whether or not I should spend my hard earned on a power meter instead of a cervelo soloist. From those reviews I read, pretty much all of them said that powermeters are a great tool to help your training but they aren't worth it because of the unreliability! It would be unwise not to listen to there unanimous decision that the "cheaper" power meters simply are not worth it.

If I were loaded there is no doubt I would have an SRM on my training bike but I am not so I face the decision of a new bike (soloist with centuar) or a power meter. Currently the new bike is kicking the powermeters [censored] here like a Jose Rujano versus a Jimmy Caspar up Alpe d'huez :p .

By the way I have a coach. We get by fine with a HRM and a speedo😉 ...But please try and tell me otherwise!

And what makes a Book's opinion on powermeters any more valuable than that of real people???

I would like to hear from HAPPY power meter users so this Jimmy Casper can grow some climbing legs😄 .

Brother, I just went thru the same thing you're going thru a few months ago. I had use of a power tap for a bit and also road an SRM pro a few times. I ended up with the Polar. Cost is lower on the Polar but so is the ability to capture data at peaks. Pariety between units in accuracy is not the most important thing since you're training yourself, not numbers against other dudes all the time. Polar, SRM, and PT all have the same general curves on accuracy. The only problem with the Polar is it's a bit touchy to set up.

Likewise, the Polars are a good deal if you also run or swim. I am in the Army and run a fair amount so I use a foot pod to track data on my Polar. The Polar gives you the optimum overall solution inclusive of cross training.

In summary though, there are two big draw backs: tracking peak data is harder on Polar (5 sec windows w/2 second reporting), and the set up is a bit painful if you're not mechanically inclined. Big gains: can use any of your wheels you want (disc, fancy deep dish, etc), low weight penalty, cross training, and lower cost ($500-600 for heart rate watch/computer, and sensor package).

dm69 said:

You guys are me first step into "investigating" whether or not I should spend my hard earned on a power meter instead of a cervelo soloist. From those reviews I read, pretty much all of them said that powermeters are a great tool to help your training but they aren't worth it because of the unreliability! It would be unwise not to listen to there unanimous decision that the "cheaper" power meters simply are not worth it.

If I were loaded there is no doubt I would have an SRM on my training bike but I am not so I face the decision of a new bike (soloist with centuar) or a power meter. Currently the new bike is kicking the powermeters [censored] here like a Jose Rujano versus a Jimmy Caspar up Alpe d'huez :p .

By the way I have a coach. We get by fine with a HRM and a speedo😉 ...But please try and tell me otherwise!

And what makes a Book's opinion on powermeters any more valuable than that of real people???

I would like to hear from HAPPY power meter users so this Jimmy Casper can grow some climbing legs😄 .

jmocallaghan said:

Brother, I just went thru the same thing you're going thru a few months ago. I had use of a power tap for a bit and also road an SRM pro a few times. I ended up with the Polar. Cost is lower on the Polar but so is the ability to capture data at peaks. Pariety between units in accuracy is not the most important thing since you're training yourself, not numbers against other dudes all the time. Polar, SRM, and PT all have the same general curves on accuracy. The only problem with the Polar is it's a bit touchy to set up.

Likewise, the Polars are a good deal if you also run or swim. I am in the Army and run a fair amount so I use a foot pod to track data on my Polar. The Polar gives you the optimum overall solution inclusive of cross training.

In summary though, there are two big draw backs: tracking peak data is harder on Polar (5 sec windows w/2 second reporting), and the set up is a bit painful if you're not mechanically inclined. Big gains: can use any of your wheels you want (disc, fancy deep dish, etc), low weight penalty, cross training, and lower cost ($500-600 for heart rate watch/computer, and sensor package).

it's also important to note, that at a given absolute power, training indoors on trainer with a Polar may give wildly inaccurate data. additionally, at the same power but using different gear (and cadences) can result in different powers being reported by the polar.

ric

Ric is right, the polar does give bad data on both a wind trainer and rollers.

ric_stern/RST said:

it's also important to note, that at a given absolute power, training indoors on trainer with a Polar may give wildly inaccurate data. additionally, at the same power but using different gear (and cadences) can result in different powers being reported by the polar.

ric