Recently got into biking and want to get into it pretty seriously. I’ve got the go ahead from my boss (wife) for a power meter to help me train but not for a new bike. Thinking about a Quarq with a Garmin setup, but I’m starting to have second thoughts about it. For one, I have an old Specialized Allez I got from CL with pretty low end components.
My plan is to train all this year and then get a nicer bike to start in 2011. Input from the tribe here on whether I should get a better bike now without a power meter or buy a ridiculous power meter and wait a year for a better bike.
After going both routes before … IF you implement the powermeter properly, then definitely get it first. It will make much more of a difference at the end of 1 year (and a lot during the 2nd) then a new bike will. Hell, I can’t seem to be happy with any bike after about 2-3 years and I’m constantly breaking components anyway …
If you really use the PM to train then it will do more for you performance wise then any other equipment. It takes 6mo-year before you start to “get” PM training. IMO you’re plan is a good one. Build the engine first then fine tune the equipment(which is the easy part). FWIW, my current bike is worth less than my PM and I’ve had a PM for 6 years. Also, you don’t have to spend 2K. A PT or a used wired SRM are rock solid power tools.
****You know, you’re pretty much right. I’d probably want to change the bike after another year or two later anyway.
Also, to clarify I’m not saying the Allez is a POS. I’m just saying that in my mind it’s harder to justify a component that’s 4X more $$ than what I paid for my bike. Sort of like those guys who add all these crazy components to their Dodge Neon.
After going both routes before … IF you implement the powermeter properly, then definitely get it first. It will make much more of a difference at the end of 1 year (and a lot during the 2nd) then a new bike will. Hell, I can’t seem to be happy with any bike after about 2-3 years and I’m constantly breaking components anyway …
In my opinion you can become a good to great rider without a powermeter. I have been racing seriously for 8 years or so and just bought my first Power Tap. I think that if you can convince your wife to spend the $2200 on a new bike now you will be in a better position than buying the powermeter now. If there is no way around it and want to spend the $2K anyway then go for it. I think that the new bike will serve you better at this time in your development than the meter will.
I know it’s ST you’re asking on and everyone claims they need a powermeter… but I would say you’d be better off to just ride your bike a lot with good workouts and you’ll be fine and have $2200 to do something more meaningful with. I 've had a powermeter for several years and it was fun to download all your ride data and dwell on it a lot for several months … then it just became rather time consuming and took much of the fun out of just riding hard. I haven’t used it for 2 seasons now and my riding is actually more enjoyable now and just as fast as it ever was with a meter to be slaved to. It won’t make much difference except on ST where everyone can dwell on whats wrong with their powerfiles and whether they zero’d their meter correctly
If you’ve convinced yourself that a power meter is necessary, a powertap wheel is a lot less than $2200. I have a couple of roadie friends who train with powertaps and manage to win cat 2 road races.
When someone asks if a powermeter will help their biking, the implication is always that it is utilized to its potential. No one is claiming that slapping a meter on a bike and training the same will do anything. Same reason a new bike tends to make one faster - you bike more! I love going completely computerless too - it makes biking enjoyable and fun, but I’d be fooling myself if I thought my training (for racing) is “better” this way. More enjoyable though - definitely.
But, if used properly, a powermeter can change the way you train forever and will make a difference in your racing.
This is definitely what I hear. I’ve been reading about periodization and other training methods and trying to be consistent with all of them.
Another large reason I’m leaning towards a powermeter is that I recently injured myself from over training. Just too much too soon. So in effect I’m not only looking for a powermeter to help make my training more focused and hopefully avoid overdoing it in the future.
Others who suggest the bike first and power meter later, I hear you. I see a ton of great bikes I could get for $2200 that would just make my weekend rides that much more enjoyable. Thanks for your input.
Now, I guess I just have to decide between a powertap and a Quarq. . . .
But, if used properly, a powermeter can change the way you train forever and will make a difference in your racing.
Get a Powertap for ~$500 (Ebay, classifieds here) and put the rest towards saving up for a nice bike? I have three PTs and haven’t spend $2200.
And rroof is right, that assumes you use the powermeter correctly. Again, take some of the savings and buy Racing and Training with a Powermeter or get a consult with a coach. The coaches I know have a “one time consult” catch all that can really set you on the right path w/o a monthly commitment.
I assume that you allez is in road bike form? If so, get a Tri bike… One of the killer sub 2k bikes. Cervelo P1 or felt s32 and get a good bike fit. You can sell the allez, get the s32 and a wired powetap and still be on budget.
Here should be a good order:
get a good bike
get fit onto bike
get all your aero weenie stuff taken care of
get a power meter
A power meter only allows you to train better. all the other things make you faster without having to increase fitness.
A power meter only allows you to train better. all the other things make you faster without having to increase fitness.
Ha! Yeah I know. This reminds me the conversations I have with my new found weight-weenie friends with carbon fiber everything.
Note: I’ve lost 10lbs since I’ve started riding a bike. Maybe I can convince my wife that this is equal to the cost of 1/2 a bike. So that’s what? Another $1000? Of course . . . knowing her she may make me pay it back if I *gain *weight. Hmmmm . . . limited gain and unlimited loss. . . . if only there was a way to place a covered call on this and hedge my liability.
Brand new from wheelbuilder, a kinlin rear wheel with pro+ tap and a garmin 310XT and a wheel cover was under 1500. And you can move it to your next bike whenever you decide to buy it.
