MAIN INDEX RULES & LEGEND LOG IN  

Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Ergomo Power Meter

 
   
Tri ForumTri
ClassifiedsClassifieds
Lavender RoomLavender
JobsJobs
The WomensWomens
NoticesNotices


Jhanley

Jul 18, 12 11:33

Post #1 of 14 (1244 views)
Ergomo Power Meter Quote | Reply
Anyone ever use an ergomo power meter?
I'm looking to get a power meter and these seem to be the most reasonably priced.
I've read that they only measure from the left side. How would this affect accuracy?
Also, is accuracy really that important as long as its consistent?


AMT04

Jul 18, 12 11:41

Post #2 of 14 (1225 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Jhanley] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
I'm pretty sure Ergomo is out of business and not on the market anymore. Maybe you can find a used unit somewhere.

Your best choices are probably between Powertap & Quarq if cost is a big consideration.


-Andrew


Russ Brandt

Jul 18, 12 12:26

Post #3 of 14 (1194 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Jhanley] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Ive had an ergomo on my tri bike for many years now. As far as I know, they are not being made or actively marketed now so supply is usually the used parts aftermarket. Over the years I've picked up many parts, computers etc for pretty cheap.
I've been pretty fortunate that the unit has been solidly performing giving accurate measurements. I really like the computer that has NP, TSS and IF in real time. Those metrics are more available now, but for the past few years Ergomo was the only way to see these metrics real time.
A definate downside is that you must replace the bottom bracket of your bike with the Ergomo and especially with modern bottom bracket setups, the Ergomo is quite a bit heavier. Also, you'll be limited on what kind of chainrings you can mate with the Ergomo (especially if you get the square taper version).


Jamaican

Jul 18, 12 13:13

Post #4 of 14 (1149 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Jhanley] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
You'll need a powertap to properly calibrate it anyway.

Kangaroos are like T-Rex deers. Think about it.

For Sale: TT Helmet, Zipp Vuka, Torhans, SRAM Force, Vision | WTB: Xterra Sleeveless Wetsuit


corneliused

Jul 18, 12 13:33

Post #5 of 14 (1124 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Jhanley] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Those in the know say it only measures left side power and multiplies by 2. Probably good enough, but that's the drawback, afaik.


Dave_Ryan

Jul 18, 12 14:00

Post #6 of 14 (1104 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Jamaican] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
+1, the big drawback with Ergomos is that you cannot perform a static loaded torque test as you can with an SRM, PT or Quarq. That and their accuracy is pretty sensitive to installation issues.

I ran one for about my first six months of power training but then switched systems after getting seemingly random high readings and having no way to verify the Ergomo's accuracy. When I looked into it I was actually told to borrow a friend's PT hub to validate the Ergomo's accuracy, pretty strange advice....use the competitor's product to see if our's is as accurate as theirs which can be statically checked at home.

FWIW, Ergomo still seems to be in business: http://www.ergomousa.com/ and I see they introduced an improved measurement gauge in 2010 so perhaps the readings are more stable than what I used back in '06 but you still won't be able to verify the accuracy statically and will need to test it dynamically against some other device such as a calibrated PT or Computrainer. Perhaps that's good enough as a training device if the readings don't vary over time, but without the ability to verify accuracy how will you know if those readings are stable over time or if any differences you're seeing could be tied to fitness or fatigue changes over time?

-Dave


Jhanley

Jul 19, 12 10:12

Post #7 of 14 (1027 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Jhanley] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
How do other power meters check their accuracy?


Dave_Ryan

Jul 19, 12 11:21

Post #8 of 14 (1005 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Jhanley] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
With most of the big brand power meters you can hang a known weight of the pedal to measure the reported crank torque vs. the known applied crank torque. Power equals crank torque multiplied by angular velocity (which is basically just rpm and easy to measure accurately) of the power measurement device (e.g. cranks or hub depending on brand) so if you know torque measurement accuracy, you know power measurement accuracy.

The trouble with Ergomo's design is that torque can only be measured dynamically while the bottom bracket spindle is spinning under load so you cannot just hang a known weight off of a pedal and get a reported torque reading from the Ergomo CPU but you can do exactly that with an SRM, Quarq or a PT Hub.

-Dave


Jhanley

Jul 19, 12 13:04

Post #9 of 14 (964 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Dave_Ryan] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Oh ok. But what does that do for you? would I still have to send it back in?
My coach has a computrainer set up, would this be ok to make sure its accurate?


sto

Jan 9, 13 12:10

Post #10 of 14 (692 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [Jhanley] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Hey, did you ever find out if Ergomo USA is still in business? I've emailed them about a repair and no response. They were running up to about a year ago when I last contacted them.

Thanks, Sue


-------------------------------------------------
"so i've got that going for me, which is nice"
- Carl Spackler


IronTwitch

Jan 10, 13 13:35

Post #11 of 14 (591 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [sto] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Looks like Ergomo has been out of business since 2008 according to Wikipedia. There's no site for the article, but other blogs say the same. Not sure why the Ergomo's website is still online.




jeffp

Jan 10, 13 13:36

Post #12 of 14 (590 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [IronTwitch] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
they went out and came back, i believe


I Wear a Speedo

Jan 10, 13 13:54

Post #13 of 14 (575 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [IronTwitch] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
If anyone knows how I can get my Ergomo unit back from Jason Goldberg.......

Yeah, I brought that back up.




trainingfx

Jan 10, 13 15:45

Post #14 of 14 (531 views)
Re: Ergomo Power Meter [I Wear a Speedo] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Hi Guys,

Ergomo is definitely still in business! We have been selling and servicing their power meters since 2003. There were some messy political issues around 2008 and ownership changed hands back to the founder of the company ( Thankfully! ) We continue to source systems and parts from Germany, and have a loyal following for parts and service.


Actually there is a special on complete systems and sensors at the moment.


We source direct so their is no middle man. We complete all the same services ErgomoUSA did ( in fact they just copied our services ;), so if you need anything serviced, batteries replaced etc, just contact us http://www.trainingfx.com. Also I understand that some people have lost equipment that was being serviced, so we are helping out by providing a deep discount on new hardware if you can provide the original ErgomoUSA paperwork for your order/service etc so we can get you back up and running.


New products on the horizon BB30 sensor, and a ANT+ module to connect to your existing sensors ( battery pack built in ) , just check in with our site for updates. If you need to discuss anything specific, just contact me directly @ sales@trainingfx.com


Cheers


Anthony

   
 
 
 
Cycling shoe footbeds
Do you have or are you considering custom cycling shoe footbeds?
Don't have, don't see the value
Don't have, might want
Do have, me likey
Tried them, didn't help
Haven't thought about it