Which PM is better

If you can afford the SRM, I see no reason not to get it. The only benefit to the Ergomo is the altitude function (and lower cost.) Being relatively new, it is something of an unproven quantity. There also are the problems of only measuring from the left crank and being unable to verify accuracy on it's own. (You can't use weights to calibrate, unlike the SRM)

Most importantly, it's orange. :p

peterpen said:

If you can afford the SRM, I see no reason not to get it. The only benefit to the Ergomo is the altitude function (and lower cost.) Being relatively new, it is something of an unproven quantity. There also are the problems of only measuring from the left crank and being unable to verify accuracy on it's own. (You can't use weights to calibrate, unlike the SRM)

Most importantly, it's orange. :p

Thx, I don't think measuring from the left crank only is an issue for me at all. As I believe the effect is none existent when it counts (at higher exertion). For me as long as it gives me the same numbers every time I do the same interval, I'm happy. Of coarse I would like to see the numbers go up over time. But the scale could be from 1 - 100 for all I care as long as it's consistent. The last Ergomo I had failed shortly after owning it, actually it failed many times in the first year. I lost count how many times I sent the bottom bracket or the head back. I hoped they may have sorted things out this time around. Oh ya, I like the Orange. I think your right about the SRM being more reliable, unfortunetly. I hate to spend that much.

Rob West said:

[font=Times New Roman] Anyway I don't want this thread to get off topic with small details. [/font][font=Arial][/font]

Well, too bad you opened the can of worms and the details are important :p

I don't own an ergomo, but lots of people who do have to beg borrow or steal a powertap with which to calibrate it. To me that's a very serious issue unless you've got a buddy with a PT. If thats the case, you don't even really need to remove the wire harness from your buddy's bike to run the test.

The SRM amateur sometimes has accuracy issues (luck of the draw) but it is probably more accurate than the ergomo. One of my knocks against SRM though is that they usually need to be calibrated right from the factory as well, but at least with the SRM you can use weights to do it.

My personal preference between all of the powermeters you mentioned is the one you won't buy so I'll just stop there 😉

I have owned the Ergomo for three months now. I'm am one of the people who had a problem with the listed "K" factor. Keep in mind, this will not effect consistency, but does impact the actual wattage being displayed. My listed "K" factor gave numbers that were obviously too low. I'm not a power monster, but I'm not ninety years old either. I adjusted the "K" factor to give readings that were consistent with my computrainer. Again, not saying the computrainer is completely accurate, but at least it gave numbers that seemed to be more consistent with my performance in relation to racing class etc.

As far as consistency goes, my Ergomo has been rock solid. I've run the calibration test on it numerous times with no more than one digit of change between tests. I have found no issues at all with consistency. In addition, the altitude function is great. It is especially nice to look at the percentage grade of the hill you are climbing.

Overall, I would recommend it. I would plan on testing it against another PM device to ensure your "K" factor is correct. Once you verify this number, you won't have to mess with it again. I wish Ergomo would acknowledge there is a problem in this area, but so far they are sticking to their guns on accuracy of the "K" factor.

Thx Beerco and Rocket. Well, I do have several friends that own Power Taps so I guess I have something to calibrate to.

3 months and your still happy with the Ergomo, I think that’s saying something. I hope other readers through in there 2 cents about the Ergomo Pro, as I want more confirmation on this. I would also like to know more about the SRM amateur and if it's worth looking at. I don't think I would mind learning how to calibrate it and if that's the only down fall I'm thinking I should consider it.

I looked at the Ergomo for a while but the thing that kept me from buying it was I was told you had to have it overhauled every year at a cost of 300 bucks! I do like how you can use almost any crank with it. But you can wiht the SRM as well.

The SRM is more durable. sibexsports.comti srm.htmOpen ↗

Rob West said:

[font=Times New Roman]I'm going to buy a power meter, it will be an Ergomo Pro or a SRM (not the amateur) I have ruled out the Power tap even though it is a good unit. I have my own reasons for not wanting the Power tap, so let’s not go there. Anyway I don't want this thread to get off topic with small details. I believe ether on of these will give me data that I'll benefit from. The only thing I need help with is, is the new Ergomo reliable? I owned the Sport model and I know first hand that the sport model is not reliable. Can anyone confirm that the new Ergomo is reliable (someone who has owned it longer than 3 weeks) I want reliability out of one of these only. The only reason I'm looking at the Ergomo is that it's cheaper and if it can offer the same reliability as the SRM then why not buy it. [/font]

I find it interesting that none of the big names in teh Power Meter world have a comment on this?

