Power meter advice please!!

[Jocklaw]

Hi guys. Help please.

 

Considering buying a power meter.

 

I run a road bike and full suss for racing and use my trusty hard tail for (most) training ( except technical rides).

 

Ideally I need a pedal based meter to easily move from bike to bike. However with the amount of hiking involved at W2W, Atta and Epic is there a pedal based meter that will work with all three bikes and also take the hiking involved?

 

If not, sounds like a cheaper Stages meter is the way to go ?

 

Advice will be appreciated.

[Patchelicious]

I did a lot of research on this recently, and the multi-bike/pedal based debate was a good one, but ultimately it's not THAT simple to swop them around, but also, you can buy a Stages or PowerTap for your MTB and Roadbike for less than what one Garmin Vector costs!! So rather just do that.

 

I debated long between Stages and PowerTap and ended up going power tap as I was not keen on changing my carbon crank arms.

 

Edit: I would not advise using a pedal based unit with lots of hike a bike riding, it will get damaged, and am not sure of a power based SPD pedal.

[V12man]

My current thinking is a powertap for your 2 mtb's and a power measuring trainer for the road bike.. strictly an opinion....

 

With the right trainer you could probably get away with only the trainer initially (because it will fit an mtb and road bike) - doing power based workouts on the road is dangerous, off road pretty much impossible (I have tried these )

 

I only do structured sessions on my trainer - although I do use a pm on my road and off road rides, it;s really just for interest.

 

Defiantely worth looking around and possibly buying a second hand powertap or 2 - the bicyclepower crowd are very good at repair and keeping them running.

[Jocklaw]

Thanks guys.

 

Having not used a power meter, I understand that it is difficult to use one when MTbing off road, with climbing and descending,but why do you say it's dangerous on the road? 

 

I would have thought that it would mostly be keeping a constant wattage ( much like HR) with structured intervals ?

 

I'm in PE where we have less busy roads where intervals can probably safely be done, unlike your Joburg roads.

 

It will be pretty expensive getting one for each bike. 

 

Have you guys heard good things about the Stages system? 

[Patchelicious]

Thanks guys.

 

Having not used a power meter, I understand that it is difficult to use one when MTbing off road, with climbing and descending,but why do you say it's dangerous on the road? 

 

I would have thought that it would mostly be keeping a constant wattage ( much like HR) with structured intervals ?

 

I'm in PE where we have less busy roads where intervals can probably safely be done, unlike your Joburg roads.

 

It will be pretty expensive getting one for each bike. 

 

Have you guys heard good things about the Stages system? 

Vector = R25k and not lekker for MTB and hassle of changing.

2 x G3 PowerTaps R20k

 

Only get for you roadbike and training MTB bike in my opinion.

Racing offroad your terrain dictates your effort...

 

Also a few second hand PowerTap SL units with G3 internal available. Only 80g heavier than a brand new unit.

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/category/86-power-meters/

[Bike Mob]

I have used Quarq on the road for many years, lately I have installed stages on my MTB for completeness of the data I collect for WKO.

 

The Stages is great and is easy to swap beteween bikes if you plan smart. really a one bolt operation and the pedal.

 

The stages is easily the cheapest way to go right now and work consistently well and are very comparable in data to the quarq numbers.

 

I'm happy to discuss what you need to have a swappable arm use don both bikes

['Dale]

Go with Zilla's guidance, man.

 

He's been awesome in assisting me with solutions

[christinejvr]

Thanks guys.

 

Having not used a power meter, I understand that it is difficult to use one when MTbing off road, with climbing and descending,but why do you say it's dangerous on the road? 

 

I would have thought that it would mostly be keeping a constant wattage ( much like HR) with structured intervals ?

 

I'm in PE where we have less busy roads where intervals can probably safely be done, unlike your Joburg roads.

 

It will be pretty expensive getting one for each bike. 

 

Have you guys heard good things about the Stages system? 

I have done a few rides with a PowerTap and Stages on the same bike, paired to two separate head units. With hard efforts the readings were very similar but during 'normal' riding the Stages gives about 20W less that the PT. I do not doubt the accurateness of Stages, but it did point out that my left leg is seriously lazy. Single leg drills, here we come! 

[rouxtjie]

My 2c 

 

Depends for what you want power measurement. If its for training, well then get a trianer with this built in that can accomodate both road or mtb.(which is what I suspect you want to use it for)

 

If you want to race with it, put it on your roadbike.

[Vinnydabutcher]

If you want a simple system - go with stage/4iii`s - both crank arm based.

 

You can swop the X9 none drive arm out with the Truvativ road crank arm as far as I know - but dont quote me. Should be similar for Shimano but check compatibility BEFOR you buy.

 

This way you dont have to search for the sensors before every ride as the link between head unit and power meter will stay the same.

 

Then it is as Zilla says - one bolt and one pedal and you are good to go!

[Cam182]

My 2c 

 

Depends for what you want power measurement. If its for training, well then get a trianer with this built in that can accomodate both road or mtb.(which is what I suspect you want to use it for)

 

If you want to race with it, put it on your roadbike.

 

It's pricey but i can really recommend the wahoo kickr - easy to use both mtb and road bikes on it. And great for structured power based workouts or video workouts (paired with something like trainerroad.com)

 

I also have a powertap on some wheels to use with my road and tri bikes. Had it for 2 years and still learning the best ways to use it... 

 

One thing is for sure, it is a lot easier to do power based training on a trainer than riding on the road/mountain so if i could only have one for training it would be the kickr/trainer option.

[Spinnekop]

I have done a few rides with a PowerTap and Stages on the same bike, paired to two separate head units. With hard efforts the readings were very similar but during 'normal' riding the Stages gives about 20W less that the PT. I do not doubt the accurateness of Stages, but it did point out that my left leg is seriously lazy. Single leg drills, here we come! 

20w less from?  250w?

That is a 10% difference!  Huge.  It that is just because of left leg/right leg, then I would suggest you have a bit of an issue there........eish

[Patchelicious]

20w less from?  250w?

That is a 10% difference!  Huge.  It that is just because of left leg/right leg, then I would suggest you have a bit of an issue there........eish

Agreed.

 

Go do a 20min FTP test on a Wattbike to see what you left/right power split is.

If its more than a 5% swing (45/55), work on it.

 

I did a few over a few months and consistently got 51/49 so there is no need to adjust.

But if its 40/60 you might want to work on one leg.

[christinejvr]

Yes, I agree I might have a problem here. Thanks for the advice. I will try to get on a Wattbike for a proper evaluation.

[Patchelicious]

Yes, I agree I might have a problem here. Thanks for the advice. I will try to get on a Wattbike for a proper evaluation.

Dont see it as a problem, see it as an opportunity to get stronger. It might just be a technique change and you could get 10% improvement!

[Anton David]

see "durianrider" on youtube. Below is a link to the review of the stages power meter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me1TnyXn5tk