Good training wheels for powertap

[Rick]

Hi guys

 

I have a set of dura-ace 7850-c50 and I was going to put a powertap in them. Many people who i have spoken to suggest it would be much better to get some solid training wheels for the powertap and save the carbons for racing. I think there's a good argument to the boost on race day so I'm now looking at options for a nice set of training wheels. As far as I'm concerned it's probably better to get something pretty heavy and solid so that it feels even better when i hit the race wheels. The one criteria that I have is that they must look nice, preferably white.

Any suggestions please?

 

Ta

[American Flyers]

Go for Mavic Pro wheels... Strong and last long. Not sure if you can get white one..

Maybe go for Amercian classics?

[gummibear]

You can't go wrong with the Mavic Open Pro rims.

 

PM Johan Bornman he will give some good advice.

[MariusL]

White rims

[Rick]

White rims

 

Probably doesn't sound good, I haven't decided but I think it might suit the bike, taste issue i guess:

 

[orbeaorca]

I have my powertap built into a Ac350 rim. i have had no problems for past year. The wheelset with the powertap will weight more or less the same as as your DA wheels. It is also a 32hole rim and they come in white also.

[orbeaorca]

Probably doesn't sound good, I haven't decided but I think it might suit the bike, taste issue i guess:

 

 

I have seen you this week on ou kaapse weg/sun valley.I am sure I saw that bike at Olympic cycles. You made me go buy the same set of wheels.

 

It will look cool. You will also have a set of wheels for the windy days.

Edited March 9, 2011 by orbeaorca

[Minion]

If you're going to get training wheels then 32 hole Mavic Open Pros are bomb proof, but pretty much any 32H rim of reasonable quality will (I think Johan usually uses DRC rims).

 

To get the most benefit from a power meter, though, you'd really want to use it while training and while racing (you get really good data from races). What you do in that case depends a little bit on your budget. If you've only got the money to get one Powertap hub, then you should seriously consider building it into your Dura Ace wheels and also training with them. If you're looking at the top line PT hub or have the cash to get two cheaper PT hubs then you might also consider getting something like the SRAM Quarq power meter instead (they go for around R16.5k from CRC).

[Rick]

I have seen you this week on ou kaapse weg/sun valley.I am sure I saw that bike at Olympic cycles. You made me go buy the same set of wheels.

 

It will look cool. You will also have a set of wheels for the windy days.

 

Yup that was me

I live in Noordhoek and I bought it from Olympic. I gotta say the wheels are awesome awesome, you will love them.

[Rick]

If you're going to get training wheels then 32 hole Mavic Open Pros are bomb proof, but pretty much any 32H rim of reasonable quality will (I think Johan usually uses DRC rims).

 

To get the most benefit from a power meter, though, you'd really want to use it while training and while racing (you get really good data from races). What you do in that case depends a little bit on your budget. If you've only got the money to get one Powertap hub, then you should seriously consider building it into your Dura Ace wheels and also training with them. If you're looking at the top line PT hub or have the cash to get two cheaper PT hubs then you might also consider getting something like the SRAM Quarq power meter instead (they go for around R16.5k from CRC).

 

Yeah, I specifically chose the DA wheels because they can handle training so putting the powertap in them was my first instinct. I also agree that having race data to look back on would be useful.

That Quarq is hugely tempting, but I couldn't find one on a compact crank, I'm sure they do it, but perhaps not CRC. I can look around a bit, but yes, they are pricey. Thing is I would be quite happy popping the powertap in the DAs and that's it. Maybe that is still what i'll do. Tough one.

[orbeaorca]

while the DA hubs can handle racing and training in a twenty spoke configuration, i wonder if the powertap hub can. If you phone the local agents they recommend either a 28 or 32 hole hub.

 

I must admit that I have enjoyed riding my DA wheels for the past month and have not used my powertap partly cause I have had to lend the front wheel to a friend.

[Minion]

Yeah, I specifically chose the DA wheels because they can handle training so putting the powertap in them was my first instinct. I also agree that having race data to look back on would be useful.

That Quarq is hugely tempting, but I couldn't find one on a compact crank, I'm sure they do it, but perhaps not CRC. I can look around a bit, but yes, they are pricey. Thing is I would be quite happy popping the powertap in the DAs and that's it. Maybe that is still what i'll do. Tough one.

Both of these sites have compact Quarqs:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/

http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/

 

I bought my frame from Competitve Cyclist and their service is top notch. Cycle Power Meters are the official UK distributors for Quarq.

[Johan Bornman]

while the DA hubs can handle racing and training in a twenty spoke configuration, i wonder if the powertap hub can. If you phone the local agents they recommend either a 28 or 32 hole hub.

 

I must admit that I have enjoyed riding my DA wheels for the past month and have not used my powertap partly cause I have had to lend the front wheel to a friend.

 

The hub can handle any spoke configuration. There is no strength issue there. The issue is with wheel design, getting the spokes to meet the hub at an angle less than the nipple's maximum swivel angle.

 

The second problem is getting suitable rims. It isn't easy to find rims in 24 and 20-hole configurations, hence the recommendation to go 28 or 32.

 

How many spokes in your DA wheel?

[Rick]

20 On the back

[Johan Bornman]

20 On the back

 

Readiy available (if you know a trick or two) for this spoke configuration is the Mavic Aksium rim.

 

Rather build a powertap wheel into one of these rims than ruin your DA wheel. Or do you want to take the sidecutter to that wheel and hear it squeal and ping?

[Rick]

I'm thinking I'll skip the side-cutter

How about the dt Swiss 465? Wheelbuilder.com has a powertap package with that wheel and it seems good. Also the dt 585.