Considering swapping to SRM

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m looking for a little advice here:

I have two bikes and two sets of wheels. I’m addicted to using power to train; at this point, I can’t see giving that up.

I have one set of 808 tubulars and one set of reynolds mv32c (32mm depth clinchers) both with powertap 2.4+. I use the garmin 310 to collect/record data.

I’d like to have a little more ability to change up wheelsets based on weather/wind/etc, and I don’t want to have to keep buying/finding wheelsets with powertaps in them (and then doing the ANT+ update, etc). One solution is to buy 2 SRM units, sell the powertap wheelsets, and then buy whatever I want. Pretty big pain to do that, not to mention taking a cash hit on the wheelsets.

For those of you out there that have made a similar switch, would you do it again?

Any issues with SRM vs. Powertap that I might not be considering?

I have a Specialized Tarmac sl2 pro, and a kuota kalibur. I’m not likely to change either of those out in the next 3 years or so.

Thanks in advance!

Keith

2

You have a great set-up. I think you may be looking for more “tweaking” of your wheelsets than is necessary based on wind. The only addition I might make would be a 404 front. With that, you are set. The only thing “missing” is a rear disc, but you can easily get a cover for your rear 808 for cheap.

3

Have you considered a Quarq?

4

run the 808 with a cover for races, clincher for training. What is the problem? Wind should not affect rear wheel choice

5

I’ve done the Powertap to SRM to Powertap back to SRM switch… My advice would be to keep what you have, as long as the 2 PM’s are reading consistently close to each other. No matter what you do, there are always compromises. Remember that while a crank-based PM may give you more wheel flexibility, it also give you less crank flexibility. While this may not sound like a big deal, what if you want to try different crank lengths, or you get a frame with a different BB standard? The Quarq is a compromise as well, since you can’t change the chainrings without sending the unit back (though I’ve heard there’s a workaround for this).

This isn’t theoretical mumbo jumbo, this is my actual experience: the inflexibility with the cranks is just as big a hassle (or more) as the inflexibility with the wheels. And realistically, with an 808, a semi-deep aluminum training wheel and a cover, you really have all of the bases covered.