I just placed a Wheelbuilder order for a new Powertap wheel. I went for a black 24-hole SL+ hub, Sapim X-Ray spokes, brass nips, and Kinlin XR-300 rims. I thought I’d go for a higher spoke count, but Wheelbuilder (Rich?) assured me that this rim with 24 spokes is plenty strong for my weight (140-145 lbs). Besides, a 24-hole hub may be a better choice over a higher spoke count should I rebuild the wheel in the future with some fancy aero carbon rim.
Anyway, I am pretty stoked to finally be able to train with power. I ordered the wheel without the Powertap head unit because I will use a Garmin 310XT. Now comes the choice of analysis software. I have downloaded trial versions of both WKO+ and Raceday. It seems that WKO+ may be more popular with more analytical tools, but Raceday looks simpler to use. Supposedly, Raceday is coming out with a new version soon, while WKO+ development has apparently stagnated. They both cost the same, and I can’t decide which one to buy. Any recommendations?
I just placed a Wheelbuilder order for a new Powertap wheel. I went for a black 24-hole SL+ hub, Sapim X-Ray spokes, brass nips, and Kinlin XR-300 rims. I thought I’d go for a higher spoke count, but Wheelbuilder (Rich?) assured me that this rim with 24 spokes is plenty strong for my weight (140-145 lbs). Besides, a 24-hole hub may be a better choice over a higher spoke count should I rebuild the wheel in the future with some fancy aero carbon rim.
Anyway, I am pretty stoked to finally be able to train with power. I ordered the wheel without the Powertap head unit because I will use a Garmin 310XT. Now comes the choice of analysis software. I have downloaded trial versions of both WKO+ and Raceday. It seems that WKO+ may be more popular with more analytical tools, but Raceday looks simpler to use. Supposedly, Raceday is coming out with a new version soon, while WKO+ development has apparently stagnated. They both cost the same, and I can’t decide which one to buy. Any recommendations?
That’s the smartest move you’ll make this year. I think you’ll agree when you get your wheels that the quality, workmanship and longevity of your wheels is top notch. Wheelbuilder is the best.
I dont know about that, I have a few different sets of software and I really only use power agent when im not following what I would call a “training plan” because it dosent have all the features of some of the cooler software, but it works good for doing FTP tests, intervals and stuff and it stores all that nicely. That being said, when I am actually following a training plan, like I am now, i use wko+ or raceday.
I’m in the same boat as you right now. I just got my powertap yesterday, and I’m hoping my Garmin 310 will be in this week. I haven’t had a chance to download the trial versions of either software, but I did just finish reading Andrew’s book, so I’m more familiar with the WKO+ terminology. I’m starting to think I may end up buying both, as they seem to do different, but equally useful thing. Let me know what you choose and why!
I think you we are going down the same path on the purchase of a powertap. I’m leaning to a 28 hole hub and have it built with a DT 1.1 rim. I was thinking the same a you on a later posible change to a Zipp 808 or 404 rim. I weigh 180 and am still considering my spoke hole options. i think 28 may be the way to go for my weight. Does that match what advice you received?
Let me presume you are not at liberty to discuss details, but perhaps can give one of your concise responses to my thinking…
WKO+ development has stagnated per a previous post so one can safely assume that their efforts are directed at something still under wraps.
If 1 is correct, a potential customer might be looking to purchase around Jan 1, 2010. (This is a complete and utter WAG! Just trying to give something AC can respond to without saying anything, or at least not much. I know nothing.)
Raceday is coming out with an update as acknowledged here by Dr. Phil. He stated that the plan was for purchasers within 6 months of the release (this winter, I believe) would be eligible for a free upgrade and there would be a nominal fee for longer term users. No reason to wait on Raceday, therefore 1, and possibly 2, seems quite likely the explanation of your “wait” response, correct?
Do you have enough past-their-prime MOP hacks to test this new software before release? I mean, maybe it’s great for top tier athletes, but what about the us? Us meaning me and my cohorts, not you and me.
I suppose I’ve also left out the possibility that you are going to drop the bombshell that power meters are useless, but I rather doubt that’s coming. The fallout would be hilarious, however.
So, back to this waiting period. Will we be waiting so long that our pre-season training will suffer or is the holy grail just over the horizon?
I’ve also left out the possibility that you are going to drop the bombshell that power meters are useless
Not only have I determined (after decades of research, mind you) that they are useless, I have concluded that they are dangerous, and should be banned immediately.
In fact, they are so dangerous that I cannot possibly in good conscience sell any of our two SRMs, one PowerTap, one CinQo, and one iBike to anyone (the latter two aren’t really mine, so I couldn’t sell them anyway). That is going to make it difficult to fund the purchase of some PowerCranks, but I will just have to find a way…
But seriously: all I meant by “wait” was that the OP should probably first spend a bit of time learning how to operate his powermeter (and about himself/how he rides) before worrying about what (if any) aftermarket software best suits his needs. As long as they download and save all the data, they really have nothing to lose by doing so.
First, this is one of the funniest posts I’ve seen on ST. I thought useless was a bombshell, but Powercranks? That would be HUGE. Thanks for a laugh on what has been a tedious day tied to the computer.
Kind of anti-climatic though. One simple word for you had us holding our collective breath. Guess I better go hit the trainer and start learning about myself and my PT.
Waiting until you get familiar with the unit is probably good advice. That said, WKO software is pretty darn easy to use. One of the nice things is being able to copy workouts for those days that you ride without the PT for whatever reason.
