I saw this today and noticed at the bottom it can be “calibrated to work with other trainers.” Anyone ever use one of these with a Cyclops 2 trainer. Im a poor math teacher but would love some wattage rides on my measly trainer. It does not have to be perfect as long as its consistent.
Lee
http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?products_id=3392&osCsid=8965090a6c4b73d89ce4d5c064e6765f
I just read this http://www.kurtkinetic.com/computer_tech.php and it says that it is speed sensitive. I think this will work with what I want…but here is another question. The Cyclops has the knob to tighten the roller against the wheel. If this knob is not in the exact same place…will it still work consistently (and what I mean by that is that if I do a 1 hour ride with an average watts of 200 watts, will the same effort the next week show the same number if everything else remained the same.)
I also saw the Kinetic Power Computer at their website and would be interesting in learning from other ST’ers.
Anyone…bueller?
Kurt publishes the calibration factor on their website for several popular trainer models. Yes, the pressure of the roller will affect your wattage as it will change the rolling resistance. But if you pump your tires up to a certain pressure each time (say 100psi) and then record how much you tighten it (and then loosen the same number of turns each time) you’ll be fine – i.e. get it to where the tire does not slip, then back of 10 turns every time to get your bike out and then tighten 10 turns next time you set it up. That will give you good consistency. Certainly good enough for productive training.
I’m in the same boat with a fluid2 and considering the kurt computer.
If I understand we’re saying that the reading will be consistent, but not necesarily an accurate reading of power. In that case why not just use speed, assuming you have a rear wheel sensor, and use the same number of turns on the resistance piece? Wouldn’t it accomplish the same?
That would in fact be just as accurate. But perhaps the wattage calibration allows you to pick up 0.05mph difference in speed, which most computers do not show. That being said, the computer can definitely lag and doesn’t pick up power spikes for when you accelerate, etc. I compared it with my SRM, and it is close for “steady pedaling,” but is quite far off for changing speeds, when the Kurt says you are putting out less power than actually required.
I have one. I used it twice at it was accurate, then it went dead…then it came back live again the next ride…then it went dead again. I believe sweat got into the wiring because with this computer there are 2 components that plug into each other and the plug is really cheap. By default this plug will sit typically under the top tube or rear triangle somewhere…and of course being on a trainer sweat gets everywhere.
If you can keep it dry it is a real cheap alternative for indoor training. No bells/whistles but something to keep you focused on during the winter boredom rides. What I don’t like is the lack of lap counters. It only measures your full ride. So you can’t really measure watts per interval etc…
If you are looking for a recommendation, I would say pass.