I just purchased a Cervelo Dual, Ultegra, with Easton Vista wheels yesterday and am thinking about buying a power meter to aid in my Ironman CdA 2008 training.
It looks like most units from CycleOps come with a wheel. Is it required to use their wheel or can you just buy at hub? Any recommendations from Power Meter users would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
All of the first time Ironmen and Ironwomen have inspired me to take on the challenege. Thank you for all of your race reports!
You can buy a hub seperately with different spoke configurations.
Any recommendations on what model to buy and what are you experiences with that model?
I have a PowerTap SL (not the wireless). I love having the wattage info, etc. I bought the hub and computer online and had a bike shop install it on my current wheel.
If you train and race on the same wheel it’s pretty straight forward. It gets more complicated if you use a race wheel. Unless you buy a seperate PT hub you won’t have that info on race day. I wish I remembered where I bought mine because I got a great deal on a second hub to add to my Zipp race wheel.
A friend just went from using PowerTap to Ergomo. Advantage is that he can change wheels and not have to worry.
PowerTap has great customer service. A great small company. I would recommend buying new so you get a warranty, just in case. My only issue was my own fault so you likely won’t need their service.
Good luck.
How bout Ergomo? Rich sells them and has plans to match them,also does camps and talks for Cdal.
www.cruciblefitness.com/power/index.htm
tfun~
I second Rich Strauss’ programs. I used one of his power programs for IMCdA this year and had a good race, almost an hour faster than IMAZ last year. Go SRM if you can afford it. I run a PT SL on a 32-spoke rim for training and put a wheelbuilder cover on it for racing. Whatever you do, make sure you have power available to you on race day too. There’s a PT SL with two bike mounts and wheel cover on the ST classifieds right now for what looks like a good price. Don’t know the seller, but I like the product.
Craig.
All,
Thanks the props. Reports are beginning to filter back to me about Ergomo experiences at Brazil and CDA. I’ll have many more as we move through the season. I rode my Ergomo on the LP course for a training camp earlier this month.
These days I’m thinking of IM pacing more in terms of TSS in the legs vs IF. My training ride on the LP course was EXTREMELY educational, as I was able to see, feel, and taste 275 TSS as I climb up to town, then 285, 300, and finally 315. I had 2 x 1:1 coached athletes on the CDA course with Ergomos and it was very powerful to give them a TSS budget and to have those numbers in front of their noses in real time.
As I was out on the course on my motorcycle I saw a lot of people out there with powermeters who were hammering the hills, riding hard into headwinds, etc. Clearly, there is an education gap out there, as I saw many of these athletes walking the hill at mile 6 of the run. Having IF, TSS, and PNorm on the dial in real time on the Ergomo refines the Stupidometer capabilities of a powermeter. Something to consider.
i got the SL and the bike shop installed it with the DT Swiss wheel it works great. I have another one now another SL spooled to my 404. But if you are not going to put it on a race wheel all you need it the Power tap pro.
I own 2 powertaps and one SRM. I should have bought 2 SRMs and no powertaps. I’ve had zero problems with the srm in the year+ I’ve owned it and lots of problems with the PT’s. maybe it just my two units though.
Not just yours…I had a powertap for a while and just recently switched to SRM. It’s MUCH MUCH better, more reliable and just simply a better product. PT on the other hand had many problems…
I’d go SRM if you can, or Ergomo second, definitely PT in third.
well i have had one of my powertaps for a year and no problems, other than resetting the torque which i only do about two times per month or so not on every ride.
what kind of problems did you guys have with your Power Taps?