Which Power meter??

[Guest Lancesball]

Powerpod is like the old ibike powermeter. There is a reason why its not around anymore.

[Stelvio7]

We are still confirming pricing, thanks to the ever changing exchange rate, but we are aiming to keep it at the equivalent global price of US$299 + Vat/Duties + Shipping - which will be between the R5 to R6k mark. We will have some launch specials, which one of the avenues will be through the Hub, so look out for those.

 

Regards comparison files, I'll dig them out and send when I get back to the office tomorrow.

 

Showtime, the unit allows you to pre-calibrate it dependent on terrain through the Isaac software by adjusting the Crr and CdA. A number of profiles can be set up so that it can be moved from say a MTB to a road bike (it will pick up the speed sensor/cadence ID and automatically default to that setting - so no need to tell it which bike and terrain it is on and if you are upright or on the hoods). With this functionality you can also after the ride adjust the ride to account for those differences to get the data more accurate before it's uploaded into the likes of a Training Peaks or etc.

 

Changing road surfaces that we as road cyclists encounter daily hasn't played a difference in the measurements that we've seen. Now going up Cobbles Hill, yes there we start to see some problems - but lets be honest that probably accounts for 5 minutes of your 3 hour ride. The developers are working on this to take into account and hopefully an updated firmware will resolve extremely bumpy situations. So unless you are doing all your workouts on cobbled roads, it adjusts and can be adjusted to match the terrain.

 

On the MTB however we've seen good results. You're moving slower, have lower pressure in your tyres and have a front shock that's reducing excessive vibrations. Also the MTB especially when climbing, relies less and less on rolling resistance and more on gravity, so terrain in those situations do not impact the readings as would a flat and fast cobblestone section. It does re-calibrate itself if it picks up an ongoing anomaly, which usually happens after a couple of minutes. Yes, again it would have its flaws on measuring a very rocky sections but just like the Cobbles scenario it probably accounts for a small portion of the ride.

 

For those that missed the previous link to the DC Rainmaker review, here it is:

 

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/03/powerpod-depth-review.html

 

In his own words to sum him up with regards to accuracy...."I’d put it in the camp of: It can indeed be very accurate, but, it just takes a little more care and focus to get those results.  Not excessive focus, but focus nonetheless."

[Showtime]

Thanks for your reply Stelvio.

 

I think people understanding more about what your product can and can't do will help you to sell the product to right target group and ensure that you have satisfied users.

 

So the unit can

 

- measure wind speed and slope with very good accuracy

- has to assume your aerodynamic drag (CdA)

- has to assume your rolling resistance   (Crr)

 

When your CdA and Crr are constant as per the calibrated values the calculated power will be very accurate. 

 

When you are doing a slow steep climb where the gravity component far exceeds the rolling resistance component the calculated power will be very accurate.

 

When your Crr varies drastically from the calibrated profile your power will not be accurate. So if you encounter any flat ground with very high rolling resistance like mud or sand the power will be off.

 

So that leaves allot of usage cases where the power output will be very accurate but obviously a few situations on a ride where it cannot cope which is no disgrace.

['Dale]

Precision shipping in July at a very competitive price http://4iiii.com/product/precision/

 

No longer need to ship your crank off the get fitted. Wonder how stages prices will be around July and whether will come down in price

Was wondering about this release into the market

Stages Co. will be paying attention

[raptor-22]

It will be interesting to see. The power required to pedal on hard smooth roads is hugely different to maintaining that same speed on wet clay or loose rocks and I can't think how they are measuring that component of the opposing force. 

 

 

I remember reading that it will recalibrate when ever ou stop pedaling. It sort of "learns" whats going on.

So I guess it will take inclination, velocity cadence and aero resistance into account to determine if its calibration holds true and compensate if not. Probably means its not going to correct as quickly as a strain gauge driven PM but what I'm interested in is how quickly it picks up on that change of resistance/friction force

[raptor-22]

Thanks for your reply Stelvio.

 

I think people understanding more about what your product can and can't do will help you to sell the product to right target group and ensure that you have satisfied users.

