8 replies to this topic Post Order

[HappyMartin]

I realize that I am preaching to the choir but anyway.

I am thinking about buying a power meter. I suppose I am trying to justify buying a power meter. It would be good to get some input from you guys that have used these things.

I am 48 and am not a serious cyclist as such but love cycling and am doing about 10 hours a week on the bike including 2 and a half hours predawn during the week(bloody cold at the moment) as well as about 4 to 5 hours of spinning per week.

I would love to maximize both my enjoyment and get the most benefit from my training. I do use my HR monitor a lot and rely on it a great deal

My questions are
1 Are power meters easy to use and do they add to the fun?
2 Will I see improvements over using a HR monitor in terms of getting the most from my training?
3 Are they reliable or will they keep costing me money?
4 Are there on line resources where I can get some help in interpreting the data and planning my training?
5 Cycleops  Powertap seems to be the device of choice. Are there local suppliers and what would a device cost locally that would synch with my Edge 705?

I am interested in any personal experiences both positive and negative regarding the usage and performance changes seen with power meters. This seems to be an expensive piece of kit.

Thank you all for reading this long post and list of questions

[bruce]

First off, I'm very much in the power meter camp, so read my answers with that in mind!

 

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My questions are
1 Are power meters easy to use and do they add to the fun?

That depends a lot on you.  Some people like technical stuff, and love to figure out all the functions, plot the charts, read the data etc etc.  Other people don't like that, and prefer to go by feel.  Both ways work for people that are suited.

 

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2 Will I see improvements over using a HR monitor in terms of getting the most from my training?

A lot will depend on how effectively you use the tool.  The tool itself doesn't make a better practitioner, but a better tool can help you be more effective.  IMO a power meter is a better tool.

 

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3 Are they reliable or will they keep costing me money?

Both   Reliable, good quality units tend to cost more money.  Initial setup cost is expensive, no doubt, but the units are reliable and can be used for many years.

 

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4 Are there on line resources where I can get some help in interpreting the data and planning my training?

There are quite a few coaching services that help with coaching and interpreting data.  Search through this forum and ask around.

 

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5 Cycleops  Powertap seems to be the device of choice. Are there local suppliers and what would a device cost locally that would synch with my Edge 705?

All powermeter's have pro's and con's.  Crank based srm's allow you to change wheels etc.  Hub based powertaps are not as expensive, but they are built into a wheel which limits your wheel choices.  Again, what works best will depend on your own circumstances and budget.

Search through the archives on the forum - i have written a guide to the pro's and con's of various power meters a couple of years back.

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I am interested in any personal experiences both positive and negative regarding the usage and performance changes seen with power meters. This seems to be an expensive piece of kit.

You'll need to evaluate peoples experiences based on your own way of doing things.  I'm and engineer, I am analytical and hence I really enjoy the fact that a power meter is an accurate performance measurement device.  I get motivation from that.  There are others that just like to ride their bikes and go by feel.  Their experiences with a power meter will be very different to mine.

I have had good results using a power meter, but there are plenty of people out there that have achieved great results without a power meter.

 

Assess this information based on your own way of doing things.

[HappyMartin]

Thanks Bruce, that helps a lot. I am planning on buying a new bike in 6 months if I keep riding with my current level of enthusiasm and I think I will factor in the cost of a power meter. Gives me time to learn a little about it. 

[Naas V]

It's overrated, overpriced and should never be continiously used without monitoring your heartrate as well.

There are only a small number of people that really fall in love with this tool due to the complexity of all the available information(graphs) and how it should be interpreted(not always easy) Don't be impressed by people telling you they pushed so and so watts - there's a lot of other info to take into account.

You'll most probably need a qualified coach as well to guide you through this experience and should factor the cost of that in as well.

See if you can get a second hand powertap and play with that a while( can even rent it from some people or find somebody that's fed up with his and borrow it for a while)

After that experience you might find yourself thinking that a heartrate monitor is much more economical in terms of investment and the fitness results it can help you return/achieve.

Latest rumours in some articles also points to a "comeback" to HRM training.

I am also slightly older than you and I think it's imperative, with al life's stresses and challenges, that you have a tool at your disposal that can monitor how you  feel(lower heartrate than normal can indicate pending sickness) This is especially helpful on some days when you don't feel all that well and should actually not be training at all.

Good luck,

Naas

[bruce]

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It's overrated, overpriced and should never be continiously used without monitoring your heartrate as well.

There are only a small number of people that really fall in love with this tool due to the complexity of all the available information(graphs) and how it should be interpreted(not always easy) Don't be impressed by people telling you they pushed so and so watts - there's a lot of other info to take into account.

You'll most probably need a qualified coach as well to guide you through this experience and should factor the cost of that in as well.

See if you can get a second hand powertap and play with that a while( can even rent it from some people or find somebody that's fed up with his and borrow it for a while)

After that experience you might find yourself thinking that a heartrate monitor is much more economical in terms of investment and the fitness results it can help you return/achieve.

Latest rumours in some articles also points to a "comeback" to HRM training.

I am also slightly older than you and I think it's imperative, with al life's stresses and challenges, that you have a tool at your disposal that can monitor how you  feel(lower heartrate than normal can indicate pending sickness) This is especially helpful on some days when you don't feel all that well and should actually not be training at all.

Good luck,

Naas

So, if you aren't feeling well, and your HR is okay, does that mean you should go training?

[Naas V]

Depends Bruce...rather check with your doctor

Anything else?

[bruce]

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Depends Bruce...rather check with your doctor

Anything else?

Nope, you clearly have it all worked out.

[HappyMartin]

Cycling is just entertainment when you really get down to it. Three visits to the gym a week is most likely all we need for our health, the rest is just for fun. I would like to ride better and fly up hills and so on because that is fun. Not hurting myself and getting the most benefit from my training also ads to the fun.

HRM add to the fun for me, so does putting my ride info from my Edge into Garmin's TC. I wonder if a power meter will be a step too far and irritate me or will it add another dimension of fun.

If I keep up current levels of enthusiasm and meet personal targets regarding race times and weight, and if I get the money together for my new bike, then I will reward myself with a power meter. If it doesn't work out that will be a shame and I will sell it for what I can. At least i will be able to say I tried.

Thank you all for the info, both for and against and I think I am going into this with my eyes open now.