I’m trying to get my head around what all is needed for a PowerTap to work…and so, I will now ask some probably pretty dumb questions:
I appreciate your input…thanks.
you would have to buy a powertap hub with the same number of spoke holes are your current wheels, new spokes of the appropriate length, and relace the wheel. generally this is not worth the trouble
you go through wheelbuilder or buy a standard power tap wheel from any number of people. there are cheap ones, fancy ones (hed/zipp) whatever you want.
putting a cover on a cheap powertap wheel lets you train on a normal powertap wheel and race with the same aerodynamics as a disc wheel.
the wheel on the rear of my bike here is a hed jet90 powertap. for time trials and triathlons I put the cover on, so I have a disc:
I highly recommend going through Wheelbuilder if you are trying to weigh options and make the right decision. They absolutely won’t sell you something you don’t need and they’ll go to the trouble to ask you lots of qualifying questions to determine which setup is best for you.
I’m trying to get my head around what all is needed for a PowerTap to work…and so, I will now ask some probably pretty dumb questions:
I appreciate your input…thanks.
Your initial two points have been covered but, point 3, I guess, is open to debate. I assume people say this because if you swapped to race wheels then you would nolonger have a powertap … so, some people use their training wheel with powertap built in and then buy a cover to race with.
You could just race on the same wheel with powertap built in and no cover.
You could race on a training wheel and buy a cover for racing.
You could get a powertap in a decent wheel (I have in Hed Jet 6) and then train and race with both.
You could get a powertap in a decent wheel (I have in Hed Jet 6) and then train and race with both AND also add a wheel cover.
Just a few more options for you.
Not to hijack… What about when you already have a zipp fc 808? I don’t see this as a good option for a wheel to train on everyday. Why do I have a feeling this won’t be cheap?!?
Well, that was my problem. I had a set of fir box rim, 32 spoke training wheels and a Zipp 606 (808/404) race wheel set. Trained for 9 months with the PT laced into the training wheel (not as expensive an option as starting from scratch where I live). Come race day, the wind got up and I hammered myself through it trying to achieve my goal time - and ended up blowing up on the run. Lesson: What’s the point using a device to measure output, training your body to adapt to hold a sustainable power that will enable a good run, then throwing it away and going by feel?
My solution? I bought another PT (better model for way less than the first) laced it into my 808 and ordered a disc cover from Wheelbuilder.com for the 808. Now I train on my heavy wheels, and race on the 808 with or without the cover depending on the conditions. Expensive? I spent less on 2 PTs than I can find a SRM or Quarq for.
I am liking this idea. However, I want to get a sub9 as well. Also the wife is now on board for 70.3 Belgium. So if I get a computrainer and a pt for my zipps will this work? Ct makes her happy and I can do some of my training on it?
My other option is to not buy my Defender 90 for the drive back to the states when we move. (dream rig and who do you know has driven all the way through central America?!?). Then I can get 3 pts and a ct?
Or does this just steer me towards Quarq?
I have an old TT bike permanently on the CT and have a road bike and a TT bike. I like being able to train and test with power on all 3. If you get a PT for your Zipp fc or Sub 9 will you train on it? If you get a Quarq, you’re either swapping crank sets or sticking to one bike.
My wife is much happier now that I do more training on the CT than on the roads and my workouts are much more specific - I get a greater benefit in less time. A bonus is she can use my old mag trainer herself at the same time.
I only have my “race” bike. Fc and disc would be race only wheels. I agree that the boss would love to use the CT and my old cyclops.
So 1 Quarq is ~1800. 3 pts ~1950. I know the pt works with 310xt. Any additional costs with Quarq?
Any I can swap Quarq to my next bike… Am I seeing this correctly?
Or… Next season I’m doing HIM Panama, Rev Costa, HIM Belgum and IMFL. Do I sell rear 808 for disc and buy again when I qualify for IMH?
Plus CT.
If you only have 1 bike that you use for both training and racing, and you already have a good wheelset, then you could get a crank/pedal-based powermeter.
This is a “do-it-all” option for the serious triathlete on a budget:
PT Elite+ training wheel (+ aero cover)
iBike iAero
Garmin Forerunner 210 (or similar)
With the iBike as display unit you can use the cheapest possible “real” powermeter for training and iBike “calibration”. Come race day, use a wheel cover OR your expensive non-PM Zipps + iBike alone.
Bonus 1: iBike alone can be brought on trips and used with rentals or loaners
Bonus 2: training wheel is compatible with road, TT, CX, 29er MTB, commuter, hybrid
Run with a running specific, daily wearer Forerunner.
Bonus 3: Forerunner can be worn while riding and GPS data is easily merged with PM data in iBike software.
Total cost: <$1500
Total function: ~better
iBike data file is compatible with WKO and SportTracks.
Here’s what I would do: Forget the Sub 9. Get 2 PTs, 1 Pro/SL/SLC, the other an Elite. (I’m sure you’ll find the 2 for less than a new Quarq). Lace the Elite into your training wheel, the better model into your 808 Firecrest. Order an Aerojacket wheel cover from Wheelbuilder.com for your 808. You get the choice then of riding with or without the wheel cover on race day depending on the conditions, and can use the money you would have spent on the Sub 9 to buy the CompuTrainer. A lot of places are selling their PTs at good prices right now to move stock before the new line arrives, and I’m sure the 2nd hand/eBay market would also have adjusted accordingly. Without the CT, you still get power on your normal trainer and perhaps with Trainerroad software can create a 'virtual" CT?
I considered the option of 1 PT on my training wheel and an iBike iAero as both head unit for training and as an indirect force power meter when racing, but, you know… I have a hard time getting rolling in the morning as it is, without having to do the stupid calibrations each time for the iBike.