Power Meters - Which, Pro's and Con's?

[robsims]

Am interested in bring power training into my training.  Any advice on what the best power meter is to install on the bike.  Vis accuracy, value for money (i.e. budgetary constraints), compatibility with Garmin fenix 3?

[Frosty]

As someone that hasn't posted much, and possibly new to this forum, you might want to use the search function on the right of the blue bar:

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/160873-training-with-a-power-meter-the-ins-and-outs/?hl=power+meter

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/178321-power-meter-road-bike-mtb/?hl=power+meter

[Vetplant]

I have stages on my bike, very happy with it.

 

Cost can be around R4k to R5k if you shop around on the classifieds.

 

Easy to mount.

 

Works seamlessly with my Fenix 3.

 

Single sided yes, but I have not had an issue with it at all. They now have a drive side crank as well that you can buy later and then you will have dual side power.

 

Whatever you choose, power is a great training and riding tool. Consider something like Todays Plan or Training Peaks to evaluate your progress and strengths.

 

Enjoy

[Madone69]

DC Rainmaker answers all you need to know

[WrightJnr]

Yip. Lots of info at DCRainmaker (factual) and here on the hub (emotional) :-)

 

My 2 cents....Training with power will change your riding life. I pondered over it for 2 years, nearly bought a dozen times. Finally pulled the trigger a few weeks ago and wished I’d done it years ago (one of the advantages is the valuable history it delivers) so I’d have season on season progress data.

 

I’m just using a single sided stages on a MTB. Garmin Edge 520. TrainingPeaks Premium.

[BigDL]

Yip. Lots of info at DCRainmaker (factual) and here on the hub (emotional) :-)

 

My 2 cents....Training with power will change your riding life. I pondered over it for 2 years, nearly bought a dozen times. Finally pulled the trigger a few weeks ago and wished I’d done it years ago (one of the advantages is the valuable history it delivers) so I’d have season on season progress data.

 

I’m just using a single sided stages on a MTB. Garmin Edge 520. TrainingPeaks Premium.

Excuse my ignorance, but does the power meter replace your crank? Does it stay on the bike permanently? Does it stand up ok to impacts etc?

[WrightJnr]

Excuse my ignorance, but does the power meter replace your crank? Does it stay on the bike permanently? Does it stand up ok to impacts etc?

So it depends on what you buy. You get crank based and hub based. So either replace the back hub, just the left crank arm or even the entire crankset. For road, you also get pedal based. Yes, it’s a “permanent” install. Regarding impacts, I’m too new to comment but they appear to be pretty robust. Strain gauges are inside the crank arm and the externals on the stages look like nothing more than a Garmin cadence sensor.

[DieselnDust]

Am interested in bring power training into my training.  Any advice on what the best power meter is to install on the bike.  Vis accuracy, value for money (i.e. budgetary constraints), compatibility with Garmin fenix 3?

 

What bike(s) do you intend to use with the power meter?

From your name you're either a very experienced cyclist or its a big coincidence. How have you trained in the past and measured progress?

[Barend de Arend]

Excuse my ignorance, but does the power meter replace your crank? Does it stay on the bike permanently? Does it stand up ok to impacts etc?

 

Pedal strikes and tumbles yes.  If it's a crash big enough to snap your bike in two, all bets are off; but I've recovered an Ergomo years ago from a bike that was snapped in three.

 

I strongly believe that you should go dual-sided and verifiable where possible.  Also, a coach may be more bang-for-buck.  But they are very much better than a heart-rate monitor.

 

Regarding the Fenix3: a power meter helps both on the very short term (am I going to blow up?) and very long term (am I better now than 3 months ago?) so you should look at downloads and long term planners to get the most out of your investment.

[The Guy in Pink]

I have Garmin Vector 2 Power pedals which I use on my indoor spinning bike  for HIIT, and I watch HIIT videos for motivation and structure during the training.

I have a Garmin 520 which it intergrades with faultlessly .

 

I have also used them on my Road bike but I find they are much more useful in the stationary environment.

 

They are easy to swap between bikes, and don't need any changes to drive chain etc.  They provide the power from each leg as well feedback on  foot position etc.

 

They are a bit expensive

[mecheng89]

It's an expensive piece of equipment, so you must use the data it gathers. If you don't then the equipment is pointless.

 

Why are you thinking of getting it? 

[robsims]

As someone that hasn't posted much, and possibly new to this forum, you might want to use the search function on the right of the blue bar:

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/160873-training-with-a-power-meter-the-ins-and-outs/?hl=power+meter

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/178321-power-meter-road-bike-mtb/?hl=power+meter

 

Thank you for your reply.  Yes - I am new to this and have not posted nearly as much as yourself.   I don't spend a large amount of time on Bikehub but I do think it is a fantastic and helpful site.

 

Your reply however lives very much up to your site name - Frosty.  Rather unecessary.  Replies further on in the forum considerably more polite and helpful.

[robsims]

DC Rainmaker answers all you need to know

 

Thank you - I shall go to DC Rainmaker and read further.

[robsims]

Yip. Lots of info at DCRainmaker (factual) and here on the hub (emotional) :-)

 

My 2 cents....Training with power will change your riding life. I pondered over it for 2 years, nearly bought a dozen times. Finally pulled the trigger a few weeks ago and wished I’d done it years ago (one of the advantages is the valuable history it delivers) so I’d have season on season progress data.

 

I’m just using a single sided stages on a MTB. Garmin Edge 520. TrainingPeaks Premium.

Thanks very much for your reply - most certainly helps with decision making to proceed further.

[robsims]

What bike(s) do you intend to use with the power meter?

From your name you're either a very experienced cyclist or its a big coincidence. How have you trained in the past and measured progress?

No must be a coincidence, am bit of a hacker really.  Which rob sims do you refer to?  

 

Anyhow - Getting along in age but with 3 kids almost all out of the house and possibly little bit of time on hand, I want to up my training to be more effective and scientific than just getting out 2 - 3 times a week and going balls to the wall. Killing myself in the odd race.

 

Am riding a Bianchi road bike. Currently seldom on the mountain.

[robsims]

It's an expensive piece of equipment, so you must use the data it gathers. If you don't then the equipment is pointless.

 

Why are you thinking of getting it? 

Yup you are right - it is expensive equipment.  But for the last 25 years of working 11hour days and helping to raise 3 kids, have trained very piecemeal and feel have very much underperformed.  

 

Would now like to train more with a plan and scientifically - vis Training Peaks, Power and possible get coaching assistance.