I’m a data junky and in need of new wheels. So I figure I might build a new wheelset and at the same time lace in a new PowerTap. Rather than blow a lot of $$$ on a real nice set of wheels I figure I’ll get some more modest wheels and invest in a PowerTap.
My concern is how durable are the PowerTap systems? How do they do in the rain? Anyone out there with some serious milage on their PowerTap system?
Buy the PT. Put a cover on it for racing. A power measuring device is the best thing to hit triathlon since the wetsuit.
I bought mine used from a guy that put tons of miles on it (Francois). I have put two solid seasons on it with no ill effect. I sent it to the factory for an overhaul last fall. I think it was $40 and I got new cones and bearings and a calibration and new hub cover. I rarely ride it in the rain, but folks have had problems. If I need to ride in the rain this winter very often, I’ll probably leave it home on those rides. I raced Ralphs in the rain and it worked fine, but I had to re-zero the torque the next time I took it out.
Since late February I have put around 4000 miles on mine and love it, as I am a data junky too… too bad I did not look into that data a little more closely though… it is very easy to get sucked into seeing how high you can hold your power. Check out my post… kinda a what NOT to do story… http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=500285;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread
Best of luck with the PT… like ashburn said… greatest tool for long course triathlon racing… keeps ya in check 
good luck!
Are you asking if we love riding with a power meter or just specifically with a Powertap? I was fortunate to be able to buy an Egomo meter last year and I’m not sure why anyone would spend less and buy a Power Tap or more and buy SRM. The ergomo is easily the most versatile of the three and provides the best value by far.
I wrote a long explanation about why I believe this to a friend a while back. If you are interested, PM me.
Chad
mine is a love/hate relationship.
i’ve had no problems at all with it operating wise (rainy rides included). my problems come when i’m ‘stick a fork in me i’m done’ done and can’t push the power i need. you really know when you are having a bad day with a pt.
k
I own 3 complete sets and 4 total wheels…granted I do “loan” mine to athletes I coach to try out, but I love it! I have used one since it was made by Tune (remember them?). In fact I still have a Tune hub. 2006 will be my sixth year of using power and I actually just ordered an SRM too.
go for it, you will be hooked.
Kurt
The Egomo looks like a nice product, but still a little out of my price range. The Power Tap is also not cheap, but at $699 it might not be as hard of a sell to the wife 
I was thinking about a new wheelset but I figure I’ll get more out of a Power Tap.
In short, here is why I think Ergomo is a better value. You can train or race with it and don’t need any extra equipment. If you buy a powertap then at some point you are going to realize how useful that information is in a race. Then you will be stuck with the choice of using your heavy, non-aero powertrap wheel, or not racing with power. By the time you build the second wheel with a race-worthy rim you have now far exceeded the cost of an ergomo.
A friend of mine has been playing this game for a while now and has two or three Powertap wheels. Don’t get me wrong; he likes his PT a lot, but he has spent at least as much for his system as I did, when you compare his two wheelsets to my PM and rear Zipp disc.
You could build the powertap into a good rim and ride it all the time, but you better hope it is durable and you don’t ding it before race day.
If you know quite a bit about wheel building and can buy a Powertap and a used deep carbon rim cheap on eBay then you can go the economy route, but in the end you will need to make compromises.
And you can’t use a disc. Though you could make a cover for it. Just something to think about.
Chad
That’s the short version.
Chad,
you make some great points. But until they get the Ergomo sorted out (why do you think Hunter stopped distributing them) I am suspicious of its reliability and accuracy. Otherwise, the concept is awesome, execution still needs to be perfected.
Kurt
I’m sort of out of touch here in Iraq, but I have never had a problem with my ergomo. Perhaps others have, but mine has been simple and reliable to operate and download information.
Who or what is hunter?
Chad
I’ve just ordered my PT SL. I’m planning on lacing it to a Velocity Aerohead rim and getting a cover from Rich at wheelbuilder.com. That’ll give me a sturdy, relatively light, full-time wheel for both practice and racing.
That is a very solid option. I was just fortunate enough to make some money on the sale of a house so I could buy the ergomo and a Zipp disc. It’s as simple as changing from one wheel to another when I go to a race. No hassle.
Chad
I have a SL built into a 404 rim (plus a cover from Rich for a disc option too).
Hunter is Hunter from Cyclingpeaks. He used to distribute the Ergomo.
Kurt
cdw,
I read once that Ergomo is compatable w/ Shimano Octalink. How about an Isis BB?
Thanks
I love it!! I use it pretty exclusively in the rain–due to my rainy location. The electronics and head have been 100% reliable. The freehub side much less so, but I put a dura ace cassette body on and it’s trouble-free since then. I have over 30,000 mi on the hub! Worn through 4 rims and the hub still works. I’ve had to replace one head. Also, at least for me, their customer service has been excellent.
Good points about the egomo, too. The 8 second averaging made me wonder about it’s accuracy for short intervals, and I’ve heard some negative stuff about it’s reliability, but I’ve heard some good stuff, too! I’ve seen a couple go for cheap on the 'bay.
do you have any info on the cover you’re using and how it works for a 404?? thx
That is not a question to which I know the answer. I started with an octalink; they recalled it (I never had a problem) and I asked for them to send me a regular tapered BB in return. Since it came back I’ve not had a problem in a fall, winter and spring of riding.
Chad
http://www.wheelbuilder.com/index.asp
Check the Zipp power disc at the bottom of the page. It shows a 404 with a PT and a disc cover.
yea, that is the set-up.
kurt
OK, I gotta admit, that 404/PT/disc cover thing looks cool and all.
But, isn’t it kinda pointless?
If yer running a 404, are you really in need of a disk cover?
And if yer gonna run a disk cover, then why not just go w/ a cheaper training-type rim, so if you are indeed going to use it for training, that you don’t trash a $700+ rim if ya hit a pothole or whatever while training.
I’d imagine the aero qualities and weight are very similar for a 404, or an Open Pro, when both are paired w/ a disc cover. (I could be wrong)
If you are possibly going to Kona, then mebbe the 404/disc cover combo makes semse. (cover for all other races, 404 for Kona) For all the rest of us (or at least me), I just don’t get it…