Yes I know the SRM, Quarq threads are out there, but am really close to pulling the trigger within the next month.
From what I’ve gathered, SRM may have an advantage in durability, but that both are great power meters and have great customer service. I only have the BB30 option and will be going SRAM 975 with red chain rings.
Question? Is there a measurable difference (aside from costs) when using the Garmin 500 head unit? I have heard that that the data interpretation may be different with different head units. Does this matter? I will be using a coach with experience in training with power.
I think you have SRM and Quarq confused with it comes to customer service, not only are you going to take it on the intial purchase, but your also going to take it when you need the batteries changed, to the tune of ~250 with shipping…I will take my quarq and their customer service is second to no one. Mieke has answered emails late at night their time.
I think you have SRM and Quarq confused with it comes to customer service, not only are you going to take it on the intial purchase, but your also going to take it when you need the batteries changed, to the tune of ~250 with shipping…I will take my quarq and their customer service is second to no one. Mieke has answered emails late at night their time.
The head unit is personal preference.
It doesn’t cost $250 to get the batteries changed. I got both the crank and computer batteries changed and it was ~175 with shipping.
depends on the shipping choices you got and how fast you want it, but still dude, YOU are ok with it cost $175 for them to change batteries? I swapped the battery in my quarq it cost me $4.
I think you have SRM and Quarq confused with it comes to customer service, not only are you going to take it on the intial purchase, but your also going to take it when you need the batteries changed, to the tune of ~250 with shipping…I will take my quarq and their customer service is second to no one. Mieke has answered emails late at night their time.
The head unit is personal preference.
It doesn’t cost $250 to get the batteries changed. I got both the crank and computer batteries changed and it was ~175 with shipping.
And you can change the Cinqo battery yourself in ~ a minute for less than $3.00:) The Garmin lithium cells last for several years longer than the darn
SRM head unit NM cells.
One note on your comment for both having great customer service.
SRM-USA has slow turnaround times, excessive charges, and, occasionally, rude/arrogant assistance. Mieke on the other hand is AWESOME! I also REALLY need to email her. (putting it out there so i now do it)
But, if you get leslie at SRM you will at least get someone who is nice.
One note on your comment for both having great customer service.
SRM-USA has slow turnaround times, excessive charges, and, occasionally, rude/arrogant assistance. Mieke on the other hand is AWESOME! I also REALLY need to email her. (putting it out there so i now do it)
But, if you get leslie at SRM you will get some who is nice at least.
LBS talked me into a Quarq that I just got because of that exact reason…he hates dealing with SRM.
One note on your comment for both having great customer service.
SRM-USA has slow turnaround times, excessive charges, and, occasionally, rude/arrogant assistance. Mieke on the other hand is AWESOME! I also REALLY need to email her. (putting it out there so i now do it)
But, if you get leslie at SRM you will at least get someone who is nice.
Mark, are you using a Quarq? Do you find it pretty reliable and accurate (and by accurate I mean reproducible results when you look at the data)?
I found it both reliable and accurate when compared to my SRM as well as the powertap that I correlated it with. I first rode with both the SRM and powertap, then rode with both the quarq and powertap. Everything checked out as I would like to see it. I think that’s what you are asking about? Yes, it was consistent as well in the data. It was consistently horrible, which told me to stop and take time off
I had a really good feeling about Quarq after meeting the Meyers at Interbike a couple years back and after listening to Jim Meyer at the powermeter seminar at each Interbike there was no doubt what I wanted. Plus everyone who I know who has a Quarq has been super happy with it and the customer service.
As for the Garmin 800, I have read good reviews and a good friend whose opinion I trust very much recommended it too.
The only viable reason to get srm is if you have extra $$ and really want da cranks. Otherwise Quarq is superior in every category. Get a garmin 800 though. It’s worth it to splurge on a better headunit than the 500.
The cost is a difference, but it’s not going to be the main deciding factor.
Unfortunately I can’t run Dura Ace on my bike and a crank based power meter (BB30)
Here is another element I am looking at:
The Quarq does appear to have the better customer service from the replies here. I guess I see the big advantage of the SRM is a long track record and what I perceive as a very reliable and durable reputation. I have friends that have had their SRMs for 6 years and have had zero poblems. I have a friend who’s new (1 year old) Quarq needed to be replaced as it stopped working. The customer service was great and she got a new one shipped ASAP. I know it’s never wise to use an n=1 to make a decision, but it’s something I have been thinking about.
Maybe the Meyers will chime in? I truly am open to the Quarq, but trying to do my full due diligence.
I am also a quarq fan. I do have both the wired SRM and then I bought the wireless quarq with the garmin 705 head unit. Both units give me great data. When comparing with a PT, my intervals were with 1-3 watts. Not % but watts, so all three measured very close.
I have had to change my batteries with both units. For the SRM it was $225, my quarq, well I had a 2450 lying around. My experience with the customer service is clearly quarq. They are top drawer.
Given the choice again with money not a factor? I’d go quarq again.
Another very happy Quarq user here. They have a great team and their customer service and willingness to help is excellent. I’m not overly enamored with the Garmin 500 though, to say the least.
Another very happy Quarq user here. They have a great team and their customer service and willingness to help is excellent. I’m not overly enamored with the Garmin 500 though, to say the least.
Could you tell me what you don’t like about the 500? Is there a different head unit you would recommend?
There’s the ‘lap freeze’ issue - press the lap button and you risk freezing the computer; I’ve had HR anomalies where unit has read 200+ bpm on recovery rides; corrupted/lost files. These things don’t inspire confidence. I will say that the size of the unit is it’s best attribute, along with the ability to view up to 8 pieces of data on screen.
In terms of other options, the Joule certainly has a lot going for it. I’m waiting to find out more about the Specialized Speedzone Pro, partly due to it’s small size. Does anyone have any up to date info on a release date?
I do have both the wired SRM and then I bought the wireless quarq with the garmin 705 head unit. Both units give me great data. When comparing with a PT, my intervals were with 1-3 watts. Not % but watts