 

So the unit can

 

- measure wind speed and slope with very good accuracy

- has to assume your aerodynamic drag (CdA)

- has to assume your rolling resistance   (Crr)

 

When your CdA and Crr are constant as per the calibrated values the calculated power will be very accurate. 

 

When you are doing a slow steep climb where the gravity component far exceeds the rolling resistance component the calculated power will be very accurate.

 

When your Crr varies drastically from the calibrated profile your power will not be accurate. So if you encounter any flat ground with very high rolling resistance like mud or sand the power will be off.

 

So that leaves allot of usage cases where the power output will be very accurate but obviously a few situations on a ride where it cannot cope which is no disgrace.

 

 

thanks for sharing that. so it may not be the best solution for mountain bikers but its a brilliant solution for time trialists and triathletes or road racers interested in how equipment changes are influencing their CdA.

 

Ok so not quite the solution I'm after. Guess it's back to saving for that Quarq XX1 Q156

[Showtime]

I remember reading that it will recalibrate when ever ou stop pedaling. It sort of "learns" whats going on.

So I guess it will take inclination, velocity cadence and aero resistance into account to determine if its calibration holds true and compensate if not. Probably means its not going to correct as quickly as a strain gauge driven PM but what I'm interested in is how quickly it picks up on that change of resistance/friction force

 

From what I understand it takes a few minutes. 

[Showtime]

thanks for sharing that. so it may not be the best solution for mountain bikers but its a brilliant solution for time trialists and triathletes or road racers interested in how equipment changes are influencing their CdA.

 

Ok so not quite the solution I'm after. Guess it's back to saving for that Quarq XX1 Q156

 

Yes if the price is right relative to other power meters it's a brilliant solution for pacing in a Ironman or 70.3 for example to keep you fresh for the run.

[raptor-22]

they could probably correct for that if they calculate the deceleration while other environments remain constant i.e inclination, drag,

[raptor-22]

Yes if the price is right relative to other power meters it's a brilliant solution for pacing in a Ironman or 70.3 for example to keep you fresh for the run.

 

 

If its priced right and talks to a SIgma ROX10.0 then it may be a perfect solution for riders who train on the road, are interested in evaluating aerodynamics of position and equipment but are on a tight budget. That combo could get you onto power for < R8000

[Showtime]

If its priced right and talks to a SIgma ROX10.0 then it may be a perfect solution for riders who train on the road, are interested in evaluating aerodynamics of position and equipment but are on a tight budget. That combo could get you onto power for < R8000

 

Also for normal dirt roadie style training on gravel roads your rolling resistance will be rather constant and it's likely a very good solution there as well.

 

It's mostly for trail riding where it might struggle but who really needs a power meter for trail riding? 

[raptor-22]

Also for normal dirt roadie style training on gravel roads your rolling resistance will be rather constant and it's likely a very good solution there as well.

 

It's mostly for trail riding where it might struggle but who really needs a power meter for trail riding? 

 

 

Only place it will be challenged in my use is during my cummute to the trail head. Road mixed with park transitions and then once on the trail it'll be ok.

 

most PM users are using 3sec averaging anyway so if I need to ride through mud then onto tar I doubt the inaccuracy would be a major problem there. I'd just cut that data out and work with the data gathered during the training drills anyway

[Frosty]

Only place it will be challenged in my use is during my cummute to the trail head. Road mixed with park transitions and then once on the trail it'll be ok.

 

most PM users are using 3sec averaging anyway so if I need to ride through mud then onto tar I doubt the inaccuracy would be a major problem there. I'd just cut that data out and work with the data gathered during the training drills anyway

I would think the last statement is most relevant when training. If this specific device can do that, for much less than others, then it's a no brainer.

[raptor-22]

I would think the last statement is most relevant when training. If this specific device can do that, for much less than others, then it's a no brainer.

 

 

Yeah that's what a PM is supposed to be for. But I see many use it just to fill up the screen on their garmins and share kudos on strava

[Iwan Kemp]

For those interested here's a cool article

 

The ins and outs of training with a power meter