Rob West said:

I find it interesting that none of the big names in teh Power Meter world have a comment on this?

Not really.

Two of em already wrote a book.

If one reads the topica wattage list there is a ton of discussion on all the power meters and estimators at some point in time.

Hunter is a partner with Ergomo.

IIRC, Ric Stern is a dealer for SRM and PowerTap.

Woofer said:

Hunter is a partner with Ergomo.

Actually, I believe that should be "was.

As for me, I refrain from commenting on what I perceive to be the advantages and disadvantages of the Ergomo because Ergomo licenses CyclingPeaks from TrainingPeaks, and includes it with their powermeter rebadged as "Ergoracer". That means that I get $1 for every Ergomo Pro that is sold...so rather than share my thoughts and risk being accussed of bias, I've decided to just stay mum.

OTOH, If the comparison is between the other three powermeters currently on the market (i.e., SRM, PowerTap, and Polar), I'm happy to share my opinion. (I try to keep my mouth shut about their software, though, due to the potential conflict-of-interest described above.)

[font=Verdana]I was thinking that’s what you would say. I respect your position as I would do the same. To bad though as I would be curious to what you would have a preference for. My bet it would be the SRM hands down.[/font][font=Arial][/font]

Better be careful or it will seem like you want to use the "appeal to authority" argument instead of becoming an educated consumer.

🙂

acoggan said:

Actually, I believe that should be "was..

This weekend Hunter is doing a power training clinic here in NorCal that is supported/sponsored in part by Ergomo. (It was organized 2-3 months ago.)

WarrenG said:

This weekend Hunter is doing a power training clinic here in NorCal that is supported/sponsored in part by Ergomo. (It was organized 2-3 months ago.)

Oh, he still works closely with the folks there...he's just not directly (financially) involved with the importation, distribution, and sales of the Ergomo anymore. (At least that's how I understand it.)

[font=Verdana]Politics, anyway let’s see if I can go about this in a different way? Optic sensor vs strain gauge. Which one of these works better? I'm sure there is a sigma value attached to these out there somewhere.[/font][font=Arial][/font]

Woofer said:

IIRC, Ric Stern is a dealer for SRM and PowerTap.

Yes, i sell, SRM and PT, as these are what i like and have used. I'd sell the Ergomo (if i was given the opportunity) and if i knew what the new units are like, and it was accurate and reliable. I used the old Ergomo and wasn't impressed with the accuracy (perhaps i have a big differential between legs?) or it's reliability. I've not seen or used the new Ergomos.

With an unlimited budget the SRM is the way forward (imo), mainly due to the fact you can chop and change wheels to suit your needs. Once budget constraints are involved i feel that the PT wins. There's other pros and cons (e.g., have an SRM be prepared to calibrate it and spend time checking it, or use a PT and it's virtually guaranteed the data will be correct - as long as the torque tube is functioning and it's been zeroed).

Note, that my original Tune Power Tap, is still working and used on occasion and it's what 7 years old? (i was a beta tester for Tune). I mainly ride with my SL these days.

Ric

[font=Verdana]Now that's an answer. Thx. I also owned a PT and I agree that it is one sound piece of equipment. How do you feel about the SRM amateur vs the pro model? Just based on reliability, I mean the ability to spit out the same numbers at you throughout the year.[/font][font=Arial][/font]

this is not only about how the power is read. My Powertap dies in the rain, instantly, even after Saris worked on it. The results will go nuts, etc etc. Next week is my first ride with my new Ergomo... +/-3% vs +/-1% is not the only criteria...

acoggan said:

Actually, I believe that should be "was.

That means that I get $1 for every Ergomo Pro that is sold...

So you made a buck off of me for the book, and another one for the Ergomo......sheesh I'm making you wealthy 😄

Rob West said:

[font=Verdana]Now that's an answer. Thx. I also owned a PT and I agree that it is one sound piece of equipment. How do you feel about the SRM amateur vs the pro model? Just based on reliability, I mean the ability to spit out the same numbers at you throughout the year.[/font][font=Arial][/font]

Based on my experience (and others) of the SRM Amateur, Pro, Science and PT's i would, without hesitation, recommend the PT over the SRM Amateur

Previously, i've had to recalibrate every 4 weeks with an Amateur...

Ric