I-Bike Pro

[Mak-daddy]

hallo all, i got a I-Bike pro as a gift from a family member, however does anybody have any knowledge or info on this product. According to the reviews on the internet it seems to be good though.

 

 

 

[TNT1]

 

Oh goodie... we haven't had this power measuring device thread for at least a month....

http://skugg.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/can-of-worms.jpg

 

PM Bruce or Bikemax or someone...

 

TNT12008-07-08 01:09:10

[Windbreaker]

TNT1

 

Mak-Daddy ask them to take it back and swop it for a pair of socks or a tie or something.

 

[singletrackmind]

I heard they pretty good. I would take it if i got it as a gift but wouldnt go out and buy myself one thats for sure

[Windbreaker]

 

I heard they pretty good.

nope ... you heard wrong.

 

[Mak-daddy]

What could i replace it with at a similar value,whats it worth new anyway..?

[Mak-daddy]

anybody know who the agents are for I-Bike in south africa?

[bruce]

 

 

anybody know who the agents are for I-Bike in south africa?

 

Paul van Zyl - Maillot Jaune Trading

paulvanzyl at telkomsa dot net

bruce2008-07-09 05:59:07

[word]

Dont be so hasty. I heard that they are bringing out something that will enable you to use the ibike on an IDT so it may be ok.

[Spinnekop]

Talk to Jaco.  He tested one for a while.  He will tell you the ins and outs in detail.

 

http://www.mytrainer.co.za/index-5.html

 

 

[turtlek]

guys how can you measure power with wind speed that is K#K if you ask me!!!!

[bruce]

 

hallo all' date=' i got a I-Bike pro as a gift from a family member, however does anybody have any knowledge or info on this product. According to the reviews on the internet it seems to be good though. [/quote']

 

I tested one about a year ago for SuperCycling - tested SRM, Powertap, Ergomo, and iBike.

 

There has been a lot of product development done on the iBike in the last 12 months.  At the time, I experienced some of the limitations of the product at that stage - primarily in terms of the roads that I ride on - the roads at the Cradle of Humankind area are mainly chipseal, so there is a lot of vibration on the bike, and that used to cause the unit quite a lot of problems.

 

The unit measures acceleration, wind speed, bike speed, and gradient, and based on the weight and CdA/Crr of the rider, calculates the power the rider must be producing on a real-time basis.  Due to the fact that many variables are being measured, calibration is critical to getting reasonable numbers out of the unit, and it is not always obvious which sensor has not been calibrated properly based on the readings.  There are multiple calibration procedures:

1. Tilt calibration for the tilt sensor.
2. Air pressure sensor calibration / wind speed sensor.

3. Coast down calibration to determine Crr and CdA.
4. Accurate input of bike and rider mass - including stuff like helmets, waterbottles etc.

Although the procedures are not that hard, it adds a few minutes onto the beginning of your ride, which is a pain when rushing to get to the Engen at 5:00am in the morning.

 

Some major improvements have been made to the unit since I tested it:

• Improved coast down procedure, including an out and back calibration ride.
• Cross-correlation between tilt sensor and altimeter which improves gradient calculation.
• Software post-processing which applies previous calibration and bike profile info to improve the results.
• Vibration damper to reduce the effects of road vibration.
• Improved firmware for vibration handling.

A major new feature is the compatibility with Ant+.  The new unit (iBike Aero) will take the power data from a 'force based' power measuring device as well as measuring wind resistance etc - so the unit can be used to improve aero position etc without the use of a wind tunnel.

 

There are certain things the unit cannot overcome:

• Riding in the draft of another rider causes problematic readings.
• Changes in rider position i.e. moving from the hoods to the drops will change drag coefficient and introduce errors.

For these reasons the unit is probably more popular in the triathalon/TT world.

 

I am planning to do another insert for SuperCycling on all the new Power Meter technology so hopefully I will get a chance to give the new iBike a whirl and see how it goes.

 

[bruce]

 

Dont be so hasty. I heard that they are bringing out something that will enable you to use the ibike on an IDT so it may be ok.

 

I think that capability is already available.  The speed vs. power curve for a number of popular indoor trainers can be programmed into the unit, then the unit calculates your power output based on the speed that you are riding.