I am reading somethings about the Ergomo Pro powermeter.
Do you guys know more about the pro version of the ergomo? What is the advantage over the previous version?
And can I use it with a powercrank?
Where are you reading things? I don’t see anything official out there about a new Ergomo. I do know that there is supposed to be a new Ergomo computer coming out with more customization (interval marking for example).
The first I read of the Ergomo Pro was on gordo’s forums. Randy of Ergomo later told me in an e-mail that the Pro version is a new computer. The sensor remains unchanged. Intervals/Laps/Splits, or whatever you want to call them, are planned. If I remember, the expected release date was this summer 2005 “at the earliest”.
On thing I’m hoping they will include is a removable flash card (just like a digital camera). Having the current 11 hour memory limitation is a problem for multi-day rides. Randy has never commented on whether this will or will not happen. It’s just the biggest improvement on my wish list.
On Powercranks: I exchanged a bunch of e-mails with Randy and Frank Day to ensure that the PC’s and Ergomo will work together. The result of these discussions was that the Octolink Ergomo with the stud will work with the MODEL 3 Powercranks. The newer, and current, model 4 Powercranks are incompatable. For square taper Ergomo which I don’t think have a stud, I think both model 3 and model 4 will work. Having said all that, I have yet to try my PC’s with my Octolink Ergomo.
Cheers,
Rob
Rob thanks. That’s what I wanted to know about the new ergomo.
But what is an stud?
And did it work with your ergomo/powercrank combination? And how was the output reacting when you where cycling with one leg?
I still don’t know which powermeter I should buy. A powertap or an ergomo.
I have used both. In my personal opinion go with the power tap. I use one for training and built up a power tap sl hub into a zipp 808. I am very happy with this combination and when you add everything up the cost is about the same. I do recommend the cycling peaks software though.
Regards,
Rich
I still don’t know which powermeter I should buy. A powertap or an ergomo.
I’ve got an ergomo and PT as well. Overall, the PT is tops on the list. Highly accurate, relatively bombproof, the PT Pro computer is fantastic. The only dislike? Time trialing or racing with a 32 spoke wheel is no fun. So until I pick up a new TT frame (my old Hooker frame has an interference in the BB with the ergomo), the ergomo is on the race bike allowing me any wheel choice and the PT is on the TT bike for those workouts.
Likes/dislikes about the ergomo? I like the easy to see numbers on the computer and the 5 second averaging. Dislikes - speed is displayed only in 0.5 mph increments, the handlebar mount isn’t very tight and the computer rattles on it unless you rig it up, accurate calibration can be a pain (I had to adjust the calibration number on one of mine by over 10% to read in the same ballpark as my PT), no interval feature so if you have multiple rides before downloading the stopwatch just continues since the last ride, megaslow download speed.
Does it matter which powertap it is?
For training purpose a powertap pro is just as good as a powertap SL? Is their a difference between durabillity (between pro and sl hub)?
A powertap pro with a mavic cxp 33 and 32 or 28 spokes should be it (my weight is 75kg)?
Same computer for both the SL and regular Pro. The bearings have been improved on the SL and it is a bit lighter. It also comes in Campy freehub so you don’t have to use a conversion cassette.
I’m using a Pro SL with 28 and am about your weight. No problems so far.
Rob thanks. That’s what I wanted to know about the new ergomo.
But what is an stud?
And did it work with your ergomo/powercrank combination? And how was the output reacting when you where cycling with one leg?
I still don’t know which powermeter I should buy. A powertap or an ergomo.
The first version of the Octalink Ergomos looked like a typical bottom bracket (albeit with a wire attached). The cranks slid on and a BOLT was used to press the cranks into place and hold them there. My understanding is that someone managed to break one of the BB’s by doing power jumps/burst/whatever and throwing out huge power (sorry, don’t remember the wattage so I won’t even guess). Ergomo discovered that one of their suppliers improperly hardened the metal. Ergomo recalled all Octalink style BB’s. That was in the spring of 2004. The replacement unit was redesigned with a threaded rod running through the BB and sticking out each end beyond the splines. This is the STUD. A NUT is used to press the cranks onto the splines and secure them. Hope all that makes sense.
The square taper Ergomo is like a typical BB using a BOLT.
I accidentally stripped the threads on one of the studs. Ergomo rebuilt my whole BB under warranty with no questions. For me anyway, they’re customer service has been very good. (Although they can be a little slow at answering e-mails).
I haven’t tried the Ergomo/PC combination yet. The PC’s are on my road bike. Several months ago, I changed my road bike position to match my tri bike position. So I no longer feel like I have to move the PC’s to the tri bike. I don’t forsee any problem with the output.
Some people have posted about the accuracy of the Ergomo. I would be more concerned about reproducability of your own results. The Ergomo has seemed fine to me.
The computer mount is loose just as “tigermilk” noted. I just use a bit of foam wedged between the computer and the mount to eliminate the rattling.
As others noted, you should get Cycling Peaks software. The Ergomo includes it, but that shouldn’t sway your decision of what to buy.
In part, your choice will be determined by what equipment you already have or plan to get, particularly wheels, and how you want to use power (training, racing, both). I have HED3 and a Renn disc. Those wheels preclude the used of PowerTap leaving SRM or Ergomo. I went with the cheaper options and don’t have any regrets.
Bottom line is that there isn’t a power system out there that does it all. Each one has trade-offs.
Cheers,
Rob