Are power meters worth training with on a MTB ? If so which one?

[Wuzzie]

Is it worth while training with a power meter on the mountain I understand on the road but with technical riding mixed in im not sure.

[rouxtjie]

Good question.

 

And to top it....its not a small investment and they come with their own headaches.

 

The stages powermeter looks good, don't know where you would source one locally from though

[V12man]

Lets just say it generates some interesting information.... on balance, I would say yes its worth having, but only as a secondary device - one that works on a trainer is more useful for specific training - obviously if you can setup you rmtb on a trainer, that's a win win.

 

Its exceedingly difficult to do specific intervals on the road, and off road, nearly impossible - but having one on the mtb is useful in that it shows you what you need to focus your training on - being slightly different from training specifically for road only - many more peaks and valleys in the power numbers.

[bebop]

Why would you want to make every ride a training ride?

 

Personal view, it will take the fun out of trail riding!

[Wuzzie]

Yep i have one on my indoor trainer which is great, but the cost and added weight of actually permanently putting it on my MTB is a turnoff. Nnless I can be convinced it actually works 100% on the MTB which I am not as the terrain plays a major part on power output, One would have to take data and put it against the map of what you did. Plus a muddy/dusty/wet/crash stage could kill the meter then you have to lug it around for no good reason at all.

[milky4130]

If tracking TSS & tsb is important to you which I'm guessing it is since you train/want to train with powermeter on a Mtb then the answer is yes it is.

[niterider]

If its only TSS that you want to record from your MTB rides, then a Powercal HR strap is a cheap solution.

['Dale]

Good question.

 

 

The stages powermeter looks good, don't know where you would source one locally from though

 

Omnico will be selling them from 9-12K sometime soon

['Dale]

Many MTBers roll on tar and train intervals there for a steady wattage

 

It'll really boost your training.

[NISI]

If its only TSS that you want to record from your MTB rides, then a Powercal HR strap is a cheap solution.

My powercal is reading 25%less than my powertap so the tss is not that accurate ,but it is consistant 25%-so i guess one could use it as a indication.(i am on betablockes for my BP,think it stuffs the powercals accuracy up as it uses HR to calculate power)

 

[milky4130]

If its only TSS that you want to record from your MTB rides, then a Powercal HR strap is a cheap solution.

how accurate is Powercal HR STRAP vs Hub Powertap? i.e. if you push 300w on the hub is it the same as 300w with Powercal?

[NotSoBigBen]

how accurate is Powercal HR STRAP vs Hub Powertap? i.e. if you push 300w on the hub is it the same as 300w with Powercal?

 

You might find some useful info over here:-

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/130041-cycleops-powercal/page__hl__powercal

 

But IMHO if you're gonna use it to compare your 'numbers' with other 'real' power meter users then it is probably not the right thing ..... however if you going to use it to track your own improvement I think it is OK.

[Furbz]

SRM with clavicula crank for the win!

[BarHugger]

Interesting read..........power and MTB..........the effect it will have on your training plan and the specificity of it

 

http://www.fascatcoa...m/mtbpower.html

 

 

Quoted:

"Studies have found that over four international competitions a group of high level XC mountain bikers spent 82% of the total race time above their lactate threshold and maintained an average of 90% maximal heart rate (HRmax). This corresponded to an average intensity of 84% of the rider’s VO2max, and an average mean power output of 246W (3.5W/kg). Power output varies greatly throughout a race depending on terrain and overtaking; elite racers have been recorded to increase their power output to more than 500W on some uphill sections, which is well above their maximum sustainable level. At the start of a race athletes produce an average power output of 481W, with a significant anaerobic contribution of 32% over this portion of the race." (http://www.bioathlet...h.Hxa7K6sI.dpuf)

 

 

 

In summary......for effective MTB training.......go out, find a hill, and trap dat jy klippertjies en stof sien spat........repeat numerous times!

Edited August 12, 2014 by BarHugger

[Wuzzie]

Interesting read..........power and MTB..........the effect it will have on your training plan and the specificity of it

 

http://www.fascatcoa...m/mtbpower.html

 

 

Quoted:

"Studies have found that over four international competitions a group of high level XC mountain bikers spent 82% of the total race time above their lactate threshold and maintained an average of 90% maximal heart rate (HRmax). This corresponded to an average intensity of 84% of the rider’s VO2max, and an average mean power output of 246W (3.5W/kg). Power output varies greatly throughout a race depending on terrain and overtaking; elite racers have been recorded to increase their power output to more than 500W on some uphill sections, which is well above their maximum sustainable level. At the start of a race athletes produce an average power output of 481W, with a significant anaerobic contribution of 32% over this portion of the race." (http://www.bioathlet...h.Hxa7K6sI.dpuf)

 

 

 

In summary......for effective MTB training.......go out, find a hill, and trap dat jy klippertjies en stof sien spat........repeat numerous times!

Great response and agreed from my side

[milky4130]

Interesting read..........power and MTB..........the effect it will have on your training plan and the specificity of it

 

http://www.fascatcoa...m/mtbpower.html

 

 

Quoted:

"Studies have found that over four international competitions a group of high level XC mountain bikers spent 82% of the total race time above their lactate threshold and maintained an average of 90% maximal heart rate (HRmax). This corresponded to an average intensity of 84% of the rider’s VO2max, and an average mean power output of 246W (3.5W/kg). Power output varies greatly throughout a race depending on terrain and overtaking; elite racers have been recorded to increase their power output to more than 500W on some uphill sections, which is well above their maximum sustainable level. At the start of a race athletes produce an average power output of 481W, with a significant anaerobic contribution of 32% over this portion of the race." (http://www.bioathlet...h.Hxa7K6sI.dpuf)

 

 

 

In summary......for effective MTB training.......go out, find a hill, and trap dat jy klippertjies en stof sien spat........repeat numerous times!

i do all my powermeter training on the road & predominantly compete in road races, I also just completed my 1st season of XCO & you don't *** klippertjies during a race it's voking Rotse bra groot rotse!!! But that article is spot on.