I am considering a Power Tap for my training bike. I have never trained with wattage and am still a little unclear how to apply a wattage readout to my workout.
Can anyone who uses a Power Tap share their comments with the system and how they use it in training?
Thanks
Gary
Go over to cruciblefitness.com
Rich Strauss and his folks have been using them for some time. He has lots of info on racing and training with the Powertap. He is privy to some new info coming out of Joe Friel’s system.
Hello,
Another really good resource is the wattage listserv on Topica. Lots of great discussions on training with power and equipment. Here’s some good links from the listserv (copied from listserv emails):
FAQ: http://www.midweekclub.com/powerFAQ.htm
Links to other wattage site:
ROTOR crank system -
http://public.webbox.com/625966
Andy Coggan’s Power Profiling -
http://www.cyclingpeaks.com/powerprofiling.htm
http://www.pdqcleveland.org/power.htm
http://users.pandora.be/phil.stone/Racing%20in%20Belgium/startpage.htm
http://external.nj.nec.com/homepages/sandiway/bike/feather/tt/s710/index.html
http://www.schererfamily.com/Joisey_Scherers/Chris/cycling/polar/polars710.htm
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rechung/wattage/
Also:
The software has a trial period, and works with all the major systems AFAIK (PT, SRM, Ergomo, Polar).
I’m not associated with the company, but do lurk on that listserv (and this forum). There is quite a bit information available in the archives on Topica, but I do HIGHLY recommend training with power…it really is the way to go, much more so than HR alone.
Dave
PT User since 1999
I’ve used a power-tap for about 6 months now. I think it has helped my training about as much as using a HRM has (additive, not replacing) which is a lot. It gives objective information about how hard you are working. This is helpfull in lots of ways. It allows me to maintain a more even workload during interval training (hills and flat). It is especially helpfull during shorter intervals (less than 10 minutes) as you don’t have to worry about HR lag. It also helps me figure out what effort I can hold for certain times. This benefit is somewhat tempered by the fact that the information is not available in time trials or triathlons (I can’t bring my self to give up the advantage, even if it’s small, of using an aero real wheel for important races). I’ve used it in a few road races and crits, just to see the data, but in general, how fast you go in those races depends on the group, not your own limitations.
It has also been helpfull in showing me when I am begining to inch towards overtraining. It’s hard to ignore the numbers when your watts are 40-50 below normal. I think the powertap has saved me a couple of times from going deeper into overtraining, and needing a longer break.
Those are the most objective ways it helps. There are also the motivational ways it helps. It’s just plain cool to see your wattage climb as you train. It’s nice having objective data every ride that you can use to measure your progress. I used to do a set 10 mile TT to measure my progress. I still do, but now it’s more of a training ride, I pretty much know what I’m capable of before I ride it now. The powertap even lets you set dream (i.e. unrealistic =) goals. It’s one thing to watch the TDF and think to yourself how fast these guys are during their time trials. It’s quite another thing to go out and try to maintain their power output for a few minutes, let alone an hour or more…but maybe some day!
I would say the value of the powertap is 75% real improvement in training efficiency, and 25% psychological (motivational). I’m a faster rider because of how it has helped my training, and perhaps just as importantly, it has made training and riding more fun.
Scott
This benefit is somewhat tempered by the fact that the information is not available in time trials or triathlons (I can’t bring my self to give up the advantage, even if it’s small, of using an aero real wheel for important races)
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kenlehner/pt_cover.jpg
Ken Lehner
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There are vendors who will lace the Powertap to a Zip 404 or whatever you want (provided that it has spokes). Also, the SRM is another option. That way you can use any wheels you want.
thanks everyone, I’ll be using the references when I get the hub.
Mike, I use Rotor Cranks on both my bikes and cant use a SRM, but thanks.