A Good Affordable Power Meter?

BtonRider said:

Does anyone out there have a suggestion on a good quality power meter that's affordable? It look like it will take at least $1000 to get a decent model. Any suggestions?

Are you saying $1000 is affordable, or not? 😕

I'd suggest getting the PowerTap Pro system for under $1000, or the PowerTap SL system for a bit over $1000. Leave money in the budget for a copy of the WKO+ software package as well ($99).

BtonRider said:

Does anyone out there have a suggestion on a good quality power meter that's affordable? It look like it will take at least $1000 to get a decent model. Any suggestions?

Define "decent". In other words, what are your expectations in an "affordable" (i.e. under $1K powermeter)?

Tom Anhalt said:

Define "decent". In other words, what are your expectations in an "affordable" (i.e. under $1K powermeter)?

I intentionally tried to adumbrate my question so someone could make a comparison of good powermeters on the market. Of course, I want one that will hold up for several years and ideally one that sells for around $1000.

I would start with Hunter Allen's and Andy Coggan's recent book, Training and Racing with a Power Meter. Not only does it have an excellent chapter on the PM technologies available today (only recent development not available at the time they wrote the chapter being the PT SL2.4), but you will be armed with the knowledge of what to do with a PM once you get one. BTW, my sales commission on the book = $0.0000000.😄

at the risk of getting flamed, i have had two Polar 720i power meters on my bikes for 2 - 3 years. the power meter was about $350, but you have to have their HRM as the backbone of the system. that runs about $300, too. i have been very happy with both units.

one of my bikes (specialized roubaix pro) has a curved rear frame along the back wheel. i always thought this contributed to unusual readings when in the large ring in the front and the large cog in the rear. on my other bike (cannondale CADD 7), this was not an issue and the meter seemed consistent throughout the gears.

unfortunately, i damaged one of my polar units two weeks ago and i decided to buy an ergomo to replace it. it was just under $2,000 installed. i am picking it up this friday so i'll get a taste of a more high end device soon. however, i had someone re-solder the cut wires and i am saving the unit in case i get a new bike someday, or as a spare.

tmctguer said:

at the risk of getting flamed, i have had two Polar 720i power meters on my bikes for 2 - 3 years. the power meter was about $350, but you have to have their HRM as the backbone of the system. that runs about $300, too. i have been very happy with both units.

one of my bikes (specialized roubaix pro) has a curved rear frame along the back wheel. i always thought this contributed to unusual readings when in the large ring in the front and the large cog in the rear. on my other bike (cannondale CADD 7), this was not an issue and the meter seemed consistent throughout the gears.

unfortunately, i damaged one of my polar units two weeks ago and i decided to buy an ergomo to replace it. it was just under $2,000 installed. i am picking it up this friday so i'll get a taste of a more high end device soon. however, i had someone re-solder the cut wires and i am saving the unit in case i get a new bike someday, or as a spare.

You certainly won't get flamed by me. I know a number of people who are happy with their Polar power unit. I think if one is prepared to do the installation painstakingly correctly and if one accepts the limitations of use of the Polar PM on a trainer, it is a perfectly valid way to go. And, if one already owns one of the compatible HR units, it is almost a no-brainer economic decision. Most of the barbs slung at the PMs on the market are slung by those who don't own the unit they are flaming or they are citing evidence that's so dated it is irrelevant. I think we cyclists should count our lucky stars that we have several excellent choices to measure power. In most sports, there is nothing that directly measures intensity of effort and this is the crucial piece of information for optimal training.

BtonRider said:

I intentionally tried to adumbrate my question so someone could make a comparison of good powermeters on the market. Of course, I want one that will hold up for several years and ideally one that sells for around $1000.

Have you looked here yet?

http://www.midweekclub.ca/powerFAQ.htm#Q8

An updated version of that chart is shown in the chapter in the Allen and Coggan book Rapdaddyo mentioned. I concur that the price of the book is worth it just for that chapter alone. It is the most "fair" evaluation of the pm choices I've seen yet.

There's also this "head-to-head" comparison that is a few years old:

http://biketechreview.com/archive/pm_review.htm

I too am a long time (>3 years), satisfied (well...mostly) user of the Polar system. With used equipment, I was able to put together my system(s) (1 watch unit and 2 power modules plus CP software) for <$350 total. YMMV, I lucked into a smoking good deal on the 2 modules.

Hope this helps.

I can't believe I sold my powertap pro last year for $460. The guy got a steal.

I'm happy with my 4 Polar Power Output kits. You just have to use a magnet glued to your pedal for cadence. Otherwise, don't ride on the big ring big cog combo or you'll be inaccurrate.