I’m looking for power meter investment thoughts - I’m a big DCrainmaker fan so I’m aware of the
options. I like to buy once, pick and company, and stick with it.
Set up:
Road bike: 105 11 speed, specialized OSBB
Tribike: DA 10 speed, BSA68 (cervelo p1 - it was called P2SL when I picked it up)
Race wheels: HED jet60 10 speed. (these get used fairly often even when not “racing”)
Power options I’m thinking about:
Quarq GXP + two new BBs (I’d get the praxis ones) to covert both bikes to GXP. I’d also
send the HED rear for 11 speed conversion. This will cost more in the short term, but I can still use my nice wheels on either bike with power.
PT: If I didn’t have the Jets I would get a PT and wheel cover without question. I could
get power from either bike, but my HED jet60 rear wheel would likely never be used again.
I would be tempted to then save for a jet90 PT I expect. More expensive in the long run.
I like to buy “once” so to speak and keep my equipment for a long time. I mostly ride my road bike these days. I am turning into one of those “hidden” triathletes that only does a race once a year or so, but
I’ve been doing this sport long enough to know I’m in it for the long term. What do people think is the best
investment to maximize the equipment I’ve already spent money on? Anyone have issues with the OSBB to GXP conversion BB? Or Quarq on a Roubaix?
I vote Jet 9 PT rear. I have a Jet 6/9 PT setup with wheel cover on my P3. I prefer using the same wheels everyday and only put the disc cover on for a race. Also prefer the look over training wheels. Crank power is better if you plan on switching wheels
Not to be too technical, but unless you plan to make some money off your bike split, this is not an investment.
In fact, if this equipment “helps” it is likely to be an “anti-investment.” Your bike split improves- you qualify for more remote, more expensive races- you “invest” in even more expensive equipmement.
It is like a wealth destroying death ray.
Fortunately, most equipment does not work that well.
In the true meaning of the word you are correct. I could buy something that will earn me money. Sports equipment does not earn me money. But I still see it as an investment - the pay off is just not monetary - it is enjoyment. I like looking at graphs and improving - that is worth money to me.
Both power meters will work just fine. The reason I like my quarq over my PT is it gives me more rear wheel options for racing as well as allowing me to keep my race wheels race ready. No need to swap tires or tubes for the rear wheel when moving from training to racing. Those are just minor issues though. The quarq does have a minor issue in that it takes a tool and a few minutes to swap between bikes, but I’ll take that any day over swapping tires, tubes, and disc covers.
Faced with this same situation, I went the other direction–BB30 power meter with a BSA30 bottom bracket for my threaded frame. It’s worked out great, and it’s as future-proof as you can get. The crank will work on any frame, and you won’t be using any adapters.
I’m biased towards Powertap, and would lean that way for sure. If you are in Madison, they’re right here to stop in for advice or issues. I’d be a bit patient and try, compare and see what comes up in the coming months. The power business has been really changing and I have a feeling that something new could break soon…
I’m biased towards Powertap, and would lean that way for sure. If you are in Madison, they’re right here to stop in for advice or issues. I’d be a bit patient and try, compare and see what comes up in the coming months. The power business has been really changing and I have a feeling that something new could break soon…
No offense, but I’ve been hearing that for 15 years now. Every time someone waits for “something to come along”, they just end up getting mad… There are plenty of good options out there right now. Making an accurate, precise and reliable power meter isn’t cheap, and I don’t see waiting a few months really changing anything.
Not sure what you’re saying…you mean the last 15 years haven’t meant any progress??? The last year alone has yielded crazy action that has brought power meters down to anyone’s level as far as cost and accuracy. I just think the competition and new developments have really caused incredible growth by each pushing the others. I feel some interesting new things are about to pop…just IMO.
Not sure what you’re saying…you mean the last 15 years haven’t meant any progress??? The last year alone has yielded crazy action that has brought power meters down to anyone’s level as far as cost and accuracy. I just think the competition and new developments have really caused incredible growth by each pushing the others. I feel some interesting new things are about to pop…just IMO.
Stages and power2max did do a good job of pushing powertap prices down a bit. So there is that.
There isn’t much anything new on the market that makes for a substantively better powermeter…maybe active temp compensation on the quarqs? Is that working out well?
Prices are coming down, but I wouldn’t say at a fast enough rate where it’s worth it to keep waiting. Power meters do not bring instantaneous gains. It takes time to develop unlike other things we spend money on such as fast tires, latex tubes, race wheels, skin suits, or aero helmets which are effective right out of the box.
If you offered me a FREE power meter 2 years from now, with the stipulation that I couldn’t use a power meter until then…I’d turn that offer down.
Oh, I completely agree about getting one soon. I did not mean to infer 2 years…just a few months. There are many indoor tools right now to do the power work indoors, from TrainerRoad, indoor training centers to CycleOps Virtual training, so one can get the training in. For me the real massive gain is racing long distance with one. Courses like IMWI are broken down much more easily with the feedback from the PM. The competition has really brought down the investment, and I believe that will continue. It’s a great time to be in the market for power…
Not sure what you’re saying…you mean the last 15 years haven’t meant any progress??? The last year alone has yielded crazy action that has brought power meters down to anyone’s level as far as cost and accuracy. I just think the competition and new developments have really caused incredible growth by each pushing the others. I feel some interesting new things are about to pop…just IMO.
There hasn’t been much improvement in accuracy over the past decade. Indeed the trend has been to sacrifice accuracy for less important “features”.