I posted a few weeks ago asking about computrainer vs. tacx vs. the performance version of the computrainer.
Tribriguy suggested scrapping that idea entirely and just getting a PT and using my regular trainer.
I am now leaning toward that idea but here is my problem:
I want to start training/racing with power but am not sure what set up to go for - money may be a limiter. Right now I have a set of zipp404s for racing and a set of ultegras for everyday riding on my tri bike.
do i sell my current set of 404’s, go with a PT on 404’s and ride the rear wheel every day? Get an aero cover for race day(I also would like to use a disc at IMAZ)
do i go with a PT on a more durable wheel and race without power (duh, no)
do i save up (would have to wait a few months) to get a srm setup and not have to worry about what wheels i am using?
If you can’t ride the zipp rear wheel every day, sell it and buy a wheel you can. Then put the PT on that wheel and buy disk covers from wheelbuilder.com.
Look at Rich Strauss’ offer of a PT, rear wheel and disk covers on cruciblefitness.com
Seriously, though…you’ve now hit the conundrum of PT owners everywhere. Here’s my experience:
I’ve been on a PT pro for 3 years now. I train on it about 90% of the time and certainly for all of my meaningful training. When I started, I had my PT Pro hub built into a 650 wheel with a CXP-33 rim. After a truck destroyed my beloved Saber…I decided to go with a 700 tri bike so that I could swap my PT between both road and tri bikes in order to ride more often with power. So I had the hub rebuilt into a 700 CXP-33 wheel. And that is the way it stayed until this year. I did countless races on that wheel…usually with a Hed3 or Alps up front. I didn’t have a cover for it. Having the power information to race smartly made more difference to me than any potential time loss over using my rear H3 or Alps wheels. I used full aero wheels ONLY for my A race…I found that I had a good PE sense by that time…this year I wanted to invest in a PT aero wheel, but it just never worked out. I’ll probably get one this year. But bottom line…you’ll be fine getting a PT built with a training-worthy rim. You can train AND race with that wheel…you SHOULD race with the wheel…the feedback and after-race analysis will prove enlightening…and as others note…you can always run a disc cover on an Open Pro or CXP-33 rimmed PT wheel. Yes…it’ll be a bit heavy…but I guarantee you that won’t make a difference unless you are trying win mountain climbs…
Bottom line…my advice:
Get a PT Pro. Build it with 28 spokes and a CXP-33 rim. The thing will be bulletproof, if built right. Ride it ALL of the time…including all of your racing. Get a disc cover from www.wheelbuilder.com. Even if you can’t get the disc cover…race this wheel at IMAZ. If you’ve done your power homework between now and the race…you’ll get more out of the PT than a disc.
Hmmm… I was just waiting to be corrupted! Seriously, thanks I do think training with power all year long is the way to go and you are right, i am sure the graphics and charm of riding IM courses on the computrainer will wear off.
I too have a 650 tri bike and 700 road bike so the PT would only be for my tri bike, which is fine because I mainly use the road bike for offseason/fun or very hilly group rides.
I am also doing LP and am not the greatest climber (haha, yes) so being as light as possible would be a plus.
I am going to contact wheelbuilder and see what they have to say…
FWIW…I just bought a PT SL for $985.00 at Alfred E. Bikes (aebikes.com). Built into a Swiss DT 1.1 32h rim. Only have 3 rides with it. So far so good. AEBikes was good to deal with. Total price was $992.00 for the PT SL, DT 1.1 wheel, and shipping ($7.00). One of the best deals I’ve found for a PT.
