There has been a lot posted about this in various past threads as Bruce has said so a search will help a lot.
Some comments;
1. A power meter or HR monitor are only devices to measure intensity - they do not create a training plan or contribute to your performance in a direct way.
2. Is a power meter a more direct, accurate and efficient way of measuring cycling intensity - yes, by far. Look at it like using a thermometer to accurately measure the temperature of a liquid as opposed to sticking your finger in and taking a guess..
3. As for HR trained riders perfroming better than riders training with power - I would love to see this study and it's methodology and wether it produced any statistically significant findings. If a rider responds better to training over 3-4 weeks, then it is possibly attributable to many different factors, but the way they measured their output will not be one of them.
4. Whether or not the investment cost of a PM is justified is a personal decision for each rider - it is only a measuring device. Used correctly and in conjunction with the correct training plan, it will make a signifcant difference to most riders training efficiency and ability to manage their training load effectively.
5. If I can measure something directly and accurately with no external interference, then that would always be my choice (if I could afford it)
Peter
