I am renting wheels for IM Muncie 70.3 for my newly acquired 2014 Shiv Expert. I just borrowed a friend’s wired PowerTap and performed an FTP test. Would I be better off using that FTP information with the 808 PT wheel or using the faster Super 9 disc? I’m sure the answer is “it depends”, but I’d like to hear your thoughts…
Also, I am a 1:21:xx open half marathoner. The main reason for asking the wheel question is so that I can play to my strength and set up for a good run (808/PT, presumably), but still go fast on the bike (Super 9 disc, presumably). If I owned the wheels I would use a cover, but that is not the case.
And for a bonus question, do I run a 404 or 808 front?
Since you don’t normally train with the power and the test was kind of a one off thing (at least that’s how I read it) I would say go with the super 9 and an 808 front. Pace yourself off of HR or however you have typically done your bike training.
Good point. I should have stated that I have been using Trainer Road’s “virtual power” for a couple of years now. During that time I have done Trainer Road’s FTP tests using virtual power along the way. My true power test yielded lower numbers than the virtual, but I am not discouraged by that. I feel like I now know my current true FTP. If it still sounds like a bad idea, I’ll opt for the disc.
ETA: Also, Muncie is not my A race. If successful, my idea was to use the same strategy for IM Chattanooga: Train with TR virtual, test actual FTP with borrowed PT prior to race and then rent). Ideally, I will save up for a PowerTap trainer wheel with disc cover prior to Chattanooga, but we’ll see…
Take the 808 with the PT and tape over the power data or configure the screen so it doesn’t show. You’ll have the data afterwards to use as a guide in training for your goal races.
Can you borrow your friend’s wired PT again before the race and do a 2 hr IM paced effort (what you think you’d ride at) and see how you run off that? Personally I think that using a power meter makes pacing so much easier it almost feels like cheating and would definitely be looking to use it in the race so that you don’t overbike and can play to your run strengths.
I still have the borrowed PT wheel, but I don’t think that it is compatible with an 11-speed cassette. I just picked my Shiv up on Thursday and the FTP test was done on an Allez (10-speed cassette). The borrowed wheel originally had a 9-speed cassette, but the 10-speed I installed did fine on the trainer. I’m trying to get all of my riding in on the Shiv between now and Muncie, especially the planned 40 miler for this weekend. Otherwise, that would be a great plan.
So it sounds like I just need to determine whether I want to ride the faster wheel or if I want to collect blind power data as AaronT suggested to use in the future. BUT, if I go with the data collection option, would it still be of use if I did another (borrowed) PowerTap FTP test prior to IM Chattanooga in late September (assuming that I’ll only have Trainer Road to work with in the interim)?
If the wind is light, since it’s a fast, flat course, you won’t gain much with the disc over a 808. If you had been training enough to know what power levels to ride at, then I’d say use the PT wheel. Hell, in 2 weeks you might even collect enough data using similar HR pacing to know what power number to target. Pacing evenly is so critical, that I’d actually say you’re better off with the PT rear over the disc.
What are the wind conditions predicted? More cross wind = bigger disc advantage. Actually in light-moderate winds from the right direction (mostly cross winds), overall times are actually lower when you pace it correctly because at certain yaw angles you have a lot less drag.
I have been leaning toward using the PT 808 and I actually just changed some of the data fields on my 910XT to show it before I bumped this thread. I’m mainly a mountain biker and race by RPE. When I do ride on the road (not very often) in the wind I have a tendency to try and overcompensate to try to hold on to a certain mph. That is another reason I think that the power meter could help me: Decide on a number (200-210W?) and take what the conditions give me. Then pass everyone on the run. I’ll have plenty to pass since I’m a slow swimmer.
Right now The Weather Channel is calling for SSW winds at 6-8 mph that morning.
I’ll have plenty to pass since I’m a slow swimmer.