I just got a hold of one but I am a bit concerned about what conditions I use it in with all the bad press about Powertap’s leaking in poor weather conditions. I do have a second set of wheels which I am thinking of using for rainy days (or even the possibility of rain). Is this being too overly cautious? Are Powertap Pro’s as bad as some people state? And, what can I do (if anything) to minimize water leakage (i.e. putting some silicon sealant around the hub)?
Rain is what made mine fade out for a few hours once, and then ultimately caused it to corrode (the electronics inside) and fail a month or two later.
Don’t do it in the rain, no matter what anyone says. A little shower, sure. But not in a downpour or anything that you expect to be longer than a few mins here and there.
Even the PT rep on the phone told me they are prone to problems from that. The SL is supposed to be better.
Note that some will say they have ridden lots in the rain w/o trouble. Good for them!
Actually, I was all set to get the Powertap SL because it was marketed as being weather proof. Well…the latest is that they have been recalled because they are worse then the Pro. Go figure. It made me turn full circle and opt for the Pro. The SRM Pro’s are simply unaffordable for me even at ebay prices.
I have two PT Pros, work great, no problems however I ride in sunny SoCal
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I have two PT Pros, work great, no problems however I ride in sunny SoCal
I have a PT Pro, live in snowy/rainy/mountainous SoCal, and after trying it out in a downpour, and having it fail (just on that ride, it came back fine for the next workout) I’d recommend not using it on truly rainy days. If there is a chance for light rain here and there, I wouldn’t sweat it.
I rode everyday this winter/early season on a powertap (it’s on my rain bike,) and I live in an area (Seattle) where you have to have a special bike just FOR the rain…
Zero problems with the electronics - at least in the hub; the harness is a total POS, and I have rewired it to better spec.
The cassete body, otoh, is definitely not rain worthy (but you can, and will, replace that…)
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Do you know if there is anything I can do of a preventative measure for occasional rain use?
Hi AJ,
Here’s what I did/you can do:
New High quality cassette body/bearings/grease
Check the gasket and seals on electronics cavity (good enough on mine,) and use dielectric grease to help seal cavity cover
Replace contacts on head unit interface with higher tension/corrosion resistance mil-spec replacements (which I scavenged from the wiring harness of an early 70’s Alembic bass that Jack Cassidy owned at one point…)
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Thanks Fredly. I appreciate your advice.